SRINAGAR: The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik approved increase in the honorarium of Special Police Officers (SPOs) of Jammu and Kashmir Police with effect from 26th September, 2018.

The SPOs have been engaged in the Police Department from mid-nineties to assist the State Police in law order and various counter-insurgency operations. Presently, the SPOs with less than one year of engagement are paid a monthly honorarium of Rs. 5000 per month, upon completion of one-year Rs. 5500 per month and upon completion of three years Rs. 6000 per month.

By virtue of the SAC decision, the monthly honorarium of SPOs with less than 5 years of engagement has been enhanced to Rs 6000 per month, upon completion of 5 years to Rs. 9,000 per month and upon completion of 15 years to Rs 12000 per month. The decision having financial implication of Rs. 106 Crore annually will benefit over 30,000 SPOs working in the Police Department and improve their living conditions.

Over the years, SPOs have been assigned with various responsibilities including deployment for law and order, guarding vital installations, assistance in organizing important events and counter-insurgency operations in the State.

The payment on account of honorarium is reimbursable under Security Related Expenditure Scheme (SRE) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.