NC sacks social media manager after misleading post on SPOs’ honorarium hike

National Conference (NC) found itself in the eye of the storm after its social media handle posted a status announcing hike in the honorarium of the Special Police Officers (SPOs) and later deleted it and removed a social media manager responsible for the goof-up.

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The official X handles of NC and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared the post with the title “Another promise fulfilled”. The post with the picture of Abdullah stated, “Delighted to announce a hike in SPO honorarium for Jammu & Kashmir: New recruits: Rs 12,000 monthly; 5 years: Rs 18,000/month; 10 years: Rs 24,000/month; 15+ years: Rs 30,000/month. #ApkiSarkaarApkeSath,” the post which was deleted on X read.

SPOs do not come under the rules of regular police service but get a fixed monthly honorarium and a demand for increase in the salary and their regularisation is going on since long.

However, soon after the post went viral on social media, NC deleted it and a clarification was issued.

“A recent post concerning SPOs honorarium was put out from various handles connected to the party and the Chief Minister. This post should not have been put out and was done without any attempt to verify or cross check the information being put out. While we have been strongly advocating for an increase in the honorarium and we are making every effort to see this done it hasn’t happened till now,” the new post stated.

It further read that the person responsible has been divested of his responsibility as social media advisor to Omar Abdullah.

Meanwhile, the Opposition started taking potshots at the ruling NC and questioned the reason for deletion of the posts. Peoples Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone posted a screenshot of the deleted post and said “Is it true? The salaries of SPOs are funded by MHA through SRE. (Security related expenditure). Still if the state government has created or invented a way to supplement their salaries— some clarification on that. Per se it is MHA domain. Reposted—as NC deleted the post”.

Former Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Junaid Azim Mattu, also questioned the intent of the deleted post and said, “On one hand we have JKNC and the CM constantly telling us that the Home Dept and Law and Order doesn’t come under the government. And on the other hand they claim credit for increased honorarium of SPOs of J&K police with a cutout of the CM’s picture! Post deleted now?”

BJP leader and party’s UT spokesperson Altaf Thakur questioned NC over the issue. “The NC must stop misleading the people of J&K, particularly our SPOs, who serve in the most challenging conditions. Instead of pointing fingers, they must clarify their own track record regarding SPO welfare and salary disbursement during their tenure in power,” Thakur said.