(a) whether the Government proposes to form a Birsa Munda regiment in the Indian army keeping in view the sacrifices made by the people of Jharkhand in the army;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
(c) whether the Government proposes to raise a regiment in the army by the name Assam regiment on the lines of Jat regiment, Rajputana regiment etc.; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b): No such proposal is under consideration. Recruitment to Indian Army is based on domicile and merit. As per Government policy on the subject, all citizens irrespective of their class, creed, region or religion are eligible for recruitment in the Indian Army. After Independence, it has been the policy of the Government not to raise any new Regiment for a particular class/community/religion or region. Adequate vacancies are being provided to all classes to ensure equitable opportunity for recruitment into the Army.
(c) & (d): Assam Regiment is already Part of Indian Army since independence (Raised on 15 June, 1941).
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