PDP-BJP coalition wants Kashmir Police Service officers to be at par with IPS: Mehbooba

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday that the ruling PDP-BJP coalition wants benefits for the Kashmir Police Service (KPS) officers to be at par with the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.

"I want people to rise from the grassroots level. Whether it is KPS or IPS, both should rise. There are similar promotions in IAS (Indian Administrative Services) and KAS (Kashmir Administrative Services), but there are hurdles somewhere in our KPS," Mehbooba said.

"The way there are no hurdles in KAS and there is no competition in IAS and KAS, I want, even our partner (BJP) wants, that KPS officers get the same benefits as KAS, IAS and IPS," Mehbooba said.

The chief minister was speaking at the passing-out parade of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Commando Training Centre here in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The chief minister, who had a rift with a BJP minister over her proposal to restructure the KPS officers cadre, left the cabinet meeting midway on December 9.

Mehbooba said BJP understands the importance of rising from grassroot level, giving example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I think no one will understand it better than the BJP that how important it is to rise from the grassroots because the Prime Minister of our country has risen from grassroots to reach the chair," she said.

"I have also started from a lower level. I assure you that I will always try to give you your rights of promotion on the basis of your experience and hard work," she said.