DUSHANBE, 8 June 2016 – A one-year learning course on Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership (BSMSL) was launched with an introductory meeting that took place in Dushanbe from 6-8 June.

The course was designed and developed by the OSCE Border Management Staff College and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), and aims to enhance the knowledge, competencies and leadership potential of mid- to senior-level professionals working in the area of border security and management.

Twenty-four participants from Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Ukraine will participate in the course, providing a comprehensive insight into the contemporary security environment, leadership and management competencies as well as mechanisms to prevent and combat existing and emerging security threats and challenges.

The course programme is divided in three modules that involve participants in fact-finding, analyzing, decision-making, and management activities. Its format provides an opportunity to draw from various international best practices and expertise, putting emphasis on co-operation between operational and academic approaches and encouraging peer-learning.

Each module is presented through a variety of training and learning methods, including e-learning, face-to-face study, follow-on discussions and follow-up activities, group exercises, and study visits.

“Borders exist to unite people and not to divide them. This course is one of the college’s long-term initiatives aiming to promote and implement the concept of open but secure borders. With the knowledge obtained here participants will not only be able to enhance their professional skills but also be capable to develop and provide analysis and recommendations to improve capacities and the situation at borders,” said Ambassador Marcel Pesko, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, while addressing the BSMSL participants.

Andrus Oovel, Head of the DCAF Border Security Programme added: “This course is a combination of social, political and security science, covering a wide range of academic disciplines on global governance and security, humanities, law, criminal justice and studies which include leadership and management for strategic and operational planning in managing migration, border security, and trade facilitation.”

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(1) Have MHA or DoP&T issued any order to revise Pay Scale of all eligible serving and Pensioners by lmplementing Hon'ble Delhi High Court Order on WP (C) 3549/2018 dated 1/5/19 CAPFs including BSF?

(2) ln this regard, has MHA given any decisions, or guidelines to BSF to Revise the Pay Scale of all eligible Personnel who completed 20 year of services by 2OL2 on the basis of above HC order? (3) Has BSF Challenged above HC Verdict before Hon'ble Supreme Court? lf so what consequence? (4) ls grant of MACP according to above Court Order only limit to Sunil Kumar Tyagi or similarly placed Personnel in BSF? What action is being taken by MHA in this regard?

PIO/DIG(Confd) vide reply dated 20.11.2019 denied disclosure of information citing the exemption under Section 24 of the RTI Act, 2005, whereby the respondent organization did not fall within the purview of the RTI Act, unless the information pertained to allegations of Corruption and Human Rights Violations.

PIO/BSF communicated rejection of the RTI application invoking Section 24 of the RTI Act, vide online reply dated 17.12.2019. Meanwhile, the appellant had filed a First Appeal dated 16.12.2019, which was not adjudicated.

Aggrieved by denial of information, the appellant filed the instant Second Appeal before the Commission.

Proceedings during hearing:

Due to nation-wide lockdown being observed, to prevent the spread of the pandemic of COVID-19, hearings are being conducted through audio conference.

The Appellant participated in the hearing on being contacted on his telephone number: 96xxxxxx14 and reiterated the facts of the case stating that he is aggrieved on being denied any information about the marks obtained by him.