Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, 18 August announced a hike in the daily duty allowance of Provincial Rakshak Dal (PRD) volunteers from ₹500 to ₹600 and launched a cashless healthcare scheme covering more than 31,000 PRD volunteers and their families across the state. The announcements were made at a PRD volunteers' conference in Gorakhpur.

What the Cashless Healthcare Scheme Offers

The newly launched medical facility will provide treatment of up to ₹5 lakh at government and empanelled hospitals, at no out-of-pocket cost to beneficiaries. Chief Minister Yogi described the initiative as a direct recognition of the services, discipline, and commitment shown by PRD volunteers over the years.

The scheme extends coverage not just to volunteers but also to their families — a provision that officials say significantly broadens the welfare net for a workforce that has historically operated without formal social security benefits.

A Steady Rise in Duty Allowance Since 2017

The ₹600 daily allowance marks the latest in a series of hikes since the current state government assumed office. According to Chief Minister Yogi, PRD volunteers received just ₹250 per day until 2019. His administration raised it to ₹375 in 2019, ₹395 in 2022, and ₹500 in 2025 — with the latest revision bringing it to ₹600.

Yogi said the expanding role of PRD personnel justified the increase. He noted that while volunteers once faced a shortage of duty opportunities, the state now requires a larger workforce to meet growing administrative and security demands.

Expanded Roles Proposed for PRD Volunteers

The Chief Minister proposed that PRD personnel be deployed in a wider range of assignments, including traffic management, metro security, airport security, and the protection of government offices. He also suggested their services could be utilised during land measurement exercises and related revenue operations.

This comes amid a broader push by the state government to integrate PRD volunteers more formally into Uttar Pradesh's law-and-order and administrative machinery — a shift that could elevate their institutional standing.

Police Infrastructure and Broader Governance Remarks

Yogi also highlighted ongoing infrastructure upgrades for police and security personnel, noting that new residential and operational buildings were under construction in 56 districts, with several expected to be among the tallest structures in their respective districts.

Targeting previous administrations, the Chief Minister alleged that development had not been a priority under earlier governments and accused them of allowing crime, riots, and criminal elements to flourish. He said the present government had reoriented the state toward law, order, and development. He also made remarks about alleged corruption and illegal assets held abroad, referencing concerns that arose during the recent US-Iran conflict over holdings in Dubai.

What This Means for PRD Volunteers

The dual announcement — higher pay and free healthcare — represents the most substantial welfare package extended to PRD volunteers in recent years. With over 31,000 beneficiaries and their families now covered under the cashless scheme, the initiative has a direct impact on a large, previously under-served segment of Uttar Pradesh's auxiliary security workforce. The state government has indicated it will continue expanding PRD responsibilities, suggesting further policy attention to this cadre in the months ahead.