Facilities including allowances and salaries to Defence Personnel deployed at difficult terrain in border areas

(c) whether defence personnel deployed at difficult terrain in border areas are being provided adequate facilities including allowances and salaries;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to enhance the facilities including allowances and salaries being provided o soldiers deployed in such areas and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) to (d): The details of the soldiers who lost their lives in Siachen Glacier during the last three years and the current are as under:

Year: Soldiers martyred

2013: 10

2014: 8

2015: 9

2016 (till 31st March): 14

Troops being posted in high altitude areas are trained in ‘Basic & Advance’ skills in mountains and snow bound areas. Troops posted in Avalanche Prone Areas’ are subjected to series of training in the field formation area. Medical equipment exists in all posts to cater for emergencies.

Best quality of winter clothing and equipment is procured to prevent weather related casualties. Modern means of conveyance like snow scooters are utilized to ensure timely reaction to any eventuality and reduce fatigue. A number of specialized equipments have also been deployed in the avalanche prone areas.

Weather conditions prevailing in the sector are closely monitored by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment stations at Sasoma and Srinagar. The weather warnings issued are religiously followed in terms of restrictions on operation / administration related movement.

Adequate compensation is being provided to defence personnel deployed at difficult terrain in border areas in the form of Salaries and Compensatory Allowances in the form of Siachen Allowance, Highly Active Field Area Allowance / Field Area Allowance / Modified Field Area Allowance and High Altitude (Uncongenial Climate) Allowance depending upon the classification of area concerned. These allowance are in addition to the Military Services Pay (MSP) being paid to Defence Services personnel.

(e) Salaries paid to the Defence Personnel does not depend upon area of deployment and are same as per rank and structure. However, certain allowances vary as per area of deployment and are also revised from time to time.

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