IPS Officer Pawan Jain, during his 36-year career, performed remarkably. A feather in his hat was to release the coal mine workers in Sarguja from the clutches of loan sharks.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Jain talked about one of his impressive initiatives that he undertook while in service.
HELPING COAL MINE WORKERS
This happened when Mr. Jain took over as the Superintendent of Police in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. Here, he resolved the harrowing plight of coal mine workers toiling in 35 mines under deplorable conditions.
These labourers, ensnared in debt bondage, earned far below the minimum wage. Their hard-earned wages were siphoned off by unscrupulous money lenders, pushing them deeper into a cycle of poverty.
“The workers were forced to give lakhs as interest on meagre loans of Rs. 5000. Since they were not well educated and didn’t understand the process well, they were exploited and couldn’t do anything about it. That’s when I decided to do something for them and help them in becoming debt free,” Mr. Jain told Indian Masterminds.
WORKING TOWARDS THE CAUSE
Witnessing this injustice, Mr. Jain embarked on a mission to liberate these workers from their financial shackles. Under his leadership, a pioneering debt-free programme was initiated. He orchestrated raids on the accountants’ establishments, recovering an astonishing sum of 15-20 crore rupees – money that rightfully belonged to the workers. Legal action was taken against 250 fraudulent money lenders, leading to their incarceration and license cancellation.
“We registered cases against these 250 fraud accountants and took legal action against them. They were thrown behind bars and their licences were cancelled. The mine workers ultimately received their valuable belongings such as their house papers, gold, among other things that they had to mortgage to the accountants and became debt free for life,” shared Mr. Jain.
For his exceptional work, he was bestowed with the esteemed ‘T.P. Jhunjhunwala Social Service Award’ in 1997, a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and social welfare.
STARTING POLICE MEET
However, Mr. Jain’s legacy extends far beyond this singular achievement. His tenure witnessed the establishment of the IPS Service Meet in Madhya Pradesh, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s administrative history. Through his years of service, he not only upheld his duties with unmatched dedication but also touched the lives of countless citizens through his benevolent initiatives.
As he ascended the ranks within the police force, he received numerous accolades that underscored his exceptional contributions. The ‘Nirala Yuva Sahitya Samman’ in 2002 recognized his literary prowess, reflecting his multifaceted talents.
His meritorious service was further acknowledged with the ‘President’s Police Medal’ in 2003 and 2013, underscoring his unwavering dedication to law enforcement. His international recognition came in the form of the INVC International Award ‘Manav Ratna Alankaran’ in 2021, a testament to his global impact.
Through his noble initiatives and exceptional leadership, he not only liberated the oppressed but also set an enduring example of compassion and integrity for others to emulate.
