Phillaur (Jalandhar), April 3:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday announced that the state government is equipping the Punjab Police with best infrastructural facilities and modernizing it on scientific lines to enable it for tackling the law and order situation effectively.
Addressing the gathering after flagging off 139 New Vehicles for the Police stations across the state, the Chief Minister said with this initiative the Station House Officers (SHOs) in 454 Police stations across the state have got new vehicles. He said that this is contrary to earlier trends when the new vehicles were given to the top officers instead of those at grass root level. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that SHOs are the real face of the Punjab police as they are directly connected with people and have huge responsibility of maintaining law and order.
The Chief Minister said that being a border state a number of forces inimical to state have been chalking out nefarious designs to disturb hard earned peace of state but the Punjab Police has always foiled such attempts. He said that to further overcome major challenges faced by the state it is imperative that the Police force is updated as per advanced requirements in the field of investigation, science and technology. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the Punjab Police will uphold the glorious legacy of serving the people with utmost professional commitment.
The Chief Minister said that 70% of the drugs are smuggled from Pakistan across the border via drones and are subsequently supplied in the state. He said that the state government has joined hands with BSF by launching anti-drone technology to check the movement of drones. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to concerted efforts of the state government drug smuggling has reduced drastically as a report of BSF has indicated a decline in cross-border consignments due to strict enforcement.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has already decided to recruit 1800 Constables and 300 Sub Inspectors every year in Punjab Police to overcome the scarcity of cops. He said that as for these 2100 posts every year around 2.50 lakh candidates apply for these posts so all the aspirants will get involved in academics as well as in improving their physique for clearing the tests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is helping in channelizing their unbounded energy in a positive direction and help them in weaning away from the menace of drugs.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has launched a major crackdown against drugs in Punjab to break the backbone of the menace. He said that the state government has already snapped the supply line of drugs and big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time the property of the drug smugglers acquired illegally are being destroyed/ confiscated by the state government so that it acts as a deterrent for others.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the history of the state, any government has given a record number of around 55,000 jobs to the youth in 36 months of coming into power. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit, san any corruption or nepotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that these youth will become an active partner in the socio-economic development of the state by joining these respective departments.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and none of the corrupt officers is being tolerated. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every corrupt officer will be nailed and strict action will be taken against them. He said that the state government is working zealously to bring transparency, effectiveness and responsiveness by providing citizen centric services to people at their doorsteps.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has started a unique scheme where senior IAS and IPS officers of the state government will act as the mentors of the students of government schools across the state to provide them necessary guidance for excelling in life. He said that all the IAS and IPS officers will be mentoring one government school in the state where they will further strengthen the atmosphere of education through conversation with students and teachers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this step is aimed at transforming the lives of the students by encouraging them to join the coveted services adding that this ambitious program of the state government will give wings to the dreams of the students thereby excelling in every sector of life.
Earlier, the Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the occasion.
