Rajasthan police unhappy with proposed cut in wages

Policemen in Rajasthan are up in arms against the government. They have initiated widespread protests across the state against the proposed cut in their wages and allowances. There have been protests in Jaipur, Sikar, Pali, Pratapgarh, Jodhpur and Hanumangarh. Policemen have been boycotting mess, got their heads shaved, tied black bands on duty and even given representation for their demands. Policemen in several parts of the state went on mass leave on Monday as a mark of protest. The government has ordered a salary cut for constables who joined after 2006 and the move has angered them and they are protesting.

With the government not taking heed to the steadily escalating unrest over the last week, the discontent is running high among the police constabulary. In a surprising move policemen on Monday visited PCC chief Sachin Pilot gave him a memorandum and sought help from him. This has handed the Congress a perfect opportunity to corner the government. The opposition had been attacking the government over poor law and order situation in the state. Pilot has assured them that the Congress would raise the issue in the coming assembly session.

Seeing the growing resentment and the political embarassment that could arise if the situation got out of hand Rajasthan DGP Ajit Singh visited the police lines at Jaipur on Monday evening. He assured the policemen that their fears and demands have been communicated to the government. "The policemen will not be deprived of their rights. I have communicated theior demands to the state government. The government will sympathetically conside their demands," said the DGP. But the DGP also told the policemen to mainjtain the dignity of their job and uniform.

Rajasthan has yet not implemented the seventh pay commission for its employees and it is believed that over eight lakh employees. Policemen are of the opinion that while others will be given benefits they will suffer losses due to the government decision.