Quizzed on the next of kin of five policemen who died while on duty not getting special pension despite Chief Minister Harish Rawat's repeated announcements on the matter, a State administration officer said near ones of all of these deceased policemen do not qualify for special pension.
Earlier, based on merit, the state government had awarded special pension to the next of kin of the policemen who had died while exchanging fire with the criminals. "It makes no sense that special pension is given to the near ones of even those who have died accidentally being hit on the roads. Special pension is meant for those who die showing bravery while performing duty," he said, adding that they are providing all kinds of assistance to the relatives of the policemen dying while on duty as per the government norms. "However, special pension is exclusive. It cannot be given indiscriminately without taking into account how such policemen die," he asserted.
It should be mentioned here that the police headquarters had sent the names of the five policemen who had died while on duty. They are Mahesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar and Girish Chandra from Almora aside from Harish Chandra from Nainital and Ramesh Chandra from Haridwar.