HPC’s call on reducing deputation in NCC soon: NCC DG
| Date :16-Jun-2022 |
By Kaushik Bhattacharya
Ministry of Defence has raised a proposal to cut down deputation to National Cadet Corps (NCC) by 75 per cent and make up the deficiency by hiring ex-servicemen on contract. The proposal has been made to optimise the manpower in Indian Army.
“The government has formed a High Power Committee (HPC) to define the role and the way of further progress for NCC. The proposal is also a part of it. As per the directions of the Government, the process will be initiated,” Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, AVSM, VSM, Director General (DG), NCC, told The Hitavada.
The NCC DG was in city on Wednesday to attend the Passing Out Parade of Associate NCC Officers (ANOs) in Kamptee. In a letter dispatched to all NCC directorates this year, the NCC DG has sought comments on the proposal. The directorates have been asked to give their response to the proposed reduction of the instructional staff from the Army so that the challenges and problems which can arise can be discussed and understood. The directorates have also been asked to recommend what percentage of reduction may be permissible and can be done without compromising the functional efficiency of a NCC unit or sub unit.
While asked him about the role of NCC in National Aero Sports Policy 2022 (NASP), the Lt General said, “The high power committee is also working on NASP and NCC is also included in it. As per the government directions the policy have framed with an objective to improve the Aero Sports in the country.”
The draft of NASP has been prepared by a committee comprising senior officials from the Union Government, Indian armed forces, Aero Club of India, National Cadet Corps and air sports experts.
While interacting with mediapersons, the NCC DG also talked about the ‘Agnipath scheme’ that launched by Defence Minister on Tuesday. The Lt General said, “It is a big opportunity for NCC cadets to join the uniform forces as ‘Agniveer’ and serve the country for four years. After completion of the tenure they can join other professions too as a responsible citizen.”
With the moto ‘Make Responsible Citizens’, many NCC cadets join armed forces every year. Agnipath scheme will provide a chance to the cadets to serve the uniform forces for short span and also to select other profession of their choice, said the NCC DG.
“NCC has been accepted as elective subject in different universities in the country. To make the course more realistic and effective, we frequently review the training of NCC as per the requirements. The recent induction of simulators to provide good training of weapons to cadets is a latest example of it,” claimed the Lt General.