No plan for raising pay of VDF for now: Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 08 2013:
Home Minister Gaikhangam today informed the State Assembly that Village Defence Force (VDF) had been established for voluntary work in the service of the people and their demand for raising the honorarium is justified.
But as of now the State Government has no plan for raising the honorarium of VDF personnel.
Gaikhangam was responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by NCP MLA L Ibomcha during the last day of the 3-day Budget Session of the State Assembly today.
Moving the motion, MLA Ibomcha asserted that it was not the right move of the Government to uphold a one sided stance over the demand of the VDF Welfare Association, which has been pushing for an increase in their pay or honorarium.
The Opposition MLA observed that VDF personnel should be deployed in their respective villages in accordance with the title given to the force and pointed out that around 600 VDF personnel have been found involved in different crimes in the state so far, but not a single personnel has been dismissed till date.
Gaikhangam, however, maintained that deployment of VDF personnel are indeed helpful in protecting law and order in the state, but they were recruited in conformity with the honorarium they get now.
Nonetheless, he assured the House that the State Government would see it can be done along with taking up a good policy for them.