GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Home Affairs 

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*513
ANSWERED ON THE AUGUST 13, 2014 / SRAVANA 22, 1936 (SAKA)

 QUESTION
Establishing Tribunals for Redressal of Grievances in Paramilitary Forces

*513. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state; 

(a)   the grievance redressal mechanisms presently available to paramilitary forces in the country; 

(b)   whether Government seeks to establish tribunals for redressal of cases related to paramilitary forces, in line with the administrative tribunals, considering the high levels of attrition due to official problems and service complaints; and 

(c)    if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor? 

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House 

Statement referred to reply of Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. *513 for 13.08.2014 regarding "Establishing tribunals for redressal of grievances in paramilitary forces" 

(a): To address the personal as well as official problem/service complaints of the Force personnel, each Force has a proper grievance redressal mechanism in place at Battalion, Range, Sector, Frontier, Zone & Directorate level. Nodal officers have been earmarked at each level for this purpose and the applicants are apprised about the factual position/facts with reference to their grievances/complaints within stipulated time. For each Force, the Director General of the Force concerned is the highest authority for redressal of the grievances. If an individual is not satisfied with the reply of the Nodal Officer or does not get any reply, he/she is free to appear before the Director General in person for redressal of his/her grievance(s) with the approval of his/her Head of office. Standing Committees against any sexual harassment and other grievances of women personnel have also been detailed in the CAPFs under the chairpersonship of a lady officer.

Besides, the CAPFs are allowing their personnel to send/forward SMSs or e-mails to the Nodal Officers/Force Directorate for quick disposal of their grievances. Whenever any senior officer or DG of the respective Force visits the field formations, sainik sammelan and interactions with the troops and officers are often held, and the problems/grievances of the personnel are heard patiently and settled to the extent possible. Further, hearings are also held at Force Head Quarters in respect of those personnel coming to meet the Director General of the Force personally for redressal of their grievances. 

(b) & (c): In view of the large number of court cases arising in CAPFs and also in view of the fact that the CAPFs are governed by Act & Rules different from other Central Government services, the· Forces had proposed to set up separate & dedicated tribunal for the Forces. However, it was felt that the purpose may be served by empowering the already existing Central Administrative Tribunal to adjudicate over the court cases of Force personnel by suitably amending the Central Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985 instead of establishing separate CAPF Tribunal. Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken up the matter with the Department of Personnel & Training as to whether the CAPFs can be brought under the purview of CAT.