Army vice chief agreed to Gorkha recruitment office in Doon: BJP MLA

DEHRADUN: The long-pending demand of a dedicated branch recruitment office and a training centre in Dehradun for the Gorkha community may soon be fulfilled. According to BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, the vice chief of Army staff, Lt Gen Sarath Chand agreed to the demand while interacting with him on Sunday.
Confirming the development, Joshi said: “The state has over 3 lakh Gorkha population and the demand for a recruitment depot or branch office was made for the benefit of this population.While interacting with me, the vice chief assured of opening the facility soon.” He added that in the absence of an office in Dehradun, aspirants from this community are forced to travel to other states like Uttar Pradesh.
The vice chief was in Dehradun for the golden jubilee celebrations of 11 Garhwal Regiment. Standing for the demand of a training centre and a recruitment office in Dehradun, United Front of Ex-servicemen League president, KG Behl said, “We have raised this demand with the Army on several occasions, since our members, especially those belonging to the Gorkha regiment. A recruitment office here would help and guide the young Gorkhas based in Dehradun who wish to join the regiment and get guidance to prepare for the recruitment.” Lt Gen (retired) RS Pradhan went ahead in pushing for the demand of setting up a recruitment centre in Dehradun. “The cantonment used to have a Gorkha training centre. This land is still available, and a new centre can be built for the community in Uttarakhand,” said Pradhan.