BSF is on the way of getting more allowances.

The disparity in rations between the paramilitary forces and the army was rectified by the Sixth Pay Commission last year.

However there are few disparitiies between the paramilitary forces and the army s that of the hard area allowance that army soldiers receive in difficult service conditions but paramilitary men fighting shoulder-to-shoulder do not.

The pay commission approved the hard area and risk allowances for the paramilitary forces, but left it to the home ministry to decide the quantum. The cabinet committee on security also gave its in-principle sanction recently.

Yesterday, home ministry officials sat through a presentation on the issue from paramilitary forces. The Centre has also set up a committee headed by an additional secretary (finance) to look into the issue, sources said.

“It is more or less agreed upon to give the hard area allowance and risk allowance but we are yet to finalise the percentages,” a senior home ministry official said.

However, the ministry will consult the Election Commission before taking a decision since the model code of conduct is in force. The hard area allowance for the army is 15 per cent of basic salary, and the paramilitary forces have demanded the same.

Source : The Telegraph.