Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Friday gave gallantry awards to Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the paramilitary force’s 11th Investiture Ceremony where he asked officers to be “little more considerate” about grievances and requirements of the personnel deployed on the border and for other internal security-related duties in the country.
Pointing out that the BSF was observing 2013 as the “year of the jawan”, Mr. Shinde said the government would improve the living conditions of personnel deployed at the borders. Apart from making efforts to improve working and living conditions of jawans deployed on field duties, the government was giving facilities to retired personnel of Central police forces under the ‘ex-CAPFs personnel’ category, he added. The ‘ex-CAPFs personnel’ category is on the lines of the ‘ex-servicemen’ categorisation for personnel of the three armed forces of the country which entails benefits in government-run enterprises and schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, BSF Director-General Subhash Joshi said the force has successfully faced several challenges and crises over these years. “The BSF is ready to face the challenges and preparing itself in terms of doctrine, infrastructure, weaponry and training. We are carrying out relentless vigil across the borders...we are committed to bring peace in the Maoist’s infested areas,” he added.
On the occasion, Mr. Shinde awarded some families of the 1971 BSF war veterans, besides decorating 15 BSF officers and personnel with police medals for gallantry. He also gave away 34 police medals for meritorious service.
The investiture ceremony was followed by Rustamji Memorial Lecture 2013, which was delivered by former D-G BSF Prakash Singh where he deliberated on internal security challenges.
