Bonus, special medal, 7-day leave for 75K cops on Maha Kumbh 2025 duty: UP CM

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a special Rs 10000 bonus and the Maha Kumbh Seva Medal for 75000 police personnel who served during the historic gathering Chief Minister CM Yogi Adityanath said on ThursdayAccording to news agency PTI the personnel will also receive a oneweek phased leave as a token of appreciation for their efforts in managing the grand religious eventSpeaking at a special event at the Ganga Mandapam CM Adityanath praised the police forces patience and discipline acknowledging the challenging crowd management during the 45day pilgrimage Our personnel were even pushed by people at times but they displayed remarkable resilience and patience he saidDescribing Maha Kumbh 2025 as the worlds largest and most historic gathering Adityanath credited its success to Prime Minister PM Narendra Modis visionary leadership and the collective efforts of the security personnel He highlighted how the event seamlessly blended faith and economy drawing 663 crore devotees and contributing significantly to Uttar Pradeshs economy reported PTIThis was not just an event of faith it was an economic phenomenon The state government invested Rs 7500 crore in Prayagrajs infrastructure and in return the economy saw an unprecedented boost of Rs 35 lakh crore the CM saidAdityanath also responded to critics stating Only those who participated in the Maha Kumbh can understand its scale and complexity It is easy to sit far away and make negative commentsSight of UP Police makes mafias tremble CM AdityanathThe CM praised the transformation of the UP Police stating that while they had earlier fought riots and mafia dominance they had now established themselves as a Mitra Police friendly police force with global recognition for their conduct Before 2017 UP was known for riots mafia rule and an unsafe environment for women and businesses Today our police force has changed that narrative he said adding The very sight of UP Police now makes mafias trembleCM Adityanath acknowledged the contributions of all security forces including the state police paramilitary forces home guards Prantiya Rakshak Dal PRD water police traffic police National Disaster Response Force NDRF State Disaster Response Force SDRF and Provincial Armed Constabulary PAC saying their professionalism was praised across the country and abroad PTI reportedHighlighting the scale of the event the CM noted that while Prayagrajs permanent population is around 25 lakh Maha Kumbh 2025 hosted oneandahalf to two crore devotees daily with 15 crore pilgrims visiting in just three days between January 28 and 30 He said dignitaries from over 100 countries including 12 heads of state participated in the eventHe also lauded the swift response during emergencies citing the effective crowd control during Mauni Amavasya and the immediate action during fire incidents ensuring no casualtiesEmphasising police welfare and infrastructure development Adityanath said the UP Police budget had risen to Rs 40000 crore leading to new police barracks restored PAC units and expanded recruitment drivesWhen I took office in 2017 I saw broken roofs and policemen sleeping on cots in Lucknow Police Lines That moment convinced me of the urgent need for reforms he saidThe state government has already recruited 156 lakh police personnel with 60000 more in process and 30000 additional recruitments planned he addedConcluding his address the CM said Maha Kumbh 2025 had strengthened Indias international reputation and given UP a new identity as a model state for event management and securityEveryone who came to Maha Kumbh whether a devotee or a dignitary left in awe of the arrangements and with gratitude for our police force he saidBefore leaving Adityanath participated in a community meal with police personnel thanking them for their servicesWith PTI inputs