The government of the Indian state of West Bengal is considering forming a new force to deal with adverse situations and deploying it in the Sundarbans and hill areas. The new force will be called the "Arjun Bahini" (Arjun Force).

In the first phase, the force is being formed with 200 people from the West Bengal State Sainik Board, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday, 1 September. He said all recruits would be personnel retired from the Indian Army and under 40 years of age.

Agniveers who retire from the Indian Army in future will be given priority in the new force, Adhikari said. It will be deployed in places such as the Sundarbans and the hills, where disasters are a risk.

The Anandabazar Patrika reported that 100 of the new recruits would be deployed in Kolkata, 100 in the hills and 50 in the Sundarbans area to deal with emergencies.

Adhikari also announced modern infrastructure, equipment and new recruitment to deal with adverse situations. He said the Arjun Force would be modelled on the central disaster response force to build its skills in working in adverse and dangerous conditions. The head of the force will be paid 40,000 rupees a month and members 25,000 rupees each, with a 3 percent annual pay rise.

The state government is also providing financial assistance of 10 lakh for each member killed and 5 lakh for physical disability caused by serious injury.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.