Police decision to deduct 'COVID-19 contribution' from salaries flayed

Published On: April 10, 2020 09:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, April 10: The decision of Nepal Police to deduct a certain amount from the salaries of its staffers to contribute to the COVID-19 fund set up by the government has caused public outcry on social media.

Following the decision of Nepal Police, people took to social media to show their dissatisfaction over the salary deduction of police staffers, who have been working in the frontline to control the possible spread of COVID-19 in the country.

While the people suggested to the government to contribute to the fund under the Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Program to the COVID-19 fund, the decision of Nepal Police caused public outcry on social media.

A cardiologist Dr Raamesh Koirala opposed the decision of Nepal Police to deduct a certain amount from the salaries of its staffers. He wrote, “Deducting salary at this time is not a relief for police officials. Let's stop this.”

On Wednesday, Nepal Police decided to deduct certain amounts from the salaries of assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) to the inspector general. As per the decision, amount worth three days of salaries of ASIs and sub-inspectors (SIs) will be deducted.

Likewise, amounts worth five days of salaries of inspectors, deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and superintendent of police (SPs) will be deducted. Similarly, senior superintendents of police (SSPs) deputy inspectors general (DIGs), additional inspectors general (AIGs) and the inspector general (IG) will 'contribute' seven days of their salaries to the fund.

Likewise, Bishnu Rijal, who is a central committee member of Nepal Communist Party, wrote that deducting the salaries of police staffers at this hard time is illogical. “At this time, salaries of high-profile officials should have been deducted, but the decision to take away the salaries of those working in the frontline is illogical,” he tweeted.

As per the decision, more than Rs 40 million will be contributed to the government's fund.

In the meantime, Thule Rai, a former AIG, said that the decision has been presented in a wrong way on social media. “Nepal Police has been contributing salaries of its staffers to the government fund in hardest times like these,” he said, adding that the decision should not be taken in a negative way.

Likewise, retired DIG Hemanta Malla, too, defended the decision saying that Nepal Police has always contributed to government funds in hard times like these.


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