Republic Day: Govt announces Gallantry, service medals to 1,132 security personnel

The medals include the President's Medal for Gallantry (PMG) and the 275 Medal for Gallantry (GM), an official statement said here on Thursday.

Among the majority of the 277 gallantry awards, 119 personnel from left-wing extremist-affected areas, 133 personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir region, and 25 personnel from other regions are being awarded for their gallantry.

Among the personnel receiving gallantry medals, two PMG have been awarded to BSF personnel for their outstanding contribution to the prestigious task of peacekeeping as part of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) as members of the 15th Congo Contingent of BSF at the Moroccan Rapid Deployment Battalion (MORRDB) Camp at Butembo.

Out of 277 gallantry medals, 275 GM have been awarded to 72 personnel from J&K Police, 18 personnel from Maharashtra, 26 personnel from Chhattisgarh, 23 personnel from Jharkhand, 15 personnel from Odisha, eight from Delhi, 65 personnel from CRPF, 21 personnel from SSB, and the remaining personnel from other states/UTs and CAPFs.

Moreover, a total of 94 personnel have been awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 667 the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).

PSM is awarded for a special distinguished record in service, while MSM is awarded for valuable service characterised by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.

Out of the 102 PSM, 94 have been awarded to the police service, four to the fire service, and four to the civil defence and home guard service.

Meanwhile, out of 753 MSM, 667 have been awarded to the police service, 32 to the fire service, 27 to the civil defence and home guard service, and 27 to the correctional service.

It may be mentioned that the government has taken several steps to rationalise and transform the entire award eco system of various awards. In this regard, 16 gallantry and service medals (for police, fire service, home guards, civil defence, and correctional service) have been rationalised and merged into four medals: the President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG), the Medal for Gallantry (GM), the President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM), the official statement added.

PMG and GM are awarded on the ground of a rare conspicuous act of gallantry and a conspicuous act of gallantry, respectively, in saving life and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals.

The risk incurred is estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.