Announcing a slew of incentives for Punjab Police, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday asked the cops to not buckle under pressure from the politicians or their seniors while lodging a case against any person.

Also showering praises on the state police force, Channi said that the State Government fully recognizes the immense contribution of Punjab Police in the socio-economic development of the state and no stone will be left unturned for the welfare of Punjab Police personnel. “The State Government is duty-bound to make sure that interests of cops are safeguarded in Punjab,” he said.

The assertions came amidst the raging controversy over Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu’s “wet pant” remarks. The cops, not only in Punjab but also from Delhi and Chandigarh, are lashing out at Sidhu for his remarks against the police force.

Among the incentives announced include by the Chief Minister restarting uniform allowance for Punjab police personnel, free travel for the police in public buses, risk allowance for personnel of the bomb disposal squad, enhancing diet money to Rs 250 per day for sportsmen in the police force, renovation of the PAP ground at a cost of Rs one crore, 250 vehicles for the police, Rs 15 crore for the welfare of police personnel and to set up police Sanjh Kendras at the two international airports in Amritsar and Mohali.

Channi, speaking at an event organized at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex in Jalandhar on New Year eve, insisted that the Punjab police’s general impression should be that of a “justice providing agency”, and thus all the cops should perform their duties with ethics and honesty.

At the same time, the Chief Minister maintained that “political pressures” notwithstanding, no innocent person should be put behind bars even for a single hour under any circumstances. “I request you or you may take it as my order that no one should be booked illegitimately and you should listen to your heart whether you are doing justice or just harassing a person. However, an accused must not be spared at any cost,” he made it clear.

Striking an emotional chord with the cops, Channi said that service in the Armed forces and Police is a challenging job and only those people who have zeal to serve the country and its people join these forces.

Accepting a major demand of cop, the Chief Minister announced to restart Uniform Allowance from the ensuing New Year.

“Superior quality uniform will be provided to cops for which total payment will be borne by the government,” he said.

He also announced “free bus travel” for any on-duty cop in government buses, adding that the Police personnel will continue to get 13 months’ salary.

Pointing that the bomb disposal unit put their life in peril during the discharge of their duty, the Chief Minister announced to provide Risk Allowance to them. Besides, he also announced to enhance Diet Money for sportsmen in Punjab Police from existing Rs 150 to Rs 250 per day during camps. He also announced ground renovation in the PAP campus at a cost of Rs one crore to boost sports.

Channi also said that Police Sanjh Kendras will be opened at Amritsar and Mohali airports to facilitate NRIs coming into the state. He also announced the requisite funds for purchasing 250 vehicles in the force. An announcement was also made to enhance the Police Welfare Fund from the existing Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore from the next budget.

Lauding the services rendered by the cops in maintaining peace, law and order in the country, Channi said that the nation's progress cannot be imagined without cops. He also lauded the role of Punjab Police in returning normalcy in the State after black days of terrorism. “The glorious services of Punjab Police hardly find any match across the globe,” he said while expressing hope that Punjab Police will uphold its rich tradition of serving the state by wiping out curse of drugs from the state.

“In the wake of elections, some forces inimical to State are hell-bent upon disturbing the hard-earned peace of Punjab. However, Punjabis have always fought the nation's war to protect their unity and sovereignty...Now also, Punjabis will be at the forefront to serve the nation,” said Channi while expressing hope that with fulsome support and cooperation of people, these challenges will be overcome soon.