Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Police Commemoration Day Parade held at the Police Lines here, today, and paid homage to the martyrs of the Police and Paramilitary Forces by laying a wreath and honouring their families. The CM also announced that all personnel of the Uttarakhand Police would be awarded a special Silver Jubilee Medal on the 25th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s formation.
Dhami further declared that an amount of Rs 100 crores would be allocated annually for the next three years towards the construction of residential buildings for police personnel. He added that the Police Welfare Fund will also be enhanced from Rs 2.5 crores to Rs 4.5 crores for the upcoming year. Additionally, five barracks for SDRF personnel will be constructed at Bhawali, Nainital, Dhalamalla, Kanda, Bageshwar, Nainidanda, Dhumakot, Pauri, Ghansali, Tehri, Satpuli, and Pauri.
Addressing the police personnel, the CM emphasised that the responsibility for internal security and law and order lay with the state police and paramilitary forces. In the past year, 186 personnel across India, including four from Uttarakhand Police, laid down their lives in the line of duty. Their sacrifice, he said, forms the bedrock of national security and remains a lasting source of inspiration. He also reiterated his government’s commitment towards strengthening the police system by equipping it with better resources and ensuring the welfare and empowerment of its personnel.
Dhami reminded that Quick Response Teams have been established under the Women’s Help Desk in every police station across the state. Over the last three years, an amount of Rs 500 crores has been spent on constructing police department buildings, a figure significantly higher than in previous years. Construction of 688 residential units and administrative buildings is underway, with work on 120 new residences set to begin shortly. To ensure Smart Policing, funds have been provided for upgrading barracks, messes, and workplaces. Rs 5 crores have been released for implementing new criminal laws, and cashless medical facilities are now available to all police personnel under the health scheme.
The CM also reminded that the promotion process for police personnel has been made timebound. He shared that this year, 356 officers and employees have been promoted, and that action is in progress to fill 115 vacant posts. A total of 215 personnel have been honoured with medals and awards for distinguished service. The Government is also investing in capacity building, with sufficient funds allocated to training institutes. PTC Narendra Nagar is being developed into a Centre of Excellence, and the police personnel are being sent to reputed institutions across the country for training in AI and cyber security.
Dhami claimed that all the procedures related to salary, allowances, medical reimbursements, and leave have been digitised. A new SDRF company has been sanctioned to enhance disaster response capabilities, resulting in the creation of 162 new posts. Candidates selected through direct recruitment for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police are currently undergoing training at PTC Narendra Nagar. Recruitment for 222 Sub-Inspector posts and 2,000 constables is also underway.
He also shared that, to support families of deceased police personnel, 136 dependent family members have been appointed to various posts under the deceased dependant quota this year. The Uttarakhand Sports Policy includes provisions for special quota recruitment in the police department for talented sportspersons. The CM also urged the senior Police officials to organise regular mental health and stress management programmes for police personnel.
Dhami stated that the establishment of the National Police Memorial by Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorates the valour and dedication of police personnel and serves to educate future generations about their bravery. He noted that Uttarakhand’s geographical and strategic sensitivity makes the role of its police even more crucial in maintaining peace and security.
The CM lauded the Uttarakhand Police for their exemplary efforts in ensuring safe and smooth travel for over 4 crore devotees during the Kanwar Yatra and approximately 50 lakh pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra. He praised their efficient handling of security during VIP programmes, the National Games, and other major events, as well as their courageous response to natural disasters, which helped save numerous lives.
Dhami also observed that the evolving nature of crime in the modern age presents new challenges for the police. In addition to traditional crimes such as theft, robbery, murder, and offences against women, emerging threats like narcotics and cybercrime are being tackled. A three-tier Anti-Narcotics Force has been constituted, which has taken action against over 6,199 drug peddlers and seized narcotics worth more than Rs 275 crore in the past three years.
Mentioning cybercrime as a major challenge, especially with the rise of AI, the CM stressed on the need for police personnel to remain ahead of cyber criminals and enhance their technical proficiency. He noted that swift and effective action against cyber fraud has helped restore public trust in the Uttarakhand Police, with over Rs 63 crore returned to victims.
Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, MLAs Khajan Das, Brijbhushan Gairola, Savita Kapoor, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, DGP Deepam Seth, former Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and former DGP Anil Raturi besides other dignitaries.
