Mohammed Sajid & Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, Sep 26: Andaman Sheekha had recently pointed out how destitution persists among the employees of the Fire Brigade about the decision taken by the senior officers associated with the organization.
The staffs of Andaman and Nicobar Fire Service under the control of the Andaman and Nicobar Police department are nowadays facing destitution because they feel that senior officers of Andaman and Nicobar Police are not taking perfect decisions for them.
The Fire Service personnel used to get Special Compensatory Pay towards their long hours duty including public holidays that has been stopped with immediate effect by the Ministry of Home Affairs with the plea that it doesn’t have the IFD’s approval. Sadly, it would be seen that the SCP was sanctioned way back in the year 1987 for A&N Police and the benefit so extended to Fire Service, Police Radio, PMF, IRBn etc being the integral part of A&N Police.
Another dimness for staff is that they were engaged in 24 hours duty and 24 hours off duty system in 02 shifts. This set-up had been introduced by the then DGP, Mr. S.B. Deol, IPS the then DGP after examining the facts and circumstances of staff from every corner. For which, the staffs were very happy.
Now, due to intervention of some officers, the duty system has been replaced with 12 hours duty and 12 hours off in two shifts. A notice regarding the same has already been placed in the notice board of Fire Service Headquarter. This has lowered the moral and enthusiasm of staffs towards their participation in any emergency situation. Besides, this new duty system would certainly hardship to the staff in welfare measures of their family as they have to do work for 15 nights continuously.
Andaman Sheekha contacted Mr. V.S Meena, Chief Fire Officer to know why the change in timings has been made. Mr. Meena informed us that the change is made for the benefit of the employees and the organization as in the 24 hour duty format no worker can remain energetic and they cannot take risks as an emergency fire situation can arise anytime.
He further added that keeping all the constrains about the welfare of the employees this decision was taken and further they are planning to introduce a 8 hour duty format for further benefit to the employees and the organization.
