Jammu: Modernisation process of J&K police has suffered despite Union Government having released an amount of Rs. 547.13 crore to J&K government for the purpose during last 7 years as Babus at the helm failed to submit Fund Utilisation Certificates.
The allocation of funds by Union Ministry of Home Affairs for state police modernisation have now been reduced significantly as compared to previous years. In years 2010-11 and 2011-12 , MHA released an amount of Rs. Rs. 148.25 Cr and Rs 109.73 Cr respectively in favour of the state government, whereas in the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 it received only Rs. 35.88 Cr and 24.63 Cr each year respectively.
The data has been released by the MHA in response to an online RTI plea of applicant Raman Sharma submitted with the union government on 26/2/2017 wherein he had asked for details about the money given by the government of India to the state government for modernisation of police during the period 01/April/2010 to Feb/2017.
In the reply it has been also revealed that Utilisation Certificates amounting almost Rs. 5 Cr have been not submitted by the State government with the union home ministry that are pending up to 31/03/2015, Rs. 4.58 Cr under Non-plan head and Rs.31 Lac under Plan-head.
It is pertinent to mention here that as per the guidelines of the funds released under police modernisation scheme it has been made ample clear that unless Utilisation Certificates are made available for the full amount of the released money no further release of funds shall be made to any entity.
The funds received under Police Modernisation scheme (under Non Plan head) has to be spent on strengthening the crime and criminal tracking networks and systems, improving mobility, purchasing and upgrading weapons, equipment, training equipment, forensic equipment, etc. Whereas under plan head funds may be utilized for the construction / up gradation of police stations / outposts, police lines, police housing, construction of forensic science laboratories and training infrastructure (buildings).
KPS officers facing discrimination
Kashmir Police Service (KPS) officers have been facing gross discrimination in terms of promotions, fixation of seniority and salaries as compared to their Kashmir Administrative Officer (KAS) colleagues, though both groups are being selected by same authority-State Public Services Commission (PSC) though Civil Services Examination.
Sources told news agency CNS that most of the KPS officers are up in arms against the government though they are unable to give vent to their anger and frustration. Unlike KAS officers, the KPS officers have no union as unionism in Jammu Kashmir Police Department is banned.
A KPS officer on condition of anonymity said that government has been playing with the talent and hard work of the police officers. You will not believe that
2011 batch of KAS officers are to be promoted to the next grade and KPS officers of 2001 batch are in same grade. We dont have any grudge with the KAS officers but we want government to adopt same yardstick for both the cadres, he said.
He added that the State High Court in December 2011 in a writ petition titled Anita Sharma v/s State had asked the Home Department of the State Government to re-draw seniority list of the KPS officers. However, even after lapse of about five years, the Government hasnt issued the seniority list.
Another KPS officer said that a KAS officer upon his promotion gets Pay Band-3 with Grade Pay 6600 while KPS officer, when promoted, gets into Pay Band-3 with Grade Pay only 5600, thereby creating disparity in the grades.
As such, they pointed out, a KAS officer without being inducted into IAS reached Pay Band 4 while a KPS officer retires in Pay Band 3, leading to massive difference between pay and pensionary benefits of the KAS and KPS officers.
There are no guidelines/ scheme as far as career progression of KPS officers is concerned. The stagnation with regard to State Police (Gazetted) officers has reached at its peak. The career of nearly 400-500 Gazetted officers comprising batches of 1999, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 is at stake, they pointed out.
The problem with KPS officers is that they cant express themselves and cant bring problems faced by them into the notice of the government. We want to know what happened to the committees formed by the government. What happened to the recommendations of those committees?
The level of disparity between KAS and KPS officers can be gauged from the fact that SRO 386, which addresses all concerns of KAS officers is not applicable applicable to State Police (Gazetted) officers. (CNS)
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