Arjun Bahini: New Disaster Response Force Announced in West Bengal

Arjun Bahini is the new disaster response force announced by West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari to strengthen the state's preparedness for floods, cyclones and other emergencies. The new force was formally launched at Nabanna on Tuesday, with 200 personnel set to be deployed initially across Kolkata, the hills and the Sundarbans.

The initiative is aimed at creating a specialised force capable of responding quickly to disasters and operating in difficult and high-risk locations. The government plans to further expand and modernise the force in the future, taking inspiration from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Arjun Bahini to Have 200 Members Initially

According to the announcement, the Arjun Bahini will initially comprise 200 members.

The force will be divided geographically to cover some of the state's most vulnerable areas:

100 members will be deployed in Kolkata.

50 members will be stationed in the hills.

50 members will be deployed in the Sundarbans.
The deployment plan has been designed to ensure that trained personnel are available in areas that frequently face challenging weather conditions and natural disasters.

Retired Personnel and Agniveers to Form the Force
The Arjun Bahini will primarily be formed with retired personnel and Agniveers. The government intends to use their training and experience to build a dedicated disaster response team capable of working in difficult circumstances.

Members of the force will be required to operate in disaster-prone and hazardous areas, assisting with rescue and emergency response operations when required.

The inclusion of former military personnel and Agniveers is expected to provide the force with a trained workforce familiar with discipline, emergency situations and challenging field conditions.

Monthly Honorarium Announced for Members

The government has also announced a monthly honorarium for personnel serving in the Arjun Bahini.
The head of the force, designated as the ‘Bir Nayak’, will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹40,000.

Members, referred to as ‘Bir’, will receive ₹25,000 per month

According to the announcement, the remuneration will increase by 3% annually.

The financial package is intended to provide compensation to personnel undertaking responsibilities in difficult and potentially hazardous environments.

Compensation in Case of Injury or Death

Special compensation has also been announced for members of the Arjun Bahini who suffer serious consequences while performing their duties.

In the event of a serious injury or death, compensation of ₹10 lakh has been announced. In cases resulting in disability, members will be eligible for compensation of ₹5 lakh, according to the announcement.

The compensation provisions are aimed at providing financial support to personnel and their families in the event of major incidents during disaster response operations.

Arjun Bahini to Work in High-Risk Areas

The new force will operate in areas where natural disasters and extreme weather conditions can pose significant risks to residents.

Kolkata, the Himalayan hills and the Sundarbans have been selected for the initial deployment. These areas have different disaster-related challenges, ranging from heavy rainfall and flooding to cyclones and difficult terrain.

The Arjun Bahini is expected to assist in emergency situations and strengthen the state's existing disaster management infrastructure.