Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announces Pongal medals for 4,184 uniformed personnel, along with a monthly allowance starting February 1.

In a Pongal gesture aimed at recognising service and dedication, M. K. Stalin on January 14 announced state honours for 4,184 personnel drawn from the police, fire and rescue, prisons, and correctional services departments.

According to an official release, the annual Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Medals, presented every Pongal, will this year be awarded to 4,000 police personnel, largely from the constabulary ranks. These include Grade-II and Grade-I constables, head constables, and special sub-inspectors, covering both men and women.

The honours list also features 120 personnel from Fire and Rescue Services, including drivers, leading firemen and transport officers, as well as 58 staff members from prisons and correctional services across different warder categories.

In addition to the medals, the government will extend a monthly medal allowance from February 1, applicable to all awardees regardless of rank. Separately, six specialists from police radio, dog squads and police photography units will receive medals for excellence in technical and specialised services, along with a lump-sum grant linked to their rank.

The medals, accompanied by official scrolls signed by the Chief Minister, will be presented at a formal medal parade scheduled for a later date.

By extending the honours beyond senior ranks, the announcement places renewed focus on frontline personnel who form the backbone of public safety services. The addition of a monthly allowance may also act as a sustained morale booster rather than a one-time recognition. As Tamil Nadu continues to rely heavily on uniformed services for disaster response and law enforcement, such institutional rewards could help strengthen long-term motivation and retention.