In a move to avoid wastage of funds spent on training recruits, the police department has decided to fine cops who leave their jobs before five years of service, The New Indian Express reports.

The government spends Rs 2-3 lakh to train each new recruit and as H Rajan Samuel in his report notes, nearly 300 cops, especially from constable to Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) grades, have resigned in the state in the past few months.

The reasons stated for quitting include getting another job, alleged harassment they faced in the department, family issues, etc.

With the implementation of the new decision, a sub-inspector who quits before five years will have to pay a penalty of Rs 2 lakh. Personnel below the grade of SI will be fined Rs 1 lakh for the same violation.

Now, as per the new rules, SIs and constables will have to give an undertaking, before they start training that they will give a Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh fine respectively for leaving the service before the stipulated time, the report states.

Officials told TNIE that very often candidates who joined the department as SIs and constables, sit for other competitive exams simultaneously. When they clear other exams, they quit their jobs with the police.

The state police department is suffering from a severe shortage of staff. According to a report in The Times of India earlier this year, 36% of police posts are vacant in Karnataka.

This is much higher than the national average of 24% and the state is the second in the list after Uttar Pradesh.

The report quoted DG & IGP RK Dutta as saying, "...Not a single person was recruited between 2008 and 2013, which has created a huge backlog. Add the vacancies created annually due to retirement and other reasons add to this."