CRPF jawan posts video seeking pay parity with Army

After the videos of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on quality of food served went viral on social media, a CRPF constable posted a clip, wherein he demands “parity” for paramilitary personnel in pay and other benefits with Army men.

The CRPF said on Thursday it had taken “cognisance” of the issues raised by the jawan, who identified himself in the video as Jeet Singh.

“This is an old video. The jawan has service-related grievances and is seeking parity in pay and other benefits. An Inspector-General rank officer of the force has already got in touch with him. We have made it clear that if there are any problems to the troops, we will address them immediately,” CRPF Director-General told PTI.

He said the jawan had raised the issues when the One Rank One Pension (OROP) protests were taking place last year and the CRPF had brought all these issues to the knowledge of the 7th Pay Commission.

“You always want a better life than what you have..that is what he is asking. He has no complaints from the force,” Mr. Prasad said.

The video, officials said, was shot when the jawan was deployed at the force’s Academy in Mount Abu in Rajasthan few months ago and the trooper can be seen wearing a CRPF camouflage t-shirt in it.

“The constable has not complained about any organisation and has only voiced his aspiration. CRPF is highly sensitive to the welafre of its jawans. Regular efforts are made for redressal of their grievances at several levels,” the force said in a statement.

“In the event of any achievement/major incident in the field, the DG and senior officers promptly visit them to raise their morale,” it added.

This comes days after BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s claim that poor quality food was being served to security personnel deployed along the border created uproar.

In videos uploaded on social media, Mr. Yadav, wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a rifle, had claimed that while government procures essentials for them, the higher-ups and officers “sell it off” in an “illegal” manner in the market and they have to suffer.

With another report of “inferior” treatment being meted out to paramilitary jawans coming to light, the government on Thursday said it is taking all such incidents seriously and corrective steps are being taken to improve the conditions of service personnel and their food.

“Several things have come to light and we are taking them seriously. We are taking this issue (CRPF) seriously. We will ensure that such incident do not take place in future,” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters here.

Mr. Rijiju was reacting to claims by a CRPF jawan, who in the video identified himself as Jeet Singh, that facilities being offered to paramilitary personnel were not at par with the Army.

This comes days after BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s claim that poor quality food was being served to security personnel deployed along the border created uproar.

Mr. Rijiju said there was a need to upgrade the quality of food and government was working in that direction.

“It is the responsibility of the government to work for the welfare of the jawans, who are its priority,” he said.

On the CRPF jawan’s claim, the Minister of State for Home said the issue should be properly investigated and a detailed report is yet to come.

“Lets wait for the full report about this [CRPF] incident.

It is not proper to comment now,” he said.

Referring to Mr. Yadav’s claims, Mr. Rijiju said a report has been received from the BSF and several steps have been taken for improving quality of food being served to the jawans.

“We are taking the issue very seriously,” he said.

Official sources said Home Minister Rajnath Singh is personally monitoring the issue involving the BSF jawan and instructed the force to take corrective steps.