Paramilitary woes: PMO steps in

That paramilitary personnel posted in harsh terrain don’t enjoy the kind of facilities or food like their Army counterparts is common knowledge. But the recent video posted by the BSF jawan on the poor quality of food being served, and one on Thursday by the CRPF constable seeking parity with the Armed Forces has made the authorities sit up and take note.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday sought a report from the home ministry about BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s allegation that poor-quality food being served to paramilitary troops at border areas.

Yadav’s wife on Thursday said her husband is being pressured to withdraw his complaint and apologise.

The BSF on Wednesday came out with fresh guidelines to maintain high standards of food for its personnel along the border. The Union home ministry directed the BSF to file a complete report on the allegations about substandard food.

After the videos of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav went viral on social media, another clip posted by a CRPF constable has surfaced wherein the trooper has demanded “parity” for paramilitary personnel in pay and other benefits at par with the army.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), country’s largest paramilitary, on Thursday, said it has 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 K Durga Prasad said.