Army Chief visits OTA

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) Close on the heels of complaints of gender discrimination in the force, Army Chief JJ Singh today visited the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai that trains men and women for Short Service Commission in the Army.

His wife and Army Wives Welfare Association President Anupama Singh accompanied him on the visit, an official statement said.

Academy Commandant Maj Gen KK Kohli briefed the General on the planned changes in the training schedule of women cadets once their training period was enhanced to 49 weeks, it stated.

They also discussed the related enhancement of infrastructure required for living, mess, training and administration, it added.

Following the gender bias controversy last month, the Army had said that it was close to bringing its Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers ''at par'' with their regular male counterparts on pay and allowances.

An Army statement had said that the revised terms and conditions of service for SSC officers (men and women) had been finalised and were awaiting orders by the appropriate authority.

''Post this, SSC lady officers will get substantive promotions and related entitled pay and allowances at par with regular officers,'' it said.

The revised conditions, which included recommendations of the AV Singh Committee, were being implemented following cabinet approval for closure of the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) and induction of women as SSC officers, it added.

Terms and conditions of appointment are currently different for regular and SSC officers in the Army. The SSC provides support cadre to the regular cadre and the training period for each is different.

Eighteen months, 11 months and six months training is required for regular, SSC officers and WSES officers respectively.

The seniority of SSC officers is accordingly adjusted to cater for the shortfall in training vis-a-vis regular officers at the time of grant of permanent commission to them.

UNI VN VD HS2054