Want to spend a night with CRPF men in a difficult operational base, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said he wants to spend a night with CRPF troops at one of their most difficult operational bases in the country in order to understand their problems.

He also pointed out that many more initiatives are required to be taken for the welfare of the troops of the country's largest paramilitary.

Singh said this after he decorated about 80 Central Reserve Police Force jawans and officers, some posthumous, with gallantry medals on the occasion of its 'Valour day' event which is held every year this day to mark the gallant action of its men at Sardar post along the Indo-Pakistan border in Gujarat in 1965.

"I know CRPF personnel work in some of the most difficult areas (of the country). I have asked your Director General to take me to the most difficult area where you are working. And not only that, I want to stay for a night with you. I can say I will go despite all odds," he said at the forces' camp in south Delhi here.

The medals awarding event was marked with some sombre moments when mothers of two slain CRPF martyrs came to the dais weeping as they requested the Home Minister for assistance after their young sons were killed in action.

"I know that there is lack of basic necessities at places where you work. I know some things are yet to happen but I can assure you that I want to do as much as I can for you. There are some limitations...but I have set deadlines for every task," he told the jawans and officers of the force who are mainly deployed in various states for conducting anti-Naxal operations.

He assured the mothers and families that their problems will be addressed.

The Home Minister asked the chiefs of all paramilitary forces to "nominate" one official each to take up their respective problems and issues with the Home Ministry as he urged them to talk to him "directly" in case of any difficulty.

"I know there are certain things which we have not been able to do in a time-bound manner," he said citing the problem faced by jawans because of an existing rule, which does not allow troops deployed in hard areas to draw their special allowances when they are off-duty.

"We will solve these issues. I am not satisfied with the compensation that a martyr's family gets. But we are working to ensure better welfare for you and your families," he told the troops.

"I am aware of the issues facing the CRPF and other paramilitary forces. Our government is working towards resolving those issues," he said.

Singh said he was a firm believer in the philosophy that "death is not in your hands and whatever is supposed to happen, will happen."

While lauding the about 3-lakh personnel strong forces' role in maintaining internal security in the country, the Home Minister said his head bows in respect for those who laid down their lives in the line of duty and also for the families who send them to join such duties.

He quoted Swami Vivekananda who had said that serving the country was a bigger responsibility than going to a temple for prayers.