CRPF seeks Rs 800 crore from government to pay jawans' ration money
New Delhi: A delay in government sanction of additional funds of Rs 800 crore for the CRPF has prompted the paramilitary force to order stopping the ration money allowance (RMA) for its troops this month, a senior official said on Sunday.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), meanwhile, denied reports that jawans have "run out" of ration money due to this reason and said the allowance for September will be paid shortly.
The allowance is given to jawans and non-gazetted officers of the force for their daily meals and is included in their monthly salaries.
The CRPF said the issue occurred as the RMA for the 3.25 lakh-strong force was revised recently by the government.
"On account of the revision of the ration money allowance made by the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) on July 12, Rs 22,194 per head ration money (in arrears) was paid to around 2 lakh CRPF personnel in July," the force said in a statement.
This amount, it said, is more than six times the monthly ration allowance of jawans and other non-gazetted rank officers.
"Process for payment of ration money (about Rs 3,600) for this month is in progress and it will he paid shortly and hence the contention that jawans have run out of ration money is incorrect, baseless and preposterous and there is no crisis whatsoever," it said.
The CRPF, according to a communication issued to its formations early this month, has sought sanction of 'reserve funds' worth Rs 800 crore from the Union Home Ministry to pay the revised RMA to its troops.
The force has made at least three communications to the ministry in the past. It said the RMA will be provided to troops in receipt of the additional budget from the ministry.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
