New Delhi, January 15, 2008 (DefenceIndia News Service)

With a shortage of over 11,000 officers plaguing the Indian Army, the Government has taken up the issue of better pay-package to fresh recruits in order to bring in the best of the talent to the nation's defence forces.

"We have a shortage of 11,200 officers. Our source is the youth of this country, which is getting attracted by the better pay-packets offered by the corporate world," Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor told reporters on the eve of 60th Army Day being held on Tuesday.

Gen Kapoor said while the Army could not lower its standards of recruitment, it, along with the Defence Ministry, had taken up this issue strongly with the Sixth Pay Commission.

"I hope these problems will be looked into by the sixth pay commission so that we get the required manpower," he said.

Asked whether there was a need for having a policy on making military training compulsory in the nation, the Army Chief said, "We have not come to that stage. However, if we reach, it was for the Government to take the decision...but I do not think we will have such a situation."

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