Madras High Court: Government’s stand sought on weekly off option for cops

CHENNAI: THE Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Additional Advocate-General to inform the court about the stand of the State government in restricting the option of police personnel to work on weekly off days to just one day in a month.

Justice N  Kirubakaran gave the direction when a writ petition seeking the abolition of the ‘orderly’ system still allegedly prevailing in the  State, came up.Earlier, the AAG produced a  communication dated July 11 last of the Director-General of Police stating that as per the Police Standing Order 234(1), every police personnel is allotted one day  off duty each week. In case of emergency, if any such personnel was not given the day’s off, Rs 200 is paid as remuneration for the extra duty.  In a month, 4 weekly offs were being given to all the  constables. Those who opt to work for all the four days are paid `800.

The judge observed “If extra remuneration of `200 per day is paid, definitely the personnel  would prefer to sacrifice their weekly offs. Hence, there should be a rule prohibiting the payment of extra remuneration more than once in a  month. Unless such prohibition is made, the personnel will tend to attend to work without availing their weekly off and fail to spend valuable time with their family. It is the duty of the government to  ensure that every police personnel avails his weekly off.”