Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The state Police Headquarters sanctions a measly ₹100 for three meals a day to personnel deployed on VVIP duty. Being the same for all ranks — from constable to IPS officer — the allocation is too small to arrange three meals of adequate quantity and quality for personnel expected to perform strenuous duties.
Everytime a VVIP, such as the President, the Prime Minister, or a Union Minister,comes on political or official engagements, a large number of police personnel, including constables, head constables, ASIs, SIs, DSPs, ASPs, and SPs, are assigned duties. And, as officials pointed out, sometimes the personnel have to reach the venue a few days ahead of the guests, so they end up spending from their own pockets for their meals.
Sources said the minimum that is required to meet the calorificneeds is ₹120 per meal. The current entitlement of ₹100 for three meals can only fetch puris, some vegetable curry, and watery dal.
5% GST, packaging charges also included
Speaking on the issue, reserve inspector of Bhopal, Jai Singh Tomar, told the Free Press, “₹30 is allocated for breakfast, and ₹35 each for lunch and dinner.” Packaging charges and 5% GST are also included in the budget.
Getting by
To make do with the allocation, the department skips breakfast and serves only brunch worth ₹65. The contractor is told to provide chapatis, dal, vegetable curry, and rice as brunch.
Calorie count
Active men (who walk around 5 kilometers a day) need about 2,800 to 3,000 calories per day. In the case of women, the requirement is 2,400 calories. The food served is hardly enough to meet these standards, dieticians say.
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