Lok Sabha Question No. 1221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Working Hours in CAPF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1221

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025/ MAGHA 22, 1946 (SAKA)

WORKING HOURS IN CAPF

1221.     SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number of average working hours per day of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel;

(b) the details of the type of medical facilities provided to CAPF personnel at border locations;

(c) whether the hard-area allowance for personnel of the border guarding forces is lower compared to the Armed Forces, if so, the details thereof; (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  streamline  the  procurement process under the Modernization Plan IV;

(e) whether the Government 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

(f) 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 the operational exigencies. There is necessary leave/training reserve 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 for regulating duty hours to ensure adequate rest and leave.

- (b) The  CAPF  personnel  and  their  dependents  are  provided  cashless healthcare services under Ayushman CAPF Scheme. For ensuring better medical  facilities  talks  with  specialists  are  organized  to  address  the personal  and  psychological  concerns  of  troops.  Meditation  &  Yoga  is regularly  organized  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.

(c) No comparison has been done. The  service  conditions of  Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs ) personnel and Armed Forces personnel are governed by different set of rules.

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

(e) & (f)    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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## L.S US Q.NO.1221 FOR 11.02.2025

## 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  is 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 Organization (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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