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| HC orders honorarium hike for SPOs | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Nov 2
In a relief to the 'poorly equipped warriors', the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the government to enhance monthly honorarium of the Special Police Officials (SPOs) from existing Rs 1500 to Rs 2000.
Justice Nirmal Singh in a petition filed by the SPOs has directed police dept that they would be paid their honorarium at a rate which is paid to similarly situated persons along with arrears, if any. Court further directed the respondents this be done within a period of two months from the date copy of this order is made available.
This significant judgment has been passed in a writ petition filed by Varinder Sharma and others who have been engaged as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Jammu and Kashmir Police and they have been working for the last more than 6 years. It is stated that initially they were being paid honorarium Rs 1500/- per month and for this the funds are being released by the Central Govt. Adv Veenu Gupta appearing for the petitioners submitted that petitioner's services are being utilized by the police dept, they have not been paid the monthly honorarium as the Central Govt is now releasing the funds in this regard in favour of the State Govt at an enhanced rate of Rs 2000/- per month to be paid to the SPOs. But the same has not been paid to the petitioners whereas similarly situated SPOs have been granted this benefit. On the other hand AAG Mr. BS Salathia appearing for the state in the objections admitted that petitioner were engaged as SPOs after giving them arms training with a view to strengthen the defence of militancy affected isolated villages of the State. It is further stated that for this service rendered by such like SPOs, they are being paid honorarium as per centrally sponsored schemes under Security Related Expenditure.
Justice Nirmal Singh after hearing both the sides observed that admitted case of the respondents is that petitioners were engaged as SPOs that honorarium which being paid to SPOs out of Security Related Expenditure has been enhanced from Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per Month, when the honorarium has been enhanced and the other similarly situated SPOs are being paid the enhanced rate, then the respondent authorities cannot discriminate. So far as payment of honorarium to the petitioners at the enhanced rate is concerned when they are also performing the similar duties and directed the respondents to pay their honorarium @ being paid to the similarly situated persons along with the arrears. |
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