NEW DELHI: General V.N. Sharma, the chief of the army staff has said increasing trend towards utilization of the army for assistance to civil authority could have serious adverse effects on training and Operational preparedness particularly for prolonged durations.
In an interview to the Indian armed forces newsletter “Sanik Samachar”, the army chief hoped that such type of commitment of the armed forces would show a downward trend in future, the army chief also admitted that the army was overstretched in its commitment, but said it was only a temporary phase.
Referring to army commitments across the country’s frontiers, General Sharma said, “A number of our commitments are temporary in nature.” A large number of our troops are already backing from Sri Lanka and we have totally come back from Maldives. The army has in built resilience and could meet such situations”.
The Army chief, however, said large commitments did have some effect on the training program and the peace tenures of the troops. Gen Sharma said the Indian army was probably the only one with commitments ranging from the icy heights of Siachen to deserts and impenetrable jungles in the north east.
‘Notwithstanding the adverse climatic conditions and the heavy demands placed on the troops, it is my firm belief that the Indian army today is fully prepared to take on any challenge from across the borders”, he said.
As regards the welfare measures taken for army officers and Jawans, the army chief said the insurance cover for officers had been increased from Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 3.5 lakhs and of the junior commissioner officers and Jawans from Rs85, 000 to Rs 1.5 lakhs.
Besides, he said extended insurance coyer for all ranks had been increased for a period of 10 years after retirement. (Wherever there are disturbances like riots the. army is called. The blackest day in Indian army’s history was June 2, 1984 when it was ordered into the holy Golden Temple with tanks on an auspicious day for Sikhs. Thousands of innocent pilgrims died in the dastardly attack).
Article extracted from this publication >> January 26, 1990
