NCC to raise its strength to 15 lakh cadets in next five years

Express News Service

Chennai:

National Cadet Corps is planning to increase its strength from 13.4 lakh cadets to 15 lakh cadets in the next five years and phase-wise accretion for overall increase has already commenced, according to deputy director general of NCC directorate Commodore K S Aiyappa.

Speaking during the NCC day celebration by the directorate which includes Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar, Commodore Aiyappa said NCC is also conducting a holistic review of its training philosophy to make it more meaningful for the youth.

He said that in the recent past there have been wide ranging socio-economic developments that have led to changes in the aspirations of youth. “The youth are now more inclined towards individualistic aspirations of freedom, self-reliance and individual rights based on economic freedom. The NCC is aware of these changing aspirations and is conducting a review of its training philosophy,” Commodore Aiyappa said.

Speaking on the occasion, School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare, law, courts and prisons N R Sivapathi highlighted various incentives by the government for NCC.

He said the government has sanctioned purchase of office furniture at a cost of Rs 2.3 crore to replace old and damaged furniture.

The minister, who was the under officer of St Joseph’s College, Trichy, and ‘C’ Certificate holder, also said that the government has raised the mess allowance of associate NCC officers and NCC cadets from Rs 100 to Rs 120.

He also said cash incentives for NCC cadets attending centrally organized camps and republic day camp has raised from Rs 3.17 lakh to Rs 5.8 lakh besides Chief minister’s rally expenses have been raised from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.  

The event also included a ceremonial guard of honour by the NCC cadets, release of the ‘Directorate NCC Journal’, a report on NCC activities highlighting the achievements of the directorate followed by a cultural programme.

The NCC has a strength of 13.4 lakh cadets and its reach has spread to 617 districts of the country.The NCC directorate here spread over 793 schools, 374 colleges has a strength of 1.05 lakh.