Rly constables unhappy over delays in reimbursement

“I had to ensure the disposal of a body,a suicide case on the tracks,on April 16,for which I spent Rs 600. Since April 20,there have been two cases of commuters getting seriously injured and I had pay for their transportation to hospitals. I am yet to get the refunds,” Prakash said.

The Indian Railway rules stipulate railway police is entitled to Rs 500 for every body they have to dispose of and Rs 200 for every injured person they have to arrange to be sent to the hospital. According to railway officials,there are around 10-12 cases of deaths in Pune station alone.

Prakash said his ‘in-hand’ income is between Rs 7,000 and Rs 8,000. “It is difficult to keep our household budgets in order,when we have to constantly keep paying for the disposal of the bodies. We do not immediately get the reimbursements from the railway department,” he said. If he has to go to Saswad to collect a body,then Prakash said he ends up spending around Rs 800 at least.

“We pay the police according to the rules and do it immediately. We cannot pay more even if they say the expenses incurred is more,” said C D Paunikar,senior station manager,Pune Railway Station. Railway officials also point out that they can reimburse constables only against receipts,which constables often do not provide.

Prakash,however,does not agree. Deputy superintendent of police Ranjit Abhinkar admitted that it was difficult for GRP constables and said the railways ought to increase the compensation to constables,especially for outstation trips,which cost more. “No railway station has an ambulance. GRP constables have to make their own arrangements,and are rarely reimbursed on time. They have to constantly pester the railway officials for reimbursement,” he said.