The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has on Monday demanded that the Nagaland Government restore the previous Travelling Allowance/Dearness Allowance (TA/DA) of Rs 1500 for the uniformed police personnel who are outside the state on election duty.
RPP has highlighted that the TA/DA was preciously capped at Rs 1500 but the State’s Finance Department reduced it to Rs 550 through the notification dated 9th April 2024.
“As per sources the previous rate of Rs. 1500/- was not supposed to be this ‘high’ since accommodation, transportation and ration are already taken care of by the state government and therefore it seems the Finance Department rectified the ‘anomaly’ by bringing the amount down to Rs. 550/-,” the Party stated.
RPP pointed out that four battalions from Nagaland have been carrying out election duty across India in the sweltering heat for almost three months and that three jawans had even lost their lives due to heat stroke. “The paltry amount of Rs. 550/- per day cannot justify the daily expenditure one incurs where jawans have to buy bottled water and sundry, and sometimes source nutritious food for themselves given the quality of food provided at the mess,” it added.
Stating that Rs 550 per day to do such work is “unjustifiable”, the Rising People’s Party has urged that Nagaland Government to review its decision before the jawans reach home.
Further, RPP has demanded for a thorough investigation into the circumstances under which the jawans operate in hostile conditions.
It has also said that an adequate compensation of at least Rs 10 lakhs each should be paid to the bereaved families of the three jawans.
“If the same NDPP/BJP coalition can sanction the colossal amount of Rs. 52 Crore to build a new stage and amphitheater at Kisama to commemorate 25 years of Hornbill festival – a task almost unnecessary whereby the old building/rostrum is to be broken down completely for a new VANITY PROJECT, why is it so difficult for this coalition government to show some compassion?” the Rising People’s Party questioned.
