Ranchi, September 11: In a major relief to assistant policemen of Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday announced a one-year extension of service for 2,200 personnel working on contract across 12 districts.
The contracts of these personnel were earlier set to expire between August 8 and August 30, 2025.
Following the CM’s directive, the Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department will soon forward a proposal to the state cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the assistant policemen—both male and female—will continue their services till 2026.
Prior to the development, uncertainty loomed large over the future of these policemen. Many feared they might even receive termination letters during Rakshabandhan of this year.
However, Thursday’s announcement has brought a wave of relief to families dependent on the contractual force spread across Dumka, Simdega, Gumla, Khunti, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Giridih, Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Lohardaga and Latehar.
This is not the first time the assistant policemen have raised concerns about their employment and wages. Earlier in 2024, after a long agitation, the monthly salary of these personnel was revised from ₹10,000 to ₹13,000. However, the demand for better pay continues.
“Assistant police should get equal pay for equal work because we work 24×7, but we get nothing except ₹13,000. Running a family in today’s inflation is very difficult,” one user wrote on X.
Another added: “Thank you @JharkhandCMO and @HemantSorenJMM for extending our service, but please increase our salary too.”
Vivekanand Gupta, Secretary of the Jharkhand Assistant Policemen Association, has also highlighted that despite performing duties similar to district police, assistant policemen earn even less than Home Guards.
With Durga Puja approaching, the CM’s move is being seen as a festive relief for thousands of families. However, the growing demand for a pay hike is likely to keep the issue alive in the coming months.
