We need more women officers in the army: Pranab

Kolkata, Jun 18 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the Government wanted more women to join the army as officers and the problems they might be facing would be tackled.

''We want more women officers to join the army. They are doing a good job. There are problems, but those things will be tackled,'' he said on the sidelines of the Annual General Meeting of Merchants Chamber of Commerce.

He was replying to a question of reporters on the statement of deputy chief of army staff S Pattabhiraman that the Indian army could afford to function without women officers.

In reply to a question on the suicide of army officer Sushmita Chakraborty, the Defence Minister said the UPA government was likely to strengthen the existing committee for looking into the causes of stress among army personnel.

''There is already a routine committee that looks into the factors leading to stress and strain of army personnel. It has to be strengthened,'' he said.

UNI KDG SJC PK KP11722