Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], Mar 31 : Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered extension in the services of all retiring police personnel and home guards by two months amid a nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The notification issued by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice read, "Uniformed personnel of Police and Punjab Home Guards working with the Government of Punjab shall continue to work irrespective of their date of retirement till 31.05.2020."
The state government had earlier given extensions in service to retiring doctors and health staff as well as to station workers.
Further, around 1,300 cops have been withdrawn from VVIP duty to ease the pressure on the police force as they enforce restrictions and conduct relief operations during the lockdown.
The DGP Punjab said, "Withdrawals would be made based on evaluation of the threat scenario and through graded reduction."
The Chief Minister further asked the police and civil administration to ensure all steps to protect and provide food and other essentials to the homeless and the migrant labourers stranded in Punjab due to the sudden lockdown.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 38 novel coronavirus cases were noted in Punjab, while the total number of confirmed cases of the deadly virus in the country reached 1251 on Tuesday.
( With inputs from ANI )