THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major embarrassment for the state, none of the police officers from Kerala has been selected for the President’s police medals for distinguished service or the police medal for meritorious service in connection with Republic Day. The state home department’s lackadaisical attitude led to delay in sending the list of officials to be considered for the medals. It is for the first time in history that the state is not getting any police medals, either during the Republic Day or Independence day. Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Nagaland also join Kerala for this infamous status this year.
The Centre already finalised a list of 80 officers for President's police medals for distinguished service and 597 for police medals for meritorious service, excluding anyone from these four states. Apart from this, 100 officers are also selected for police medals for gallantry. According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources, despite repeated reminders, the list from Kerala was received only on January 10, a day ahead of the meeting scheduled for finalising the medal winners. MHA sent a first letter to all states on September 28 urging that recommendations for the police medals may be sent before October 26.
On October 28, another letter was sent stating that many states, including Kerala, were yet to furnish the list and it should be submitted before November 15. “We had sent many reminders to the states urging to sent the list in time as we required time to process the recommendations from states,” an MHA official told DC. Kerala was entitled for 10 police medals for meritorious service in connection with this Republic Day and another 10 in connection with coming Independence Day. Though no quota has been prescribed for President's police medals for distinguished service, Kerala was usually entitled for around five.
“Since no medals are presented during Republic day, those would be carried forward to Independence Day,” said MHA sources. Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand said that it came to the notice of the government that there was a delay. “So far we have not decided on any inquiry into the matter,” he told this newspaper. Home department sources claimed that the recommendations of the state was finalised on December 27 and sent on December 30. The IPS officers in the state are upset over the lapses on the part of the home department. "The home department seemed to be interested in other mundane activities," he said.
Names of officers for President's police medals for distinguished service and the police medal for meritorious service in connection with Republic Day are prepared by a committee headed by the state police chief. Double the names are recommended against the quota earmarked for the state in case of police medal for meritorious service. The list will be vetted by a committee comprising Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, State Police Chief and Vigilance director and sent to Ministry of Home Affairs by the state Home Department. The officials receiving medals are entitled for various allowances.
