RS MPs raise issue of poor working conditions of paramilitary forces

Weeks after a video by a BSF jawan on substandard food allegedly being served to paramilitary forces stirred a controversy, Rajya Sabha witnessed the issue being raised with members demanding steps to improve their working conditions, reduce stress and a rational leave policy.

Raising the issue through a zero-hour mention, Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress) said there was discontent in the constabulary over quality of food being served and service conditions. The paramilitary forces, he claimed, were over-stretched and there was high attrition with many seeking voluntary retirement after doing the mandatory 20 years of service.

They are deployed 95 per cent of the times and are not able to avail leave, he said, asking the government to set up grievance redressal cells as well as implement recommendation of a high-level panel which had suggested 8-hour work day, weekly offs to help recouping from strees, and a rational leave policy. Salary of military personnel and paramilitary forces in frontier areas should be at parity, he said.

Rajeev Shukla (Congress) supported him, saying paramilitary forces worked in "miserable and pathetic" conditions and the Home Minister should make a statement on the issue in the House.