Working on out-of-turn promotion to police sportspersons: Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Government is working on a proposal to grant out-of-turn promotions to meritorious and medal-winning sportspersons who work in police and paramilitary forces, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said here.

Singh was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 8th All India Police Badminton championship organised by border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal.

The Minister said a proposal in this regard is pending in the Union Home Ministry and "he will see to it" that such a "morale-boosting" policy initiative is implemented soon.

"In many cases, it is seen that out-of-turn promotion to these sportspersons is not given. We are working on this," Singh said.

The Minister said he is aware that sportspersons of these forces or those who join these organisations after excelling in their respective sporting arena have to also face lack of facilities.

"In order to boost the morale of sportspersons in police and paramilitary forces much more needs to be done. I can say that new measures in this regard will be taken," he said.

He urged the organisers that an all India tournament of this nature should be held for the jawans of these forces also.

The Minister added that sports help to keep the personnel and officers of these forces physically and mentally fit as they have a stressful professional life.

On the occasion, SSB Director General B D Sharma said the board, which holds the police games, is planning such tournaments for jawan and constabulary ranks from next year.

Police and paramilitary forces have sports quota posts to employ these talents while some top-ranking players are also offered job in these security forces as a matter of privilege bestowed on them.