Nearly a month after the CRPF withdrew the monthly Ration Money Allowance to about three lakh personnel, the CRPF has restored the facility following release of funds from the Centre.
Through a note issued on September 13 and circulated across all the formations of the paramilitary, the CRPF had stopped payment of RMA due to non-grant of Rs 800 crore sought by the Force from the Union Home Ministry.
Every eligible person of the CRPF is entitled for a monthly RMA of over Rs 117 per day and the same is credited to the account of the personnel along with the monthly salary that is credited on the last working day of every month. However, for the month of September, the allowance was credited separately on October 9, sources said.
The move comes after reports of stoppage of ration money allowance due to lack of funds. CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar had issued a circular for payment of the money and was personally monitoring the matter, officials said.
When asked, CRPF Deputy Inspector General (intelligence) and Chief Spokesperson Moses Dhinakaran said, "The Home Ministry has released the funds and the troops have been paid their RMA for the month of September." He said there are sufficient funds for the payment of the RMA for the month of October and beyond.
RMA is spent by the troops for their daily meals provided by the respective messes of different formation.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with a strength of over three lakh personnel is the lead agency for counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist operations in the theatres of Northeast, Naxal affected States and Jammu and Kashmir.
The internal note issued last month by the CRPF said RMA will not be paid for the month of September as Home Ministry had not released Rs 800 crore despite reminders sent by the paramilitary in July, August and September.
All non-gazetted CRPF personnel like constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors, sub-inspectors and inspectors are entitled for RMA. A few personnel
contacted by The Pioneer expressed happiness and relief over the resumption of the RMA.