Lok Sabha Question No. 2367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Working Hours of CAPF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2367

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

WORKING HOURS OF CAPF

2367. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of average working hours per day by the Central Armed Police Force  (CAPF)  personnel  along  with  the  details  on  the  type  of  medical facilities provided to CAPF personnel at border locations;

(b) whether it is true that hard-area allowance for personnel of the border guarding forces is lower compared to the Armed forces, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  streamline  the  procurement process under the Modernization Plan-IV;

(d)  whether  the  Ministry  and  CAPFs  held  negotiations  with  ordnance factories and manufacturers in public or private sector to ensure uninterrupted supply of equipment and other infrastructure, as recommended by the Estimates Committee; and

(e) if so, the details thereof on the progress of such negotiations and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) Generally,  the  working  hours  in  the  Central  Armed  Police  Forces (CAPFs)  are  8  (eight)  hourly  shifts.  This,  however,  varies  depending  on operational  exigencies.  Necessary   leave/training  reserve  is  built  in  the

structure of Battalions so that the personnel get rest and leave. Measures have been taken to implement a transparent, rational and fair leave policy and to regulate duty hours to ensure adequate rest and leave. As far as medical facilities are concerned, the CAPF personnel and their dependents are provided cashless healthcare services under Ayushman CAPF Scheme. Better medical facilities are ensured by organizing talks with specialists to address the personal and psychological concerns of troops. Meditation & Yoga is organized regularly for better stress management. Additionally, 'Art of living' courses are being conducted for CAPFs & Assam Rifles personnel which have positive impact on the mental health of Jawans.

(b) No comparison has been done as data on hard area Allowances for Armed Forces personnel is not available.

- (c) The  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  to  streamline  the procurement process under the Modernization Plan-IV, are at Annexure-A.
- (d) & (e) Details are at Annexure-B.

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## The steps taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs to streamline the procurement process under the Modernization Plan-IV.

The following steps have been taken by the Government to streamline the procurement under the Modernization Plan-IV for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs):

- i. Procurement of the items approved under Modernization Plan-IV is done from Public Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)/Open  market  [through  Government  e-Marketplace  and Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP)] after following the due procedure as per provisions of GFR 2017, Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2017 and the instructions issued on procurement by the Government of India from time to time like Preference to Make in India Order, 2017 as amended from time to time, MSME reservations etc. in consonance with Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission.
- ii. Lead Force concept for procurement of common weapons, equipment etc. has been introduced to the extent possible to ensure compatibility and interoperability, harness economies of  scale,  get  the  volume  discount,  avoid  repeated  efforts  by  CAPFs  for procurement of the same items etc. Nodal force for the common item is responsible for completion of entire procurement process on the behalf of all CAPFs.
- iii. Dedicated Cell for formulation of Qualitative Requirements (QRs)/Trial Directives (TDs) in  each  CAPF  manned  by  suitable  technical  experts  not  below  the  rank  of  Deputy Commandant from their existing strength has been set up.
- iv. Keeping in view the long gestation period of the tender process, CAPFs have been allowed  to  initiate  procurement  process/float  tender  for  all  approved  items  under Modernization Plan-IV irrespective of funds availability at that particular point of time subject to the condition that tendered amount must not exceed 2.5 times of allocated funds for that financial  year and  that  the  supply  order  will  be  placed  by  the  CAPFs concerned only after ensuring availability of funds. If the procurement procedure for any approved item is completed, that would remain valid for that buyer organization till entire Mod Plan-IV period  subject to the  mutual  consent  of  the  buyer  and  the  seller.  This provision would ensure that CAPFs would be able to complete procurement process for maximum number of weapons/equipment etc. during the implementation period of this scheme.
- v. CAPFs are allowed to place repeat order for Ministry of Defence (MoD)/sister CAPFs procured items (except Information Technology equipment/solutions having a trend/likely trend of decreasing  selling price),  which  are  also  approved  under Modernization  Plan-IV,  without  going  through  separate  procurement  process  within three years from the date of placing supply order by MoD/sister CAPFs on same terms and conditions of supply, subject to the condition that the quantity being procured is not more than 1/4th of the originally procured quantity by MoD/ sister CAPFs.

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## Guidelines issued for procurement of Arms & ammunition items from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (erstwhile-OFB)

- i.           Post  corporatization  of  Ordnance  Factory  Board  into  07  Defence  Public  Sector Undertakings  w.e.f.  01.10.2021,  guidelines  have  been  issued  for  procurement  of  Arms  & ammunition  items  from  Defence  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (erstwhile-OFB)  to  ensure uninterrupted  supply  of  critical  items  to  meet  urgent  operational  requirements  of  CAPFs. Further, as per these guidelines, procurement of non-critical arms and ammunition through open tender enquiry to provide a level playing field to all the manufacturers.
- ii.         Financial powers of DGs of CAPFs have been enhanced from Rs.20 Crore to Rs.50 Crore for procurement of arms and ammunition through open tender enquiry.
- iii.         As  a  result  of  regular  interaction  with  all  stakeholders,  including  private  domestic manufacturers of weapons, Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) has created Defence Industry Quality Assurance Management Cell (DIQAMC) for allotment of Proof ranges to private manufacturers.
- iv. Representatives of CAPFs have visited sites/factories of various private manufacturers of weapons.
- v. Enforcement of 'Make in India' clause has been ensured.
- vi. Open tender enquiries are floated for procurement of weapons.
- vii. DGs' powers for procurement for trial purposes have also been utilized.
- viii.     To  provide  equal  opportunity  to  private  manufacturers  of  weapons,  trials  have  been conducted by CAPFs on the basis of No Cost No Commitment (NCNC).
- ix.       The process of finalizing Qualitative Requirements and Trial Directives (QRs/TDs) has been simplified by delegating the powers for approving QRs/TDs to DGs of the nodal CAPFs.
- x. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) - Defence Research and Development Ogranization (DRDO)  collaboration  has  been  envisioned  to  fruitfully  utilize  DRDO's  Research  and Development (R&D) capabilities in line with developing state-of-the-art technologies/systems that  can  be  used  by    CAPFs/State  Police  Forces  engaged  in  Low  Intensity  conflicts  (LIC) operations.  The  DRDO  designed  and  developed  products/systems  are  being  procured  by CAPFs  through  Development cum  Production Partner (DcPP)  of DRDO/Transfer  of Technology (ToT) holders of DRDO.

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