Udupi/Mangaluru: Disgruntled and frustrated by the system, police constabulary in the State has announced protest on June 4, demanding better pay scale and an effective working system.
In an effort to stop the proposed protest by the constabulary across the State, DG & IGP Om Prakash has issued an arbitrary order and the State government has also imposed Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
Two stations convinced
When SP of Mangaluru, Bhushan Gulabrao Borase was contacted to find out what measures have been taken in view of the DG & IGP’s order, he said that he is in constant touch with the 15 police stations across DK and as a result has assurance from constables of two police stations that they would not join the protest.
However, the SP refraining from naming the two police stations that have backed out from the protest said that, he was confident of convincing the other stations as well.
The government doctor and hospital in the districts has been advised not to issue medical leave certificates, and in particular for false reasons. Inspectors in the police station have been advised not to sanction leave unless genuine reasons are given. Constables are being counseled in their individual police station and we are doing our best, he said.
Reforms in place
SP of Udupi, Annamalai, speaking to newskarnataka.com said that police is a disciplined force and hence they cannot protest. But, in case the district constabulary pursues the path of protest then, he may have to resort to take stern action, which includes dismissal.
SP Annamalai has to his credit the fame of introducing reforms in police system, mainly pertaining to working conditions of the policemen in various cadres.
In Udupi district, there is an organized leave system in place where availing weekly off is mandatory for constables.
He has introduced the system mainly to ensure that the policemen are not bogged down due to increasing stress level.
“We need to understand that constabulary is a human force. A Constable can avail 30 days leave for his own wedding, 15 days leave for his near relative’s wedding and 10 days of leave for six months of services without assigning any reason,” he said, adding that earlier the constables had to apply for leave on paper and proceed with the leave worrying all the while if the leave would be sanctioned or not.
But in Udupi, the mechanism in place is such that the constable, in case of emergency can send an SMS and come back and regularise the same. Once his leave is sanctioned, he receives a confirmation SMS.
Annamalai says that the constables in Udupi and DK are the most burdened of all because of the number of places of worship, which calls for security duty every other day due to festivals and celebrations. This region is also communally sensitive and hence during communal violence, a constable is on the street for a week or ten days.
“If you give them the leave that is due to them, there is no need to take leave by tendering false medical certificate. How will they prepare themselves for the next day’s work if they are sleep-deprived,” he questions. The reasons that the constables have cited for protest is genuine, but the method they are going to adopt is wrong.
Police are also demanding a better pay scale. An entry level policeman gets Rs.17,000 a month in Karnataka, Rs.22,000 in Tamil Nadu and Rs.25,000 in Kerala. With the present salary, policeman in Karnataka who do not even have quarters to reside, will find it difficult to sustain a decent livelihood. To look for a rented house is very costly due to which the constables are also demanding free quarters. They are also demanding children’s admissions in educational institutions to be made easy, without paying extra fees, when on transfer. The KSRP and the Armed Reserve police constables in the State are also the one who are made to undergo long hours of work, sources say.
