'Govt to form pay panel to revise salaries of constabulary'

Home Minister Parameshwara on Friday said that the government has decided to constitute a pay commission to revise the salaries of the constabulary and a decision has been taken to grant weekly offs on fixed days

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He said a smart card will be issued to ensure hassle-free treatment for the policemen at 149  hospitals across the state under the Arogya Bhagya scheme. The money spent to provide free ration will be included in the salary so that the constables can buy the ration in the chosen outlets, he said.

Regarding housing facility, Parameshwara said an amount of Rs 1,818 crore would be spent in the next two years to construct at least 11,000 houses and a tender process is on to construct 4,016 houses at a cost of Rs 450 crore this year. A sum of Rs 500 crore would be borrowed as loan to construct 4,198 houses. The government is spending Rs 70 crore for repair and maintenance of the quarters at present, he said.

Under ESMA

Replying a question, he said a committee will be constituted to recommend increase in the sanctioned strength in the next budget. The police service has been included under ESMA and there will not be an economic clamp on the new recruitment for services covered under ESMA. The government will recruit as and when the posts fall vacant in the police department in future, the Home Minister added.