20 more ITBP battalions to be raised: Govt

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) The Government today decided to raise 20 additional battalions of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) over a period of three years to give rotation and relief to the jawans.

The jawans will now spend half of their career in low altitude posting and half in high altitude posting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

''This is to give relief to jawans who spend two/thirds of their career in high altitute,'' Mr Chidambaram said.

After 20 additional battalions, ITBP will now have 45 battalions.

UNI