CAPF Need Structural Policy Reforms, DG CISF R.S Bhatti Sets The Tone

MHA's recent statistics show 654 suicides and around fifty thousand resignations by CAPF personnel in the last five years. Sources add that mental issue is the main factor behind these dangerous statistics. The issue of mental health is said to arise from various factors in the workplace environment. Still, out of them, the central factor is the issue of stagnated transfer policy, which often frustrates lower ranks of CAPF, leading to mental health issues. 

Sources in MHA point out towards need of structural policy interventions in CAPF to deliver a strategic measured response which balances CAPF duties and officer's mental health and morale. According to top sources, it has been learned that CISF DG R.S Bhatti has navigated a workable reform for this issue, which is said to be implemented soon in the force. Sources add that Bhatti, with his extensive experience and understanding of the force's dynamics, has made few policy re-adjustments to make it more reasonable especially for lower ranks. 

The policy brings up the provision of transfer flexibility which means an officer can avail transfer to his or her home state for a fixed period of three years. This flexibility, which can only be availed after serving in the force for ten years, is designed to provide a sense of stability and familiarity to the officers, thereby reducing the stress and anxiety associated with frequent transfers. After serving three years in the home state, the officer will be sent to hard postings, and after completing his tenure, the officer can again be available for three years at home state postings. This transfer cycle moderates the transfer exhaustion  and  maintains some rigidity for operational and disciplinary purposes. The policy also makes some flexible provisions for those officers who are nearing their retirement by providing them a two-year posting in their home state, which was one year earlier.

R.S Bhatti's idea, tempered with adequate moderation and flexibility, can significantly contribute to the force's workplace environment and balancing their mental health. Such strategically measured policy interventions can also serve as a lesson for other CAPF organisations, potentially leading to broader reform in the paramilitary organisations and improving the overall mental health of the personnel.