Government denies Kerala firefighters' request to increase Rs 200 risk allowance

Pathanamthitta: In a disappointing response to the demands of the Kerala Fire Service Drivers and Mechanics Association, the government has stated that granting a hike in risk allowance is currently unfeasible due to financial burdens, “Granting risk allowance is an additional burden on the government in the current scenario. Therefore, the demand cannot be considered,” said the official response.

The allowance, set at a mere Rs 200 per month, translates to just Rs 6.66 per day for firefighters who routinely risk their lives in perilous rescue operations. The association had earnestly requested an increase, citing the hazardous conditions under which firefighters operate, including pits, wells, and dams filled with hazardous waste and human excreta. 

The central government had recently decided to grant a 40 percent risk allowance for approximately 16,000 National Disaster Response Force personnel as they face significant risks during operations such as road accidents, floods, natural disasters, and forest fires.

The salaries of these officers used to be on par with police personnel, but now they lag behind by Rs 3,000. Access to central police canteen services, which offered some relief, has also been discontinued since April 2024.

The association has escalated their appeal to the Chief Minister, seeking a revision of the risk allowance to 10 percent of the basic salary, said KL Edwards, General Secretary of the association.