The 560-strong force, which includes 56 women, was required to furnish information and pass it to the KMC Commissioner via the Civic Police Control Room. To conduct the work in a smooth and up-to-date manner, an MIS software package worth Rs 10 lakh was installed in the control room at that time.

“With Rs 89 being paid daily to members of the force, almost Rs 4 crore has already been spent by the KMC. The exact amount spent per year is Rs 1,79,42,400,” said Mayor-in-Council Member (Conservancy) Debabrata Majumdar.

“No department of the KMC has received any substantial information from them in the past two years. The money was being spent with the expectation that some service would be received. But nothing of that sort has happened,” he added.

Volunteers for the Civic Police have been selected from 560 local clubs enlisted by the Kolkata Police. “They have been given 15 days’ training at the Police Training Centre and 10 per cent of them regularly undergo refresher courses on a rotational basis. The training given to them is quite strong under the Joint CP and the AP. There is no scope for any complaint,” said Joint Additional CP Debashish Roy.

Commissioner of Police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty dismissed the complaints, saying that the civic police are discharging their duties and there is a demand to increase their number.