RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Oct. 7: Dead, Maoist victim Francis Indwar is attracting lakhs in compensation. Alive, the officer wasn’t paid for the past seven months.
Soon after the special branch inspector’s beheaded body was found yesterday, the state announced ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh and insurance of Rs 11.5 lakh for his family, plus the 50-year-old’s basic salary and allowances for the remaining years of his service.
Indwar, however, hadn’t been able to draw his monthly salary of Rs 32,000 since March because of red tape. He had been transferred from Bokaro to Ranchi in March, but his last pay certificate (LPC), which would have allowed him to draw his salary at his new posting, was never issued.
This came to light when Jharkhand Police Association (Special Branch) secretary G.P. Sharma made a fervent appeal to Bokaro superintendent of police Saket Kumar Singh this morning, urging him to clear Indwar’s LPC. The appeal came as preparations for Indwar’s funeral were on at the St Francis Church in Harmu.
Confronted with questions, a hesitant Sharma, sensing the gravity of the situation, said it was a procedural delay that is “quite common in the police department”.
“There is no ill intention behind it,” Sharma told reporters. “Issuance of an LPC needs clearance from the armoury, which issues firearms and ammunition to a police officer. A clearance is also sought from the office of the circle inspector and several other wings of the district police department. Finally, the clearance certificates reach the accounts department that issues the LPC. The entire process takes time.”
The armoury part is ironical. Indwar used to carry weapons in Bokaro, but once he was promoted and transferred to the special branch in Ranchi, he was denied any arms on his dangerous intelligence-gathering missions. The reason: the weapons may fall into Maoist hands in case he is captured.
The Bokaro SP, who assumed office today, said he had sent Indwar’s LPC and that it would reach Ranchi by tomorrow.
A special branch officer said using the existing force effectively was a big challenge for the department.
“The men are demoralised because they do not receive support from their seniors. Special branch officers are neither provided with allowance nor a safe place to stay when they venture into remote areas,” he said.
State police spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said the secret service funds were provided through district superintendents.
“Any special branch officer can get the money on demand. As far as the problem of accommodation is concerned, I admit there are lapses. Jharkhand is yet to follow in the footsteps of other states that make special provisions for intelligence-gathering in remote pockets,” he said.
I was wrong.
Not all government employees are corrupt, so it seems.
How was this man living for the last 7 months without receiving his salary?
How did he mange it?
Did he have any other source of income?
Before my son started living with us and started contributing to the family budget, I would not have been able to manage even for three momths without my salary.
In 1972 I worked in Kesoram Rayon.
I was married in 1973.
When our marriage function was going on, some workers from the factory came and informed me that Lockout had been declared in the factory.
We were both worried.
However, being management staff we were lucky and were paid our salaries otherwise it would have been really difficult to pull along for six months, which was the duration of the lockout.
That was in 1973 when milk and Dalda were available at Rs 4/- per kg and gold was about Rs 400/- per Tola.
I wonder how Francis Indwar managed for 7 months without salary?
Now, after being beheaded, the Government is giving a reward of Rs 10.00 lakhs and releasing his pending salary.
No words can convey my disgust at the government.
By not paying the salaries in time, the government is encouraging them to be corrupt
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