New Delhi, Mar 31 (IANS): In a fight with COVID-19, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General A.P. Maheshwari has increased the financial power of force offices and departments heads to procure medicines, sanitisers and personal protective gears. It has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh.

In an interaction with IANS, the 1984-batch IPS officer said they have extended a helping hand to the state agencies in combating the menace of COVID-19 as best as possible "With our pan India presence, it is desirable that we offer our resources to the states in our respective areas of deployment to augment the resources of states who are the first responders wherever they feel any gaps/deficiency," he said.

He pointed that the force is providing space and infrastructure for specialised teams, medicines and equipment to the states in fight with COVID-19.

"In close coordination with the state administration, we are study their needs and appraise our resources accordingly and then offer services to the states where ever needed," he said.

The force, of around 3.24 lakh personnel, is also providing transports and logistics support to the states, apart from providing administrative and manpower support. They are also helping in creating awareness among public.

Apart from that, the force is also providing cooked food and ration items to the needy people.

Maheshwari told IANS that he has issued a detailed direction for him men to that they remain safe and thereafter work in the fight against the deadly COVID-19.

To spread awareness of social distancing among troops, sanitising campus and nearby areas and regular sanitising troops deployed for duties outside are some of the directives.

The advisory also stated that all troops would be quipped adequately with masks, sanitisers and proper gear. He also directed his men to create quarantine space at every locations with medical facilities.

"A 24X7 helplines in all field formations to assist personnel and families living over there. A dedicated landline and mobile phones with Whatsapp facilities have been created and informed to all the families," the directive stated.

He also increased the financial power of Head of Office in purchasing of medicines/sanitisers/gear. He also issued direction to extend leave granted to personal already availing leave.

The officer has also directed the field formation to be in regular touch with personnel on leave. "Training courses and transfers and ADM movement suspended," the directives stated.