While addressing around 600 serving and retired disabled soldiers from the Southern Command, the South Western Command and the Central Command in Pune on Thursday, the Indian Army Chief, Bipin Rawat warned personnel who feign illness or disability in order to avoid duty or get benefits saying that “Indian Army should not be looked upon as a job provider organisation”.
Alongside he also assured all possible help to the former and serving soldiers who have actually suffered disability in the line of duty.
While talking to the official and soldiers present there, Bipin Rawat said, “It is often seen that people feel the Army is a means of employment, a means to get a job. I want to warn you, remove this misconception from your minds. The Army is not a means of employment. If you want to join the Army, you have to show physical and mental toughness. You should have the ability to face difficulties,” he said.
“Many people, including youngsters, approach me with a request to give them jobs in the Army. I tell them that the Indian Army is not a means of employment. If you want jobs, then go to the Railways, or start your own business,” General Rawat said.
Rawat went on to further clarify that soldiers and officers who feign disability will face action. He warned that such officials would receive unpleasant instructions from the Army Headquarters in the coming days.
The Army Chief, agitated with the section of soldiers and officers who falsely call themselves disabled on the ground, furthered “These people are physically and mentally weak and can’t withstand stress. They should feel ashamed after seeing these men who are actually disabled but have given an exemplary performance,” he said. Rawat was referring to the wheelchair-bound soldiers who performed during the event.
He went on to reiterate that the Army understands that the soldiers and officers work in adverse conditions and face extreme medical difficulties, and for that, he assured all possible assistance. “Indian Army is committed to providing help to you. If you have any problem, kindly write to your unit and if you do not get help, please send a message on the dedicated number issued by the Army and I assure you that you will get an answer within a month,” he said.
Announcing that the Indian Army had declared the year 2018 as the “Year of the Disabled Soldiers in the line of Duty”, Rawat added that the Army is collating data on soldiers and officers who actually suffered disability in the line of duty and a dedicated team of officers will be approaching such officers soon, to provide all possible help to them.
