Concern over shortage of personnel, arms in Indian Army

Concerns were voiced in Rajya Sabha on Monday over national security issues in the wake of severe shortage of personnel and arms in the Indian Army.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Shanta Kumar (BJP) said it is a matter of grave concern that Indian Army is facing a shortage of 12,500 officers and 30,000 jawans.

The shortage has been accepted by Defence Minister A K Antony and has been widely reported in media leading to a sense of insecurity among masses, Kumar said.

Demanding filling up of the vacant posts immediately, he said even former Army Chief V K Singh had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding shortage of arms and equipment in the Indian Army.

He also stressed the need for lifting the condition that appointment in armed forces can be made only on the basis of population of states so that more people from states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh could join the Army.

These are the states from where traditionally a large number of people join the Army and are willing to serve the nation.

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