Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: NPP MLA Harshdev Singh has expressed grave concern over the growing unrest amongst the SPOs and Home Guards of the State, working in Police Department due to the indifferent approach of the Government towards their issues.
Urging upon the Government to fulfill their legitimate demands, he insisted for formulation of a definite policy for regularization of their services in conformity with the policy framed for regularization of other categories of adhoc, temporary and contractual employees in various departments.
Mr. Singh said that the SPOs are performing a very significant role in security operations and maintaining law and order in the State but are being disregarded and ignored by the successive Governments despite repeated assurances to redress their grievances. He said that a specific time schedule was required to be stipulated for conversion of SPOs as Police Constables in view of highly sensitive nature of their jobs and onerous responsibilities and duties performed by them. He further demanded fixation a specific number of seats in Police recruitments for SPOs.
NPP leader further demanded increase in the honorarium of SPOs. He ridiculed the govt. for the meager honorarium of Rs 3000 per month being given to SPOs despite their round the clock services. He further regretted that whereas the daily rated wages had also been enhanced to Rs 3750 per month the SPOs were made to stagnate at the nominal wages of Rs. 3000 per month.
He also demanded extension of the benefits of SRO 43 to cover the SPOs as well.
He expressed concern over the plight of VDCs, Home Guards and the Government apathy towards their issues.