K’taka may consider hiking policemen’s salary in next Pay commission
Bengaluru (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara today said the government will consider hiking policemen’s salary on par with some other states during “revision of next pay commission” and urged protesting police officials to cancel their plans to go on a mass leave.
Large number of police personnel are reportedly to go on a mass leave on June 4 in protest against alleged harassment, lesser pay and no proper leave.
“We have gathered information from some other states, and studied salaries they are paying their policemen….government will consider hiking the salary during revision of next pay commission,” Parameshwara told reporters here.
“I urge the protesting police personnel to withdraw their plan to go on a mass leave because they are a disciplined force,” he added.
An organisation named ‘Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha’ is leading the movement. V Shashidhar, founder president of the organisation, is a suspended police personnel.
Parameshwara said government has also taken cognizance of other demands made by policemen and also argued that they do not enjoy right to protest. “…These are not the demands of an organization or a union within the department. It is not allowed any way, but we have taken note of the demands.”
“We definitely have initiated so many actions for their welfare. Karnataka has been in the frorefront to initiate so many health schemes, free education and housing schemes. We have brought in apartment system which costs Rs 15 lakh per unit and we are also providing them so many other facilities.”
On harassment issue, Parameshwara said the government has been taking action and will continue to take action against the accused officials.
Replying to a query, he said: “We are tracking various social media including Facbook and Whatsapp, and will take action against those indulging in provoking policemen to go on mass leave,” he said.