Question : SETTING UP OF ARMY COLLEGE OF DENTAL SCIENCES



(a) whether an Army College of Dental Sciences (ACDS) is being set up near Secunderabad;

(b) if so, whether this college is meant exclusively for the children of serving and retired personnel of the army;

(c) the steps being taken to ensure that students are not compelled to serve only defence forces after completing their graduation or post-graduation in dental sciences; and

(d) the time by which this college is likely to start functioning?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) The Army Welfare Education Society is setting up an Army College of Dental Sciences at Secunderabad.

(b) 34 seats are reserved, exclusively, for the children of the serving and the retired Army personnel and 6 seats are reserved for allotment to the students of Andhra Pradesh State.

(c) The students will be under no compulsion to join the Armed Forces.

(d) The College is likely to start functioning in the academic session, commencing in July, 2001.