Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government found itself under fire on Thursday after official social media accounts of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference (NC) announced a hike in the monthly honorarium for Special Police Officers (SPOs).
The posts, which quickly went viral, were later deleted, prompting clarification from the NC.
The party said the person who put it on social media has been taken to task and divested of his responsibility as social media Advisor to Vice President Omar Abdullah.
“A recent post concerning SPOs’ honorarium was put out from various handles connected to the party and the Chief Minister. This post should not have been put out and was done without any attempt to verify or cross-check the information being put out. While we have been strongly advocating for an increase in the honorarium and are making every effort to see this done, it hasn’t happened till now,” NC statement said.
“The person responsible has been taken to task and has been divested of his responsibility as Social Media advisor to VP JKNC.”
The since-deleted post on Abdullah’s Instagram handle announced a hike in the honorarium of SPOs
“Delighted to announce a hike in SPO honorarium for Jammu & Kashmir: New recruits to get Rs 12,000 monthly; after 5 years: 18,000; after 10 years: 24,000; and after attaining 15+ years of service, the SPOs will get Rs 30,000 per month salary. #ApkiSarkaarApkeSath,” he said.
The post quickly drew scrutiny, with political leaders questioning its validity and accuracy.
J&K Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone sought clarification, pointing out that SPO salaries are funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through Security-Related Expenditure (SRE).
“Is it true? The salaries of SPOs are funded by MHA through SRE. Still, if the state government has created or invented a way to supplement their salaries—some clarification on that. Per se, it is MHA domain. Reposted—as NC deleted the post,” Lone said on X.
Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu also criticized NC.
“On ONE hand we have @JKNC_ and the @CM_JnK constantly telling us that the Home Dept and L&O don’t come under the elected Government. On the other hand, they claim credit for the increased honorarium of SPOs of @JmuKmrPolice with a cutout of the CM’s picture! Post deleted now?” he said
UNI
