BJD MP Calls for Actionable Roadmap for Reform in CAPFs, NIA and Disaster Management Apparatus

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Dr. Sasmit Patra today called for actionable roadmap for reform in the three major pillars of Ministry of Home Affairs – Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the disaster management apparatus.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the BJD MP urged Home Ministry to lay down a clear, actionable roadmap for reform in CAPFs, NIA and the disaster management apparatus.

The BJD MP said, “At the forefront of India’s internal security are the Central Armed Police Forces—the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles. They form the sinews of our border management, counter-insurgency operations, anti-Naxal campaigns, and disaster response. The CRPF, particularly, has borne the brunt of Left-Wing Extremism in the Red Corridor, while the BSF and ITBP remain vigilant on our sensitive borders”.

Highlighting the challenges of CAPFs, the BJD MP said, “One of the most pressing issues is the acute manpower deficit, particularly at the officer level. Certain CAPFs report shortfall in supervisory roles, which has direct repercussions on leadership, morale, and effectiveness. This shortage is amplified by the outdated practice of relying heavily on deputations from State Police and IPS cadres, resulting in leadership discontinuity and lack of force-specific expertise.

Over-deployment is another concern for our forces. CRPF battalions, especially in insurgency-hit areas, are being deployed for years without adequate recuperation cycles. Continuous exposure to high-stress conflict zones without rest leaves personnel vulnerable to fatigue.

It is imperative that the Ministry launches an ambitious and time-bound CAPF Modernization & Welfare Mission 2030. The first and foremost step must be the creation of a dedicated CAPF officer cadre, ending the dependence on deputation and fostering a professional leadership pipeline. Second, rotational deployment policies should be institutionalized, ensuring that no company remains in active conflict zones beyond a reasonable period. Third, there must be an across-the-board welfare overhaul, including priority housing construction, family healthcare packages, CAPF-specific scholarships, and the establishment of mental health counselling units in every battalion. Equally vital is modernization. Despite commendable efforts, the pace of technology induction—be it night vision equipment, counter-IED technology, AI-powered surveillance drones, or terrain-specific weaponry—remains insufficient. I urge the Ministry to earmark a fixed percentage of GDP exclusively for CAPF modernization, with yearly targets and third-party audits ensuring implementation, the BJD MP said.

The National Investigation Agency has emerged as India’s principal anti-terror and anti-organized crime investigative body. However, the agency’s success stories cannot obscure the structural constraints under which it operates. In recent years, the jurisdiction of the NIA has expanded considerably. Amendments have empowered it to probe offenses related to human trafficking, cyber-terrorism, narcotics, and counterfeit currency. While laudable, this expansion has stretched the NIA’s investigative capacity thin. Currently, more than a 1000 cases are under investigation, with the process not being able to expedite despite best efforts of Officers due to insufficient manpower and resources.

Vacancy in sanctioned posts within the NIA, lack of adequate forensic labs, digital investigation wings, and specialized cybercrime units further affects its efficiency. To address this, the Ministry must embark on a two-pronged strategy, the BJD MP stated.

Staffing vacancies must be addressed immediately. A special recruitment drive should aim to fill all sanctioned posts within the next financial year, while simultaneously creating a lateral entry mechanism to attract cyber and forensic experts, Patra said.

Second, to decongest the headquarters and enhance efficiency, five Regional NIA Hubs should be established across North, South, East, West, and Northeast zones. Each hub must be equipped with state-of-the-art forensic laboratories, cyber intelligence units, digital case management systems, and dedicated liaison cells for state police forces. The establishment of zonal NIA Special Courts, capable of handling sensitive cases with speed, should accompany this decentralized structure, he added.

Speaking about the Disaster Management apparatus, the BJD MP said that the Ministry’s disaster response apparatus, via the NDMA and NDRF, has demonstrated competency, especially in mobilizing relief operations during cyclones and floods. However, the broader framework remains heavily skewed toward post-disaster relief rather than pre-disaster preparedness and resilience-building. The solution lies in a paradigm shift—from reaction to anticipation.

The BJD MP demanded the creation of an Integrated National Resilience Grid, digitally connecting the IMD, ISRO, CWC, state disaster authorities, local municipalities, and district administrations. This grid must offer real-time data integration, early warning dissemination, and centralized evacuation and resource coordination. A dedicated Disaster Mitigation Infrastructure Fund should be established, channeling investments into flood control systems, earthquake-resistant buildings, and climate-adaptive infrastructure, particularly in high-risk zones, he added.