The ambitious Yuva Prahari scheme, an effort to establish a connect with locals, is struggling to see the light of the day, as Delhi Police is reluctant to give the monthly payments to the volunteers. According to a senior police officer, Delhi Police is bearing the amount from its own funds, which cannot be continued for long.
Police officials told The Pioneer that the youths are excited about this unique active community policing scheme started by Delhi Police in which they get an opportunity to become part of the police patrolling in their areas. The interested participants are given badges, volunteer uniform and accompany PCR vans at least once a day.
As of now, 125 such youths, from poor families, including 36 girls, are volunteering in various parts of the national Capital. “Presently, Delhi Police is making payments from its own funds, which is, however, supposed to be borne by the Government,” said an officer, who did not wish to be named.
Police also believe that the amount these volunteers are paid for their work is very minimal. “They are paid a paltry Rs2,000, which doesn’t even take care of their phone bills and other daily expenses,” said the officer, adding the amount should be raised to Rs5,000.
The officer also said they have written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) informing them about the importance and advantage of this scheme and requested them to release the amount to run the scheme efficiently.
Sources said Delhi Police had decided on a formal launch of the scheme earlier this month. The second batch of volunteers has also been selected to be deployed at PCR. According to the scheme, which is in partnership with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), an autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, young adults, after attending a week’s training by Delhi Police, will be part of the patrolling teams. The officials said the youths were being provided by NYKS.
The officials said that the objective was to create a reserved unit of 800 volunteers for PCR vans across the city. They could help in any emergency or staff crunch in any area because the training includes basic first aid, self-defence and an understanding of the functioning and structure of the PA-100 Emergency Response System.
The scheme was announced by the Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on January 2, during the annual media briefing. It says that the volunteers will not only assist the police team in handling PCR calls, but will also help in further improving the interface between the patrolling staff and the community.