JS body suggests 10 lakh-strong 'reserve force'
Trained civilians to help armed forces protect sovereignty
The parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry recommended forming a National Reserve Force (NRF) with trained civilians to ensure people's effective participation alongside armed forces in protecting Bangladesh's sovereignty from external aggression.
Reviewing the draft of the country's first defence policy, it recommended inclusion of the provision for building NRF and sent it to the Armed Forces Division on April 4. The AFD is working to prepare the policy, sources in the committee said.
Considering the country's economic situation and size of demography, the parliamentary body also chalked out the proposal in details for having the NRF in a complete shape by 2021 with 10 lakh members under supervision of the armed forces.
Under a national service scheme, they will be provided with military and other necessary trainings so that they can be engaged in development activities during their training period, members of the committee said citing the proposal.
The committee also suggested that the government reserve a percentage of jobs in each sector, including disciplined forces, for those who will receive the training.
It believes that if the provision is introduced now, it might be possible to make one year's training mandatory for those who would apply for jobs in the army, navy, air force, police, BDR, and coast guards after 2021.
By 2026, it might also be possible to keep half the jobs in government, semi-government and autonomous bodies reserved for people who will receive the training.
The committee believes if people with training of disciplined forces join civil services, they will be able to make much improvement.
Asked about the committee's recommendation, M Idris Ali, chief of the parliamentary body, said they unanimously made a set of recommendations to consolidate the country's defence system.
Idris, also former defence secretary, said the committee suggested strengthening of the armed forces by providing them with the required arms, vehicles, training and other logistic support.
"Undoubtedly, we need strong conventional armed forces to protect and defend our country's independence and sovereignty. But the ultimate defence will be our people. So, we discussed how to ensure people's engagement in the defence system," he said without elaborating on any of the recommendations.
Sources in the committee said under the national service scheme a citizen will receive one year training anytime between completion of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination and before he/she reaches 30.
According to the recommendation for NRF, he/she will be provided with different types of trainings including one for military tactics. During the period of training he/she will be provided financial facilities and after the training they will get some priority in getting government jobs in various sectors.
On completion of the training, a citizen will be enlisted as a member of NRF and remain on the list until he/she exceeds the age of 45.
"The members of the force will be brought together in rotation every three years and they will be provided with two weeks' refreshment training. General mobilisation will take place after every five years," a member of the parliamentary body said.
In an emergency situation, at least two lakh reserved force could be mobilised within one to two weeks and the total force could be mobilised in four weeks to join the country's armed forces and face any external aggression, the member said.
The member said the gap between people and armed forces will also be reduced once the system is introduced.
Former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, who was also chief of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry in the last parliament, appreciated the present committee's idea for NRF.
"We have constraint of resources. But we have vast population. So, people should be involved in the country's defence system in an integrated way," he said, adding, "Discussion in details should be held to find more effective ways to this end."
JS body suggests 10 lakh-strong 'reserve force'
Trained civilians to help armed forces protect sovereignty
The parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry recommended forming a National Reserve Force (NRF) with trained civilians to ensure people's effective participation alongside armed forces in protecting Bangladesh's sovereignty from external aggression.
Reviewing the draft of the country's first defence policy, it recommended inclusion of the provision for building NRF and sent it to the Armed Forces Division on April 4. The AFD is working to prepare the policy, sources in the committee said.
Considering the country's economic situation and size of demography, the parliamentary body also chalked out the proposal in details for having the NRF in a complete shape by 2021 with 10 lakh members under supervision of the armed forces.
Under a national service scheme, they will be provided with military and other necessary trainings so that they can be engaged in development activities during their training period, members of the committee said citing the proposal.
The committee also suggested that the government reserve a percentage of jobs in each sector, including disciplined forces, for those who will receive the training.
It believes that if the provision is introduced now, it might be possible to make one year's training mandatory for those who would apply for jobs in the army, navy, air force, police, BDR, and coast guards after 2021.
By 2026, it might also be possible to keep half the jobs in government, semi-government and autonomous bodies reserved for people who will receive the training.
The committee believes if people with training of disciplined forces join civil services, they will be able to make much improvement.
Asked about the committee's recommendation, M Idris Ali, chief of the parliamentary body, said they unanimously made a set of recommendations to consolidate the country's defence system.
Idris, also former defence secretary, said the committee suggested strengthening of the armed forces by providing them with the required arms, vehicles, training and other logistic support.
"Undoubtedly, we need strong conventional armed forces to protect and defend our country's independence and sovereignty. But the ultimate defence will be our people. So, we discussed how to ensure people's engagement in the defence system," he said without elaborating on any of the recommendations.
Sources in the committee said under the national service scheme a citizen will receive one year training anytime between completion of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination and before he/she reaches 30.
According to the recommendation for NRF, he/she will be provided with different types of trainings including one for military tactics. During the period of training he/she will be provided financial facilities and after the training they will get some priority in getting government jobs in various sectors.
On completion of the training, a citizen will be enlisted as a member of NRF and remain on the list until he/she exceeds the age of 45.
"The members of the force will be brought together in rotation every three years and they will be provided with two weeks' refreshment training. General mobilisation will take place after every five years," a member of the parliamentary body said.
In an emergency situation, at least two lakh reserved force could be mobilised within one to two weeks and the total force could be mobilised in four weeks to join the country's armed forces and face any external aggression, the member said.
The member said the gap between people and armed forces will also be reduced once the system is introduced.
Former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, who was also chief of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry in the last parliament, appreciated the present committee's idea for NRF.
"We have constraint of resources. But we have vast population. So, people should be involved in the country's defence system in an integrated way," he said, adding, "Discussion in details should be held to find more effective ways to this end."
JS body suggests 10 lakh-strong 'reserve force'
