Out of 85k cops, 15k absent during work: RTI

Backbone of the national Capital's security system appears to be more on vacation mood than being at work mode. A recent Right to Information (RTI) has revealed a large number of absent markings by the Delhi Police in the last two years. Out of 85,000 strong force, a total of 15,022 police personnel were absent during work.

The data provided by the Delhi Police to RTI activist Zeeshan Haider, has further revealed that constables and head constables have topped the absent list. Further, it shows that 12 personnel were suspended for being absent without notice and a total of 37 police personnel were dismissed for being absent for a long time.

Bagging the first position, a total of 9,399 constables from all the districts were absent during work during last two years. While, around 3471 head constables stood second while Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) were third in the list by 1,212. Further, 528 Sub-Inspectors (SI) were absent during work in this period.

When asked about the how this longer absence from the duty affects the force and leave the people at the mercy of anti-scial elements, a senior ranking official of the Delhi Police said, “Yes, the entire force suffers when even a single constable is not present on a particular day. Also, constables posted with with battalions skip work more than the head constables and others lower subordinates”, the official said.

“Officer's takes leave on health ground, maternity, paternity and others. But, absence in thousands that too for a long time is little un-digestible because most of the time what happens is sometimes absence marked even if an officer gets late by one minute or for half an hour. Further, sometimes they take leave in emergency situation or due to health problems. In such time we regularize the leave of that cop after proper explanation,” he added

However, some zone heads have stated that they have neither  dismissed nor suspended any lower subordinate for being late for a longer time. Among the districts, units and zones of Delhi Police, the top zone where police personnel were absent is Police Control Room (PCR) - 7477, Dwarka District- 2201, Seventh Batalion- 1896, Rohini District Police station- 1064, South- West- district- 823 and North-West- District- 505.

“As per the guidelines, 15 days casual leave is allotted to ministerial staff and 30 days casual leave is allotted to the executive personnel. Further, an officer can regularise leave on various grounds such as health, injury during work, maternity, paternity, half pay leave, study leave, disabled leave and so on”, a senior Delhi Police official said.

“The department conducts enquiry if a personnel is on a long leave and departmental action is initiated accordingly. Departmental  initiates disciplinary proceedings if the personnel concerned have remained absent without a plausible reason. A police personnel is never on leave but in reality a person needs rest especially the those who are in the field for 24 hours duty. So they go on a leave but it crosses the limit we issue suspension or dismiss,” added the official.

Further, 36 personnel from Rohini district, North-West district and others were dismissed for remaining absent for a longer period. Eight personnel from 7th battalion were suspended for being absent without informing their immediate officers.

Meanwhile, a constable from the North on condition of anonymity said, “We work for 24/7 standing in the rain, wind, humid and hot and we too have family children who wants to play with their father and mother on holidays, celebrate birthdays but we don't get holidays on such days. Most of the time we save the leave and go on holiday and further a cop who is on the ground faces emergency and health issues. Moreover, even after working for 12 hours continuously, one does not get leave in emergency gets frustrated and goes on leave for a long period.”