Himachal Pradesh Recognizes 361 Ex-Servicemen in Police Roles, CM Sukhu Begins Census 2027 Registration
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, recently paid tribute to ex-servicemen working in the state police department while also completing his self-enumeration for the forthcoming Census 2027. This move underscores the government's focus on veteran welfare and its push towards digital governance.
During a ceremony at Oak Over in Shimla, Sukhu participated in the piping ceremony for Head Constable Sudhir Sharma and Constable Ravi Dutt. The state has awarded honorary positions to 246 ex-servicemen as Head Constables and 115 as Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) within the police department.
In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the high regard the government places on the discipline, experience, and dedication that former Armed Forces members contribute to the police force. He acknowledged that ex-servicemen transitioning to police roles often struggle to meet the service duration needed for honorary promotions.
To mitigate this, the state government has eased eligibility criteria, allowing qualified former soldiers to attain honorary designations as Head Constables and ASIs.
Speaking to the media, Sukhu stated, “Those who have already served the nation in the Armed Forces and later joined the police department have now been given due upgradation. This is recognition of their service and contribution.”
Legal Protection Extended to Police Personnel
The Chief Minister also revealed the extension of legal protections for police personnel under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
He explained that protections previously reserved for senior officers have been broadened to include field personnel. The new provision mandates prior government approval before prosecuting police personnel for actions taken during lawful investigations.
Reservation for Agniveers
Discussing the Agnipath Scheme recruitment, Sukhu announced that the state has reserved positions in the police department for former Agniveers.
He mentioned that around 1,200 recruits are currently in training and reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating employment opportunities for youth returning from service under the Agnipath scheme.
CM Completes Census 2027 Self-Enumeration
Later, Sukhu completed his self-enumeration via the online portal as part of the digital initiative for Census 2027.
During this process, Deep Shikha Sharma, Director of Census Operations in Himachal Pradesh, briefed him on the self-enumeration system and the overall census programme.
Sukhu called on citizens to participate actively, urging them to finish self-enumeration by June 15, 2026, stressing the importance of the census in providing essential data for governance, development, and public services.
Census Schedule in Himachal Pradesh
According to the state government:
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| House Listing and Housing Census | June 16 – July 15, 2026 |
| Population Enumeration in Snowbound Areas | September 11 – 30, 2026 |
| Population Enumeration in Remaining Areas | February 9 – 28, 2027 |
The Chief Minister urged citizens to provide accurate information on housing, vehicles, and household amenities to ensure reliable data for future planning and development.
The event saw attendance from Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, MLA Kamlesh Thakur, and other senior government officials.
