16. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for India what scale of compensation is paid in the Presidencies of Bengal and Bombay, respectively, to policemen of all ranks permanently incapacitated in the course of their duty and to the dependants of such men killed on duty?
§ Mr. BENNAs the reply is somewhat long, I propose, with the hon. and gallant. Member's permission, to circulate it.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Officers of the All-India service known as the Indian Police Service, or their families, may, in the circumstances stated, be granted awards—additional to any service invalid pension or family pension otherwise admissible—assessed under Army Regulations, as though they had been military commissioned officers on active service, according to a scale of relative rank based on rates of pay. In the case of other members of the police forces, powers to make rules in this matter have been delegated to local Governments. According to the latest information available to me, in Bengal and Bombay officers whose pay is not less than Rs. 200 a month (£180 a year) are subject to the rules applicable to the Indian Police Service, the relative rank, where pay is less than Rs. 350 a month—£320 a year—being that of Warrant Officer. Officers on pay of less than Rs. 200 a month may be granted pensions—additional to any service invalid pension that may be admissible—subject to a maximum of one third of their pay and, if the officer is wholly incapacitated from earning a living, to a minimum of Rs. 10 a month. If such an officer is killed his family may be granted a family pension equal to one-half of his pay.
§ 17. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether any arrangements have been made for the recognition of exceptional and good work in this time of strain by the members of the police forces in India in the way of special pensions or gratuities; and, if so, will he give particulars?
§ Mr. BENNI understand that several local Governments have sanctioned the grant of special allowances for additional duty in areas where the strain is especially severe.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEHave these allowances been paid by the local Governments? Is it the case that there is no special rate all over India and that no new arrangements have been made?
§ Mr. BENNNo, I think it is a matter that has been dealt with by the local Governments. I will give the hon. Member particulars if be wishes to have them.