In a significant move to strengthen the morale and welfare of the state police, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday announced a series of measures for police personnel while attending the Police Commemoration Day Parade held at Police Lines, Dehradun. The event was marked by tributes to the martyrs of the police and paramilitary forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The Chief Minister laid a wreath at the Police Memorial and honoured families of the fallen personnel for their service to the nation. The ceremony reflected solemn respect for the 186 personnel from across the country, including four from Uttarakhand, who made the supreme sacrifice during the past year.
Our correspondent reports that marking the 25th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s statehood, Dhami announced a special Silver Jubilee Medal for all police personnel as a token of recognition for their contribution to law enforcement and public service. He also declared that the government will allocate ₹100 crore every year for the next three years to construct residential quarters for police personnel, addressing long-standing housing challenges within the force.
The Chief Minister further announced an increase in the Police Welfare Fund from ₹2.5 crore to ₹4.5 crore and the construction of five new barracks for SDRF personnel across districts including Nainital, Bageshwar, Pauri, and Tehri. These steps, he said, are aimed at improving the quality of life and operational readiness of the state’s security forces.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister emphasised that the government is fully committed to making the Uttarakhand Police more efficient, modern, and resourceful. He stated that in the last three years, ₹500 crore has been spent on police infrastructure — a record increase compared to previous years. Construction of 688 residential quarters is ongoing, while work on 120 new houses is set to begin shortly.
Dhami also said that the state is actively pursuing smart policing initiatives, upgrading barracks, mess facilities, and workplaces for better working conditions. To implement the new criminal laws effectively, the government has already released ₹5 crore and provided all personnel access to cashless medical services under the state’s health scheme.
He informed that 356 police officers and personnel have been promoted this year, while 115 promotion cases are currently in process. A total of 215 officers have received medals and commendations for their outstanding service. Additionally, the government is investing in capacity building and specialised training in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and cyber security through reputed national institutions.
The Chief Minister said that the Police Training College, Narendra Nagar, is being developed as a Centre of Excellence, while all administrative processes — including salary, allowances, medical reimbursements, and leave — have been digitised to ensure transparency.
To improve disaster management, the government has approved a new SDRF company with 162 new posts. Recruitment is underway for 222 sub-inspectors and 2,000 constables, while 136 dependents of deceased police personnel have been appointed under the compassionate appointment scheme.
Chief Minister Dhami said that the Uttarakhand Sports Policy now provides for recruitment of skilled sportspersons in the police department under a special quota. He also urged senior officers to conduct mental health and stress management workshops for police personnel to ensure their emotional well-being.
He praised the police force for their exemplary service during the Kanwar Yatra, which saw more than 4 crore pilgrims, and during the Char Dham Yatra, which welcomed over 50 lakh devotees. He lauded the police for ensuring smooth conduct of VIP events and maintaining security during national and international gatherings in the state.
The Chief Minister highlighted that modern crimes like cyber fraud and drug trafficking have created new challenges. He said that Uttarakhand’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force has taken strong action, arresting over 6,199 drug traffickers and seizing illegal substances worth ₹275 crore in the past three years.
He added that the Uttarakhand Police has successfully returned ₹63 crore to victims of online fraud, earning public trust and recognition for its prompt action. Dhami urged the police to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals by embracing new technologies and training in AI-driven crime prevention.
The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, MLAs Khajan Das, Brijbhushan Gairola, and Savita Kapoor, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, DGP Deepam Seth, former Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, former DGP Anil Raturi, and several other dignitaries.
