Kishtwar, July 06: Apni Party provincial president, Legal Cell, Jammu, Vikram Rathore on Thursday demanded enhancement of honorarium of Village Defense Groups (VDGs) working to curb terrorism in Chenab Valley.
Rathore visited Kishtwar town where the VDGs highlighted their demands. He was accompanied by Apni Party, State Secretary, Mohinder Parihar, District President, Kishtwar, Masood, and Inderwal constituency Incharge, Ashiq Hussain.
Addressing the meeting, Rathore said the government should enhance the honorarium of the VDGs who put their lives to risk while protecting the districts from the threat of terrorists. They work shoulder to shoulder with the J&K Police and other Security Forces but the government has not considered their demands, he said.
“These newly-created VDGs are entitled to enhanced salaries i.e. SPOs are entitled to Rs 18,000 per month and likewise VDG members are entitled to Rs 12,000 per month,” he said.
He also appreciated the services of the Special Police Officers (SPOs) of J&K Police. “Both the SPOs and VDGs work together in the remote and inaccessible areas of Chenab Valley and the government should think about adequate financial support to them,” he added.
Vikram demanded the SPOs should be given Rs 18,000 as salary per month and further demanded to pay 12000 per month to all the VDG members.
