vIndianz.com (Dec. 09, 2009) — Dejected with the career prospects in the Indian Air Force (IAF), more than 100 of its pilots have sought premature retirement in the previous one year.
“Approximately 101 pilots of the IAF have applied for grant of premature retirement during the last one year. The extensive reasons furnished by the applicants for grant of the premature retirement are supersession, need of career progression, medical and compassionate grounds,” Defense Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
The IAF has been facing a deficiency of 400 pilots; according to senior officials, it would take another five years to plug the gap. The IAF has set on a “proactive publicity” movement to include the exodus of the qualified pilots.
“Concerted efforts are taken by the IAF to carry out a proactive publicity campaign to arrive at the target group across the country, for example involvement in fairs and exhibitions, commercial in print and electronic media counting recruitment and career associated articles, motivational lectures at school etc,” said Antony.
According to senior IAF officials, the well-paid salary packages outside and not so smooth career progressions within the air force are forcing youngsters to choose for greener pastures.
The development is a reason for apprehension for the IAF, which is 800 officers short, and has fighter jet squadron strength much below the requisite strength of 42.
Further Reading- Pilots call for snag-free aircraft – Times of India
- Srinagar: First police drive in 20 years – NDTV.com
- 2 more pilots held in licence scam – Indian Express
- Army presence in J&K will not be reduced: Antony – The Hindu
- Worker Confidence on Having Enough Money for Retirement Hits 20-Year Low – Bloomberg
- NIA files chargesheet against 24 for training Kerala youth for terror – Times of India
- The school where fake pilots trained – NDTV.com
- Oakland Athletics add Grant Balfour to bullpen, sources say – ESPN
- Pilots on the run, DGCA ‘connivance’ suspected – Indian Express
- Shaquille O’Neal announces retirement on Twitter after 19 years in NBA – Washington Post
Stay updated! Follow us on twitter and subscribe to our feed via Feedburner.
No Comments