Assured promotion for cops to end stagnation

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, July 9

With Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh launching assured career progression (ACP) scheme for the police personnel on Monday, no cop will retire below the rank of ASI.

Addressing newly recruited constables at the Police Recruit Training Centre, Jahan Khelan here, the CM expressed concern over disillusionment in the police force due to stagnation in the rank of head constable and non-gazetted officer owing to fewer vacancies.

The scheme provides for the promotion of head constable to assistant sub-inspector (ASI), ASI to sub-inspector (SI) and SI to inspector, after the completion of 16, 24 and 30 years of service, respectively.

The CM also announced Rs 5 crore from the state budget for upgrading infrastructure of the training centre and Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary grant for the welfare of the police personnel and their families.

Capt Amarinder earlier took the salute at an impressive march past during the passing-out parade of the recruits. He also added stars on the uniform of 14 newly promoted officers.

Recalling the role of the police in the fight against terrorism, the CM said the Punjab Police had lost 1,800 personnel in their efforts to restore peace in the state. Punjab, he said, was once again going through difficult times, with the ISI getting aggressive in its bid to create disturbance, coupled with the drug menace and gangsters, who were still active in the state.

On the occasion, 2,068 passed out recruit constables were administered the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and a pledge to discharge their duties with dedication and commitment.

The CM was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and Sunder Sham Arora and DGP Suresh Arora among others.