CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11 — The Punjab government has authorized a new “reward policy” designed to incentivize public cooperation in the state’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime. Under the framework approved by the Bhagwant Mann-led administration, police officials have been granted the authority to provide financial rewards to individuals who offer verified information regarding the whereabouts of wanted criminals and their associates.
The policy establishes a clear hierarchy for the approval of these payments. Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) are permitted to sanction rewards up to ₹1 lakh, while Commissioners of Police, Range Inspectors General, and Deputy Inspectors General can approve amounts reaching ₹1.5 lakh. Higher-ranking heads of wings, such as Additional Directors General of Police, can authorize up to ₹2 lakh, with any larger sums requiring the direct approval of the Director General of Police (DGP).
“Informants whose credible information leads to the arrest of wanted criminals, proclaimed offenders, and habitual offenders will be rewarded,” stated Pramod Ban, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF). He affirmed that the initiative is a critical component of the “Gangstran te Vaar” campaign, which seeks to make Punjab a gangster-free state.
Officials stated that the rewards are ex-gratia payments and will only be disbursed after the provided leads are thoroughly vetted and lead to actionable results. The police department has assured that the identity of all tipsters will remain strictly confidential to ensure their safety. Residents can share information through a dedicated anti-gangster helpline at 93946-93946.
