The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai took the salute at the parade organized Meerut, Uttar Pradesh on the 29th anniversary of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) today. The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), senior officers of the Force, Jawans and their families were also present on the occasion.

In his address, Shri Nityanand Rai said that in 1992, a special force called the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was created from CRPF and since then, this force has been making continuous and outstanding contributions in the service of the Nation. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, CRPF has brought together various types of forces for all situations, in which the RAF plays an important role in ensuring peace and order. The RAF has always lived up to the trust of citizens.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Arunachal Pradesh in the far East of the country to the West in Gujarat, whenever there have been incidents of disturbance, the RAF living up to its name, has achieved success in controlling anti-national forces with great skill and speed. He said that the RAF, due to its working style and amazing ability to maintain peace and order, is considered superior amongst all CAPFs. Courage with patience is the specialty of the RAF based on which they have created history of success. In the present scenario, the RAF has handled law and order in most difficult areas and that is why the Ministry of Home Affairs, in January, 2018, approved the formation of five new battalions of the RAF.

Shri Nityanand Rai said that in order to provide training on how to maintain internal security, the RAF has set up an academy (REPO) where not only Indian but foreigner trainees are also trained in controlling mobs and riots. The RAF has controlled various situations well in troubled places across the country from time to time. The RAF has played a very important role in the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. He said even today to control law and order anywhere, state police forces look up to the RAF and the force has been able to win the people’s trust every time.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that if we speak about disaster management, who can forget how the RAF saved many lives during massive floods in Kerala and helped the local people. He said during the review meeting of the NDMA on 30th June, 2020, the Home Minister directed to create a dedicated rescue team in the CAPFs and Police Forces on the instructions of the Prime Minister. Keeping this in mind, a total of 30 teams comprising of two teams each of 60 personnel in each RAF battalion, were planned to be formed which are able to undertake disaster management work just like the NDRF. These teams will be ready to deal with natural disasters such as floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones, landslides, avalanches and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear disasters etc.

Shri Nityanand Rai said if the role of the RAF is assessed in the global scenario, then it stands on the highest pedestal in terms of excellence. An example of this is in the dispatch of the RAF for UN missions, such as the Kosovo Mission, the Liberia Mission, the Cambodia Mission, the Haiti Mission etc. He said it is a matter of pride for the nation, that the first women contingent of the UN was sent to Liberia by the RAF. This contingent played an important role in the security of the Liberian President and made the world aware of the power of the women's contingent.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said the RAF, apart from maintaining internal security in the country, also actively participates in programmes related to social and environmental adaptation. Today, when the world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, this force has established its own identity in social service. He said whether it is a matter of humanitarian service or maintaining law and order in critical situations, the RAF has made immense contributions. During the lockdown, RAF personnel supported citizens and brought laurels to the force. Shri Rai also said that the RAF has made tree plantation across the country a way of life to protect the environment. In July alone, about 4,50,800 saplings were planted by Central Reserve Police Force battalions.

Shri Nityanand Rai said the Central Reserve Police Force has conducted various programs, inspired by Gandhian ideology, on the initiative of the Prime Minister, with environment protection, water conservation and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan being a few special ones to mention. In this sequence, a cycle rally was also organized by the RAF to strengthen the feeling of communal harmony amongst the people and connect them. During this campaign, people in various places were made aware of the importance of cleanliness, water conservation, tree plantation, environmental protection and communal harmony for sustainability and development of human life.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said the government has taken many steps in the interest of CRPF personnel. In order to ensure improvement in working conditions of CRPF personnel, modern weapons, training facilities, forensic science equipment, safety equipment etc. are being made available under the modernization scheme. Children of Jawans are being given the benefit of the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme. Shri Rai said the foundation stone of the modern Directorate General of CRPF building has been laid by the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. Also, canteen facilities, Ayushman Yojana health card be benefits are being provided for the welfare of Jawans and their families. Cashless treatment facility is being provided in high standard hospitals.

Shri Nityanand Rai said the Grievance Redressal Portal has been arranged at the level of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Directorate General, for the convenience of Jawans. The facility of free bogies has been provided to CRPF personnel in some trains during their movement form one place to another. In addition, air courier facility has been provided to Jawans in the Northeast, Jammu and Srinagar and LWE affected areas. Government accommodation has been provided free of cost in all Group centers. Risk allowance is being provided in Srinagar, the Northeast along with LWE affected areas. He said the transfer policy is being made online, which will bring transparency in transfers. COVID-19 vaccination has been implemented on priority basis in the CRPF.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, while conveying best wishes to the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force and the RAF on 29th anniversary parade, expressed confidence that they would continue to make their best contribution in handling the law and order situation in the country, with complete dedication and continue to live up to the expectations of the people.

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NW / RK / AY / RR