KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Nepal Police personnel will now receive regular supplies of chicken and eggs as part of their daily ration, following a cabinet decision to revise the ration scale and allowance for the force.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held in Baluwatar on Thursday and will come into effect from February 13, according to Home Minister and government spokesperson Om Prakash Aryal. With the revision, the number of ration items provided to police personnel has been increased from 16 to 19.
This has brought a relief for officers who have long demanded better welfare provisions.
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Under the revised ration scale, the daily rice allocation has been raised from 690 grams to 730 grams and some increment in vegetables. In addition, protein- and energy-rich items such as chicken, eggs, and high-energy biscuits have been included in the ration list for the first time. With the enhanced ration, police personnel will now receive food providing 4,364 calories per day, up from the previous 4,030 calories.
“Effective from February 13, the Cabinet has decided to increase the ration scale and the daily ration allowance for Nepal Police,” Minister Aryal said, adding that the move reflects the government’s recognition of the nature of duty of the police force.
Nepal Police, comprising around 80,000 personnel nationwide, are required to remain on duty round the clock and are often deployed in challenging conditions, including disaster response, election security, and maintaining law and order. Despite their workload and close interaction with the public, police personnel have frequently raised concerns about inadequate facilities and allowances.
Speaking about the decision, Nepal Police spokesperson DIG Abhi Narayan Kafle said the revision was the outcome of prolonged efforts by the force. “We have been trying and lobbying with the government for a long time, and it has finally been approved,” he said. Kafle noted that the demand for ration enhancement had been a long-term agenda of the police leadership, repeatedly stressed by Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki.
Kafle said police personnel are required to be available for duty 24 hours a day and are closely engaged with the public in matters of peace and security, which often places them at the center of controversy. “Given the nature of our responsibilities, improving ration and welfare support was essential,” he said.
Under existing provisions, police personnel who opted not to receive rations were entitled to a cash equivalent instead. The amount varied depending on geographical remoteness, with police personnel stationed in remote districts receiving higher compensation. For instance, personnel deployed in Dolpa currently receive up to Rs 557 per day, while those in the southern plains receive around Rs 181 per day.
According to police officials, the Cabinet’s latest decision will also alter government expenditure, as the revised ration scale and allowance structure will require additional budgetary allocation. Officials estimate the revision will add around 10 percent to the total ration-related expenditure of the police force. However, officials argue that the move is necessary to improve the morale, nutrition, and overall performance within the force.
The government’s decision comes at a time when police personnel have repeatedly highlighted the gap between their responsibilities and the facilities provided to them, often stating that welfare-related reforms are crucial for professional and effective policing.
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