Shahdol's sick cops need not cram up doc meet dates

Bhopal: Good news for ailing policemen in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, as they would not have to remember appointment dates with doctors and not even ask for medical leaves. Their department would do the task for them.
A special committee has been constituted under an innovative scheme named 'Shahdol Police Aarogya Yojna'. It comprises additional SP, reserve inspector (RI) and leave clerk.
Cops having medical problem have to appear before the panel that would screen them. After sick policemen are included in the scheme, it would be reserve inspector's duty to ensure they get leave for availing doctor's consultation.
"We have a force of 1,000 in the district. Ever since this scheme started on July 8, 22 people have come up and the committee cleared them. A policeman works under extreme harsh conditions and is subjected to several ailments. The situation is worse in some backward areas that lack proper medical facilities and hence, they have to go to other districts for treatment," Shahdol SP Sushant Saxena said.
"Working conditions are such that one is not assured of getting leave. This scheme is aimed at addressing this issue. So, once a policeman is included in the scheme, RI will see to it that cop is called to headquarter lines before date of medical consultation," he said.
"As soon as date of doctor's appointment for a particular cop is fixed, headquarters will communicate message. The policeman will then be relieved from police station and sent to line. RI will sanction leave if it is 5 days or less while additional SP will do the honours if duration is up to 10 days whereas it will come to me if it exceeds that period," Saxena said. The committee sits every Tuesday and Fridays when parades are held. "We wanted to ensure eligible person gets benefit then and there. So, it was decided to receive applications on parade days," he said.
Moreover, after cop returns from doctor's visit, he would need to visit the same police line and inform about his next appointment date.