Army recruitment in MP under cloud, again

BHOPAL: The annual Army recruitment rally — muchawaited by tens of thousands of youths — may not take place in Madhya Pradesh this year as well, since the authorities, after giving initial consent, are now having second thoughts.


The rally — to recruit 600 Army jawans — is scheduled to be held at

Tikamgarh

from February 4. Over 71,000 youths have applied and their registration has been completed. The

Gwalior

Army Recruitment Office (ARO) in Gwalior has informed its HQ of the status of the recruitment drive, but now the Tikamgarh administration fears law and order issues.

When TOI contacted Tikamgarh collector Saurav Kumar Suman, he said the Army rally “should take place”. Asked if the administration has stepped back or offered to conduct the rally only for Sagar division, he said: “As of now, the Army rally is on. In case of any change in plan, the Army will be told so in writing.” Army officers, however, confirmed they have been told to shift the venue.

Director-recruiting Gwalior ARO, Colonel SS Negi, said that after giving the nod, the district administration has stepped back.

“I am still hopeful that the recruitment rally will be held on schedule, since we have not received the denial in writing. But I have informed my headquarters in Jabalpur of the status,” he said.

The annual Army recruitment usually starts in October. The Gwalior ARO, which holds recruitment for Gwalior, Chambal and Sagar divisions, had sought permission to recruit in any of the 13 districts in the region — Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashok Nagar, Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Chhatarpur and Tikamgarh. None of the district administrations initially agreed.

Later, Tikamgarh gave its consent to hold the rally at the district sports complex. Based on this, the ARO opened online registration between December and first week of January. Earlier this month, Army officers checked with the Tikamgarh collector and other officials, and got the green light, say sources.

But five days ago, the Army was informed that the administration is reluctant to conduct the rally, source told TOI. Officials said they apprehend a law and order problem when such a large number of youths descend on this small town. Also, they are concerned that they may not be able to spare enough police personnel due to the high VIP movement for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The district administration has offered to conduct the rally only for Sagar division, which is not possible, as applications from all three divisions have been accepted, Army officials said.

In the Army recruitment process, once the venue and dates are finalized, the Army opens online registration for 30 days. Admit cards are issued only to those applicants who pass scrutiny, and they are called for physical and medical tests. Those who pass the tests are called for a written exam. While the physicals and medicals are done at the state-level, the written exam is conducted countrywide. The process has to be completed by February, and work on the next recruitment rally begins by April, officers say.