The state’s compensation announced last year included Rs 15 lakh in cash, the deceased’s unpaid salary till retirement, right to stay in police quarters and a government job for an eligible kin. But while the families got the money and have started receiving salaries from this month, nobody has got a job.

“The chief minister announced this package without knowing the government rules — there is no provision for jobs. As of now that is impossible, we have checked thoroughly,” said a senior government official.

The DGP Bhupinder Singh, on the eve of his retirement on August 31, is now urging the government to provide for jobs.

“The home department wanted to know which other states are offering jobs and we cited the package in Andhra Pradesh,” Singh said. “Apart from money and jobs, they give land too.”

The families are lulled by hope and false promises.

“Last week I went to Midnapore and met the DSP for the job and he told me the papers are being readied,” said Deepankar, son of Dibakar Bhattacharya, the second officer of Sankrail police station who died in October 2009. Barnali Roy, daughter of Tapan Roy — who died in the same attack — said: “I am sure the chief minister will fulfill his promise.”