Army to seek worthwhile compensation for soldiers

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 17 (UNI) The Army will seek for the best possible compensation in financial terms and perks to the soldiers, Army Chief General J J Singh informed today.

Addressing students of the Sainik School at Kazhakootam near here, he said while providing such benefits the motivation level remained the highest and would also attract alarge number of youth to the Army.

While the soldiers served the nation in tough conditions and braving the challenges, they raised a question ''what will we get back?'' So it was the duty of higher army officials to suggest to the Government to provide adequate compensation them, he added.

Mr Singh said the recruitment in army was based on merit and professional capability and exhorted the students in the school to prove their mettle in education to join hands with the Army.

Pointing out that contrary to other countries where the youth rarely joined the military service voluntraily, the Army Chief said ''in our nation a large number of youth are joining the army voluntarily.'' The Army today faced the challenge of dissuading ''misguided youths'' in trouble-torn Kashmir and the North-East from taking the route of violence, he said adding that ''whatever we are doing in Kashmir and the North-East is a challenge. The Army will be following the strategy of 'iron fist in a velvet glove' to dissuade misguided youth in these regions.'' MORE UNI