779. Approved service increments of constables. [§ 2, Act V, 1861].
(a)Constables are entitled to an increment of pay amounting to Re. 1 after three years' approved service, to a second increment of Re. 1 after seven years' approved service, to a third increment of Re. 1 after ten years' approved service, and a fourth increment of Re. 1 after seventeen years' approved service. There are no grades of constables and constables should not be described as belonging to any grade.(b)"Approved service" is the service for period named, exclusive of any of the interruptions mentioned in clause (d).(c)The procedure regarding the withholding of increments laid down in regulation 871 will also apply to constables.(d)The following incidents will constitute interruptions in approved service for the period specified against each :-(i)Leave without allowances. - The period of leave.(ii)Suspension. - The period of suspension unless honourably acquitted or unless the revising or appellate authority orders to the contrary (Bengal Service Rule 72).(iii)Any period which the Superintendent shall direct to count as an interruption by a specific order passed after drawing up proceedings. The period ordered, but this will not have any effect on the subsequent increment unless ordered to the contrary.(e)Interruption of approved service after a constable has served 17 years and earned the full increments allowed will entail definite punishment of reduction to a lower rate of pay except in cases of clauses (d)(i) and (d)(ii). Such reduction shall be for stated periods, at the option of the Superintendent, subject, of course, to the usual appeal.(f)Any period of approved service counting for increment, which had been put in by a constable at the time when he was awarded deprivation of an increment as a specific punishment, will remain at his credit on the expiry of the term of his punishment. The period of deprivation of increment or reduction of pay will also count towards future increments unless specific orders are passed to the contrary.(g)The Deputy Inspector-General shall have power to revise any orders passed under the rules or to relax the rule in particular cases of hardship, so far as this can be done, having regard to the provisions of the Bengal Service Rules.(h)The following instructions shall be observed in the application of these rule :-(i)All entries regarding approved service shall be made in the constables service rolls.(ii)On the attainment of an increment two conspicuous lines should be drawn across the columns, and the following entry made between them in red ink :-"Earned (first, second, third or fourth) increment."(iii)On the occurrence of any interruption of approved service owing either to absence on leave without pay, to suspension or to a specific punishment as the case may be, the period of interruption must be entered distinctly with the number and date of the district order.(iv)To ensure a constable obtaining his increment on the proper date, his service roll shall be examined at the beginning of each year, and a note made of those men who will ordinarily attain their increment during the year.(v)The entries in the service roll necessitated by these regulations will invariably be initialled by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent.
