New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Indian armed forces will get increased supplies of eggs and fresh fruit to bring their entitlement on par with officers, a defence ministry official said Monday.
‘This is the first step in a series of measures to improve the quantity and quality of free rations provided to PBORs (personnel below officer rank),’ ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar told IANS.
Hitherto, PBORs serving in field areas and peace stations were not entitled to any eggs. They will now get two a day.
In the case of fresh fruit, the quantity has been raised to 230 grams per day from 230 grams thrice a week, Kar said.
Personnel posted above 9,000 feet, will now get two eggs per day against one previously. Their entitlement of fresh fruit has been raised to 230 grams per day from 110 grams per day, he said.
‘The increases, which will bring the PBORs’ entitlement of eggs and fresh fruit on par with officers, will come into force with immediate effect. This will cost the government Rs.250 crore per annum,’ Kar said.
The increases are the outcome of Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s June 21-22 visit to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir and the Siachen Glacier ‘during which he had a frank exchange of views with the troops posted there’.
‘Thereafter, there have been a series of meetings in the defence ministry to see how the quality and quantity of free rations supplied to PBORs can be improved,’ Kar said.
