Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Concerned by the poor health of women police constable trainees, the training section of the police department has written to the DGP, requesting an additional ₹4,500 per month as food or nutrition allowance, officials said on Monday.
Currently, more than 3,400 candidates from Police Recruitment 2023 have joined training across the state, including over 1,100 women.
Back in 2019, the state government had decided to pay 70% of the stipend during the first year of a constable’s probation. In the second year, trainees receive 80%, and 90% in the third. Full salary is granted only after completion of the three-year probation period.
Due to limited financial support, many women constables fail to focus on their health, spending minimal amounts on food and saving the rest to support their families. Officials said that many women trainees are anaemic and malnourished, mostly hailing from rural backgrounds where access to nutritious food is inadequate. This has contributed to underdeveloped physical and mental well-being.
The training period demands intensive physical activities such as running, jumping, PT, parade drills and more. Without proper nutrition, especially during menstruation, trainees risk serious health issues, further deepening malnutrition.
This comes even as the state promotes women’s empowerment through various schemes like Ladli Laxmi Yojna, Ladli Behna Yojna, Janani Suraksha Yojna, among others.
A milestone step: ADG
ADG (Selection) Raja Babu Singh told Free Press, “If the food allowance is given to trainee women constables for the nine-month training period, it would be a milestone step.”
He said he has already sent a proposal to the DGP for budget allocation. Once cleared, it will be forwarded to state government for final approval.Singh also said that central agencies like Border Security Force and other central reserve forces provide ₹4,564 per month as nourishment allowance to their women trainees.
The training period demands intensive physical activities such as running, jumping, PT, parade drills and more. Without proper nutrition, especially during menstruation, trainees risk serious health issues, further deepening malnutrition.
