New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday assured clearance to the central paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) proposal to raise 15 new battalions, set up a jungle warfare school on par with the army and a high-altitude medical institute in Leh.
“We are considering a restructuring plan. Under this plan the home ministry would ensure speedy and early clearance for 15 new battalions, a counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school, a high-altitude medical institute, and three recruit training centres,” Chidambaram said at the 48th raising day of the ITBP.

“The plan includes measures to strengthen border posts,” he added.

Advanced communication systems, surveillance equipment, water crafts, specialized vehicles and modern weaponry are also under consideration for the force, he added.

According to ITBP officials, a comprehensive proposal for all this has been submitted to the home ministry in the wake of new responsibilities being given to the force. The ITBP has been asked to deploy four of its battalions for counter-insurgency operations in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

“No other paramilitary force has a jungle warfare school or a high-altitude medical institute so far. We have demanded this seeing our operational requirements,” said a senior official of ITBP.

The minister also hinted at strengthening troop posts along the India-China border and acquisition of modern weaponry and specialised vehicles for troopers guarding the border.

“Various bottlenecks in the process of procurement and acquisition of essential items have been an impediment in the modernisation of the paramilitary forces. Therefore, the home ministry has enhanced the delegation of financial powers to its director generals,” he said.

The ITBP has 45 battalions and four upgraded specialist battalions. The force is deployed along the India-China border.