TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa Police personnel face punishment if found shabbily dressed or not wearing their khaki-uniform, but guess what ~ a policeman’s annual uniform allowance is a mere Rs 2,600. The pity is, even this meager amount is not paid in time.
State police personnel ~from constable to assistant sub inspectors~ are paid only Rs 2,600 to buy a complete uniform kit, when the actual cost comes to more than Rs 5,000 for two sets of uniforms. A complete uniform set also includes a pair of shoes and socks. For police sub inspectors, the annual allowance is Rs 1,750.
The traditional pittance of an allowance for uniforms, continues to be awarded for years, even as the department claims it had recently hiked the amount.
“We need at least two pairs of uniforms, considering the fragmented nature of work and time. We cannot wear uniforms covered with dust and stains on the next day because this invites punishment,” said a head constable.
Similarly, laundry allowance is around Rs 88 per month. Police officials said that those in the lower cadres feel the pinch more.
“We are taught to be disciplined in all aspects. Donning clean, ironed uniforms is a must and for this, it needs to be maintained and for this a small allowance is
insufficient,” said another.
What’s more interesting is that many from the lower cadre have not been paid the allowance for the current year, a common complaint which surfaces every year. It is also reportedly learnt that PSIs haven’t got their allowance yet.
The senior police officers have recently made it compulsory for all police personnel and officers on-field and even those stationed at headquarters and police stations, to be in khaki. At the daily morning and evening roll calls, personnel are inspected whether they are wearing the complete uniform. Those not wearing the proper uniform are punished.
