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SSB, ITBP set for expansion

NEW DELHI: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are set for an expansion with the induction of 33 battalions. The two paramilitary forces are guarding the country’s borders along Nepal, Myanmar and China.

The induction of 33,000 additional jawans will bring relief to those who, at times, spend close to one-third of their tenure in high altitudes and end up with severe ailments.

The information on the status of the 20 battalions of the SSB and 13 battalions of the ITBP was given to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil at a review meeting here on Thursday. Mr. Patil was told that 20 battalions for the SSB were approved in 2005 while the sanction for raising 20 battalions for the ITBP was granted in 2007.

The SSB has trained its 20,000 men, and the ITBP 13,000 men and the remaining will be ready to join the force in 2008.

The battalions were raised in a record time as it normally takes about two-and-half-years to prepare the jawans for induction. The Minister was told that besides strengthening patrol, additional manpower will bring relief to others in the two forces.

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