The Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to give ex-servicemen status to retired personnel of paramilitary and central police forces, thus making them eligible for welfare benefits being availed by retired defence personnel, according to Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
“The proposal [of granting ex-servicemen status to paramilitary personnel] has been approved by the Cabinet today [Thursday]. These personnel will be called as ‘ex-central police personnel’ on the same footing as ‘ex-servicemen’ in the defence forces. Paramilitary personnel, like defence forces, put their life at stake in the line of duty and there is no problem in granting them this honour,” Mr. Shinde said while addressing the 73rd anniversary celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and at a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) event.
The new status would benefit over four lakh retired paramilitary and central police forces personnel. They can now avail certain subsidised medical and canteen facilities.
‘Ex-central police personnel’ from paramilitary forces such as the CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB eligible will also be able to apply for jobs in the private sector that recognise ‘ex-servicemen’ as a trained and suitable talent for their organisations.
The Centre will ask the States to give benefits to the children of retired paramilitary personnel in educational institutes and jobs.