Maharashtra: Cops on Kumbh Mela duty may get a 90% allowance hike

The Maharashtra home department has proposed a 90% hike in the daily allowance of the police personnel on duty during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik, which begins on July 14.

The Maharashtra home department has proposed a 90% hike in the daily allowance of the police personnel on duty during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik, which begins on July 14.

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The rise – to Rs 525 from Rs 275 a day – for around 20,000 policemen will cost the state exchequer around Rs 20 crore.

The proposal has been moved for the finance department’s approval, to be treated as an exceptional case on the lines of the allowance for the personnel deployed for the Assembly’s winter session in December every year.

“The number of officers deployed will be between 9,000 and 20,000, with the maximum security on the days of the three shahi snans [royal baths]. However, 25% of the daily allowance will be deducted towards the accommodation provided to them. The allowance is equal for all personnel, irrespective of ranks,” said KP Bakshi, additional chief secretary (home).

The government is spending about Rs20crore towards the accommodation and eating arrangements of the personnel. “To make the system more staff-friendly, this time, we will serve food to the police staff at the point of their duty,” said another official from the department.

The department has also set up a temporary CCTV surveillance network comprising 411 cameras in Nashik and Tryambakeshwar. The government has spent Rs 14.75 crore on this, taking the help of firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Kumbh Mela is scheduled to start on July 14, with the flag hoisting and the main ceremony to take place at Ram Kunda.

A delegation led by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a meeting at New Delhi, invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inaugural function.