Lucknow: On the occasion of Police Smriti Diwas, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled a series of significant initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare, facilities, and operational capacities of the state’s police force. These measures reflect the government’s commitment to improving the working conditions and quality of life for the police personnel, while also strengthening the state’s security infrastructure.
Major Financial Announcements and Allowance Hikes
- Increase in Police Uniform and Accommodation Allowance:
- CM Adityanath announced a 70% increase in the police uniform allowance, aiming to enhance the appearance and discipline of the personnel.
- In a bid to improve living conditions, the Chief Minister also declared a 25% hike in the accommodation allowance for constables residing in barracks. This initiative is expected to improve the living standards of lower-ranked police personnel.
- Boost to Training and Sports Facilities:
- The Chief Minister allocated an additional Rs 10 crore in the next financial year’s budget to enhance the training, diet, and other facilities for police officers participating in national and international sports competitions. This reflects the government’s focus on encouraging fitness and excellence among the police force in the field of sports.
- Expenditure Allocation:
- The state government will incur an expenditure of Rs 115 crore for these initiatives, underscoring the substantial financial backing being provided to elevate police welfare in Uttar Pradesh.
- Rs 1,380 Crore Corpus Fund for Infrastructure Upkeep:
- A significant announcement was the establishment of a Rs 1,380 crore corpus fund dedicated to the maintenance of multi-storey police housing and administrative buildings. This move will ensure that police infrastructure remains in optimal condition, addressing both residential and operational needs of the force.
- Fee Levy for International Events:
- The Chief Minister approved a proposal to levy a fee to cover the expenses incurred by the police force during international events. This will be managed by the Director General of Police and governed under the proposed corpus fund rules, ensuring a streamlined and accountable financial system.
Financial Assistance to Families of Martyred Officers
- CM Adityanath highlighted that financial assistance amounting to Rs 36.2 crore has been provided to the families of 115 martyred police personnel from Uttar Pradesh who served in the Central Paramilitary Forces and Indian Police Services. This gesture underlines the government’s commitment to honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by these officers.
Welfare Initiatives for Police Personnel
- Allocation of Rs 3.5 Crore for Police Welfare:
- An amount of Rs 3.5 crore was allocated for the welfare and comfort of police personnel stationed across various districts. Additionally, Rs 4 crore was earmarked for general welfare initiatives benefiting the force.
- Medical Reimbursement and Support:
- A total of Rs 30.56 lakh was used to settle 2,66 medical reimbursement claims for active and retired police personnel and their dependents. For more severe medical cases, Rs 12.6 crore was approved for 312 reimbursement cases exceeding Rs 5 lakh.
- The government also provided Rs 5.05 crore as advance loans for the treatment of serious illnesses affecting 135 police personnel and their families.
- A sum of Rs 9.08 crore was allocated to support the dependents of 306 deceased police officers under the Jeevan Bima Yojana.
- Furthermore, Rs 31.16 lakh was spent on cashless treatments for police personnel and their dependents, ensuring timely and adequate healthcare for the force.
- Scholarships for Meritorious Students:
- In recognition of academic excellence within police families, Rs 53.3 lakh was awarded in scholarships to 205 meritorious students through the Education Fund. This initiative aims to motivate and support the education of children from police families.
Honoring Excellence in Service
- CM Yogi Adityanath proudly highlighted the accolades received by police personnel in the state. On Republic Day and Independence Day, the President conferred four Police Medals for Distinguished Services and 110 Police Medals for Long Commendable Services. Additionally, 1,013 police personnel received the ‘Ati Utkrisht Sewa Padak,’ while 729 were awarded the ‘Utkrisht Sewa Padak’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Chief Minister also announced that three gazetted officers and employees were honored with the Mukhyamantri Utkrisht Seva Police Padak.
Recruitment and Promotion Initiatives
- Since 2017, over 154,000 new recruitments have been made in the state’s Police department, with a notable 22,000 women personnel joining the force. Additionally, more than 141,000 promotions were granted to various gazetted posts. The recruitment process for 60,000 more positions is currently underway, indicating the government’s focus on strengthening the police force.
Enhanced Focus on Women’s Safety
- To bolster women’s safety across the state, dedicated women’s beats and help desks have been established in every police station. A total of 10,378 women beats were created, and 15,130 women police personnel were appointed across all districts.
- In a further step towards securing public spaces, over 11.71 lakh CCTVs were installed as part of Operation Trinetra, significantly enhancing surveillance and security capabilities.
Community Policing and Noise Pollution Control
- Under a special campaign, over 1,08,037 loudspeakers were removed from religious places, or their volume was regulated according to Supreme Court guidelines. From May 31, 2017, to October 2, 2024, police conducted foot patrols at over 2.68 crore locations, contributing to an improved security environment in the state.
Addressing Complaints on Ex-Gratia Payments
- CM Adityanath acknowledged the grievances regarding ex-gratia payments to the families of officers who died in the line of duty. The government has now amended the existing order to ensure that the full ex-gratia amount, ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, is directly disbursed to the spouse, parents, or legal heirs of the deceased personnel, ensuring clarity and efficiency in financial support.
CM Yogi Adityanath’s announcements on Police Smriti Diwas emphasize the state government’s commitment to enhancing police welfare, improving infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of its citizens. The focus on allowances, medical aid, welfare schemes, and recruitment initiatives reflects the government’s holistic approach to strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s police force.
