New Delhi:
Risk-based allowance has been sanctioned for paramilitary personnel deployed in Naxal-hit areas at par with the Army and the government is trying to resolve differences over its quantum, Home Minister P Chidambaram informed the Rajya Sabha.
The matter has been referred to the department of expenditure of the Finance Ministry, he said answering supplementary during the Question Hour.
Chidambaram said special allowances for the paramilitary personnel have been worked out on the basis of hardship and risk involved and also stress factor.
The minister said risk-based allowance has been approved for personnel up to the rank of Commandant of the Command Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a special force deployed in Naxal-hit areas.
These allowances are different from those applicable to Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern region, he said and pointed out those allowances applicable to personnel of CoBRA battalions are higher.
He also said the government is considering parity in compensation amounts for CPMF officials who die in action in line with defence personnel.
The Home Minister said lack of toilets in camps of paramilitary forces and state police in deep forests "is a problem" and states have to provide basic facilities. "Unfortunately states are not being able to do so," he said.