Every NDRF Battalion Will Soon Have An All-Women Unit: DG Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Close on the heels of Supreme Court granting permanent commission and command positions to women officers in the Army on par with male officers, Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Satya Narayan Pradhan on Sunday informed that soon women jawans will be inducted into every battalion of the specialised force.

Addressing media on the sidelines of a function to mark the International Women's Day in Cuttack, Pradhan said very soon, every battalion of the country's apex disaster management organisation will have an all-women jawan unit.

"In every battalion, there will be a unit consisting only women so that women rescuers can also play a significant role in disaster management. Every NDRF battalion will have an all-women unit consisting of 132 jawans and officials. We have forwarded the request to the central government and in next few days women jawans will be inducted," said Pradhan.

"During tough times in the past 10 years, our officers had shown exemplary sensitivity towards needs of women especially during rescue and relief operations, but for even better sensitization we have decided to induct women jawans into the NDRF. It will not only increase women participation but will also help us address the needs of women in much better manner," said Pradhan.

Apart from inaugurating a swimming pool and a mechanical garage complex at 3rd battalion in Mundali in Cuttack, Pradhan took part in an event organised by an organisation Sanjeevani and urged women members to provide their dedicated service.

The Union government had in 2018 made a proposal to attach women contingents to NDRF battalions in the country. The NDRF is a specialised force that was raised in 2006 for specific tasks of relief and rescue during natural and man-made disasters or threatening situations.