Lok Sabha Question No. 3573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Recruitment of Women Personnel in RPF
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3573

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## RECRUITMENT OF WOMEN PERSONNEL IN RPF

3573. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is an increase in the number of women personnel recruited in Railway Protection Force (RPF) from the past figure of nine percent, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether Child Help Desk/Kiosk (CHD) have been set up across all railway stations, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether special training is being imparted to RPF personnel so as to sensitise them regarding the issue of child help, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3573 BY MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 22.03.2023 REGARDING

RECRUITMENT OF WOMEN PERSONNEL IN RPF

- (a)  &  (b)  Prior  to  recruitment  in  Railway  Protection  Force/Railway Protection Special Force (RPF/RPSF) held in the year 2018-2019, the percentage  of  women  personnel  was  approx  3%  of  the  total sanctioned  strength.  In  the  recruitment  which  started  in  the  year 2018,  out  of  8619  and  1121  vacancies  notified  for  Constables  and Sub-Inspectors  respectively,  4216  (49  %  approx)  and  301  (27  % approx) vacancies were respectively reserved/notified for women to increase the share of women in ranks of RPF. The recruitment was increased significantly, from about 3% to 9 % of the total sanctioned strength. No  Recruitment  has  been  conducted  in  RPF/RPSF  after  the  last
- completed and the percentage of women in RPF recruitment which was conducted in 2018-2019.
- (c)  & (d) Ministry of Railways (in coordination with Ministry of Women and  Child  Development)  has  issued  Revised  Standard  Operating Procedure  (SOP)  for  the  Railways  2021  which  includes  a  detailed protocol for rescue of children in need of care and protection found on  railway  stations  and  trains.  Presently,  Ministry  of  Railways  in coordination  with  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development,  have set up Child Help Desks/Kiosks at 143 important Railway Stations in India which are manned by the representatives of Non Government Organizations  (NGOs)  nominated  by  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child Development.

Various  special  training  sessions  for  sensitizing  RPF  personnel  on issues of Child help are imparted, which includes following topics-

- (i) Course on Child safety and Rescue.
- (ii) Course on Child Rights. (iii) Course on Child Care and Protection. (iv) Course  on  Juvenile  Justice  (Care  and  Protection)  Act,  2015 further amended in 2021. (v) Gender Sensitization courses. (vi) Course  on  Protection  of  Children  from  Sexual  Offences  Act 2012. (vii) Course on Sensitization towards Women and Children. (viii) Course  on  Role  of  NGO's,  Child  Help  Desk  at  the  station, SOPs/Guide Book issued by the Ministry of Railways/NCPCR.
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