Taking a welfare initiative for the police force and to help personnel combat work stress, the Khanna district police have implemented a provision of weekly off.With this, the Khanna police have reportedly become the first police district in Punjab to implement the provision. The development is being seen as a big relief for the police force, which remains overburdened due to long duty hours.The move has been implemented from Thursday as per an order issued by Khanna SSP Dr Darpan Ahluwalia.The order states: “In compliance with the instructions of the office of the Director General of Police, Punjab, dated August 8, 2003, regarding the ‘weekly one-day off’ to reduce the workload of police personnel and keep them mentally strong, the police station heads have been directed to ensure the facility is provided to the police personnel posted under them. DSP-rank officers will implement the order for cops working in other police units.”The SSP’s order further states that the weekly off would not be construed as a holiday or leave. The police personnel on weekly off would remain available at their respective places of posting, won’t leave the station and could be called for duty in case of any emergency.To help them remain composed, says SSPTalking to The Tribune, the SSP said the initiative was taken so that cops could devote time to their personal works and health along with government duties, helping them remain composed.“The Khanna police have eight police stations and one-day off rosters have already been prepared. Cops are free to avail one-day off (four in a month). However, the SHOs have also been told that if the SHO or lower-rung cops need to be present on duty to tackle any expected law and order situation or any other important policing work on their scheduled day off, then they should not avail the off.”As per Section 22 of the Police Act, 1861, every police officer shall always be on duty and is supposed to be available for duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unless the officer is on approved leave.Khanna Sadar SHO Inspector Sandeep Kumar said the SSP’s order had been implemented and weekly off rosters prepared. “It is a much-needed initiative. Rather, it should be implemented across Punjab so that cops can spare time for themselves and their families,” added Inspector Kumar.Meanwhile, Punjab Police senior officials at Chandigarh said though the orders for weekly off were issued in 2003, these could not be implemented. The Khanna district was the first to do so and others might follow, they added.