Centre sanctions raising of two new Indian Reserve Battalion in H.P.
News Delhi: Union Home Ministry has agreed, in principle to sanction two new India Reserve Battalions (IRB) for the State of Himachal Pradesh and also double the budget under border Area Development Plan for next financial year said State Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal after meeting with Union Home Minister Mr. Shiv Raj Patil in New Delhi.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal told that one battalion of exclusive men and second battalion will comprise exclusive women force only and added that this for the first time in the state that one such exclusive women IRB battalion will be raised in the State. He said that women battalion will be trained in such a way to meet the security related needs in terrorists/ extremists /naxals areas of the country and it will be specially trained to meet the international norms for deployment in the international peace missions under the aegis of the United Nations. He said that union home ministry would provide central assistance of rupees 25.50crore as raising cost for these battalions.
Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that total 2000 posts of different categories will be created in these battalions and added that out of total strength 1925 rank posts, 65 wireless staff and 20 posts of medical and ministerial staff will be created in these battalions. He said that centre will also provide 16 crore rupees as capital cost for meeting the infrastructure expenditure and added that it will be in the shape of grant in aid from funds allotted under security related expenditure. He said that all the vacancies in these battalions will be filled shortly and entire recruitment process will be completed by two year period by the year 2010. He said that state Government would send quarterly report to the centre on the status of these battalions He said that State Government would bear the annual recurring expenditure and also the balance of capital nature for providing the basic infrastructure for the battalions. He said that State Government will make available the battalions to the central Government as and when any exigency arises and it has been agreed that battalions will also be deployed in any part of the country which faces law and order problem but clarified that if battalions are deployed to any other states on request of concerned state than pro rata recurring expenditure would be borne in to by the borrowing states and added that Centre Government will bear expenses when such deployment has been made to exempt category states like Jammu and Kashmir and north east areas.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that training to the recruits will be imparted as per the model syllabus, so as to increase the operational efficiency of the battalion and added that around 250 constables in each battalion would be trained as special task force with special capabilities to work in terrorist /militant affected /naxal areas. He said that a Selection Board comprising representatives of Central Police Force would be constituted to make all recruitments for the battalion and entire recruitment process will be completed with two years.
