SSB contemplating to give challenging roles to women: DG

LUCKNOW: In an attempt to enhance the presence of women in operational roles and boost their confidence, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is contemplating to give the same job profile to women as their male counterparts. Elaborating further about this, director general of SSB, Archana Ramasundaram, during her first visit to Lucknow also mentioned that gradually women would constitute 5% of the para-military force’s strength.Apart from this, the para-military force is also planning to modernize its border outposts (following a meeting with the Union home secretary) at a cost of Rs 6 crore.
Speaking to reporters, the SSB DG, said, “Gender friendly buildings are being constructed at border outposts. Apart from this, construction of separate family accommodation (on lines of the Army) for SSB personnel, who are posted on the borders (Indo-Nepal & Indo-Bhutan) is underway in Lucknow’s Gomtinagar area.”
She further stated that the SSB is also planning to start a forum of retired officers, which would look into the problems faced by them, and other issues. In a lighter vein, the SSB DG, said, “Generally, Sandiksha – the association of officers’ wives – is headed by the DG’s wife. But, currently, I am heading it.” She also informed that soft skill enhancement of the SSB personnel is currently underway. “This would help the jawans and officers to deal with the people at the border more effectively,” she said, and added that crash course at the border outposts would be started soon.
Ramasundaram also told that SSB is focusing on joint operations along with other agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to seize and recover narcotics and FICN at the border. “This would definitely result in time-bound investigation,” she said.
Earlier in the day, the DG held video conferencing with officials and had asked the senior officers to look after the welfare of the jawans and their subordinates, so that the morale of the jawans remains high. In 2016, so far contraband items more than Rs 23.79 crore have been seized. As many as 1465 apprehensions have been made during last one-and-half year.