At present, 49,000 ITBP personnel have been deployed across the country and 13 more battalions, including two women battalions, will be raised in the next two years, he said. There are around 1,000 personnel in a battalion.
Bhatia was addressing a parade organized here on the eve of 49th Raising Day of ITBP, which guards the 3,488 km of the India-China border and mans Border Outposts on high altitudes.
ITBP canteen facilities are being exempted from VAT in 12 states including Haryana and efforts are being made to exempt it in other states, he said.
He conferred awards to ITBP personnel for their performance in different fields and said despite various geographical hardships and anti-national movements, ITBP is carrying out its responsibility in a dutiful manner.
ITBP forces have been deployed to foil the evil designs of naxalites and terrorists, he added.
