Article Posted on : - Oct 23, 2009

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian government on Friday indicated that it is planning to strengthen troop posts along the borders with China and acquire modern weaponry and specialised vehicles for soldiers guarding the icy frontier.

“We are considering an ITBP restructuring plan. The plan includes measures to strengthen border posts,” Home Minister P Chidambaram said at the 48th raising day of the ITBP – Indo-Tibetan Border Police – which guards the 3,500 km long Sino-Indian border.

Surveillance equipments, modern weaponry and specialised vehicles will also be procured to equip the force, he said.

Chidambaram said the “country is going through a difficult phase” in terms of cross border terror, situation in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in North-East and left wing extremism in various states.

“We are confident that we have the strength and capacity to overcome these challenges,” he said.

The Home Minister said under the plan, the ITBP will have 15 new battalions, three recruit training centres, a counter insurgency and jungle warfare school as also a high altitude medical training centre.

Chidambaram said the Home Ministry has delegated “enhanced financial powers” to the Directors General of the Central para-military forces to make the procurement process faster.

Referring to the welfare measures for jawans, he said the government has streamlined the payment of their Provident Fund and they can now draw money in 26-30 days.