PUDUCHERRY: Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a clear vision to strengthen Union Territories, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Centre had provided Rs 13,762 crores to Puducherry between 2014 and 2026, compared with Rs 35,000 crores extended to the UT from 1954 till 2014.
Addressing a function at the Police Parade Ground in Gorimedu, where the Puducherry Police was presented with the prestigious President’s Colour,. Shah said the financial assistance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governments was nearly four times than that provided during the previous six decades. He said Modi government was committed to supporting Puducherry’s future development and would extend all possible assistance to the Union Territory.
Presenting the ceremonial flag on behalf of the President of India, Shah described the recognition as a historic milestone for the Puducherry Police. Puducherry has become the 18th State/Union Territory in the country to receive the President’s Colour, an honour conferred on police forces for exemplary service, professionalism and dedication to public safety and the rule of law.
Shah said that several Central-supported projects in Puducherry, including airport runway expansion, road expansion works and the Karaikal National Highway expansion. He said welfare and development projects worth Rs 39,000 crore had been implemented in the Union Territory in the last nine years.
He also appreciated the Puducherry Police for its service during the COVID-19 pandemic and its contribution to internal and border security. Referring to the three new criminal laws, he said they had replaced British-era laws and were built around technology, time-bound justice and trust.
Recalling Puducherry’s cultural and spiritual heritage, Shah said the Union Territory had retained its national identity despite more than 230 years of French rule. He referred to the contributions of Sri Aurobindo and poet Subramania Bharati to the spiritual and national consciousness of the country.
The ceremonial parade featured six contingents representing different wings of the Puducherry Police, including men and women personnel, the commando unit, Armed Police, Traffic Police and the India Reserve Battalion.
Shah also presented the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak to SSP R. Kalaivanan, and SSP M.V.N.V. Lakshmi Soujanya,, in recognition of their professional excellence and devotion to duty.
Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Home Minister A. Namassivayam and DGP Shalini Singh also addressed the gathering.
Police personnel faint during ceremony
The scorching heat took a toll on police personnel participating in the ceremony, with around nine personnel fainting during the programme and being escorted from the parade ground for medical attention.
The personnel hadbeen standing in the sun since around 7 a.m. for the ceremonial parade. Towards the end of the programme, around 10 a.m, several personnel fainted one after another while Shah was delivering his address. Most of those affected were women police personnel, who reportedly suffered dehydration and exhaustion after prolonged exposure to the heat.
The ceremony was held under a three-tier security arrangement. A police band performed marching music and the National Anthem, while an interfaith prayer was held as part of the programme.
The President’s Colour insignia will now form part of the uniform patch of Puducherry Police personnel.
The ceremony was attended by Ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior police and civil officials, retired police personnel, police families, NCC cadets and school students.