Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday gave his nod for allotting two acres of land for setting up a Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI) at Mohali. 

A decision to this effect was taken after Western Army Commander lt General Philip Campose called on Badal at his residence. Badal said that such a step would go a long way in ensuring welfare of retired and serving army officers.  Chief Minister directed the State Government officers to find a suitable chunk of land in SAS Nagar which could be given to the Army on lease for setting up the institute. “The State Government is fully committed for well being of defence personnel who render outstanding services to our motherland,” said Badal. 

During the meeting, Chief Minister impressed upon Campose, who is moving to Delhi to take over as vice-chief of the Army Staff, to expedite the process of setting up a Service Selection Centre (North) at Ropar. Badal said that the State Government had already allotted 200 acres of prime land at Ropar for this purpose.

He asked the Army Commander to explore viability of setting up skill training centres in the State as a joint venture of the State Government and Army. It was need of the hour to impart technical training to the youths of the state so that they could be gainfully self-employed, he added.

lauding the initiatives taken by the State Government for imparting training to youths for joining armed forces and para-military forces, Campose said that the state-of-the art Maharaja Ranjit Singh Preparatory Academy was a unique step in this direction. Chief Minister told him that the state government would soon open a similar academy exclusively for girls to impart them coaching for joining armed forces.