On Wednesday, February 15, the Union Cabinet committee on security approved the formation of seven additional battalions of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The announcement marks another step in bolstering the nation’s defence capabilities, particularly alongside its borders. Given the fact that ITBP is mostly deployed alongside the India-China border, where it is entrusted with guarding of the 3,488 km-long border, the announcement will significantly improve the region’s defence readiness.
During the Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Anurag Thakur also informed that these battalions along with an additional sector headquarter for the supervision of the battalions will be established by 2025-26. This would further result in creation of 9,400 posts in the battalions and sector headquarter. According to the government, this fresh induction of manpower will be utilized for the 47 ITBP Border Outposts and 12 Staging camps whose announcement was made in January 2020.
The Minister also emphasized that work on the 47 ITBP Border outposts mentioned above is proceeding at a rapid rate. He also said that 1,808 crores of rupees will be spent on construction of offices and residence, among other things, adding that it would be a non-recurring expenditure.
The Ministry of Defence has been given a budget of Rs 5,93,537.64 crore, or 13.18% of the overall budget, in the current budget for the fiscal year 2023–24. The overall defence budget is up Rs 68,371.49 crore (13%) from the budget for 2022–2023. Furthermore, Capital outlay pertaining to modernisation & infrastructure development increased to Rs 1.62 lakh crore, a 57% rise since 2019-20.
WhatsApp us