Itanagar, March 1: Safety appears to be high on Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul's agenda as he sanctioned over Rs 40 crore for the police department today.

Pul's path to the top post on February 19 in a late-night swearing-in ceremony was preceded by a mithun sacrifice, shirtless protesters, Assembly sessions in makeshift halls and ongoing court battles with his political adversary Nabam Tuki.

During a high-level meeting with high-ranking police and finance officials today, including director-general of police S. Nithyanandam, Pul sanctioned Rs 43,58,91,615 under various heads for the upkeep of law and order in the state. The funds would be used for various purposes, including procurement of weapons, improving security infrastructure and purchasing 188 vehicles.

One of the key developments of the meeting was approval of customised technology at inter-state checkgates which would scan vehicles, register number plates and record weights of goods vehicles. However, policemen are most likely to welcome the announcement of Rs 4 crore for their uniforms. Several policemen have not got new uniforms in more than four years. Money will be credited directly into the accounts of policemen and women.

Pul also directed that advertisements be placed to fill 2,022 vacancies and told Nithyanandam to keep rapid response teams ready at all entry checkpoints, beat posts and other vital areas apart from conducting 24x7 rounds.

He also directed that a PCR van should regularly patrol roads leading from the Arunachal-Assam boundary to the various district headquarters.

In order to ensure a comprehensive development plan for the police, Pul directed the DGP to prepare the department's annual development agenda incorporating issues pertaining to districts, blocks and remote police outposts.

Pul also directed the finance department to urgently release Rs 10 lakh for deputy commissioners and superintendents of police under untied fund for emergencies.