Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday launched the 'one rank up promotion' scheme for assured career progression of police personnel, thus bringing to an end the stagnation in the force with the assertion that nobody will retire from Punjab Police before becoming an ASI.Addressing recruit constables at the Police Recruit Training Centre, Jahan Khelan in District Hoshiarpur, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the disillusionment in the force due to high stagnation in the rank of Head Constable and Non Gazetted Officer (NGO), as several police officials are not promoted despite being eligible due to the availability of fewer vacancies in the rank.Formally launching the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, he piped stars on the uniform of 14 newly promoted police officers. The scheme provides for promotion of Head Constable to Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) to Sub Inspector (SI) and Sub Inspector (SI) to Inspector, after having been successfully completed service of 16, 24 and 30 years respectively.
Likening the training imparted to the recruits at PRTC with the prestigious Indian Military Academy and National Defence Academy, the Chief Minister also announced Rs. 5 crore from the state budget for further upgradation of the existing infrastructure and Rs.50 lakh from his discretionary grant for welfare of the police force and their families.The Chief Minister earlier took the salute at an impressive march past during the passing out parade of 255th batch (district cadre) on their completion of ninth month basic recruits training course here at PRTC. He recalled his own youthful days when he had undergone rigorous training as a part of his military career initially at the National Defence Academy (NDA) for three years, and later for a year at Indian Military Academy (IMA).Recalling the role of the police in the state’s fight against terrorism, the Chief Minister said Punjab Police had lost 1800 personnel in their efforts to restore peace. Four companies of Punjab Police were sent to Hazratbal in 1964 to restore peace there, he further pointed out, adding that he had also gone to the disturbed region as an Army officer at that time.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 the gangsters who were still active in the state. He said he had issued a clear warning to the gangsters to either lay their arms or face the consequences, and added that the young recruits would have a critical role to play in combatting these dangers.
On the occasion, 2068 passed out recruit constables were administered the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India and pledged to discharge their duties with dedication and commitment to uphold the glory and ideals of Punjab Police force.The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by DGP Suresh Arora, also honoured recruit constable Manpreet Singh from Fazilka as the overall topper and first in indoor subjects and Surinder Singh from Ludhiana Rural for overall first in outdoor subjects. He also honoured parade commander Baljit Singh, who led parade of different contingents of new recruits. Captain Amarinder Singh also honoured Deputy District Attorney of the Centre Kanwal Preet Singh, DSPs Harjit Singh and Malkit Singh.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion were Cabinet Ministers Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and Sunder Sham Arora, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Raveen Thukral, DGP Punjab Police Housing Corporation MK Tewari, ADGP (HRD) Sashi Prabha Divedi, Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur Vipul Ujwal, SSP J Elenchazian, MLAs Sangat Singh Gilzian, Rajneesh Kumar Babbi, Arun Kumar Dogra, Dr. Raj Kumar and MLA & District Congress President Hoshiarpur Pawan Kumar Adia.Several physical training exercises were also demonstrated by the passing out recruits, along with an unarmed combat show, followed by a Bhangra performance by the recruits and staff. The function was largely attended by the family members, friends and relatives of the young recruit constables.