INDIA RESERVE BATTALION

           The Govt. of India has sanctioned an India Reserve Battalion for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands vide their letter No. II-2/011/102/2000-PF-II (i) dated 26^th July 2001. The Battalion is being raised as envisaged in the sanction. This force is required to be raised on the pattern of a Central Para Military Force and should be self sufficient in itself. The members of the Battalion can be sent on duty to any State/UTs on the direction of MHA, especially during the first five years after it’s raising. They will also be deployed for law and order and security duties within the Islands.

With the joining of an IPS officer of AGMUT cadre as Commandant on 19.07.2002 the process for raising the Battalion has begun.

1. Recruitment Rules

Recruitment Rules for all the Group-“C” and “D” posts have been notified and posts have been filled by recruitment deputation.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note  : * 1 DANIP Officers working in a stop-gap arrangement.

  Break up of Group ‘D’ Staff: -

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct Recruitment Post: -

 In terms of the guidelines in the sanction order the recruitments are to be conducted regionally. Keeping in view the limited eligible applicants available in these remote islands, the recruitment for filling up the sanctioned posts were planned in a phased manner. Out of the existing strength of 1007 posts, 781 posts falls under direct recruitment.  Out of 781 direct recruitment posts, we had already recruited 743 posts and the remaining 38 posts are being filled in due course. 

Deputation Posts: -

              As regards 226 vacant promotional/deputation posts, it is stated that the IRBn being raised recently, no candidates with required number of years of service as stipulated in the RRs, are available for considering on promotion. Therefore, in terms of notified Recruitment Rules, these posts are to be filled by deputation initially till qualified candidates are available within the Battalion. These vacancies were notified to various CPMFs and Andaman and Nicobar Police. Unfortunately, a very poor response was received from the CPMFs and A&N Police, in view of the reasons mentioned below. However, after persistent efforts, 50 posts so far could be filled on deputation basis.

   Remoteness of the Islands

   Inadequate infrastructure and facilities in comparison to CPMFs.

   No monetary attraction – Non-payment of Ration Money – matter pending with GOI since 2003.

-  Non payment of Deputation Allowance in view of Rule position that basic pay plus 50% DA  should not exceed maximum of the scale of pay (requires revision consequent on treating D.A. equal to 50% of basic pay as Dearness Pay w.e.f. 01-04-2004).

   In view of non-payment of above monetary benefits, a deputationist would get lesser pay than he draws in his parent unit whereas facing tougher working conditions in the remote Islands.

Ministerial Staff  :  -

We have the following strength of Ministerial Staff sanctioned for the IRBn.

Head Clerk                                 01

Steno                                           01

Clerk                                           05

          TOTAL                             07                                   

           In accordance with the recruitment rules, the above posts are to be filled up on deputation from the clerical cadre of A&N Administration. Accordingly the above post were notified and circulated twice through the A&N Admn.  But no candidate responded. 

RECRUITMENT RULES FOR GROUP ‘A’ & ‘B’ POSTS

Draft Recruitment Rules for Group ‘B’ posts have been framed and submitted to A&N Admn.  for notification.

 Vide DO letter dated 9.11.2001 from Director ANL, MHA had categorically mentioned to finalize the Recruitment Rules for various posts in IR Battalion A&N Islands on the basis of recruitment rules notified by the MHA for various posts in the IR Battalion raised for the UT of Lakshadweep. Accordingly, the Administration notified the RRs of the entire Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ posts in IRBn. Instead of notifying the RRs for the Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ posts (Dy. Comdt., Asst. Comdt. & M.O.) the A&N Administration has referred   to  UPSC/MHA.  Since the matter is pending with UPSC/MHA, New Delhi  the posts of Deputy Commandant, Asstt. Comdt. and Medical Officer could not be filled for want of R.R. 

2. TRAINING

Constables/GD: All the recruited constables have been placed for training at CRPF/BSF Training Centers in the Mainland as prescribed in the sanction order, for a period of 18 months, which includes 9 months Basic Training, 4 months Integrated Training on Counter Insurgency, Commando, Weapon and Tactics, attachment training with BSF and CRPF for a period of two months each. Attachment training with Army for the period of one month undertaken by 108 Mountain Brigade at Port Blair and completed in the month of Dec-2005.

The 92 Constables of IRBn presently under going Integrated Training at FTR HQ, BSF, Tripura would be completing their Integrated Training on 10/03/06 and being sent to Attachment Training with CRPF (Non-Insurgency Area) for 2 months.

172 newly recruited Constables  are presently undergoing Basic Training with STC, BSF, Bangalore for a period of 9 months w.e.f. 03/10/05.

Group ‘D’:  All the 69 Group ‘D’ staff recruited have successfully under gone their Basic /Trade training for a period of 12 weeks at STC, BSF, Bangalore.  Out of the 69 Group ‘D’ staff, 7 posts fallen vacant due to selection as Constables in IRBn/A&N Police.  

Wireless Constables: Out of the 26 Constables (W) 24 Constables (W) have completed their Basic Recruit Training at STC, BSF Bangalore and returned to IRBn HQ Port Mout.  2 Constables (W) who were recruited recently were undergoing their Basic Training w.e.f. 28/9/2005 at STC, BSF, Bangalore.

 (iv) Un-Armed Combat Course:  48 IRBn constables undergone Un-Armed Combat Training at Police Line. The UAC was conducted under the direct supervision of former IGP, A&N Islands.

3.   Arms & Ammunitions

             Details of Arms and Ammunition purchased for the Battalion is furnished below:

S.No.	Nomenclature	Purchased
1	SLRs	675 nos.
2	Pistol 9 mm	59 nos.
3	Carbines 9 mm	160 nos.
4	Mortars 51 mm	18 nos.
5	LMG	18 nos.
6	7.62 mm SLR (with Sol. Tube attachment)	18 nos.
7	Bomb 51 mm HE Amm. for 51 mm mortars	2000
8	9 mm Bal for Carbine 9 mm	46,222
9	Amm. for 7.62 mm CTN	1,22,831

4.  Vehicles

           Detailed statements showing the particulars of vehicles sanctioned, re-adjustment with the approval of GOI, MHA, No. of vehicles procured so far, Numbers vehicles yet to purchased are furnished below;

   

S.No.	Type of Vehicles	Initially sanctioned by GOI	Vehicles re-adjusted by MHA	Vehicles purchased	Vehicles yet to the purchased
1	Jeep	7	10	10	-
2	Mini Bus 32 Seater	9	9	7 (including 2 no. Vajra-Riot Control Vehicle)	2
3	Bus	10	8	5	3
4	Truck	5	5	4 (including 1 No. Water Cannon-Riot Control Vehicle)	1
5	Motorcycle	3	11	11	-
6	Ambulance	1	1	-	1
	TOTAL	35	44	37	7

 

5. Wireless Communication Equipments

     In view of the unique location of the A&N Islands and its difficult terrain, the scale of communication equipments authorized by the GOI, MHA are inadequate to establish an independent wireless network for IRBn. A request has already been made to DCPW and MHA for deputing a team of communication experts from the Directorate of Co-Ordination, Police Wireless, MHA, New Delhi for on the spot study for recommending suitable types of equipment and working frequency. The communication equipments have been procured on the recommendation of a Committee formed locally with members of communication agencies (ISPW, Island Communication and IRBn) as the DCPW team could not visit. Allotment of frequency in respect of IRBn received from MHA recently.

Land

     The Physical infrastructures required for the Battalion is being, raised at the land measuring 89.05 hectares allotted for this propose at Port Mout, Ferrargunj Tehsil.

CONSTRUCTION OF PRE-FAB AND TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

To cater to the immediate need of accommodation, few pre-fabricated structures and temporary structures have been erected in the IRBn land as detailed below.

Pre-fabricated structures                                    –  8  Nos.

Eco-Friendly Temporary Structures                -  12 Nos.

WATER SCARCITY

    The IRBn Campus at Port Mout is short of water supply. The A & N fire service supply water once a day by water tanker. This is not at all sufficient. Water is fetched in Syntax tanks by trucks daily.

    A proposal has already been sent to APWD for providing water supply Pipe Line but the work is yet to start. Installation of 3 Nos. 10000 Ltrs. Capacity Rain Water Harvesting system is provided in the campus.