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Overworked, deprived and disgruntled
A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad on “Emotional Intelligence and Occupational stress in BSF and CRPF” suggests the personnel of these paramilitary forces are not only overburdened with work, but also face discrepancy in salary and perquisite, reasons that contribute to dissatisfaction in the forces’ ranks.
An interim report prepared by Prof Dheeraj Sharma and submitted to the Union Home Ministry recently also underscores high levels of salary discrepancy, difficulty due to unpaid medical claims and lack of career progression for the jawans.
For the officers, the report notes that face lack of identity, continuous posting in hard areas, lack of authority and training opportunities result in demotivation and burnout and other psychological complications.
Union Home Ministry, through a communication sent on August 13 to the paramilitary forces, sought comment from every branch for compilation and further necessary action.
Officials said the study was instituted after a Pioneer report on high levels of attrition in the forces and the issue being raised in the Rajya Sabha in the last session.
Earlier, a study by Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis had pointed out the lack of leadership and immunity for the CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and other factors affecting the overall performance of the paramilitary forces.
The latest study said, “The officers believe there is no clear identity of the force. They are performing army-like duties as well as police duties. However, neither the internal organisation nor the general public is clear about the identity of the paramilitary forces. Many a times the paramilitary forces work in conjunction or under the directions of the civil authorities. Due to lack of any identity (Army vs Police) the officers feel highly demotivated as they are not afforded much respect from civil authorities.”
The report also said that some officers complained that it is difficult for them to explain to civilians who they are and what they intend to do. Officers also believe that lack of identity is deterrent for new applicant for officer positions in paramilitary forces.
“Officers are highly stressed as they are not sure if their next posting will be in a soft area. Additionally, in difficult personal circumstances, officers are not afforded a choice of posting. Thus, continuous ambiguity regarding the posting makes it difficult for the officers to remain motivated and under duress,” says the report.
It further said, “The officers are required to follow the instructions of FHQ and DGHQ. They do not have the authority to take decisions on their own even at the tactical level. Lack of even minimal authority is exasperating and results in high stress and also ties down the hands of the officers from driving the ethos and culture of their respective unit.”
The report also highlights lack of training opportunities to the officers as a reason for making them feel low. “The officers feel that their organisation has disowned them as they are not provided opportunities for training. Officers feel that lack of any training in management or leadership results in use of redundant techniques and make them feel low about themselves,” it said.
Pointing out the differences in perquisites, the report said, “Those working on the filed get 60 days EL and 15 days CL, while those in the HQ get 30 days EL and 8 CL. This discrepancy in allowances creates rancour between individuals serving in different locations.”
The apparent dissatisfactory “job climate” and continuous expansion of CRPF has led to a vacancy of about 3,500 officers.
A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad on “Emotional Intelligence and Occupational stress in BSF and CRPF” suggests the personnel of these paramilitary forces are not only overburdened with work, but also face discrepancy in salary and perquisite, reasons that contribute to dissatisfaction in the forces’ ranks.
An interim report prepared by Prof Dheeraj Sharma and submitted to the Union Home Ministry recently also underscores high levels of salary discrepancy, difficulty due to unpaid medical claims and lack of career progression for the jawans.
For the officers, the report notes that face lack of identity, continuous posting in hard areas, lack of authority and training opportunities result in demotivation and burnout and other psychological complications.
Union Home Ministry, through a communication sent on August 13 to the paramilitary forces, sought comment from every branch for compilation and further necessary action.
Officials said the study was instituted after a Pioneer report on high levels of attrition in the forces and the issue being raised in the Rajya Sabha in the last session.
Earlier, a study by Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis had pointed out the lack of leadership and immunity for the CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and other factors affecting the overall performance of the paramilitary forces.
The latest study said, “The officers believe there is no clear identity of the force. They are performing army-like duties as well as police duties. However, neither the internal organisation nor the general public is clear about the identity of the paramilitary forces. Many a times the paramilitary forces work in conjunction or under the directions of the civil authorities. Due to lack of any identity (Army vs Police) the officers feel highly demotivated as they are not afforded much respect from civil authorities.”
The report also said that some officers complained that it is difficult for them to explain to civilians who they are and what they intend to do. Officers also believe that lack of identity is deterrent for new applicant for officer positions in paramilitary forces.
“Officers are highly stressed as they are not sure if their next posting will be in a soft area. Additionally, in difficult personal circumstances, officers are not afforded a choice of posting. Thus, continuous ambiguity regarding the posting makes it difficult for the officers to remain motivated and under duress,” says the report.
It further said, “The officers are required to follow the instructions of FHQ and DGHQ. They do not have the authority to take decisions on their own even at the tactical level. Lack of even minimal authority is exasperating and results in high stress and also ties down the hands of the officers from driving the ethos and culture of their respective unit.”
The report also highlights lack of training opportunities to the officers as a reason for making them feel low. “The officers feel that their organisation has disowned them as they are not provided opportunities for training. Officers feel that lack of any training in management or leadership results in use of redundant techniques and make them feel low about themselves,” it said.
Pointing out the differences in perquisites, the report said, “Those working on the filed get 60 days EL and 15 days CL, while those in the HQ get 30 days EL and 8 CL. This discrepancy in allowances creates rancour between individuals serving in different locations.”
The apparent dissatisfactory “job climate” and continuous expansion of CRPF has led to a vacancy of about 3,500 officers.
