THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (g): A Statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4076 FOR ANSWER ON 3.5.2007
The details regarding the number of pilots released on premature retirement/resigned during each of the last three years and in the current year so far is as under:-
Year Proceeded on premature retirement Resignation
2004 128 - 2005 77 - 2006 56 - 2007 (as of April) 16 -
The average training costs vary from service to service and stream to stream ranging from Rs.0.302 crores to Rs.10.35 crores.
Certain domestic problems relating to inheritance of property, need to look after ailing parents, family business, serious illness of wife requiring officer’s presence at home, possibility of break up of conjugal life if the officer continues in service, etc. are considered as compassionate grounds, depending upon the circumstances of each case.
The Indian Air Force has agreed to allow officers in the age group of 54 years and above to join the national carrier. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between IAF and Air India on 5th April, 2007. This is to facilitate a second carrier option to the retiring IAF officers and also reduce the requirement of expatriate pilots for the national carrier.
The exit of the officers being sponsored would not affect the operational status of the Air Force as these officers would have already served their useful tenure as pilots. The officers being sponsored are generally those who are superannuating within a year or so. Hence, this would neither lead to shortage of pilots in the IAF nor any loss incurred on their training.
