Govt alive to the problems of armed forces: Antony

NEW DELHI: Amidst reports of a large number of armed forces officers seeking a premature exit to jump to lucrative offers in the private sector, Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday told them the government was "alive to their expectations".
    
"The government is alive to the expectations of the armed forces with regard to the Sixth Pay Commission," the Defence Minister assured the services top brass at the Unified Commanders Conference here.
    
He said the services headquarters and Ministry of Defence have pointed out various anomalies and made specific recommendations to the Empowered Group of Secretaries.
    
"I am confident the government will try its best to address the concerns of the armed forces," he said.
    
Antony's assurance comes in the wake of reports that more and more officers were opting for early retirement to seek a better future outside.
    
According to figures tabled in Parliament more than 1,500 officers have sought premature exit from the forces at a time when Army, Navy and IAF are facing an officer shortage of more than 15,000.
    
It is not only the pay package, Antony told the forces top brass, the government was also aiming to improve service conditions of personnel.
    
"Married accommodation is being enhanced and plans have been put in place for providing the best education for children of armed forces personnel," he said.