PANAJI
Not only the home guards-turned-constables but also the new recruits, who are currently undergoing training at the Delhi Police Training Academy (DPTA) and the Police Training School (PTS) in Valpoi are financially distressed. Reason: Delayed salary disbursements lasting five months.
This has further led to another concern involving unpaid daily mess charges, which have piled up to around Rs 1.20 crore for this period.
Reliable police sources told The Goan that Rs 160 per day from each trainee (Rs 4,800 approx monthly) goes to the NGO that manages the canteen within the Police Academy in Delhi. “This amount is towards an entire day’s breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. But since the constable recruits have not got their salaries, they are unable to pay the fees towards the mess,” said the source.
As a result, some manufacturers of various products are now hesitant to supply their goods for preparing daily meals.
Sources said that the delay, for reasons best known to the department, has caused a significant hold-up. Unfortunately, it has left several recruits without any funds, especially those who have been sending money back home from their training centers.
“With Ganesh Chaturthi right around the corner, these salaries are crucial for their families,” the officer said.
Around 500 recruits are currently undergoing training at the DPTA while around 300 are being trained at PTS. They are scheduled to complete their training in the next four months followed by one-month pre-commando training.
"These recruits earn a monthly income of about Rs 23,000 to Rs 25,000, which is electronically deposited into their bank accounts via the ECS system. Of this, they are expected to contribute Rs 160 per day towards their mess expenses but with no salaries, they are unable to fulfill this requirement,” the officer revealed.
Interestingly, when The Goan began inquiring about the matter for an official comment, the salary bills were submitted for clearance.
However, SP HQ Nerlon Albuquerque remained unavailable for comment.
The Goan on August 19 reported that 101 home guards who were absorbed as constables are also awaiting their salaries which have been pending since the following month of their training period.
Sources said that these constables received only 15 days' salary upon commencing their duties on March 16 while the period from April remains outstanding.
