Over 190 guest-houses to be set up for married jawans
With a trooper getting to spend an average of only five years out of 30 with his family during service, the BSF has launched a new concept to set up over 190 jawan guest houses across the country for newly married couples. Over 2,800 rooms will be built out of the existing infrastructure in the eight frontiers of the force, said a BSF officer.
Home ministry recently accorded sanction to the force's proposal
The rooms will be built along the western and eastern border flanks of the country, the Border Security Force officer said. BSF Director General K K Sharma said the Union Home Ministry has recently accorded sanction to the force's proposal to set up 15 studio apartment-like facilities at each of its 186 battalion locations and few other stations.
Jawans remain alone for maximum part of their service
"The duties in the force are tough and jawans have to remain alone for the maximum part of their service," the officer said. "An average jawan gets to spend only about 2.5 months in a year with his family and if one has a service of about 30 years, then this figure comes to about five years in the entire job period," he added.
Facility created to ensure jawans get more time with families
"To ensure that the jawans get more time with their families, we are creating such facilities at 192 locations all across the country," said Sharma. The problem of living alone, separated from the family, affects the newlywed more and hence, they are the ones who will be given priority in the allotment of these new facilities, he said.
Earlier, jawans had no guest house facility
The director general said, while there are guest houses for the officers and sub-officers, there was no such facility for jawans who are in the constable and head-constable ranks. "So, we've decided, to create a guest house of 15 studio apartment in each battalion which will have an independent bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and television facility and newlywed personnel in the jawan ranks," he added.
Initiative taken to reduce stress and fatigue among the troops
"The measure is part of the overall initiative to reduce stress and fatigue among the troops and to keep them motivated," said BSF's Director General Sharma.
Preference will be given to newly married troops
A senior BSF officer explained that the guest houses will have a common drawing room and will be provided with basic equipment for the kitchen and daily chores. While preference will be given to newly married troops, those who want to bring their wives and children for vacations will also eligible to avail these facilities for a specified period, the officer said.
