Kerala: Cops forced to be part of CPAS scheme

ALAPPUZHA: The Collective Posthumous Aid Scheme IV (CPAS) introduced by the Kerala Police Housing Co-Operative Society has now got into a controversy after the allegations of cops that they were forcefully being included in the scheme that has little post retirement benefits.

According to order G2-87671/2015 issued by the Society on November 13, each cop has to spend Rs 18,000 as twenty installments to get the benefit of the scheme. It says the order will provide a post-retirement benefit of just Rs 2,000 for Rs 18,000 when they retire with Rs 5 lakh for accidental death insurance.

As per the order available with Deccan Chronicle, the first installment of the cops who joined the scheme would be deducted from their December salary onwards. It also says that if anybody is disinterested with the scheme they should notify by November 20.

Meanwhile, the policemen who have a low rank are unhappy with the scheme. They say they were forcefully being included in the scheme by their association leaders and society office bearers.

“There is no need for the proposed scheme. It’s an added liability to every cop who suffers a salary cut for service benefits. A strict campaign led by top leaders of the Association is underway in the department. Many are intimidated. Presently, nobody seems to be refusing to join the scheme due to the fear of being targeted by leaders. It’s clearly a fundraising spree by the society. There are about 40,000 police personnel in the department. So, at least Rs 3,20,00,000 will be collected every month by the society December onwards. But we have no idea about what this huge fund is being utilized for,” they claim, adding Rs 2,000 as benefit for Rs 18,000 was a pittance compared to bank interest.

However, M.A. Joy, secretary of the Society said that it was a revised version of the existing scheme. The fund which is being collected from the cops will be utilized for their welfare. 

“All district police chiefs in the state have asked subordinates to join the scheme. “We don’t think all policemen will join in the scheme”, he said.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Police Association told DC that the Association had no role in this scheme. The entire proceedings including fund collection is completely under the prerogative of the society”, the official said.

 

 

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