NEW DELHI: With several welfare measures and operational requirements of paramilitary forces still stuck in red tape, CAPFs will soon get a chance to raise them with the highest office in the government: the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). PM Narendra Modi has asked for a meeting to be held at PMO with directors general (DGs) of all six paramilitary forces for a one-to-one interaction.

Expected to be held next week, home ministry sources say, this would be the first time any PM would hold such a meeting with force chiefs. The meeting, sources said, has been organized at the insistence of NSA Ajit Doval who along with home minister Rajnath Singh would be present in the meeting.

Sources said, all force chiefs are required to make a presentation of five minutes about their operational roles and responsibilities apart from force structure and deployment. After this, PM is expected to ask them questions on operational strategy and any requirements that the forces need for efficient functioning. Countering Maoist violence and requirements related to it are expected to be among the major points. Effective guarding of border with Pakistan, Bangladesh and China would also be discussed.

For the forces, it would be an opportunity to put forth their demands related to operational difficulties and welfare measures. “While a comprehensive list of demands is still being drawn, two points that will figure prominently are shortage of housing for jawans and difference in hardship allowance for those posted in Kashmir and left wing extremism (LWE) areas,” said a source familiar with the development.

CRPF DG Prakash Mishra has been given the task of coordinating with various forces—BSF, SSB, ITBP and NSG—for this.

Jawans posted in Kashmir get paid more than those posted in LWE areas even though the dangers and hardship in the latter are far higher than the former. An announcement to bring parity in this was made in the first few months of the government itself, but has not yet been implemented. CAPFs have also been demanding parity of pay with armed forces wherever they are sharing operational duties. This too is awaiting implementation despite announcement. Martyr status for those dying in conflict areas too is still stuck.

Sources said the issue of lack of cooperation and involvement from state police forces in fighting Naxalites is also expected to be discussed. Central forces have for long complained of this without much success. Notably, two of the worst-affected states—Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand--are ruled by the BJP.