Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched a mobile-based application on Thursday to directly communicate with the ten lakh-strong Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.
Due to security concerns, the app — MHA Mobile Application — will not be available on Android, Apple or any other app store. CAPF personnel will be able to download it only through the Ministry’s website.
“Now, I am only a click away. Jawans can directly key in their grievances through the app and I will monitor the status every month,” said Mr. Singh.
He said the app was conceptualised during the annual DGP meet in Hyderabad last year as he desired to be connected with the force. The app has been planned and designed by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Earlier this year, a BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav posted a video on Facebook alleging that “poor quality” food was being served to jawans in forward locations. The video went viral and the constable was dismissed from service last month.
“I have seen discipline in jawans, they won’t speak out of turn. I am moved when I see the plight of jawans... they live under tin sheds in Chhattisgarh… I thought I should do something for them. There are some problems which require the Home Ministry’s attention and now they have a digital option to make themselves heard,” Mr. Singh said.
Mr. Singh lauded the CRPF jawan who was abused and heckled while carrying an EVM in Sringar constituency last month. “The CRPF jawan did not react. Had he reacted, his mission would not have been accomplished. His job was to secure the EVM, which he did very effectively,” Mr. Singh said.
