For the first time, the ration money allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, which the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel would use for meals in their canteens and mess, has been withheld due to the financial crisis.According to wire service Kashmir News Observer (KNO), CRPF personnel have been told through an internal communication that they will not get their monthly ‘ration allowance’ with their salaries for the month of September, sources told KNO. A CRPF official privy to the decision revealed CRPF men across the country including Kashmir have been told that they won’t be able to withdraw ration money from September onwards till “further orders.” “This is the first time that the ration allowance has been stopped to CRPF. We spoke to the ministry officials last week about the pending money and they cited financial crisis as the main reason,” sources told KNO, adding, the amount has been withheld because the Home Ministry did not release a tranche to the tune of Rs 800 crore, in spite reminders in the month of July, August and September.
Sources further said that the CRPF had asked the Home Ministry on 22 July, 8 August and 9 September for the allotment of funds, but funds under COR (cash on reserve) is not presently available, therefore it is not feasible to draw ration money allowance from the pay of September 2019.The ‘ration allowance is received by non-gazette CRPF personnel across the country which includes constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors, sub-inspectors and inspectors.Thousands of CRPF personnel have been serving in Kashmir and the centre added more troops initially for smooth conduct of parliamentary elections followed by AmarnathYatra.CRPF deployment was further strengthened days before the home minister, Amit Shah announced the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A from the floor of parliament on August 5.Since then the Valley is observing shutdown, with shops, schools, private offices and public transport shut. In these circumstances CRPF personnel have been playing significant role to maintain the law and order in Kashmir (KNO).