ADGP appeals VDF personnel to call off strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 28 2018:
Christopher Doungel, ADGP Manipur Police has appealed to the VDF personnel to call off their strike and resume duty immediately as they all are bound by their duties.
Speaking to media persons in connection with the demands laid down by VDF personnel before the State Government and DGP Manipur Police, Christopher Doungel explained that the authority concerned is not in a position to take up necessary steps regarding some demands which were put up by VDF personnel.
He stated that VDF was set up in 2007-08 as force multiplier to assist the State police for maintaining law and order situation in the State at that time.
In the beginning only 1500 VDF personnel were recruited following which many unemployed youth were recruited as VDF personnel from time to time.
It is clearly mentioned in the terms and condition of the VDF service clause (VI) that the VDF personnel will be given an honorarium of Rs 3000 and ration money of Rs 570, but there is no mention of increase of remuneration from time to time and their appointment will be initially for one year and extended from time to time.
He continued that the Ministry of Home Affairs recognizes a strength of only 1500 VDFs and the remuneration was fixed at only Rs 1500 per month for each VDF personnel.
However, the actual sanctioned strength of VDFs in the State at present is 10,050 and the rest of the remuneration is borne by the State Government.
The recruitment of VDF personnel and Riflemen/Constable are quite different from one another as there is no educational qualification test for VDF personnel and they undergo only physical and medical test and gets absorbed after 3 or 6 months.
He also said that VDF personnel have been performing their duties well along with other police personnel from time to time in maintaining law and order for the past 10 years and the authority concerned is also well aware about the VDFs' grievance.
He continued that after an unrecognized (unregistered) body All Manipur VDF Welfare Association (AMVDFWA) raised 13 point demands, they have met the Chief Minister and DGP Manipur Police and thereafter, their (VDF personnel) remuneration was increased from Rs 7,000 to 7730 per month (including their ration money).
The ADGP continued that after the meeting, a Nodal Officer for VDF welfare was appointed and Special Identification Number (SIN) given for 7001 VDF personnel out of 10500 are completed while the rest are under process.
He conveyed that SIN has been released for two months and the messes of police station, reserved lines and outposts are functioning properly with proportionate representation of VDF personnel.
He said that the Department concerned is taking up all measures from their side looking after the demand by the VDF personnel but at present they are not in the position with certain parts of the VDF demands.
Appealing to the VDF personnel to call off their strike, he asked the VDF personnel to joint duty immediately.