NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is mulling a slew of proposals, including a grievance redressal mechanism and allowances, to improve facilities for jawans.
The move comes amid growing dissatisfaction among paramilitary ranks. A CRPF jawan also posted a video online complaining lack of parity with Army personnel and even services in the civilian sector.
A proposal to get an App developed for facilitating leave application, GPF loan and other welfare measures is also being actively considered. Also identity cards of personnel may be replaced with smart ID cards that will include necessary data relating to the service and help them access Central Police Canteen (CPC) across the country, a senior official said. The official added that smart cards will also be issued to dependents of paramilitary personnel that will not only help them access CPC but also seek services of the hospitals being run by the Force and those empanelled by it.
A proposal to increase the number of railway warrants from three to four is also under consideration. House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be given at the place where a jawan seeks to base his family and not according to the place of posting.
The jawans will be given an option to get uniform allowance of `10,000 per annum and not procure items from paramilitary stores. The quality of the fabric available at the force’s store has been an issue for the paramilitary ranks, sources said. For paramilitary personnel posted in J&K, a proposal to grant 50 per cent concession in air fares from Srinagar to Jammu in commercial flights is also being considered.
Once approved, the paramilitary force will shell out 50 per cent of the fare and the personnel will give the remaining portion. At present, jawans either travel in convoys or avail air courier service provided on designated days. However, with limited seats available in the aircraft and the number of days on which such service is available also being restricted to just two, the option will be helpful.
A Home Ministry official said all paramilitary forces, including CRPF, have been seeking better facilities for jawans and the same is being considered.