Constables servile to ex-cops

Apr 30, 2008, 03:17 IST

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The state government is spending at least Rs 30 lakh every month for providing security and domestic help at the residences of retired police officers.

CHENNAI: The state government is spending at least Rs 30 lakh every month for providing security and domestic help at the residences of retired police officers.
Trained police personnel have been assigned to menial jobs like washing, sweeping and cleaning toilets. Many are there just to take care of retired officers' pets. They also cook, shop for groceries and guard their homes.All at the taxpayers' expense.
Police sources said at least 11 policemen attached to the Armed Reserve and the Tamil Nadu Special Police have been serving at the residence of former DGP A X Alexander, who was removed the day DMK came to power on May 31, 2005 �� just 17 days before his retirement.
Similarly, eight policemen have been guarding the home of former additional director general of police K V S Murthy, who lives on New Avadi Road in Kilpauk.

Five policemen are on duty at former city police commissioner R Rajagopalan's house and eight at former DGP Kumarasamy's house in Thirumangalam.
Former DGP F C Sharma, who died of an ailment few years ago, still has two policemen at his home.
Former IGP Chidambara-samy's house has four policemen, former DGP Sripaal's house has two, apart from a driver, while former DGP Vaikunth has three cops on guard duty.
Policemen, when selected as constables, are imparted field training for six months. During the training, they are provided accommodation, food and uniform. Then they are posted to the armed reserve wing, from where they graduate to police stations according to their seniority.

"The government spends at least Rs 7,000 per month on each of them, including their salary, during the training period. The training is wasted when they are engaged as domestic help at the retired officer's houses. Most of the senior officers are still staying in the city, enjoying all facilities, even after their retirement," a serving officer said.
A top Tamil Nadu police officer confirmed that many retired officers were still enjoying the services of constables, and said he had shot off letters to those retired officers, after which nearly 50 policemen, including cooks and gardeners, returned to service. Director general of police K P Jain refused to comment on the issue.
However, P Balasubramanian, joint commissioner of police (Central Chennai), said, "There is no threat to any retired police officers like KVS Murthy and AX Alexander."
selvaraj.a@timesgroup.com

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