Ending the stagnation in the state police force, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday launched ‘one rank up promotion’ scheme for assured career progression of the police personnel. “Nobody will retire from Punjab Police before becoming an assistant sub inspector (ASI),” said Capt Amarinder while addressing the recruit constables at the Police Recruit Training Centre, Jahan Khelan in Hoshiarpur district.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the disillusionment in the force due to high stagnation in the rank of Head Constable and Non Gazetted Officer (NGO), as several police officials are not promoted despite being eligible due to the availability of fewer vacancies in the rank.
Accompanied by his cabinet colleagues Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and Sunder Sham Arora, Capt Amarinder said that ‘one rank up promotion’ would currently encompass only rank elevation, and the government would look at finding ways to also enhance their salaries.
Formally launching the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, Capt Amarinder piped stars on the uniform of 14 newly promoted police officers. The scheme provides for promotion of Head Constable to ASI, ASI to Sub-Inspector (SI) and SI to Inspector, after having been successfully completed service of 16, 24 and 30 years respectively.
likening the training imparted to the recruits at PRTC with prestigious Indian Military Academy and National Defence Academy, the Chief Minister also announced Rs five crore from the state budget for further upgradation of the existing infrastructure and Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary grant for welfare of the police force and their families.
Recalling the role of the police in the state’s fight against terrorism, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Police had lost 1,800 personnel in their efforts to restore peace. Four companies of Punjab Police were sent to Hazratbal in 1964 to restore peace there, he further pointed out, adding that he had also gone to the disturbed region as an Army officer at that time.
Saying that Punjab was once again going through difficult times, with the ISI getting aggressive in its bid to create disturbance, coupled with the drug menace and the gangsters who were still active in the state, Capt Amarinder said that he had issued a clear warning to the gangsters to either lay their arms or face the consequences. “The young recruits would have a critical role to play in combating these dangers,” he said.
As many 2,068 passed out recruit constables were administered the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India and pledged to discharge their duties with dedication and commitment to uphold the glory and ideals of Punjab Police force.