|
Armed Forces should be kept away from quota system is the general feeling Express News Service
Pune, October 12: The recommendation of the oversight committee headed by M Veerappa Moily to extend 27 per cent OBC reservation to the National Defence Academy (NDA)among other government institutions has caused a huge outcry among retired and serving personnel of the Armed Forces in the city. Most defence personnel, including senior retired officers from the National Defence Academy (NDA), have come out strongly against the recommendation and say that such a step would dilute the non-discriminatory nature of the Armed Forces. “We are an equal-opportunity employer we should not let such a feeling (of discrimination) step into an institution like the NDA,” Air Marshal (retd) A K Trikha, who was the NDA commandant in 2000-2002 said. He added that such issues should not be brought into the Armed Forces. His views were shared by Vice Admiral (retd) Vinod Pasricha, a graduate of the academy in December 1961 who termed the recommendation as a `very bad decision’. He said the step to introduce reservations in the academy would weaken the war-fighting force. “We are a force that fights wars and selection of officers and men has to be just on the basis of capability. An officer has to lead his men during a fight and it can be disastrous if people working under him think that he is not capable enough,” he said. | |  |
The Vice Admiral said till now all candidates to the academy have been taken only on face value based just on their knowledge and capability. “ It is totally incorrect to introduce the quota system to the services. For anyone to join the academy certain minimum standards are required. Whoever has thought of this is only looking at the vote bank and has no concern about the defence forces,” he said. Officers also believe that introduction of a quota system in NDA could have an adverse effect. “Imposing a 27 per cent quota could restrict deserving OBC cadets from joining the academy. What is there are more than 27 per cent OBC students who are capable of getting through? In putting such restrictions the interests of the very people for whom the quota system is meant will be harmed,” felt Lt Gen DB Shekatkar, who has served at senior positions in both Kashmir and North East, felt. He believes that introducing a quota system would leave a bad mental impression among young cadets at NDA. “The gap will not be removed but will widen ever further. At NDA there are already cadets from all backgrounds and classes. Putting a reservation system will inject poison in the minds of young cadets,” he said. |
About us 
