BJD MP Sasmit Patra urges MHA to launch spl initiatives for modernisation, welfare of CAPFs
Bhubaneswar, March 21 (IANS) Senior Biju Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra on Friday advocated the launching of special initiatives for the modernisation and welfare of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the country.
He also stressed on the need to fill all the vacant positions in the CAPFs like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Forces, etc.
While speaking on the working of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Rajya Sabha on Friday, BJD MP Patra said: “One of the most pressing issues is the acute manpower deficit, particularly at the officer level. Certain CAPFs report shortfall in supervisory roles, which has direct repercussions on leadership, morale, and effectiveness. This shortage is amplified by the outdated practice of relying heavily on deputations from State Police and IPS cadres, resulting in leadership discontinuity and lack of force-specific expertise.”
Highlighting excessive stress on personnel of paramilitary forces due to over-deployment, the senior BJD leader also stated that CRPF battalions, especially in insurgency-hit areas, are being deployed for years without adequate recuperation cycles.
He also said that continuous exposure to high-stress conflict zones without rest leaves personnel vulnerable to fatigue.
“It is imperative that the Ministry launches an ambitious and time-bound CAPF Modernization & Welfare Mission 2030. The first and foremost step must be the creation of a dedicated CAPF officer cadre, ending the dependence on deputation and fostering a professional leadership pipeline. Second, rotational deployment policies should be institutionalised, ensuring that no company remains in active conflict zones beyond a reasonable period,” Patra further added.
The BJD MP suggested that there must be an across-the-board welfare overhaul for CAPF forces, including priority housing construction, family healthcare packages, CAPF-specific scholarships, and the establishment of mental health counselling units in every battalion.
Advocating modernisation for the forces, he noted that the Home Ministry should earmark a fixed percentage of GDP exclusively for CAPF modernisation, with yearly targets and third-party audits ensuring implementation.
The senior BJD leader in his speech shared many vital suggestions to address the issues affecting the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s principal anti-terror and anti-organised crime investigative body, such as the burden of rising cases, lack of manpower, lack of adequate forensic labs, digital investigation wings, and specialised cybercrime units, etc.
The Rajya Sabha MP noted that vacancy in sanctioned posts within the NIA, lack of adequate forensic labs, digital investigation wings, and specialised cybercrime units further affects its efficiency.
He suggested that a special recruitment drive should be launched aiming to fill all sanctioned posts within the next financial year, while simultaneously creating a lateral entry mechanism to attract cyber and forensic experts.
Patra also advised the ministry to establish five Regional NIA Hubs across North, South, East, West, and Northeast zones to decongest the headquarters and enhance efficiency.
The BJD MP further added that each regional NIA hub must be equipped with state-of-the-art forensic laboratories, cyber intelligence units, digital case management systems, and dedicated liaison cells for state police forces.
He noted that the establishment of zonal NIA Special Courts, capable of handling sensitive cases with speed, should accompany this decentralized structure.
He proposed the creation of an Integrated National Resilience Grid, digitally connecting the IMD, ISRO, CWC, state disaster authorities, local municipalities, and district administrations offering real-time data integration, early warning dissemination, and centralized evacuation and resource coordination.
Patra also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated Disaster Mitigation Infrastructure Fund, channeling investments into flood control systems, earthquake-resistant buildings, and climate-adaptive infrastructure, particularly in high-risk zones.
–IANS
gyan/pgh
