By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government will constitute a task force to address the problem of poor representation of the State’s youth in the armed forces. The task force would help the job seekers to avail of information and coaching to get into the armed forces. Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma made the announcement about the task force on Monday when he was addressing the first ever dispatch ceremony held for 70 candidates of the State selected to join the Army in soldier category. The task force would comprise representatives from the Indian Air Force who would chalk out the strategies to create employment opportunities in the armed forces besides providing support in the form of coaching and other amenities. Admitting the poor representation of students from Meghalaya in the Sainik School, Goalpara in Assam, Dr Sangma, however, said the State should also have such a Sainik School.
He cited the participation of 25,000 youth in the recruitment rally for 800 posts of the fourth IRBn battalion to explain the quantum of unemployment in the State and stressed the need for exploring all available employment opportunities and motivational programmes for the youth.
Earlier, GoC of 101 Area, Lt Gen VK Narula lamented the fact that Meghalaya has poor representation in the Indian Army. The Army in its bid to create awareness about the armed forces has come up with textbooks with details about the career in the Army, he said.