As India continues to fight the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry of defence will mobilise more than 20,000 ex-servicemen as part of augmentation of human resource to assist the state and district administration, wherever required.
Besides, nearly 25,000 National Cadet Corps cadets and retired military health professionals have also been put on standby to meet any eventuality. These workforces are in addition to Indian Army's over 9,000 services hospital beds and 8,500 doctors and support staff.
According to the ministry, Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards are playing a dynamic role in identifying and mobilising maximum veterans in performing public outreach activities such as contact tracing, community surveillance, management of quarantine facilities or any such tasks assigned to them by the civil administration authorities.
For instance, in Punjab, an organisation called ‘Guardians of Governance’, comprising 4,200 veterans, is assisting in data collection from all the villages. Similarly, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh state governments have employed veterans to assist the police and district collectors. In Uttar Pradesh, all Zila Sainik Kalyan Adhikaris are in touch with the district control rooms while retired Army Medical Corps personnel have been identified and kept ready. In Uttarakhand, Sainik Rest Houses are being readied to act as isolation/quarantine centres if need arises. In Goa, a control room has been established and veterans have been asked to remain on standby for any assistance to the local administration.
Under 'Exercise Yogdhan', the National Cadet Corps has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in battling the pandemic.
More than 25,000 NCC cadets will be given the task of manning of helpline/call centres, distribution of relief materials/medicines/ food/essential commodities, community assistance, data management and traffic management.
However, the ministry clarified that the cadets should not be employed in handling of law and order situation or for active military duties or at hot spots.
As per guidelines, only senior division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age should be employed in small cohesive groups of 8-20 under the supervision of Permanent Instructor Staff or/and an Associate NCC Officer.
For employment of volunteer cadets, the civil authority has to send the requisition through State NCC Directorates and details will be coordinated at Directorate headquarters level with state government/local civil authority.
The NCC, which operates under the ministry of defence, is the largest uniformed youth organisation of the country and has been engaged in conducting various social service and community development activities. The NCC cadets have been contributing to the national cause during natural calamities like floods, cyclone, etc since its inception.