Workers erect tents on Morabadi grounds for Thursday’s celebrations.

Chief minister Raghubar Das assured police personnel that they would get one month’s extra salary every year from 2019 on the eve of Statehood Day, preparations for which reached their final stages on Wednesday.

Addressing the 18th Jharkhand Statehood Day parade-cum-police felicitation ceremony on JAP-1 grounds in Doranda, Das said, “I remember the promise made last year to policemen and it will surely be fulfilled. This government only makes promises that it can fulfil. The process is in the final stage and you will hear the good news in the New Year.”

At the same function in 2017, the chief minister had promised 13 months’ salary a year to cops as a token of acknowledgement of their sacrifices.

The CM said homeless dependants of martyred policemen would be provided shelter by the government under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Lauding the hard work put in by cops, he said, “In the last four years, we have eliminated 80 per cent of Maoist influence from the state. Policemen are largely responsible for the peaceful situation in the state, which is attracting investors.”

He said the government had recruited 15,000 cops in the last four years and opened cyber thanas for better monitoring of law and order.

Earlier, the CM honoured 102 jawans and officers for meritorious service and bravery under various categories, including President’s gallantry medal, Union home minister’s medal for best performer and Jharkhand police medal. Achievers included IG (headquarters) Sambhu Thakur, East Singhbhum SSP Anoop Birtharay, Ranchi rural SP Ajit Peter Dungdung, Bokaro DIG Prabhat Kumar, SP (operations) Mohammed Arshi and SP (special branch) in-charge of CM security Shailendra Kumar Sinha.

Das also gave away cheques of Rs 25,000 to dependants of each of the seven martyrs.

Ranchi deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray on Wednesday camped at Morabadi grounds, where the Statehood Day celebrations would take place on Thursday.

Special attention is being given to the effective functioning of CCTV cameras. Additional cops and magistrates will be deployed amid protest threats by para-teachers and other outfits. “Trouble-mongers will be dealt with an iron hand,” Ray said.

Over 35,000 people are likely to take part in the function where governor Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest.

The state government will give job letters to schoolteachers, land surveyors and officials of commercial taxes department. Assets and financial aids will be distributed among the poor and self-help groups.

Ten persons will be felicitated for their commendable work in different fields. Online inauguration and laying of foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore will also take place.

A cultural fest in the evening will witness performances by singers like Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Ravi Tripathi.

Ranchi traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh said the celebrations won’t disrupt traffic. “Orange passes are for VVIP vehicles to be parked behind the main dais. Green passes are for VIP vehicles to be parked near the view-cutter of Birsa Munda Football Stadium,” he said.