Civic Polls: Police too getting additional salary?

Srinagar, Oct 15: Policemen on poll duty on unsure of whether or not they too will be provided additional one-month salary.

Last month, the state government announced the additional salary for the government employees put on poll duty during the ongoing civic elections.

The Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam, who had made the announcement, didn’t, however, clarify anything about the police.

The general opinion of the police forces who are involved in the polling duty is that they should be paid the extra month salary like other state government employees.

“It’s ironical how the officials who are most vulnerable are bereft of their dues while as others in the polling staff are receiving an additional remuneration,” said one police official, wishing anonymity.

Another police official said, “An employee engaged for the same work cannot be paid less than other who performs the same duties and responsibilities. Such an action is not acceptable.”

Even the top brass of the state police too is in dark on the additional salary given to police officers/ officials on poll duty.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir, SP Pani expressed ignorance over the recent government orders.

“I have no clue about the government order,” Pani said.

Principal Secretary Home, RK Goyal, avoided a straight answer to the question about police.

“Why should you need a confirmation from me? You better check the orders and you will get to know?”

Goyal, however was quoted by local agency Kashmir News Service saying: “We have to check who is covered in the government order regarding extra one month salary.”

The Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, as per the same news service, said that till date they have not received any order from the government.