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Namrata Biji Ahuja
Namrata Biji Ahuja

NEW DELHI

Caught in eye of storm, PMO steps in; seeks report on jawan allegations

bsf-crpf-1 (From left to right) BSF jawan Tej Bahadur and CRPF personnel Jeet Singh

PMO has asked the MHA about the systemic failure that led to the jawan reaching out to the prime minister directly using the social media platform

With controversy surrounding the allegations levelled by a BSF jawan that he was served unpalatable food refusing to settle down, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has stepped in, seeking a report from the union home ministry.

Sources said the PMO has asked the MHA about the allegations and the systemic failure that led to the jawan reaching out to the home minister and prime minister directly using the social media platform to highlight his concerns.

The PMO wants to be apprised about the roadblocks that prevent the facilities from reaching the jawans, especially those posted in the forward areas.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spent his New Year with the jawans of ITBP in the border areas, while Rajnath Singh has been laying special emphasis on the supreme sacrifices of the central paramilitary personnel in battling terrorists and insurgents to keep the borders and hinterland safe.

But the video posted by BSF constable Tej Bahadur Singh showed a complete different picture, even as he alleged corruption in the system which prevented the central government facilities from reaching them.

While the BSF has launched an inquiry against the constable and raised doubts about his past conduct in the force, both the central force and the home ministry are realising that they cannot put a lid on the controversy just yet.

According to government officials, with the PM himself reaching out to jawans using social media platforms as well as personalised messages to the troops on occasions like the Independence Day and Republic day, it becomes incumbent upon the PMO to take note of any such allegations. It will not shy away from acknowledging the concerns and take corrective steps once an issue has been flagged by the government.

Sources indicated that as soon as the controversy broke out on the social media, the ruling party evinced interest and inquired about the veracity of the allegations and wanted the issue concerning the jawans to be addressed immediately.

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