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.
“Government school teachers are paid more than us…and we get no holidays or benefits,” Constable Jeet Singh says in the video, which he begins by declaring – “I want to send a message to the Prime Minister.”
Singh says there is a vast gap between facilities for the army and CRPF. “The difference is such that you will be stunned…The army has pension, we don’t have anything. 20 years later, when I leave the service, then what?”
He goes on: “We have no ex-servicemen quota, no canteen service, no medical benefits…Duty sabse zyaada hamaari (our duty is most taxing).”
“Those with the armed forces avail of medical and canteen facilities, besides other welfare schemes, but nothing of the sort is provided to CRPF personnel. After retirement, we are not given ex-servicemen quota benefits that could help us bag good jobs,” he says.
Meanwhile ….
The wife of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who recently posted a video on Facebook highlighting poor quality food being served to soldiers in his camp, on Thursday alleged that her husband was being pressurised to take his complaint back.
Sharmila alleged that higher authorities are pressurising Yadav to withdraw his complaint and apologise.
The BSF jawan’s video alleging that sub-standard food was served to jawans on the frontlines went viral and sparked a nationwide outrage.
Yadav also posted other videos showing a poorly baked ‘chapati’ and dal which he said had “nothing except salt and turmeric”.
Minister says
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,” said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.
