Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the ceremonial parade marking the Raising Day of the Provincial Raksha Dal (PRD) at the Directorate of Youth Welfare and Provincial Raksha Dal complex in Nanurkhera, here, today. During the event, he also handed over financial assistance cheques to the families of deceased PRD volunteers and scholarships to the children of serving personnel.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, the CM announced the establishment of a dedicated training institute for PRD personnel. He also declared that PRD personnel admitted to hospital while on duty will now be considered on active duty during their treatment and will receive an honorarium for up to six months. Furthermore, a playground will be developed at village Asthal, Raipur.
Congratulating the PRD on its Raising Day, Dhami described the PRD personnel as symbols of patience, dedication and indomitable will, who play a vital role in the state’s security and public service. He also mentioned their diverse responsibilities, including traffic management, maintaining law and order, clerical duties, and working under challenging conditions during natural disasters. During the Chardham Yatra, PRD personnel exhibited patience, sensitivity, and vigilance, ensuring the safe passage of millions of devotees.
Dhami also announced various welfare measures introduced by the State Government for PRD personnel. He recalled that at the time of Uttarakhand’s formation, PRD personnel received a daily allowance of Rs 65, which has now increased tenfold to Rs 650. Scholarships are being granted to the children of PRD personnel, and the government has extended over Rs 70 lakhs in financial aid to families of deceased and injured volunteers.
He also reminded that additional benefits include a one-time service allowance of Rs 18 lakh for personnel retiring after ten years of service. The ex-gratia amount for families of personnel who die during communal riots has doubled from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakhs. Compensation for deaths during highly sensitive duties has risen from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, while the amount for deaths during normal duty has increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. New regulations provide separate provisions for funeral expenses of volunteers who lose their lives in communal riots and highly sensitive operations. Assistance of up to Rs 50,000 is available to PRD personnel for losses suffered due to natural disasters, subject to the recommendation of the concerned officer.
It may be recalled that honouring their loyalty and dedication, the government had begun registering dependants of deceased and disabled personnel as PRD volunteers in 2023. Of the 190 dependants registered, 133 have secured employment. The CM also shared that this month, 149 registered dependants will receive departmental paramilitary training to enhance their skills and improve efficiency in fulfilling PRD duties.
Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya also praised the PRD personnel for their unwavering service during elections, festivals, disasters, and routine days. She commended the CM for historic decisions benefiting the force and noted that the Raising Day has been celebrated on a grand scale since 2022. Currently, over 7,500 PRD personnel serve the state.
Also present at the event were MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, Special Principal Secretary Amit Sinha, Additional Director, Youth Welfare, Rakesh Dimri, and other officials.
