New Delhi:
Clashes and tension between soldiers have spurred major changes in the army's policy for its officers and men.
At a daylong discussion today involving over 400 personnel from across the country, Army Chief Bikram Singh reportedly said that officers must be more sensitive to jawans.
"Most of our jawans are no longer rural boys of the past. They are no longer overawed by officers (sic)," General Singh reportedly said, urging his men to keep up with social changes.
The army has also decided to make available more officers to combat units by reducing their desk postings. This way, the Army hopes to reduce the shortage of officers in the field level and allow more interaction between officers and jawans.
The new policy has been initiated at a time cases of indiscipline and clashes between jawans and officers have raised concerns in the army.
The army will also take steps to give better postings to officers stuck at the Lieutenant Colonel rank and passed over for promotions, and also send them on lucrative UN assignments to make sure they don't feel left out.
The Army is currently short of 9,590 officers, though it is authorized to have nearly 48,000.