Patna: The Bihar government has introduced a new facility for its police force that promises financial security for their families. If a police personnel dies in an accident while on duty, their family will now receive an insurance benefit of Rs 1.5 crore. This has been made possible after the salary accounts of all policemen were recently transferred to the Bank of Baroda, which includes the insurance cover. The amount will go directly to the dependent family members of the deceased police personnel.
Additional Director General (Budget, Appeal and Welfare) Dr Kamal Kishore Singh shared this information at a press conference held at Police Headquarters in Patna. He said that this benefit has already been applied in the case of a woman constable who lost her life a few months ago during a vehicle checking duty on Atal Path in Patna. A speeding vehicle hit her, and she died while undergoing treatment. Her family will be the first to receive the insurance amount of Rs 1.5 crore. Singh added that this will be given in addition to government ex-gratia support and other benefits such as a job for one dependent.
The ADG also explained that apart from insurance, several welfare measures are being taken for the police force. Special funds have been set up at the department level, including a charitable fund, an education fund, and a health fund. This year, 53 families will receive Rs 6.84 lakh from the charitable fund. Education support has also been extended — earlier, it was given only up to the graduation level, but now children of policemen will get financial help for studies up to the post-graduation level.
Families of police personnel who die untimely deaths are also provided annual financial support. Under the Police Assistance Welfare Fund, Rs 24,000 is given every year to dependents. This year, Rs 32 lakh is being distributed among 83 families, and overall 1,300 people are receiving assistance. Dr Singh also mentioned the case of traffic constable Margaret Hansda, who died in Motihari in 2009. Her daughter has now been given a job on compassionate grounds, showing that the department is committed to standing by the families of its personnel.
