In its efforts to augment the strength of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Centre has approved raising of 29 battalions, comprising around 30,000 personnel, for the country’s frontier guarding force.
Of the 29 battalions, 16 would be deployed in areas along Indo-Bangladesh border, while 13 would serve as additional reserve battalions to be deployed on a rotational basis to ensure sufficient training, rest and recuperation for the personnel.
Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said the new battalions would go a long way in increasing the efficiency and service conditions of BSF personnel.
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Attending the Passing out Parade of a fresh batch of 129 BSF officers at Takenpur in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, Maken said the exercise had begun late last year. Two battalions have already been raised and seven are to be raised during 2010-2011.
With a view to enhance infrastructure to support the additional battalions, three Frontier Head Quarters and seven Sector Head Quarters will be created for control and command purposes, he said.
The Government, Maken said, had also formulated and finalised a new recruitment policy to ensure transparency and objectivity in the selection process. The new recruitment process entailed incorruptible technology based selection with least scope of human intervention and manipulation.
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The recruitment process include subjective evaluation while marking had been done away with and replaced by multiple choice Objective questions on OMR sheets. PET (physical test) which carried marks earlier and could be manipulated had been made qualifying only and would not carry marks.
Interviews had been done away with, biometric identification of candidates was mandatory at all stages to prevent cases of impersonation and the entire recruitment process should now be videographed besides ensuring that no tainted officer was associated with the recruitment process.