Karnataka - Bidar   

Foresters seek better deal

Staff Correspondent

Bidar: Foresters are upset over the “low pay scale” fixed for them under the Fifth Pay Commission.

Their ranks and responsibilities were similar to those of police personnel, but their salaries were not, they said.

In a memorandum, the foresters have urged the commission to raise their salary scale to Rs. 4,575- Rs. 8,000 from the Rs. 3,300-Rs. 6,300 as recommended now. The commission has recommended the Rs. 4,575-Rs. 8,000 scale for police sub-inspectors, excise sub-inspectors, revenue inspectors, short hand staff and staff nurses, they said.

There are around 2275 foresters in the State that has 3.83 million hectares of forest land. It means each forester is in charge of protecting an average of 1,683 hectares of forests in his jurisdiction spread across an average of 13 villages.

Foresters were also not getting perks such as hill allowance. The police were paid Rs. 600 as risk allowance but the foresters are not given that even though the risks they face were equally grave, the memorandum said.

The State Police Housing Corporation provided quarters but no such facilities were being extended to the foresters.

They got only Rs. 20 a month as washing allowance and that was low compared with Rs. 100 given to the police, the memorandum said.

Similar issues have been raised in the memorandum, by the forest guards and watchers.

“We have given a copy of the memorandum to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. We will launch a strike if our demands are not met,” said District Foresters Association leader Basavaraj Bandeppa.

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