The Mumbai police issued a circular on Friday asking policemen across ranks to donate one day’s basic pay from their salary for drought victims in Maharashtra. The contribution is voluntary and not compulsory, and the collected amount will be deposited in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
“This is a voluntary contribution, a gesture by the Mumbai police. Those who do not want to contribute have been asked to approach deputy police commissioner (HQ -I) and express their reluctance by May 21,” said police commissioner Arup Patnaik. He added that the remaining pay after deductions would be credited directly to the accounts as usual.
“There are around 45,000 police personnel in the city police department. If all of us give up one day’s basic, accounting for all the police from different ranks, the amount should amount to `2 crore,” Mr Patnaik added.
However, everyone might not want to donate, another senior police officer admitted. “An IPS officer won’t find it difficult to part with a day’s basic salary, but a constable or some lower rung personnel might be affected. However, even if they don’t donate, it won’t be held against them,” he said.
Vidarbha and the western region of Maharashtra are the areas that have been severely hit by drought, and villagers have sought more funds from the state and Central governments to tide over the crisis.