MHA's chest clause gets MP panel rap

A home ministry rule that required female paramedics for the Border Security Force (BSF) to have a "well developed" chest has earned a parliamentary panel's ire.

A home ministry rule that required female paramedics for the Border Security Force (BSF) to have a "well developed" chest has earned a parliamentary panel's ire.

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The panel of MPs tasked to study government notifications has rapped the home ministry for its "undesirable" and "irrational" condition.

Against the entry "chest" for female candidates, the home ministry order said: "Should be well developed".

When the parliamentary panel on subordinate legislation demanded answers from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it conceded this condition did not serve any particular purpose and would be deleted. A red-faced MHA also offered to review recruitment rules of all central paramilitary forces to knock out this provision.

Expressing its displeasure, the committee headed by Congress leader P Karunakaran noted the usage of words was "not only unwarranted but also derogatory in nature".

It also noted that the home ministry had taken notice of the infirmity only after it was pointed out to them.