Army to raise retirement age of non-combatant troops to 58-year

New Delhi:With an aim to retain the skilled workforce, the Indian Army has come up with a proposal to raise the retirement age of over three lakh foot soldiers in non-combatant role upto 58 years.

However, for implementation of such policy it needs government's approval. If the Army gets approval, it would be done in phase manner. Firstly, the retirement age will be increased to 50-52 year then finally to 58 year.The idea to implement it in phased manner as the Army wants the recruitment drive should also be continued.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has asked all commanders to share their opinion on this. Initially, the Commanders found only 10 per cent soldiers are fit to continue in their fifties. According to sources, the Chief has again asked them to relook into it and raise the numbers to 30-40 per cent.

The Army has already enhanced the retirement age of the soldiers across the board by two years.It is also being discussed that the men over 50 years will not be posted at high altitude but can be given comfortable postings in the plains.The Indian Army had a sanctioned strength of 12,23381 personnel below officers rank, against which there was a shortfall of 38235 men.

(UNI)