Sukhbir Badal approves 112-cr modernization plan for Police

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 1

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal , today okayed an ambitious Rs.112 crore modernization plan for Punjab Police to give it more mobility, better presence, modern weaponry, electronic gadgetry besides also approving Rs.52 crore Rapid Police Response System for intensive patrolling of rural areas. The Deputy Chief Minister also approved an ambitious CCTV plan for all corporation cities to have intensive surveillance system in all these mini metros.

In a meeting held here at Police Headquarter in which Punjab DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini and top brass of the Police was present. The Deputy Chief Minister said that we must prepare Punjab Police for the challenges of future to make it most professional force of the Country. He said that instead of adopting archaic model, Punjab Police would have to be futuristic, pre-empt challenges and focus on preventive actions rather than on fire fighting. He said that we have to restore the dignity and old aura of Punjab Police by empowering them in day to day law and order duties.

Approving massive modernization plan it was decided to go in for high speed cost saving diesel vehicles, up scale the police control room of commissionerate and corporation towns by adding 220 motorcycles and 50 interception vehicles. It was also decided to add 1285 high acceleration motorcycles for Rapid Rural Police Response System.

The Deputy Chief Minister approved Rs.21.15 crore for integrated mobile patrol scheme, Rs.4.62 crore for Dehati Suraksha Yojna, Rs.4.37 crore for Rapid Action Force, Rs.5.36 crore for modernization of Crime Wing, Rs.4.51 crore for Computerization of Intelligence Wing, Rs.5.39 crores for Anti Sabotage Team and Rs.16.51 crore for construction of 10 Police Stations and barracks for constables and NGO quarters besides Rs.3.45 crore for modernization of Home Guard Wing.

Approving Rs.52 crore, Rapid Rural Police Response System, one of its own kind system of intensive rural patrolling system, Mr. Badal said that this system would reduce police response time to distress calls in rural areas by providing state-of-the-art networking of GPS-fitted fully equipped and manned vehicles with the district control rooms. He said that the main objectives of the Rapid Rural Police Response System include immediate and timely response of police to any situation, especially crime, law & order, women in distress, emergency needs of senior citizens, maintaining high visibility of police force and providing comprehensive and round-the-clock security cover in rural areas by strengthening area security. He said that this wing would be headed by ADGP and sanctioned 585 GPS equipped motorcycles, 289 GPS and CCTV camera equipped MUVs. Mr. Badal said that this police would have motorcycles on the pattern of Scotland Yard that would have warning lights, GPS, Walkie Talkie mobile phones, Siren and mega phone re-chargeable torch, expandable baton, holster and policemen would be wearing reflective jackets. Similarly, MUVs of this force would have warning lights, CCTV camera, PA system, GPS, Traffic Cones, Yellow warning tape, dragon light, stretcher, first aid kit, multi-purpose police waist belt, reflective jackets, video cameras, mobile phones and wireless set. Mr. Badal approved Rs.5.85 crore for purchase of motorcycles and Rs.21.5 crore for purchase of 289 vehicles. The meeting also approves Rs.7.56 crore for up-gradation of Control Rooms in 24 police districts.

Expressing concern over increasing incidents of snatching, threats and eve-teasing, especially in the bigger cities he said that Punjab Police must show its performance in checking such crimes as these affect middle class mostly. Mr. Badal also approved a major plan for intensive CCTV surveillance of all corporations and commissionerate cities. He said that the beginning would be made from Ludhiana and the focus would be on capturing crime scenes, checking traffic violations and over speeding of vehicles. He said that every SSP and Commissioner would ensure that there was compulsory registration of every petty crime in the district.

Stressing upon approving intelligence, security and special security wings of the Police, Mr. Badal approved procurement of 100 Sniffer Dogs for Dog squad of Punjab Police as Punjab Police was working on 10% sanctioned strength of dog squad. He also approved 3 anti-sabotage schemes for Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Bathinda.

Focusing on welfare of constabulary Mr. Badal approved a massive housing plan for construction of barracks for constable, NGO quarters besides also approving the construction of 10 Police Stations.

Underlining the need for adopting non-lethal techniques to control crowd Mr. Badal approved 2 anti-riot police companies who would be equipped to scientifically handle the violent crowd.

Expressing concern of less representation of women in the Police Mr. Badal said that presently the number of women in the Punjab Police was 3% that has to be increased to minimum 10% in a phased manner. He approved the direct recruitment of women Police Officers ASI and above and asked DGP to work out the modalities accordingly. He said that we have to increase the representation of Police especially at cutting edge level.

Mr. Badal asked DGP to workout attractive rewards and medal scheme for the police force. Mr. Badal said that we must honor honest and efficient police force to raise the morale.

Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and Mr. Gaggandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister were also present in the meeting.