Supreme Court refuses to take plea against salary cut of policemen

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea against the order to cut down the salaries of police officials who are working day and night in the coronavirus pandemic situation. The apex court said that these are “policy matters” and it is for the government to consider the issue. 

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing the plea through video-conferencing. The plea also sought Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for all police personnel and their families on the ground that the police were serving on the frontline making them vulnerable to COVID-19.

While refusing to take up the plea, the governing body advised petitioner to present the matter to the relevant authority.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Bhanupratap Barge, who had sought directions to the Centre and states to make provisions for payment of ‘risk and hardship’ allowance, incentives in the form of bonus and additional salary to police officers who were presently serving on the frontline during the lockdown situation.

The petitioner also mentioned that the aged police officers were asked to report on duty where COVID-19 cases are present, making them exposed to the disease they could hardly survive if caught.

It had also sought directions to the authorities to identify policemen above 48 years of age and those having existing medical conditions such as diabetes, and not to deploy them on duty where they might come in direct or indirect contact with COVID-19 patients.