Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation grants Rs750 allowance to the fire fighters for courage shown during 2002 riots.
The standing committee of the Ahmedabad municipal corporation has granted 11 employees of the fire department an allowance of Rs750 per month, nine years after they were awarded the President’s fire service medal for gallantry.
Showing exemplary courage, the 11 brave-hearts had saved 16 people trapped on the terrace of a hotel in Shahibaug during the communal riots of 2002.
They were proud to have served the cause of humanity but were doubly delighted when, in 2003, they were awarded the fire service medal for gallantry for their courage. However, it took the AMC over 9 years to grant them the Rs750 allowance that should have followed the award of the gallantry medal.
The recipients of the President’s medal had requested the civic body many times for the allowance that was their due but they were ignored. In August 2008, the fire and emergency department had sent a proposal to the municipal commissioner for a decision in the matter but nothing came of it. By this time, the firemen were so demoralised that they threatened to return their medals.
The President’s medal award winners are also entitled to one more increment in addition to the regular increment they get during their services. Earlier, on November 3, 1976, the AMC’s standing committee had passed a resolution granting one additional increment to any winner of President’s medal during service.
“More than the money, it is important because it is in recognition of our service. It is good that the civic body has finally taken some action in this regard,” said a fireman who is also one of those given the award. The standing committee finally passed a resolution on Friday giving them a monthly allowance of Rs750 for the gallantry awards.
When contacted, AMC municipal commissioner Guruprasad Mohapatra said: “The allowance is in recognition for their services. That is why I had put the proposal before the committee.” He added that he had no information that the allowances had not been paid earlier.
Deputy municipal commissioner of fire and emergency services, Captain Dilip Mahajan, and chief fire officer MF Dastoor could not be reached for their comments.
Incidentally, seven employees of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services were also given meritorious service awards on January 26, 2003 for their service during the 2002 riots.
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