MP govt to construct 35,000 new homes for policemen

Bhopal, Feb 1: Madhya Pradesh government will construct 35,000 new homes for its police force in next five years, including 10,000 this year.

"The government is making earnest efforts to ensure that all police families are provided houses and will construct 10,000 houses for them this year and another 25,000 in next five years," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said yesterday, after dedicating 286 newly-constructed homes to the police personnel.

The houses have been constructed by the MP Police Housing Corporation. Terming police duties as difficult, Chouhan said, "It is not just a job but a dharma. When people celebrate festivals, police personnel patrol on roads to maintain peace. The police brings smiles to the people by ensuring law and order effectively in the state."

He said that new recruitments are being made continuously in the police to strengthen and increase the number of police personnel in the force. The Chief Minister said efforts were on to ensure that police personnel get minimum one weekly-off through rotation to enable them to spend quality time with their families.

He also asked state Director General of Police to chalk out a scheme for this. The achievements of police in the state are laudable. They have successfully maintained Madhya Pradesh's status as "island of peace", despite facing various challenges, Chouhan said.

Policemen work in adverse conditions and to de-stress them, 'dhyan' and yoga programmes should also be conducted on regular basis, he said. On the occasion, MP Police Housing Corporation Managing Director Sanjay Rana informed that the 286 houses were constructed for Rs 30 crore, including the cost of development of land.

State Home Minister Babulal Gaur and DGP Surendra Singh were among others present on the occasion.

PTI