Extreme policy

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence, headed by Major General B.C. Khanduri (Retd.), recently recommended five years of compulsory military training for state and central government job aspirants. We speak to bureaucrats and an army officer to find out whether a dose of strict military training is really required for ‘all citizens’? 

Colonel G.B. Rao is of the view that it is an excellent idea. “It not only teaches discipline, but also inculcates a sense of responsibility and belongingness in them. A physically fit and mentally strong individual, what the Army trains you for, is always an asset in any field,” he says.

“There are almost 20 million youth who have attained the ideal age for military training. It’s imperative that the cost to the state be taken into account for the policy. We must guard the dilution of the high standards of training and discipline observed in the forces. Another possible solution could be mandatory NCC training for all in school and college and those who excel in NCC could then be considered for basic military training based on existing vacancies,” Col. Rao states.

Taking into account the fact that there is a perennial and alarming shortage of officers in the Armed Forces, Ajay Mishra, IAS, Spl. Chief Secretary, Energy, Telangana Govt, says, “Vacancies in the government sector are about 11 per cent, whereas vacancies in the Armed Forces are less than five per cent, about 60,000 out of the '14 lakh. For most government jobs, the age limit is 28 to 30 years, whereas for the Armed Forces, the age limit is mostly 24 to 25 years.

These are unanswered issues. Revival of Short Service Commission can be the solution.”

Also, when the Army itself is not keen on making military training mandatory, is executing such a plan practical? Col. Rao argues, “No. How will you manage training 20 million individuals in one go? NCC training should be made mandatory in school and college. It should be done in a phased manner. Training should continue from sixth standard to the final year of college. That way the cost will be lesser.”

More than 20 countries including North Korea, Russia and Israel have in place a system of compulsory military service for all its citizens. Former Gujarat DGP Geeta Johri says, “In Greece and Singapore, military service is compulsory. It inculcates discipline, patriotism and a sense of value for life and assets of the country.”

Rajiv Trivedi, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, feels, “It’s a welcome move. NCC at school and colleges should be made compulsory too.”