OTA to increase strength of training cadets

Chennai, Aug 24 (UNI) To overcome the shortage of officers in Indian Army, the Officers Training Academy (OTA), one of the premier defence training centres, will increase the strength of training cadets from 500 to 750.

OTA Officiating Commandant Brigadier Ashok Pillai told newspersons here today that talks were on at the higher level to induct more cadets at various training academies in the country.

He also touched upon the need for infrastructure development to accommodate the increased strength.

Plans were in progress to increase the period of training of lady cadets from 26 weeks to 49 weeks -- on par with Gentlemen cadets of the OTA.

The proposal to increase the training came after considering the efficiency and performance of the lady cadets and the shortage of officers.

Discussion were on at the higher levels to assign regular commission for lady cadets and increase their serving period in Army from five years to ten years to meet the shortage, he said and added that a proposal had been forwarded to the Army to include them in the combat operation.

Chennai being the only centre for the training of lady cadets, the number of batches would soon be increased to two, comprising 75 cadets each, taking the strength to 150 cadets, Brig Ashok added.

UNI