The Hindu : National : MPs ask for better deal to soldiers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

National

National

MPs ask for better deal to soldiers

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Parliamentarians have asked the Government to ensure a better deal for soldiers from the new Pay Commission and feel higher emoluments would solve the problem of shortage of officers in the three services.

MPs pointed out that over the years, pay and other facilities of the armed forces had lost their lustre and these factors were inhibiting the enrolment of talented youngsters in the forces.

They were responding to Defence Minister A. K. Antony's observation about the need to cater to the needs of soldiers at the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Defence here on Tuesday.

The Defence Minister drew attention to the eroding social structures of support for soldiers such as joint families, and felt the need for more sympathetic attention to their needs as they often spent extended spells away from their families.

The meeting took stock of the gaps in the country's air radar coverage and the Mr. Antony assured that the Government was taking measures to provide minimum deterrence capability to the armed forces proportionate to India's size and geo-political position.

The modernisation drive in the armed forces did not mean that India was in an arms race. In the next few years, all wings of the armed forces would get the weapons systems and platforms required to achieve minimum deterrence.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National