By IANS
New Delhi : There is no “large-scale departure” of pilots, flight engineers and ground staff from the Indian Air Force (IAF), even though nearly 5,000 personnel were permitted to retire early or resigned in the last five years, parliament was informed Wednesday.
“The majority of the officials released from service had completed their useful tenure,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
“These exits do not affect the operational status of the squadrons. The vacancies in the forces including those arising due to premature retirement/resignation are filled up as per normal procedure.”
“The improvement of the job profile of IAF personnel is a continuous process, keeping in view the job specific requirements and operational necessity,” the minister said.
In his reply the minister said 4,887 IAF personnel had either retired early or resigned in the period between Jan 1, 2002 and Oct 31, 2007.
Of these, 388 pilots, 243 engineers and 308 ground duty officers had been granted premature retirement. One pilot, two engineers and six ground duty officers had resigned.
Besides, 3,939 personnel below officer’s rank (PBORs) had been permitted to retire early.