Pramesh S Jain
In an effort to make the police feel good factor the state police complaints authority proposed to the Director General and Inspector General of Police seeking mandatory leave for police personnel from the rank of Police Constable to Assistant Sub-Inspector on their birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
The representation was made by Mohan Kumar Danappa,Member,Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority,highlighting the intense work pressure faced by police personnel who perform round-the-clock duties in law and order,bandobast,patrol,security,traffic management and court duties.
In his submission,Danappa stated that continuous work stress,long hours and separation from family life have resulted in mental stress,hypertension,diabetes and other health issues among police personnel.
Unlike other professions,police staff often find it difficult to celebrate personal milestones such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and family functions.
The proposal notes that even availing weekly leave requires significant effort and approval from senior officers.
Granting a day’s leave on special personal occasions,it states,would help reduce stress,improve public interaction,enhance morale and enable personnel to perform duties more effectively.
The representation cites precedents set by the Delhi Police in 2021,which granted leave to personnel on birthdays,wedding anniversaries and on the birthdays of spouses and children.
Similar practices are reportedly being followed by the Coimbatore City Police and Kochi City Police.
Earlier, Bengaluru City Police and HSR Layout Police Station had also implemented the practice,though it was later discontinued following administrative changes.
Recently,the initiative taken by the Bengaluru South District Superintendent of Police has received positive feedback and appreciation for boosting staff morale,the representation states.
The proposal urges the police headquarters to issue a statewide circular granting compulsory leave on birthdays and wedding anniversaries, as recorded in service registers,along with issuing greeting letters from senior officers.
Police headquarters is yet to respond to the proposal.
