Shortfall in defence officers admits Antony

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Government today admitted there was a shortfall of 11,153, 1,403 and 1,368 officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force respectively and had been in existence in varying degrees since a very long time.

Stating this, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a writtten reply that the shortage in recruitment of officers was largely due to change inthe socio-economic environment and in career preferences, better employment opportunities elsewhere and tough selection and service conditions in the service.

He said several steps including induction of short service commission officers, upgrading 750 posts of Lieutenant Colonels and extension of tenure of SSC officers had been taken to attract more talented youth to join the Armed Forces.

"The Government has also appointed the VIth Central Pay Commission to go into the question of revision of pay and allowances of all the Government servants including the Armed Forces," he said adding that this followed a joint memorandum submitted by the three services to the Pay Commission suggesting revision of pay and allowances and other service conditions.

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