The Punjab government has approved a ₹10-crore reward policy for the Punjab Police to ensure effective action against gangsters and drug traffickers.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that under the newly approved policy, district and senior police officers have been empowered to sanction cash rewards for exceptional work and for information leading to arrests.
According to the policy, SSPs will be authorised to grant rewards of up to ₹1 lakh, while Commissioners of Police and Range DIGs can sanction rewards up to ₹1.5 lakh. Wing Heads and ADGPs will be able to grant rewards up to ₹2 lakh, while the Punjab DGP can sanction rewards above ₹2 lakh.
At the operational level, Station House Officers (SHOs) can approve rewards of up to ₹60,000, investigating officers (IOs) up to ₹40,000 and constables and other police personnel up to ₹20,000.
The DGP clarified that the rewards will be given not only to police officers and officials involved in successful operations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act or against gangsters, but also to members of the public whose information leads to arrests.
During the press briefing, Yadav also launched the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946. The helpline will allow citizens to anonymously share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and criminal activities.
He announced that a cash reward of up to ₹10 lakh will be given for information that leads to the arrest of gangsters, reaffirming the state government’s zero-tolerance policy against organised crime.
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