THE Special Security Unit (SSU) of Sindh Police is regarded as one of the most professional law-enforcement forces in the province. However, a growing grievance among its own constables raises serious questions about fairness in internal administration. Approximately, Rs10,000 is deducted every month from the salaries of SSU constables as mess charges even if they do not use the facility.
A mess is established to provide affordable meals and convenience to employees.
It is fundamentally a welfare facility.
Welfare, however, cannot be imposed by force. If some employees choose not to eat at the mess because they live with their families, prefer home-cooked food, or simply desire to arrange their meals independently, compelling them to pay for a service they do not make use of defeats the very purpose of such a facility.
The financial implications are significant.
SSU constables are not highly paid officials.
Like countless salaried employees, they struggle with soaring inflation, rising utility bills, transport expenses and family responsibilities. A compulsory deduction of Rs10,000 from their monthly salaries places an unnecessary burden on those who can hardly afford it.
Such a policy also raises serious concerns about transparency and administrative accountability. Even more importantly, compulsory deductions risk damaging morale. Personnel entrusted with tough security responsibilities deserve to be treated with fairness and respect by their own institution. Policies that disregard the choice of employees are likely to breedresentment rather than commitment. The top leadership of Sindh Police should review the existing policies in order to determine whether or not compulsory mess deductions are supported by applicable service rules.
FaizanRaza Larkana