The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced names of 12 Punjab Police officers for the President’s Medal.They will be awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).Inspector Baljit Singh, in-charge of the Barnala CIA, will be awarded the medal for distinguished service.He is being given the award for his exceptional contribution to law enforcement, particularly in anti-drug operations.Inspector General (Intelligence) Babu Lal Meena and IG (Provisioning) S Boopathi, six PPS officers, two inspectors and one assistant sub-inspector will be awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service.The PPS officers selected for the honour are Navreet Singh Virk, SP (PBI), Sangrur; Karnail Singh, DSP (Headquarters), Sangrur; Subhash Chand, DSP (Security); Sanjeev Kumar, DSP (CID), Amritsar; Gagandeep Singh, ACP (North), Amritsar; and Jasvir Singh, DSP, Jahan Khelan.The remaining officers are Inspector Rashpal Singh, Inspector Nirmal Singh and ASI Nirmal Singh.Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav expressed gratitude to the Centre and the state government for recognising the services of these officers and boosting the morale of the force.Terming the honours as a proud recognition of the officer’s dedication, professionalism and exemplary service, the DGP said that achievement was an inspiration for the entire Punjab Police.State govt honour for 27 eminent personsThe Punjab Government will honour 27 eminent personalities with the state award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to various fields on the Independence Day.Jagdev Singh will be honoured for bravery, while Inderjit Singh, Surinder Jagat, Jattvibeita Kapoor, Sukhdeep Singh Dhillon, Avtar Singh Maan, Dr. Upinder Singh Ghai, Jasvir Singh, Jatinder Singh, Vinod Kumar, Avtar Singh, Pradeep Kumar and Nirmal Singh will be honoured for their exemplary contribution to social service.In the field of literature, the state award will be conferred upon storytellers Mehar Malik and Beant Singh Bajwa, writers Sanjeev Saini, Baaj Singh and Premlata, and poet and writer Dr Mohammad Ayub Khan.In the field of art, Satvir Kaur and Paramjit Kaur Kapoor will receive the award.In recognition of their expertise and contribution to the medical and professional fields, Dr. Parminder Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Kanta and Ashok Kumar will also be honoured with state award.For their contribution to science and technology and for setting new benchmarks in their respective fields, Talwinder Singh and Sukhraj Bhullar will get the honour.