Port Blair, July 3: The State Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly condemned the move to cut down one extra month’s salary being given to the Police and Fire Service Personnel. They were given 13 months’ salary against their duty for twelve months.

In a communication, the State BJP said, it is understood that a circular has been issued by the Central Government stating that the Fire Brigade and Police Personnel of A&N Islands will no more be given thirteen months’ salary against their performance of duty for twelve months.

The A&N Islands itself is a Hard Area compared to mainland India and fire fighters and Police personnel are to serve in outer islands also which are more harder. The fire fighters are again the key personnel not only to fight fire but also are responsible to deliver during any type of disaster as a part of Disaster Management. The islands are in high seismic zone and the last Tsunami has scripted an indelible mark of fear amongst the entire islanders, who get some solace seeing the fire fighters beside them at the need of the hour.

On the same line, the Police personnel of A&N Islands are not only responsible to maintain Law & Order but also work shoulder to shoulder with the rest of defence personnel to ensure security of the entire islands apprehending poachers and intruders in the Bay of Bengal etc.

The curtailment of one month salary will naturally lower the morale of these personnel and in turn minimize their enthusiasm and zeal to deliver, said the communiqué.

Keeping the situational fact of A&N Islands as hard area with more responsibility, the Party has strongly condemned the move to curtail one month extra salary being given to police and fire service personnel. The party has urged the Central Govt. to take back the decision in favour of these islands as a very special case.