“Earlier, a jawan was gradually promoted to lance naik and naik before finally becoming a head constable in nearly 20 years. Now, they can directly be promoted to head constable but only after 20 years of duty. Moreover, there is a sharp discrepancy between the pay scales for the BSF and the Army. Even the perks they receive are far less than what the Army men get,” the source said, adding the BSF jawans do not get “peace postings” the jawans in the Army get for three years after a two-year stint at the border. Ramajkrishnan, a former BSF IG (South Bengal Frontier), said, “There is absolutely no family life for the BSF jawans, while the families of the army men get accommodation.

There are not enough schools take care of the educational needs of the children of the jawans.

While an Army battalion has four companies, the BSF one has seven.

There is no proper accommodation for the extra company.” he said.