35,473 armed central cops take VRS in 2 years

A whopping 35513 personnel of the central armed police forces comprising central reserve police force, border security force, central industrial security force, Indo-Tibetan border police, SSB and Assam rifles have opted for voluntary retirement in last two years for personal and domestic reasons. Significantly, highest number of personnel to seek VRS are from BSF (15990), followed by CRPF (11406), CISF (3225), AR (2198), ITBP (1333) and SSB (1321).

The numbers work out to around 50 VRS a day and the total number over two years is a little less than 5% of the combined strength of these forces, which is around 7.5 lakh.

When issue of alarming rise in VRS among the members of the Central armed police forces (CAPF) was raised in the parliament, union minister of state for home R P N Singh informed that children and family issues, health\illness of self or family, social-family obligations and commitments are the main reasons for proceeding on voluntary retirement. A cursory glance over Singh's three page reply leads one to the conclusion that the centre failed to address even minor issues raised by the members of the CAPF.

Singh said in view of the piquant situation the centre has drafted a multi-pronged strategy to contain the voluntary retirements. "We have worked out a transparent, rational and fair leave policy, which will be implemented in a time bound period," he said.

Further, the CAPF personnel will be granted special leave to attend their urgent domestic problems, regular interaction, both formal and informal, among commanders, officers and troops to find out and address their grievances.

Singh has promised to revamp the entire grievances redressal machinery, regulating duty hours to ensure adequate rest and relief, improving living conditions through provision of basic amenities and facilities for troops and their families, motivate the force through increased risk, hardship and other allowances.

In addition, it has been proposed to provide STD telephone facilities to the troops to facilitate being in touch with their family members and to reduce tension in the remote locations, better medical facilities for troops and their family members, organise talks by doctors and other specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns.

Besides yoga and meditation classes for better management of stress, Singh has proposed to set up recreation centres for the family members and special scholarships for the wards of the personnel."We will provide them better identity and community recognition," he said