Cops plan allowances to Special Cell men

A source in the police department said they are at present collecting documents detailing extra allowances given to special units of police forces in other states. The details would be enclosed with the proposal to be sent to the ministry,they said.

“The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad,Hyderabad’s OCTOPUS,the Bangalore police and special units in several other states get special allowances,” the source said. “All these units in different states have been created to tackle top-priority cases,especially terrorism.”

According to the source,the proposal would include demands for a 15-per cent hike in salary to officials posted in the Special Cell,besides granting them gadgets like laptops,latest mobile phones and others.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P N Aggarwal confirmed that the Delhi Police is drafting such a proposal.

According to the source,sleuths deployed in the Police Training College at present receive an extra 15 per cent monthly salary than other local police personnel. “It’s called training allowance,” the source said,“and it is meant to motivate them.”

Similarly,the source said,a reason why Special Cell sleuths are demanding extra allowance is the extra risk involved in their work. “The Special Cell is responsible for tackling militants and other hardened criminals and are thus more prone to danger than police personnel in other units,” a senior officer said.

The Cell’s officials at present enjoy certain privileges that local police personnel do not. For instance,Special Cell officials can carry two numberplates on their vehicles to confuse criminals; they also have access to latest arms and ammunitions introduced to the force. They are also sent for training from time to time.

Another important reason why the department has taken up the issue now is to raise morale of the Cell’s officials,which hit a nadir after Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died during an encounter against suspected militants at Batla House recently,a senior officer said. Questions were raised on the legitimacy of the encounter,which policemen said did no good to the morale of Special Cell sleuths.

“Under such circumstances we would be happy to whatever we can to raise their level of motivation,” the officer said. The source said while authorities had promised proposals for special allowances to Special Cell officials on earlier occasions too,it was never followed up properly.

“We hope the proposal would finally be drafted and given to the government this time,” a Special Cell officer said.

WHAT extra allowances

* 15% additional monthly salary

* Gadget like latest laptop and cellphones among others

WHY extra allowances

* Officers reason that Special Cell sleuths deal with militants and other hardened criminals and ‘are more prone to danger’

* To raise morale among Special Cell officers after Cell Inspector M C Sharma’s death in Batla House encounter

Proposed allowances

Inspector: Basic —- Rs 17,000 (approximately)

Sub-inspector: Basic —- Rs 14,600 (approximately)

ASI: Basic —- Rs 11,000 (approximately)

Head Constable: Basic —- Rs 9,000 (approximately)

Constable: Basic —- RS 8,000 (approximately)