Hyderabad, Oct 21 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday that the state government was giving the highest priority to strengthening the Police Department, as maintaining law and order was crucial for development.
He said the government has initiated steps to fill another 5,000 vacancies in the Police Department. He announced that all existing vacancies will be filled by 2028.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Police Commemoration Parade on the occasion of Police Martyrs’ Day at Goshamahal Stadium in Hyderabad.
He paid tributes to the police martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
“We can never forget their sacrifices in upholding law and order. The families of these martyrs are not alone; the government stands firmly by their side,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that for police constables who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the ex gratia payment has been increased from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
Similarly, in the case of Head Constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, the compensation has been raised from Rs 45 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
For Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors — whose compensation was previously Rs 45 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, respectively — the amount has now been increased to Rs 1.25 crore. For officers at the DSP and Additional SP ranks, we have increased the compensation amount to Rs 1.5 crore. For SPs and IPS officers, we have raised the compensation from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore, the Chief Minister said.
“We currently provide an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of Home Guards who lose their lives in the line of duty. I am directing the DGP to increase this ex gratia amount to Rs 10 lakh,” he said.
This is not merely financial assistance; it is a gesture of respect from the government towards the families of police martyrs, he added.
He assured police personnel that the government remains committed to their welfare and the future of their families.
CM Reddy noted that the recruitment of 112 DSP posts is unprecedented in Telangana’s history. “Alongside, we were also appointing transgenders as traffic assistants and enhancing their self-respect and dignity in society,” he said.
The CM noted that the government has established the ‘Young India Police School,’ providing educational opportunities for the children of police personnel — from Home Guards to the DGP rank.
Stating that the nature of crime is evolving with time, the CM said the government decided to modernise the police department to effectively address new challenges.
“We have resolved to leverage modern technology. Regardless of how advanced technology becomes, the human-centric approach of the police force must remain unchanged,” he said.
Voicing concern over the spread of drugs and cannabis (ganja), he emphasised the need to ensure that youth do not fall victim to substance abuse.
He commended the DGP and the ‘Eagle Force’ for their performance in controlling the drug menace.
The CM said the government created ‘TG-SAFE’ to adopt an iron-fisted approach against food adulteration.
CM Reddy said the government was further strengthening women’s safety by continuing the services of ‘SHE Teams’.
“In March, ‘Stand With Her’ initiative was launched to foster a greater sense of social responsibility in supporting women. In April, we launched ‘Spandana’ — a set of ‘Immediate Protection Teams’ — to provide instant safeguarding for women and children during emergencies.
He called for handling cases involving women and children with greater sensitivity. There should be no delay in delivering justice to victims.
Director General of Police C.V. Anand and other police officials were present.
–IANS
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