Concern in RS over plight of para-military force jawans

Concerns were expressed in the Rajya Sabha on the plight of jawans of para-military forces facing stressful working conditions, with members demanding that the Government initiate steps to improve their poor service conditions.

Concerns were expressed in the Rajya Sabha on the plight of jawans of para-military forces facing stressful working conditions, with members demanding that the Government initiate steps to improve their poor service conditions.

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Raising the matter during Zero Hour, S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said as many as 46,000 jawans of para-military forces had sought voluntary retirement in the last five years due to poor service conditions.

"The main reason for jawans from para-military forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal is that they are working under stressful working conditions and do not get time to de-stress themselves, their service conditions are poor...there is no job satisfaction," he said.

Of the total 45,981 jawans seeking premature retirement, BSF topped with 22,260, followed by CRPF 11,300, Assam Rifles 5,600, CISF 3,600, ITBP 1,600 and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) 1,400, he said.

Ahluwalia said that even as jawans were were seeking VRS, suicides were also on the rise among jawans as they were not getting leave and time for de-stressing themselves and demanded that something must be done to improve their working conditions.

It takes 18 to 20 years for a constable to become a head constables and 15-20 years for an assistant commandant to be promoted to the next level," he said.