Govt neglecting ANF cops?

When it comes to providing facilities and incentives to these personnel, the government thinks twice.

Initially the government said that it will provide 50 per cent addition to their basic pay because their nature of work is much more complicated than the civil police.

As the naxal activity is visibly reducing in the State, the government has shown its true colours by stopping the additional pay to the personnel over the last 5 months. In addition to this, what is more disheartening is the fact that the amount paid to them for few months is being deducted from their salary!

“This move has left the ANF constables in deep trouble. We are paid about Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month. With no other source of income, we are finding it difficult to make both ends meet,” says a constable who has taken part in several naxal encounters.

ANF personnel say that KSRP senior official Dr K Ramachandra Rao had written to Director General of Police with regard to slash in their salary but despite this, the government has failed to understand their problems.

“We do not stay with our family. Hence, we have to take care of ourselves and spend for the expenses of our family as well. It is not the same with the civil police,” an ANF personnel says adding that a huge portion of the salary goes for health care because of unfavourable conditions that they work in.

While the civil police are entitled to get 15 holidays a year, these cops do not even have that privilege. They are forced to work 26 days a month.
“They are not ready to listen to our problems. All that they ask for just is results,” says an ANF cop.

Basic pay

The basic pay of an ANF personnel was increased from 2005. However any of the personnel whose basic pay is more than Rs 3,500 are made to pay back Rs 1,500 per month. The government is not for providing the special allowance which was started in 1999. Hence a stipulated amount is being cut, said ANF Chief Amruth Paul.

12 camps

There are as many as 12 camps put up at Pavagada, Hebri, Karkala, Agumbe, Kerekatte, Sringeri, Jayapura, Masthikatte, Kigga, Jiddinagadde, Shankaranarayana and Amasebail. There are 450 personnel working in these camps.