100% benefit, but only 60 % response

Call it lack of promotion among its staff, employees' ignorance or want of time, a group insurance policy for police personnel has elicited a lukewarm response despite its low premium. Introduced in October 2015 by the then DGP P C Thakur, the policy with yearly premiums as low as Rs 70 to Rs 1,400 had assured payment of sums ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore for designations ranging from LRD Jawan to DIG/IG/Additional DG in case of death or disability.
With cops risking their life 24x7 for the safety of people, the authorities believed the policy would be a hit with the staff, but with 40 per cent cops not opting for it has stumped them. Of the total police strength of 85,000 (75,000 field cops and 10,000 civilian staff), only around 46,000 have opted for this scheme, that is about 60 per cent of the force. This despite the date of availing this policy having been extended by three months.
Initially, a cop could avail of this policy till January 2016. This was later extended till April. Still it failed to garner more numbers with only around 46,000 employees availing of it. Officials have kept it open, hoping the numbers will touch 50,000 in the coming few days. This is in sharp contrast to the near 100 per cent response the authorities had expected from this scheme. Apractising doctor at a police hospital made some precise observations.
Dr K R Shah said, "Cops are more prone to diseases and health hazards like blood pressure, diabetes and heart ailments. This happens due to their hectic and unscheduled routine. They also can't maintain social contacts, which adds to their problems. So in this age, such insurance schemes become crucial and necessary."
WHY IT IS BENEFICIAL FOR COPS
According to a senior police official, "Cops sacrifice so much and are on their toes all the time. They risk their lives for the safety of people. This group insurance policy was introduced to help them." An LRD jawan has to pay Rs 70 premium for Rs 5 lakh insurance. A constable pays Rs 140 premium to get insured for Rs 10 lakh. Assistant sub-inspector Rs 210 premium for Rs 15 lakh. A sub-inspector Rs 280 for Rs 20 lakh benefit. A police inspector Rs 350 for Rs 25 lakh and DySP Rs 490 for Rs 35 lakh. An SP level officer needs to pay Rs 700 annual premium and can benefit Rs 70 lakh.
While officials like DIG, IG, Additional DG need to pay Rs 1,400 annually and are insured for Rs 1crore. As per the details provided, the staff and officials would get the full sum in case of death due to any reason other than suicide. They will also get the full sum if they lose both hands, eyes or legs. But if they lose one eye, hand or leg, they would get 50 per cent of the sum. With cops losing lives in incidents such as Patidar agitation and other incidents, the need has become pertinent, believe the authorities.
REASONS FOR NON-SUCCESS OF THIS POLICY
Different reasons have been attributed to the less than expected success of this policy. "The hectic schedule of cops leaves them with little time to spare for application. Applying and opting for this policy requires time, which they don't have," said a cop on condition of anonymity. Afraid that disciplinary action would be taken against them, cops refused to come on record. An employee who already had three policies did not want to opt for a fourth one. Another policeman had no idea about the scheme.
A third one said he does not like such policies or schemes as nobody in his family had opted for one, while the fourth one said he does not have time to avail of this policy. Shilpa Patel of Consultant Services, which is handling the insurance policy of police personnel, said, "Many cops did not opt for this scheme due to various reasons.
The scheme was initially till January, then it was postponed till April. But even now if somebody wants to opt for it, he/she can." Additional DG (Admin) Gandhinagar Mohan Jha said, "The job of a cop is risky. This policy is to ensure that their family members do not suffer financial scarcity in the case of cop's death or accident. We will make all out efforts to see that it gets 100 per cent response. We will inform all commissioners, SPs, other agencies and officials to encourage their employees to avail of this policy"
HOW IS THE RISK COVERED?
In case of sudden death of a cop, his family will receive 100 per cent of the sum assured. If one body part is damaged, 50 per cent of the sum will be provided. However, if two body parts are damaged, 100 per cent of the sum would be provided. However, this insurance won't be applicable in case the cop commits suicide.
HOW THOSE WHO TOOK POLICY BENEFITTED
The murder of Head Constable Chandrakant Makwana, 40, at the Crime Branch office on April 21had sent shock waves in the police establishment. However, Makwana had not opted for the group insurance policy, a source said, so his family members could not get the advantages entailed in the policy. However, nine other police officials who died in the course of duty had availed of this policy. Their families stand to benefit and the process is underway to reimburse them.
Eight out of these nine police officials are: Head Constable of Naroda Girish Kantilal; LRD Jawan Gandhinagar, Lagdheer Malji; Assistant Sub-Inspector at Gandhinagar, Ahmed Mia Moti Mia; Constable in Nadiad, Raju Vasava; Head Constable in Surat City, Chandu Chaudhary; Constable in Surat (Rural), Praful Chand Gait; Assistant Sub Inspector in Surat (Rural) Sesh Karan Gadhvi and Head Clerk in police department in Surat H J Makwana.