PeerzadaMasarat Shah
New Delhi, Jul 28 (BuzzBytes): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday unveiled two major and historic policy reforms concerning officers of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and their families, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the force’s operational capabilities as well as the welfare of its personnel.
Addressing a function at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, the Defence Minister was accompanied by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General ICG Paramesh Sivamani and other senior officials. Rajnath Singh lauded the exemplary services rendered by the Indian Coast Guard over the past five decades in protecting the country’s maritime boundaries, ensuring coastal security and discharging other crucial responsibilities.
Under the first reform, a gender-neutral framework has been adopted for the induction of officers into the ICG, with special focus on providing equal opportunities to women candidates from the very stage of initial training. Under the new policy, women officers currently serving on permanent commission will be considered for promotion to senior ranks based on their eligibility and prescribed service conditions. Women officers currently serving under Short Service Appointment will also be given the option of converting their service to a permanent commission, subject to meeting the requisite eligibility criteria and conditions.
The Ministry of Defence said the reform reflects the government’s commitment to “Nari Shakti” and is expected to widen career opportunities for women officers, enabling them to rise to leadership and senior responsibility positions within the force on a more equitable platform.
The second policy reform simplifies the administrative procedure for the grant of ex-gratia assistance to the families of ICG personnel who go missing at sea while on duty. The government said the step is aimed at reducing unnecessary administrative complications and ensuring that financial assistance reaches the affected families in a timely manner, given the difficult and hazardous conditions under which ICG personnel serve in safeguarding the nation’s maritime security.
“The government is committed not only to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard but equally to the welfare of its personnel and their families,” Rajnath Singh said, reiterating the resolve of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to further consolidate the ICG as a modern, robust and capable maritime force fully prepared to meet future challenges.
—(BuzzBytes)
