The State Government is committed to modernising and providing essential facilities to the police. The Government will look after the requirements of the security and other essential services for the policemen as well as their families. A Government order has been issued for food allowance to policemen which will entail an expenditure of Rs 4.5 crore.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said this after paying tribute to the policemen who lost their lives while on duty in a programme held in the Police line on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day on Monday. A decision has been taken to give a regular amount instead of a stipend during the training period. This will cost the Government Rs28 crores, he added.
Bahuguna said that the State Government respects the hard work and the services extended by the police force. “We are proud of you and the country places immense faith in you. You fight challenges of cross border terrorism and naxalites in the country with valour. You do not even fear to sacrifice your lives to protect the country.”
He said that Uttarakhand is also known as Veer Bhoomi because the sons of this land have never hesitated in extending their services for the security of the country.
“The policemen and officers displayed commendable courage while dealing with the disaster that hit the state in the month of June. We extend our gratitude for their bravery,” said Bahuguna.
It will be recalled that the police performed the last rites of the deceased despite extreme weather conditions at Kedarnath. “Whenever the history of Uttarakhand is written, there will be a mention of the Uttarakhand police personnel’s compassion and responsibility towards their duty,” he added.
Director General of Police BS Sidhu said that on October 21, 1959, 10 policemen of Regional Reserve Police sacrificed their lives fighting the Chinese army in ladakh. Since then Police Commemoration Day is observed to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those brave men. This year 579 policemen have sacrificed their lives for the nation. This includes local police, CISF, NDRF, SSB, ITBP and CBI officers as well as policemen. This year 25 policemen died while on duty in the state.
Sidhu also released a booklet on the martyrs on the occasion. The march past on the occasion was led by Parade Commander DSP Jaya Baloni.
Present on the occasion were MPs Pradeep Tamta, Mahendra Singh Mahra, Tarun Vijay, Mala Rajya lakshmi, Cabinet Ministers Yashpal Arya, Harak Singh Rawat, SSP Kewal Khurana, SP City Jagdish Chandra, SP Traffic Pradeep Rai and others.
Slugfest over lokayukta Act
Reacting to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker GS Kunjwal reportedly stating that the Uttarakhand lokayukta Act approved by the President of India should be implemented in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna expressed surprise and said that making amendments in such an act does not amount to disrespecting the President.
He stressed that the Act passed in the Indian Parliament will be accorded preference instead of the Act passed during the term of the previous State Government headed by the BJP. He questioned as to why other BJP governed States had not adopted this lokayukta Act if it was as good as being claimed by BJP leaders.