In a first, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the world's biggest paramilitary force, has stopped payment of ration money to over three lakh personnel of the Force owing to non-allocation of funds by the Centre.

The CRPF is the lead agency for counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist operations across the theatres of Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir and Naxal-affected States.

Through an internal communication circulated across all the formations earlier this month, the CRPF has asked them that ration money would not be provided with the salary of September onwards.

The internal note cites lack of budgetary provision of Rs 800 crore the CRPF has sought from the Union Home Ministry despite reminders sent in July, August and September. However, the reminders went unanswered and no reason has been provided for non-release of funds.

 "This is for the first time in CRPF's eight decade history that ration money has been stopped due to non-availability of funds, a top CRPF official said adding, bad economy could be a possible reason for non-provision of funds for the ration money head, the official further said.

CRPF personnel up to non-gazetted ranks such as constable, head constable, assistant sub inspector, sub inspector and inspector get ration money allowance of a little over Rs 3,000 per month per person to take care of their mess expenses. Defence personnel are entitled for free ration.

In the circular, a copy of which has been accessed by The Pioneer, CRPF has said that the force had taken up the case with the Union Home Ministry on July 22, August 8 and September 9 "for allotment of additional fund amounting Rs 800 crore so that continuous ration money allowance could be drawn with regular pay but allotment of additional budget is still expected from MHA."

"As no reserve fund under COR (cash on reserve) is presently available therefore it is not feasible to draw ration money allowance from the pay of September 2019. Hence, stop drawal of ration money allowance from the pay of Sept' 19 till further orders. Please inform all concerned  personnel accordingly. They may also be apprised that on receipt of addl. budget, ration money allowance will be drawn again with arrears of stoppage month," noted the communication. The abrupt withdrawal of the ration money allowance can potentially lead to resentment within the rank and file of the Force that is continuously stretched into various internal security roles, Force insiders said.

Top brass of the Force is miffed over the non-allocation of funds despite repeated reminders as the jawans will have to chip in from their salary component for mess expenses in the absence of ration money and the same will stretch their pockets.

They are already under stressful working conditions due to continuous deployment in hostile security environment without any reserve component.

CRPF DIG Moses Dhinakaran, however, claimed that ration money allowance for the month of September will be released shortly. But he did not clarify as to how the ration money will be paid in the absence of Rs 800 crore sought by the CRPF from the ministry.