Govt Raises Salaries, Retirement Benefits for Village Police Members

The revised benefits, effective from November 7, include higher monthly salaries, increased retirement gratuities, mobile allowances and additional facilities for women village police personnel.The government has announced a significant increase in the salaries and retirement benefits of village police members engaged in maintaining security and law and order at the grassroots level.The new benefits were formally announced at a grand rally of village police members on Saturday, coinciding with the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day, November 7. The government has also declared that the revised provisions will take effect from the same date.Under the new pay structure, the monthly salary of general village police members has been increased by Tk 4,000, from Tk 6,500 to Tk 10,500.For village police chiefs, the monthly salary has been raised by Tk 3,000, from Tk 8,000 to Tk 11,000.The government has also increased the one-time retirement gratuity provided at the end of service.General village police members will now receive Tk 80,000, up from Tk 70,000, while village police chiefs will receive Tk 100,000, compared to the previous Tk 80,000.Mobile and Transport Allowances IncreasedAlongside salary adjustments, the government has introduced a monthly mobile phone allowance of Tk 150 for each village police member to facilitate official communication and information sharing.Transport allowances for weekly attendance at local police stations have also been revised.Previously, village police members received Tk 300 per week for transportation. Under the new arrangement, general members will receive Tk 500, while village police chiefs will receive Tk 600.More Opportunities for WomenIn a move aimed at expanding women's employment and empowerment in rural areas, the government has announced plans to recruit two additional female village police members in every union across the country.The maternity leave entitlement for female village police members has also been extended to six months.Additionally, the government has directed that new bicycles be provided to village police members more frequently to facilitate their duties.Previously, bicycles were replaced every five years. Under the revised arrangement, new bicycles will be provided every three to three-and-a-half years.The latest measures are expected to improve the financial security, working conditions and operational capacity of village police members serving communities across the country.