New Delhi: As 32 women officials from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are undergoing 10 weeks long rigorous training for VIP security, former director-general of CRPF Dilip Trivedi believes that their induction for VIP security would definitely boost their morale.
"Morale of women CRPF officials will definitely get a big boost. There is no differentiation between men and women now," said Trivedi in an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat on Friday.
He, however, said that there may be some "logistic" challenges for women while on assignment for VIP security.
Echoing the same view, former director-general of Border Security Force (BSF) Prakash Singh said that women are now competing with their male workforce.
"I believe the induction of women officials in CRPF for VIP security is really encouraging," said Singh.
After the Union Home Ministry decided to induct women CRPF officials for VIP security, the paramilitary force selected 32 officials up to the rank of inspectors for this new assignment.
Started early this week, they are currently undergoing rigorous training at the Greater Noida training base of CRPF.
It may be mentioned here that CRPF has the second-largest component of VIP security with around 70 central protectees out of which 11 are women protectees.
"The women officials in CRPF will be assigned on VIP protections on a requirement basis," said a senior CRPF official.
CRPF provide 'Z' plus security to three women protectees including Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Gursharhan Kaur. Recently, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut also provided with 'Y' category security by the CRPF.
Read: CRPF to deploy women personnel to cover security of female candidates
The former BSF DG Singh further opined that the induction of women officials for VIP duty may also give comfort to the women protectees.
"Many times, the protectees might feel it easy and comfortable to be guarded by women security officials," said Singh.
Apart from CRPF, two other forces like Special Protection Group (SPG) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) also have separate units of women soldiers to provide security to the VIPs.
CISF has the largest component of VIP security with 175 protectees.
The debate:
Earlier, in November 2017, the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh has suggested that the assignment of VIP security should be given to the special security group of Central Industrial Society Force (CISF) and relieve other paramilitary forces from this duty. Although no such action has been taken yet by the government.
It was suggested that CRPF and ITBP should be relieved from the personal protection duty and they should be assigned with their core duty.
View of former top brass:
Trivedi said that there may be so many VIPs. So, it may not be possible on the part of CISF to provide protection to all the VIPs. In fact, such assignment also depends on the availability of forces whenever required.
"There may be an immediate requirement for providing protection to someone. In such a situation, the government always looks at the availability of officials for providing such security. So, to say that only CISF should provide VIP security may not be feasible," said Trivedi.
The VIP security, on average, costs the exchequer a sum of Rs 390 crore a year.
Lack of manpower and gender disparity:
The CRPF which has a sanctioned strength of 324723 is currently working with a posted strength of 296898 personnel. There is a vacancy of 27825 posts in CRPF. The women strength in CRPF is only 8258 which is only 2.78 per cent of the total posted strength.
The Union Home Ministry takes the call of providing VIP or VVIP security to the individual depending on the threat or risk to their lives.
Subsequently, withdrawal, continuation and extension of such coverage are based on the periodic security review done by intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces.
Read: Delhi court acquits Arjuna awardee Khajan Singh in rape case filed by CRPF constable
