Ever wondered why the Maharashtra police always look so stressed up. Here's why: An RTI reply has revealed that as many as 12,115 posts are lying vacant in the state police department for a long time. These posts vary from that of a constable to the additional director general of police.

According to the details revealed by the office of the director general of police, Maharashtra State Police Force headquarters, there are a total of 2,19,986 posts in the Maharashtra Police Department out of which 2,07,871 are currently filled. There are a total of 12,115 posts lying vacant.

Of the total vacancies, the highest number is that of the sub-inspector post. "The RTI reply claims that there are 2,708 vacant positions of sub-inspector as of today," said RTI activist Anil Galgali, who has written a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the additional charge of home, to take necessary action to fill these posts with immediate effect.

The reply revealed that at present the police department is working with 6,951 sub-inspectors, with vacancies being 9,659.

Interestingly, Galgali's request seeking the religious break-up of the total number of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc, employed in the police force was turned down by the office saying no such data is being maintained.

Furthermore, three posts of additional director general out of 25 are pending for appointment. Eight out of 47 posts of special inspector general of police are yet to be filled. Five posts out of 36 of deputy inspector general of police, two out of two posts of deputy inspector general of police (technical), 30 out of 265 posts of superintendent of police/deputy commissioner of police are also lying vacant.

There is also a large number of vacancies at the level of deputy superintendent of police/assistant commissioner.

It said in the unarmed category, 209 out of 686 posts are lying vacant, whereas in the armed category, 50 out of 87 posts are waiting for appointment. At the constable level, the vacancies are as high as 2,323 out of 42,964.The posts of the sub-inspector of motor transport of marine second class and first class master engine driver have only 11 out of 270 posts pending. However, for the sub-inspector of motor transport, 54 out of 109 posts are currently vacant.