Junior officers in Mumbai promised rank bonanza in the coming year

The state home department is considering a proposal to grant one step promotion to all junior policemen at the time of retirement.

Several lower-level cops now retire at the rank of head constable, and very few rise to the ranks of assistant sub-inspector (ASI) or police sub-inspector (PSI). According to the proposal under consideration, all head constables will retire as PSIs. The policy will be applicable to all retiring cops up to the rank of assistant police inspector, which effectively means that a retiring API will retire as an inspector.

Senior home ministry officials said that such a model, currently followed in Punjab, is aimed at providing a respectable social status to policemen retiring after putting about 30-35 years in service.

But the enhanced status comes with a rider. “There will be no corresponding financial benefits given to the policemen. They will draw the pension and other benefits as per their entitlement at the time of retirement,” the official said, adding that the model is also followed in the Indian Army. Currently, a retiring havaldar gets the rank of honorary lieutenant, but is given no additional pension benefits, the official added.

The new policy, awaiting the cabinet approval, is likely to be implemented either on April 1, the beginning of new financial year, or May 1, the Maharashtra Day, the sources said.