Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, said that the State Government was ensuring a minimum promotion of honorary head constable to all the police constables in the State as also provide them housing facilities close to the police stations all over the State. He was addressing the 2nd www.policewala.in ‘Policewala of the Year 2011’ award ceremony, at historic Gaiety Theatre here today after he honoured police personnel for their outstanding achievements in discharge of their duties. He said that the State Government was ensuring that a constable with 16 years of service gets promotion, if otherwise not promoted, of Honorary Head Constable. He said that out of the total police personnel strength 10 percent retire as Assistant Sub Inspector, 400 as Sub Inspector and about 100 as Inspector.Chief Minister said that State Government was spending Rs. 16.5 crore annually over strengthening of housing network for police personnel in the State with a view to provide them comfortable stay keeping in view the arduous duties they had been performing during odd hours. He said that 996 staff quarters were constructed during the implementation period of 9th Finance Commission which had facilitated the police personnel immensely. He said that more housing projects were being undertaken under Police Modernization in the State and hoped that soon the housing problem would be resolved to the optimum. He said that Rs. 10 crore had been spent over police housing projects during past three years by the State Government. He said that the State Police was among the best police force in the country which had been serving the people with dedication and humane touch.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State had got sanctioned three India Reserve Battalions during past three years which included one Women Battallion, the first in the State. He said that under the police modernization e-mail, e-samadhan, web portal and SMS services had been started to facilitate masses register their complaint and procure any information from the police department. He said that police personnel deployed in the field were the face of the government and their performance was directly reflecting upon the impression of the government amongst the masses. He said that similar was the case with other field functionaries who were required to serve the common man and vouch for their interests. He appreciated the skills of first batch of recruits of the First Women Battalion had acquired during their training and hoped that they would be maintaining the standard of service in future as well.
Chief Minister congratulated the winners of Policewala of the Year 2011 Awards and hoped that the awards would inspire other police personnel to work hard and perform better to win such Awards. He welcomed the offer of renowned film actor Shri Anupam Kher, who hailed from the town, of setting up one Theatre Academy in Himachal Pradesh to polish the local talent. He said that the State Government had endeavoured to preserve the rich heritage of Gaiety Theatre by spending Rs. 15 crore over its restoration.
Prof. Dhumal honoured Dr. Atul Fulzele, Superintendant of Police, Shri Virender Kalia, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shri Pramod Shukla, Deputy Superintendant of Police (Incharge CM Security), Smt. Seema Devi, Head Constable and Constable Sanjeev Kumar with a trophy and citation under Excellent Service Category; Shri G.C.Bhargava, Deputy Inspector General of Police for Honesty; Shri Gurmail Singh, Inspector for being Best Trainer; Shri Sapto Kumar, Sub Inspector for Fight Against Crime; Shri Anup Ram and Shri Kulbhushan, constables for outstanding Bravery; Shri Susheel Kumar Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Shri Santosh Kumar, Assistant Sub Inspector for Best Investigations; Shri Balbir Singh, Deputy Superintendant of Police for Best Community Policing; Shri Abhimanyu, Assistant Sub Inspector for Best Traffic Management and Shri Ramesh Kumar, Head Constable for extra-ordinary services. Former Director General of Police Shri R.R.Verma was Awarded Life Time Achievement Award. Shri Anupam Kher and Dr. D.S.Manhas, Director General of Police, joined the Chief Minister in giving away the Awards.
Shri Anupam Kher, renowned film actor, said that he belonged to Shimla and had sweet memories of the childhood he spent here. He said that he had been feeling more at home whenever he visits Shimla. He congratulated the Chief Minister for changing the uniform of the police personnel. He also expressed desire to set up one Theatre Academy to polish local talents and open them avenues in the film, television and theatre field.
Dr. D.S.Manhas, Director General of Police, said that the State Police was committed to protect life and property of the people of the State by delivering them best of the services. He said that the State Police was exercising zero tolerance towards corruption and lawlessness. He said that the FIR and investigation system had been modernized where optimum use of modern technology was being ensured. He said that 39 complaints had been registered upon the SMS received from the public and similar was the case with e-mail, e-samadhan and web-portal. He said that close circuit television facilities had been provided in every police station.
Shri Somesh Goel, Additional Director General of Police, welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries and delved upon the procedure adopted for selection of the ‘Best Policewala’ in the State.
Shri Tadi Prakash, Editor, proposed vote of thanks and said that Himachal Pradesh was second state after Uttrakhand where such an Award Ceremony was organized. He said that the practice would continue in future as well.
Shri Amandeep Chopra, Managing Director, ACME Media, honoured the dignitaries with mementoes.
Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister, Shri Rakesh Verma, MLA, Smt. Madhu Sood, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, senior police officers, Shri A.N. Sharma, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Shri Prem Sharma, Director of Language and Culture, other prominent people were present on the occasion.