Govt should provide best for basic needs of soldiers: Jaiswal

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Terming the fulfillment of basic needs of a soldier as one of the important ways to improve the overall performance of the forces, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal today said the government would do all to provide them the best for their daily usage.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the Central Police Canteen (CPC) here, he said,'' we must provide them the best at reasonable price so that they stop worrying about their needs at home.'' ''It is the simplest way to improve their performance and ability,'' the Minister said adding that as ''we try to equip them with modern weapons and other technologies this also leaves a good impact on their psyche that the families back home were taken care of and there was nothing to worry about.'' ''I will also request all the state governments to waive off the Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods being sold at the CPCs so that the soldiers of police forces can have the same advantage as their armed forces partners were getting at the Canteen Stores Department (CSD),'' Mr Jaiswal said.

Praising the police and defence forces, the minister said if they were ready to lay down their lives for the country then why it can't remove the VAT on the goods required by them.

Talking about the advantages of having such canteens for them, he said small savings make a lot of difference in a solder's life and the concept of CPC would go a long way to serve the police forces in a better manner.

''Best thing about these canteens is that they serve you even after retirement when people have very limited resources to depend on,'' the Minister added.

At the moment, the CPC has 929 outlets across the country and the management is trying to increase the number so that everyone can take advantage of the services, said Director General of Central Reserve Police Force, S I S Ahmed.

UNI