Shortage of 14,165 officers in Armed Forces

New Delhi, May3 (UNI) There is a shortage of 14,165 officers in the Armed Forces, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The Army is short of 11,238 officers, whereas the Navy and the Air Force have a shortage of 1,399 and 1,528 officers, respectively, Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply.

X X X PROMOTION: Time scale promotion up to the rank of Colonel in the Army has been approved on the recommendations of the Ajay Vikram Singh Committee.

Similar benefits of time scale promotion up to the rank of Captain in the Navy and up to the rank of Group Captain in the Air Force have also been approved, he said.

X X X AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE: An aeronautical test range is proposed to be set up at Chitradurga for which three agencies-- Civil Aviation Authority, Indian Air Force and the Karnataka government-- have been approached for preliminary discussions.

Based on the request by the DRDO, the Karnataka government has started discussions with the affected people for their rehabilitation and resettlement, Mr Antony said.

X X X MILITANTS: Two cases in Jammu and Kashmir have come to notice wherein militants have impersonated Army personnel to obtain SIM cards.

No inquiry has been conducted by the Army as Army personnel are not involved, the Minister said.

UNI