ATS officers upset over sharing salary

The state government's decision to include all Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel under the additional pay scheme has not gone down well with the officers.

The state government's decision to include all Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel under the additional pay scheme has not gone down well with the officers.

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A Government Resolution (GR) in this regard was passed on July 8. This means, the ATS officers, who used to get 50 per cent more salary than other policemen, will now face a pay cut.

"We will effectively get around 25 per cent salary less and the surplus money will be paid to those who are come on deputation," an officer said, requesting anonymity for lack of authorisation to talk to the media.

However, some officers feel the GR will bring some parity between regular personnel and those on deputation.

The GR, a copy of which is available with Hindustan Times has clubbed other pay components, such as Band pay and Grade pay, with the basic pay. Henceforth, the additional 50 per cent salary that the ATS personnel get will be calculated on this combined amount.

This, however, means they will not get Dearness Allowance (DA) and the additional 50 per cent of amount calculated on it. The GR clearly outlines that no allowance would be paid over and above this combined sum.

The pay cut will also affect their morale, said another upset officer. "Why should we put in extra effort if this is the way government intends to treat us," he said, adding that now officers will not feel like spending on informers because their own resources will be limited.

Home Ministry sources, however, said that the clubbed amount would even out the loss of DA.

Principal Secretary (Home) P.K. Jain said: "I don't think there will be any effect on their [ATS] salaries. And even if their salaries are affected and they get less than what they were used to, they can make a representation before the government to retain their salaries."