You will be soon able to lodge police complaints online either from your own computer or any of the 11,000 Maha-e-seva centres to be set up across the state.

“This step has been taken to ensure free and fair lodging of complaints and save time for people who go to the police station for the same,” said Home Minister RR Patil on Thursday.

He, however, he did specify when the service will be operational.

Upgrade of police training centres

In a meeting at the Home minister’s office, it was decided that modernisation of police training centres will be done on priority basis. Also, a seven-member committee will be formed to oversee the modernisation process.

“We should strictly follow the rule that no promotions be given unless police officials undergo compulsory training,” Patil said.

Citizens will be able to access the e-complaint form, which will be in both Marathi and English, on the complaints page of the government website — www. maharashtra. gov. in.

The complainant will have to enter his e-mail address, mobile number, type of complaint and the police station area where it is to be lodged.

Within 24 hours, the complainant will receive a confirmation e-mail and get a tracking number.

“We will verify all complaints and give each one a number to ensure tracking. The number will have to be preserved by the complainant, as it will be the key to all inquiries in the case. The updates will be sent to the complainant on his mobile phone,” said Patil.

The Home department will also provide broadband services to all police stations and train its personnel to use the complaint service as well as update it.

Along with the police, department heads, including the home minister and home secretaries, will be able to track a complaint from their offices.