West Bengal Government has launched ‘Arjun Vahini’, a specialised disaster response squad consisting of 200 personnel. The force was inaugurated at Nabanna Sabhaghar during a programme organised by the Department of Disaster Management and Civil Defence.
The squad has been formed from personnel under the State Sainik Board and comprises Army personnel below 40 years of age. It has been modelled on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to strengthen West Bengal’s ability to respond quickly to disasters.
Deployment and Disaster Response
Arjun Vahini will be deployed in disaster-prone parts of West Bengal, taking into account the different vulnerabilities of various regions. Its operations will particularly focus on:
- Hilly areas
- Sundarbans
- Kolkata
- Areas affected by cyclones and other emergencies
Teams will be stationed at Kolkata, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Gosaba and Kakdwip, enabling quicker mobilisation during disasters.
The initiative is intended to improve the state’s preparedness, manpower and response mechanisms, particularly by using trained personnel familiar with the specific risks faced by different regions.
The state government has received full support from the Central Government and has emphasised the importance of adequate manpower, logistics and infrastructure for effective disaster management.
Pay, Benefits and Insurance
Personnel serving in Arjun Vahini will receive:
| Provision | Details |
| Monthly consolidated pay | ₹25,000 |
| Commander (‘Veer Nayak’) | ₹40,000 per month |
| Annual increment | Around 3% |
| Death insurance cover | ₹10 lakh |
| Disability/injury cover | ₹5 lakh |
The financial and insurance provisions are intended to provide greater support and security to personnel undertaking disaster-response duties.
Link with NDRF
Arjun Vahini is modelled on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India’s specialised disaster-response force.
The NDRF was constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to provide specialised responses during disasters. West Bengal’s new unit seeks to strengthen state-level disaster management by creating a dedicated team of trained personnel who can be rapidly deployed according to regional requirements.