Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Ex-Central Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association (CPFWA), Jammu and Kashmir unit urged the Central Government to redress the long-standing grievances and demands of Central Paramilitary Forces on priority.
Addressing a press conference here today, VK Sharma (Retd. DIG) and Harinder Mahajan highlighted the ongoing issues faced by CPMF personnel, including disparities in their treatment compared to the Army. “One of the major points raised during the conference was the discrimination faced by CPMF personnel since 2014, particularly with respect to their rights and benefits,” he said.
“The CPMF personnel have not been granted One Rank One Pension (OROP), a benefit that was extended to the Indian Army, despite serving in similar high-risk conditions and facing similar challenges,” they said adding that unlike their counterparts in the Indian Army, CPMF personnel have not received adequate pension hikes, further deepening the disparity in their financial treatment after retirement.
They expressed concerns over the lack of comprehensive medical facilities for CPMF personnel. While the Indian Army enjoys robust medical support, paramilitary forces are not provided with the same level of care, they said.
Raising the issue of Martyr’s status, they said, CPMF personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty do not receive the same recognition and benefits as soldiers of the Indian Army, which the association feels is unfair given their contributions to national security.
Despite the critical role played by CPMF in maintaining law and order, especially in militancy-affected regions and international borders, the association lamented the lack of priority given to them by the Central Government. States like Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, and the North-Eastern states are among the areas where CPMF personnel are most active, yet their services are often overlooked, they said.
Sharma emphasized that since 2014, the Central Government has treated CPMF personnel in a “step-motherly” manner. Despite their tireless work, including maintaining security in sensitive regions, CPMF forces continue to be deprived of the benefits that their counterparts in the Indian Army receive, he said.
In addition to highlighting their own grievances, CPMF representatives expressed deep respect for the farmers who have been fighting for their rights for a prolonged period.
The CPMF leadership also criticized the higher officials within the CPMF for their lack of responsiveness to the concerns of personnel. The association pointed out that none of the Directors General (DGs) of paramilitary forces have expressed favourable responses to the issues raised by their respective departments.
The Association expressed disappointment that Members of Parliament (MPs) from Jammu and Kashmir (UT), have not yet raised the issues of CPMF personnel in Parliament. It also welcomed the setting up of the 8th Pay Commission by the Central Government, but strongly requested that an active member from the CPMF be included in the commission to ensure that their grievances are addressed.
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