Proposal moved to scrap 13th month salary to cops

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 3

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The state Finance Department has kicked a hornet’s nest by asking the Chief Minister to cancel the 13th salary given to 79,625 police personnel to save Rs 312.27 crore annually.

The 13th month salary, in common parlance, is the cash compensation for 30 earned leaves per year for Constables to Inspectors.

The Finance Department has instead proposed that the police personnel should take this leave compulsorily for relief from stress-related work.

The proposal is witnessing stiff opposition from the police force, which was elated two days ago with the news that they will get weekly offs and have an eight-hour shift from this month.

A senior police official said the proposal had not been discussed with them. A number of constables said they would oppose the move.

“We are summoned to duty at any time and often our casual leaves are also cancelled. The 13th month salary was a compensation for round-the-clock duty. It was not a special benefit given to us. The government cannot expect policemen to be available all the time if the salary is cut in this way,” said a Head Constable.

Additional DirectorGeneral of Police, Provisioning and Welfare, Arpit Shukla said the police department had not received such a proposal. Sources in the Finance Ministry said the proposal was made as part of several department-wise proposals mooted to reduce the government’s expenditure.