New Delhi/Raipur
As many as 400 tribal youth in the age group of 18-28 years have been selected for undergoing the basic training in the world’s largest paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Those selected are natives of three worst Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts of Chhattisgarh namely Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma. Their training is likely to start in the next couple of months.
Their recruitment is line with the Centre’s bid to encourage inductions into the Force from the Maoist-affected areas.
The Union Cabinet had on June 1 last year approved the Ministry of Home Affair’s (MHA) proposal to relax requisite minimum educational qualification from Class 10 to Class 8 for the recruitment of 400 candidates as Constable (General Duty) in the CRPF from the three districts of South Chhattisgarh. However, there was a condition: “The recruits selected under the new eligibility criteria would still be required to pass Class 10 after joining the Force. And, the responsibility of helping them in this endeavour will lie with the CRPF.”
So, going by the criteria laid down by the MHA, the 400 new recruits will be confirmed in service only after clearing Class 10 (Matriculation). “Formal education will be given to these recruits and the CRPF will extend all possible support like providing study material, books and coaching assistance during their probation period,” the MHA stated.
“The probation period may be extended suitably, if required, to facilitate new recruits to acquire the prescribed education qualification. In order to facilitate them to take the Class 10 exam, these recruits will be registered with National Institute of Open Schools,” the Ministry outlined.
Following the Centre’s nod, the CRPF started the recruitment process in September for 128 posts each in Bijapur and Sukma and 144 posts in Dantewada.
Among the criteria required for the “minimum 8th Class pass native tribal youth” was the need for writing/speaking knowledge of Gondi or Halbi language with a height of 153 cm “after relaxation”. Interestingly, the CRPF said no candidate will be declared medically unfit due to any Tattoo as per the MHA guidelines. The candidates were judged on the basis of a physical efficiency test involving a 5 km race and also a 2-paper written test.
Tattoos are a part of tribal culture and traditions, hence the waiver.
The relaxation for the minimum educational qualification was carried out also because of the CRPF’s past experience some six-seven years back. It had sought to raise a Bastariya Battalion recruiting youths from, as the name suggests, the Bastar region. The minimum education criteria was then kept as Class X. However, there was a dearth of native youths fulfilling the eligibility criteria.
