Six years ago, the state government established a specialised research institute — Centre for Police Research (CPR) — at Pune to undertake studies for improving work conditions for the 40,000- plus Maharashtra police force.

The centre was quick to institute five research projects to be conducted by senior police officers, but only one has been completed till date.

The five research projects commissioned by the centre were developing nutritious dry ration for policemen deployed in Naxalite-affected areas, designing pouches and carry bags for easy transport of weapons, develop locally-made explosive detectors, develop techniques for detection of liquid explosives and evolving modalities for quick dispersal of compensation to policemen.

“Of the five projects [commissioned] only one project about [evolving] modalities of compensation [to be given to policemen] was submitted to the CPR,” said SPS Yadav, additional director general of police, Crime Investigation Department, Pune.

Yadav is also the president of CPR’s managing committee.

If the officers entrusted with the studies are to be believed, the reasons for not completing the remaining projects are frequent transfers and lack of time.

“I took up the research when I was a superintendent of police at Aurangabad. Later I was transferred to Pune and I could not complete the study owing to my commitment at work,” said R. G. Kadam, now deputy inspector general of police of the state’s Anti-Terrorism Squad.

Kadam was studying ways in which nutritious dry diet can be developed for those posted in Naxalite affected territories.

Asked why four of the five research projects commissioned till now have not completed, Yadav said: “More police officers should come forward. But the job of a policeman is very demanding. We have asked the government to appoint dedicated staff for CPR to conduct studies.”