Our basic problem is lack of manpower: Milind Tungar

A gold medalist in defence and strategic studies from the University of Pune, 1992, Maj (retd) Milind Tungar has been part of the army operations on the borders as a captain and major from 1996 to 2004.

Presently, he is the deputy director of the department of Sainik Welfare, Pune, and also serving as the zilla sainik welfare officer. Soumabha Nandi spoke to him about the limitations and achievements of zilla sainik welfare office (ZSWO), Pune. What have been the achievements of ZSWO, Pune, in the last one year?Given the constrained manpower, we have done pretty well till now. We have taken initiatives to complete the construction of four military hostels in Jalna, Mumbai, Thane and Akola. Apart from that, we have also constructed ‘mahasainik halls’ in Ahmednagar, Kolhapur and Jalna. However, our biggest achievement in these two years is the construction of a training centre in Kolhapur that trains aspiring candidates to join the armed forces. What are the limitations that the department faces?The basic problem is lack of manpower. One officer is compelled to look after two or three posts.  Officers are unwilling to join the department owing to the poor status and salary granted by the government of Maharashtra. The ranks of major and lieutenant colonel are equivalent to additional collector or additional superintendent. But in our department, they are placed below the tehsildar.

In other states, these ranks get the status equivalent to deputy collector. Besides, the salary is also very less compared to other states. In other states, officers of the department are paid around Rs50,000 where as in Maharashtra, they receive around Rs15,000. Haven’t you taken this matter to the government?Repeated complaints and applications have been sent to the central and the state government but things continue to remain the same. Though assurance is provided every time, implementation process is delayed to a large extent. As a result, officers opt for fruitful offers made by private firms or our sister departments. Thus, the ZSWO suffers largely. What amendments would you like the state government to make?Firstly, the salary and the status have to improve. Besides, the selection process is a prolonged one. Officers who join the ZSWO have passed entrance exams like the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy and UPSC. It is meaningless to make them reappear for MPSC exam as the entire selection process takes about eight months. There should be a special committee for the selection of these officers, which would fasten the process to 30 days. What other projects does ZSWO plans to undertake in the coming year?We are planning a multi-purpose hall in Parvati with a seating capacity of 500 people. This hall would facilitate war widows and ex-servicemen to get together and share their problems and joys every month. We are planning to start the work by January and complete it by December 2012. Apart from this, the renovation of the military hostel in Parvati, which was constructed way back in 1957, is also on the radar.