Shortage of 274 pilots in Army and Navy: Govt informs Parliament | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Shortage of 274 pilots in Army and Navy: Govt informs Parliament

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | ByPress Trust of India
Mar 28, 2018 05:47 PM IST

In a written response to a question, Subhash Bhamre, minister of state in the defence ministry, said the sanctioned strength of pilots in the Army is 794, while it has 192 vacant posts.

There is a shortage of 274 pilots in the Army and the Navy, the government on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha.

An Indian army helicopter flies over the army base in the town of Uri, west of Srinagar, Kashmir.(AP File Photo)
An Indian army helicopter flies over the army base in the town of Uri, west of Srinagar, Kashmir.(AP File Photo)

In a written response to a question, Subhash Bhamre, minister of state in the defence ministry, said the sanctioned strength of pilots in the Army is 794, while it has 192 vacant posts.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Navy has a sanctioned strength of 735 pilot and has 82 vacant posts.

“There is a marginal shortage of pilots in Indian Air Force against the authorised establishment. However, the available strength in the IAF is sufficient to meet the current operational requirements,” he said.

On a question whether the Navy has decided to increase its watch over Indian Ocean, Bhamre said the geo-strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has seen a gradual increase in the recent past.

“The Indian Navy closely monitors the maritime areas if our interest and regularly deploys ships for Presence and Surveillance Missions (PSM), off critical choke points/ sea lanes in the IOR,” he said.

In response to another question, Bhamre said the Navy does not undertake joint monitoring of the Indian Ocean in cooperation with other foreign countries.

Replying to another question, the minister said the government has identified 73 roads as “strategic Indo-China Border Roads” (ICBRs), out of which 34 roads are completed and in the remaining 39 ICBRs, work in progress.

He added that the government has taken measures to expedite the construction of border roads in the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand and has constituted an Empowered Committee to resolve the issues pertaining to BRO.

He added that 22,225.17 km road has been entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation, of which 7,122 km is in Jammu and Kashmir, 5,267 kms in Arunchal Pradesh.

In response to another question whether there has been an increase in Chinese transgressions over the last one year or so, Bhamre said there is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas of between India and China.

“There are areas along the LAC where both sides have differing perception of LAC. Due to this, both sides undertake patrolling up to their perception of the LAC and as a result transgressions do occur,” he said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On