The Hindu : National : Nod for 2,000 senior posts in armed forces

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Nod for 2,000 senior posts in armed forces

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday approved the upgrading and creation of about 2,000 senior-level posts in the armed forces. Half of the posts will be in the Army.

The approval is part of an unfinished agenda to reduce the age profile of commanding officers and improve career mobility.

Based on the Ajay Vikram Singh (AVS) Committee recommendations, it will lead to the upgrading or creation of 30 posts in the rank of Lieutenant Generals and about 1,100 in the rank of Colonels in the three services, besides more Brigadiers and Major Generals.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Homi Major, said the Cabinet approval was not aimed at mitigating disquiet in the armed forces over anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission report.

“The process had started some time back. It took its normal time. It is not what you think,” he told journalists.

He denied that the communication by the three services chiefs to the Prime Minister on the pay panel’s anomalies amounted to a breach of discipline and maintained that IAF personnel were happy with the new pay scales.

The first part of the AVS report had recommended faster promotions to officers from the rank of Lieutenants to Lt. Colonels, besides more employment opportunities to personnel who retire early.

Officials expect the initiative to make career as an armed forces officer more attractive for the youth. The Army alone faces a shortage of 13,000 officers. The Navy and the Air Force also have less-than-sanctioned officers.

The creation of 1,896 senior posts will lead to progressive promotion of junior batches without adversely affecting promotional aspects of senior batches.

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