BSF officials said the Union home ministry has recently accorded sanction to the force’s proposal to set up 15 studio apartment-like facilities at each of its 186 battalion locations and a few other stations. More than 2,800 rooms will be built or carved out of the existing infrastructure in the eight frontiers of the force along the western and eastern border flanks of the country

With a trooper getting to spend an average of only five years out of 30 with his family during service, the BSF has launched a new concept to set up over 190 guest houses for Jawans across the country for newly married couples.

More than 2,800 rooms will be built or carved out of the existing infrastructure in the eight frontiers of the force along the western and eastern border flanks of the country, a Border Security Force officer said.

BSF Director General K K Sharma said the Union home ministry has recently accorded sanction to the force’s proposal to set up 15 studio apartment-like facilities at each of its 186 battalion locations and a few other stations.

“To ensure that jawans get more time with their families, we are creating such facilities at 192 locations all across the country,” Sharma told PTI.

The problem of staying alone, separated from family, affects newly-weds more and hence, they are the ones who will be given priority in the allotment of these facilities, he said.

He said while there are guest houses for officers and sub-officers, there was no such facility for Jawans who are in the constable and head constable ranks.

“So we have decided to create a guest house of 15 studio apartment-like configurations in each battalion which will have an independent bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and television facility. Newly-wed jawans will be allowed to stay with their spouse for a stipulated period,” the D-G said.

Sharma said the measure is part of the overall initiative to reduce stress and fatigue among troops and keep them motivated. A senior BSF officer explained that these 15-room guest houses will have a common drawing room and will be provided with basic equipment for kitchen and daily chores.

While preference will be given to newly married troops, those who want to bring their wives and children for vacations will also eligible to avail these facilities for a specified period, the officer said.

Sharma said the force has also mooted a proposal to grant permission to troops for residing out of their barracks in a rented public accommodation at locations along the Bangladesh and Pakistan frontiers where there is no threat to their security.

“The troops will be allowed to rent premises at such locations and reside with their families. However, this approval will be given in specific areas only where there is no threat to the security of the troops,” he said.

The BSF, raised in 1965, is tasked to guard the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh and has about 2.5 lakh personnel in its ranks.