Private sector is luring away military officers

New Delhi: The lure of the private sector is leading to an increasing rise in the number of armed forces’ officers seeking premature discharge from the services. But faced with a shortage of officers, the Government has been reluctant to relieve officers in larger numbers, said defence sources quoting figures.
Last year, over 1,000 officers wanted to quit the armed forces including over 500 from the Army, about 300 from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and about 200 from the Navy, said defence sources.
In the IAF, 246 pilots were permitted to quit service in the last three years, most apparently attracted by higher pay scales in private airlines. However, the IAF says the majority of pilots released from service have already completed their useful tenure as pilots and their exit does not affect the operational status of squadrons. Against an authorised strength of 3,278 pilots, 3,068 pilots are in position. The vacancy of 210 pilots cannot be termed large as it does not affect operational requirements, it contends.
23/11/06 Sandeep Dikshit/The Hindu