New Delhi,22 May:The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for restructuring of 117 posts in selected ranks in the Army Medical Corps (AMC), Army Dental Corps (ADC) and Army Medical Corps (Non-Technical) {AMC(NT)}. The Cabinet also gave its approval for changing the ratio between Permanent Commission and Short Service Commissioned Officers in the AMC, ADC and AMC (NT) to 60:40. Out of the total 117 posts, 100 will be upgraded in AMC. These include three at Lt Gen and equivalent rank, 15 of Maj Gen and equivalent rank, 82 of Brigadier and equivalent rank. 16 posts in ADC will be upgraded. These include three at Major Gen and equivalent, nine of Brigadier and equivalent and four for Col and equivalent rank. One post of AMC (NT) will be upgraded to Brigadier and equivalent rank.
Today’s decision comes as follow – up to the restructuring done in Phase – I upgradation of 334 posts within the overall strength of AFMS, which was sanctioned in October 2005 with a view to improving the career prospects of AFMS officers and to removing stagnation. Out of these 300 posts were upgraded in AMC, 24 posts in ADC and 10 posts in AMC (NT) of Lt Col and equivalent to the post of Col and equivalent.
The decision also comes in the wake of significant changes in the role and functioning of the AFMS on account of increase in the total clientele, rapid modernization of medical technology, growth of a large number of super specialty disciplines, automation and extensive use of information technology, preparedness for Nuclear Biological and Chemical disasters, deployment to foreign countries, UN missions etc. It has also become necessary for senior officers to function in both professional and administrative areas to improve efficiency and to make command and control more efficient and effective.
The decision will also help improve promotional avenues of the highly qualified professionals and to retain trained hands in the organisation, who are superceded for want of vacancies and on supersession asking for premature retirement. The decision will also lead to better cadre management and provide best available medical officers in lower ranks without creating undue pressure for promotion to higher ranks.