With a view to bring in more transparency and fair play in the Court of Inquiry proceedings conducted after death, injury and disability in the Central paramilitary forces, the Union Home Ministry has decided to include a medical officer in the Board from outside of the Force conducting enquiry.

A COI is mandatorily conducted to decide admissibility of extraordinary/disability pension and grant of ex gratia compensation.Now onwards, a medical officer from outside (from any other Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) or paramilitary force) should be nominated by the Force, while constituting the CoI. For this, Additional Director General (Medical) may nominate a Medical officer from any other CAPFs, on receiving the request from the concerned Force, reads a recent order issued by the Police-II Division of Resettlement and Welfare Directorate of the Union Home Ministry.

“Medical opinion of the nominated Medical Officer should be incorporated in the recommendations of the CoI Board as well as in the final order passed by the Competent Authority thereon,” reads Home Ministry order. These instructions will be applicable subject to the provisions of the notified Act/Rules of the Forces. “Where ever these instructions are repugnant to extant provisions of relevant Act/Rules of Force concerned, the latter shall prevail,” said order, adding this has been issued with the approval of Competent Authority.

The copy of order has been sent to CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and Assam Rifles. Officials said the move is expected to usher in more transparency in deciding the admissibility of disability pension and ex gratia compensation payment to the kin of dead me.