Rs45m set aside for Islamabad police PPE in Covid battle not utilised

A sum of Rs72m was provided for purchasing protective equipment

RAWALPINDI: At least Rs45 million out of the total funds worth Rs72 million provided for purchasing protective gear for Punjab Police have not been utilised yet despite the alarming Covid-19 situation in the province.

Personnel of the provincial police who have been at the forefront in the efforts against the coronavirus are at a greater risk of contracting the virus.

The Express Tribune has learnt that constables and inspectors of police force are being provided two facemasks and a small bottle of sanitiser for two persons every week.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police has taken notice of the situation and has given a deadline to all field commanders to utilise these funds within 14 days on purchase of essential items for protection of police force from the virus.

The IG during a meeting directed that field units should make better use of the funds. The meeting also discussed confirmed coronavirus case in the police department. It was informed that the lists being sent by the field units do not match the ones sent by the Operations Branch.

Therefore, in view of this situation, a complete record should be compiled in two weeks.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, officials of Rawalpindi police on condition of anonymity said that in the beginning they were provided with surgical facemasks regularly but now only two masks are being given in a week.

The police officials said that during a 12 hours shift, condition of the masks become so bad that they have to purchase another one. Similarly, they said that a small bottle of sanitiser is being provided for two policemen and now refilling has been stopped for a few days.

Other personnel said protective kits like gloves and masks were regularly given to staff on duty in sensitive areas including hospitals and quarantine centres.

However, most of the personnel buy their own protection equipment and ensure their safety. Similarly, a cop said that they have been provided chlorine solution to disinfect the police station.

The Rawalpindi police spokesperson while talking to The Express Tribune said that if a police official contracted the virus, he is immediately paid Rs25,000 by the department and Rs10,000 each by Rawalpindi CPO Ahsan Younis.

In response to the query about the funds received from the welfare branch, the spokesperson said he does not have the details and would it provide it later.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2020.