Kolkata, March 19 (NationPress) The Election Commission has requested a detailed report from the West Bengal government following its announcement of an ad hoc bonus for civic volunteers associated with both the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, including village police volunteers, for the fiscal year 2025-26.

This announcement was conveyed through a notice issued from the state’s secretariat, Nabanna.

As per administrative officials, this announcement, made right before the elections, is crucial because civic volunteers significantly contribute to maintaining law and order throughout the state and take on additional duties during election periods. In this context, the provision of these financial benefits is seen as an acknowledgment of their contributions.

Simultaneously, this announcement has stirred political reactions. Some opposition members have claimed that these steps are designed to win over civic volunteers ahead of the elections. However, the administration has clarified that this action is part of a standard procedure based on recommendations from the Finance Department.

The opposition also argues that since the announcement was made after the Assembly poll notification, it constitutes a breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

In light of this development, the Election Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the state government.

The state government’s notification indicates that civic volunteers serving under the state police and Kolkata Police, in addition to village police volunteers, will receive this bonus for the ongoing financial year.

The ad hoc bonus has been raised by a fixed amount of Rs 600. On February 27, the state government had previously announced an increase in the ad hoc bonus for its employees; this advantage has now been extended to civic volunteers and village police volunteers.

Following this announcement, civic volunteers and village police volunteers will now receive Rs 7,400 each, up from the previous Rs 6,800.

It’s worth noting that on February 27, the state’s Finance Department issued a notification stating that government employees not included in the ‘Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme’ and whose revised monthly salary as of March 31, 2026, does not exceed Rs 46,000, will receive a bonus of Rs 7,400 each.

Contractual employees and those who have completed six months of service are also eligible for this bonus, subject to specific conditions. Payments will be issued following the West Bengal Services (Revision of Pay and Allowances) Rules, 2019, excluding allowances such as House Rent Allowance, Medical Allowance, and subsidies.

Additionally, it should be noted that just prior to the formal issuance of the Assembly poll notification for West Bengal on March 15, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced an increase in the monthly honorariums for purohits and muezzins.

In a post on social media, Banerjee revealed an increase of Rs 500 in the monthly honorarium, bringing the total to Rs 2,000 per month.