No approval granted yet for enhanced monthly payment to Special Police Officers; file under internal review with Finance Ministry consultation
The Union Home Ministry has not cleared a proposal from the Jammu & Kashmir government seeking an increase in the monthly honorarium for Special Police Officers (SPOs) serving in the Union Territory. More than four months after the UT administration forwarded its request, the file remains under examination in North Block, with officials indicating the proposal could be returned for reconsideration.
The proposal, sent via communication No. Home/PB/164/2025 dated 17 April 2026, was received by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and subsequently examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. As of 5 August 2026, no approval has been accorded, according to an office memorandum issued by the MHA's Police-I Section.
J&K government's proposal for SPO honorarium hike
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had formally requested a revision in the compensation structure for SPOs, who are engaged as auxiliary police personnel to assist regular law enforcement in the Union Territory. The proposal was submitted in mid-April 2026, seeking an enhancement of the monthly honorarium paid to these personnel. The specific amount of the proposed hike has not been disclosed in the official communication.
SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir have long been a crucial component of the security apparatus, particularly in counter-insurgency operations and internal security duties. Their compensation has been a subject of discussion for years, with periodic demands for parity with regular police personnel or at least improved remuneration reflecting the risks and demands of their service.
Finance Ministry consultation and MHA review
The Home Ministry has consulted the Ministry of Finance on the financial implications of the proposed hike, but the matter is still pending final examination. The office memorandum, signed by an official at the level of Arvind Kumar, confirms that the file is under internal review, with further clarifications or outputs awaited from various departments before a final view can be taken.
No timeline has been provided for the completion of this internal review or for the next steps in the decision-making process. The MHA has indicated that the file may be returned to the Jammu and Kashmir government with observations, particularly in light of the financial implications and broader policy considerations that need to be weighed before any decision is finalised.
What this means for SPOs in J&K
For the thousands of SPOs currently serving in the Union Territory, the delay translates into continued uncertainty over their remuneration. The existing honorarium structure remains unchanged, and it is unclear whether the proposed revision, if eventually cleared, will be applied retrospectively.
SPOs are not regular employees of the state police force; they are appointed on a contractual or honorarium basis, often for specific operations or postings. Their service conditions, including pay, allowances, and benefits, are governed by separate administrative rules that differ from those applicable to regular police personnel. Any revision in their honorarium requires administrative approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which exercises control over police matters in the Union Territory.
Policy and financial concerns cited
The MHA's office memorandum explicitly states that the proposal is "likely to be returned to the State Government for reconsideration in view of the financial implications and other policy aspects." This suggests that the Home Ministry is weighing the fiscal impact of the proposed hike against the broader financial priorities of the Union government and the UT administration.
While the exact financial outlay involved has not been made public, any enhancement in honorarium for SPOs would have recurring implications for the UT's budget, which is largely funded by the central government. The Ministry of Finance's involvement in the review indicates that the proposal is being scrutinised for its alignment with the Centre's fiscal discipline norms.
J&K government advised to wait for MHA communication
The office memorandum also advises the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to "await further communication from this Ministry" before proceeding with any changes to the honorarium structure. This effectively puts the proposal on hold indefinitely, pending a final decision from the Home Ministry.
This is not the first time that a proposal related to police personnel compensation in Jammu and Kashmir has faced delays at the central level. Previous requests for pay revisions, allowances, and other benefits for SPOs and other categories of auxiliary police have often taken months or years to process, given the complex administrative and financial clearance procedures involved.
- The MHA has not approved the J&K government's proposal for enhanced SPO honorarium.
- The file is under internal review with consultation from the Ministry of Finance.
- The proposal may be returned to the J&K government for reconsideration.
- SPOs will continue to receive existing honorarium until further orders.
- J&K government advised to await final communication from the MHA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The proposal is still pending examination in the Ministry of Home Affairs. As of 5 August 2026, no approval has been granted. The file is under internal review with the Ministry of Finance.
The proposal was submitted on 17 April 2026 through communication No. Home/PB/164/2025.
The MHA has indicated that the proposal could be returned for reconsideration due to financial implications and other policy aspects.
SPOs will continue to receive their existing honorarium until further communication from the MHA. The J&K government has been advised to await the final decision.
The proposal has been examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.
The delay in clearing the proposal underscores the procedural hurdles that often accompany administrative decisions involving personnel compensation, particularly in Union Territories where financial and policy approvals must be coordinated between the UT administration and multiple central ministries. For SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir, the wait continues.
