Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 19: Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar today said that welfare of jawans and officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police force is one of the top most priorities to infuse fresh energy and boost the morale of the force. He said that several new welfare schemes have been introduced for the benefit of the personnel and the families of the martyrs.
The DGP was interacting with the group of families of martyrs and the personnel at Police Headquarters here today. On the occasion, he announced sanction of over Rs 7 lakh as scholarships in favour of 159 school-going wards of police martyrs reading in different classes. He said that under the scholarship scheme financial assistance is provided to the meritorious wards of serving personnel and the wards of martyrs so that they could continue their education.
Mr. Rajendra said that the Organization, realizing its responsibility towards the families of martyrs, has also introduced many schemes to provide financial assistance to these families. The schemes are also in force for the welfare of serving and retired personnel, and their families. The Organization in its Central Welfare Committee meetings, having representation of all the units, reviews these schemes from time to time to bring further reforms in the system. The schemes are run through a contributory fund and all ranks of the force contribute on monthly basis, he added.
Giving details about the different welfare, Mr. Rajendra said that quality education for police wards has remained on top of priority and police public schools have been established at all range levels besides twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Since the schools at other districts are in their early stage, but in two capital cities have performed excellent during the recent years and the students have secured distinctions in different examinations.
Elaborating the assistance provided under various welfare schemes during the year, the DGP said that more than Rs. 6.5 crore have been distributed as special welfare relief among the families of deceased personnel. Besides Rs. 68 lakh have been sanctioned as ex-gratia relief for the families of martyrs. More than Rs. 30 lakh were sanctioned in favour of 731 wards of serving personnel and martyrs during the current year so far, he said.
To promote sports culture within the department for enhancing physical and mental abilities among the jawans, the department is organizing different sports events at various levels.
Mr. Rajendra said that the “men in khaki” perform in extreme hostile situations, causing physical injuries to various jawans and officers while safeguarding the lives and properties of the people. Keeping in view this situation, the department is providing relief to such personnel and during the bygone months of the year, more than Rs. 80 lakh were distributed among the needy personnel as welfare relief and loan.