The government has substantially raised the monthly pay and retirement benefits of village police members, who keep order and security at the grassroots. The decision takes effect from 7 November.
The pay rise was announced formally on Saturday at a mass rally of village police, alongside a change to their official title.
Under the announcement, the monthly pay of ordinary village police members goes up by Tk 4,000, from Tk 6,500 to Tk 10,500. The monthly pay of village police chiefs rises by Tk 3,000, from Tk 8,000 to Tk 11,000.
The one-off gratuity paid at the end of service has also been raised: from Tk 70,000 to Tk 80,000 for ordinary members, and from Tk 80,000 to Tk 100,000 for chiefs.
Each member will also receive Tk 150 a month for mobile phone costs, to help with official duties and passing on information. The travel allowance for the weekly attendance at the police station has been raised too. It was Tk 300 a week; ordinary members now get Tk 200 more, Tk 500, and chiefs Tk 600.
The rally was also told that two more women village police will be recruited in every union, to create jobs for rural women and strengthen their position, and that maternity leave for women members has been extended to six months. Members will now receive a new bicycle every three to three and a half years, instead of every five.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report