RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Oct.16: Officers and firemen associated with the State Fire Service may be deprived of their salaries from next month. The problem has arisen as a result of a shortage of the essential workforce in the department, which fights the fire and assists in the rescue of men and material while risking their lives.
An insider informed Lagatar24.com saying that over 250 posts of firemen and 44 posts of fire officers across the state are lying vacant. The vacancy has reduced the strength of the department to 418 firemen and 38 officers to take care of fire safety of the entire state with the help of 41 fire stations according to him.
“Now the issue is that no one will be able to draw and disburse compensation starting next month, and there is a good chance that firemen’s salaries will be withheld,” said the insider.
State Fire Officer (SFO), Jagjeevan Ram, confirmed the situation.
“In the absence of a drawing and disbursing officer in my department, I somehow managed salary payment with the help of Hari Lal Chouhan, the Jharkhand Home Guard Headquarter commandant. Now that he has been assigned to a central deputation, there will be issues with salary payment. The department lacks a drawing and disbursing officer. Posts of divisional fire officer and additional fire officer are lying vacant,” SFO Ram said, confirming the shortage of manpower.
SFO Ram on being asked about when the department will get the required strength, said, “Requisition has been sent to the home department three times. Let us wait and watch when the required strength is provided. It is not under my control.”
