NCC may open Naval unit at Bhawanipatna

NCC move to open 4 new units in Orissa
Times of India, June 19, 2009

BERHAMPUR: In an attempt to increase its strength, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) directorate is working on a plan to open at least four more units,
including a Naval one, in the state by this year.

Currently, there are 24 units comprising 44,000 cadets in the state. The operating units include 19 army wing, one air wing, three naval wings and one girls division.

"While the proposed naval unit will be set up at Bhabanipatan in Kalahandi district, the others will come up at Malkanagiri, Nabarangapur and Rayagada," NCC (Orissa) deputy director general L K Agrawalla said. "About 5,000 to 6,000 cadets will be deputed in the proposed units," he added. Agrawalla was here to inspect the group office here and to visit camps of cadets at Tamapara, near Chhatrapur in Ganjam district.

"The proposal for the new units was pending at the ministry of defence for approval," the DDG said. "NCC's director general has already approved the proposal to set up additional units in Orissa," he added.

"NCC cadets in the proposed units will help the government to combat the Maoist menace in the area apart from taking part in other social services," he added.

Malkanagiri, Nabarangapur and Rayagada have been identified as Naxal infested districts. Nine security personnel were killed in Koraput district on Thursday in a landmine blast.

"The new cadets will assist the government to minimize Maoist activities in the area," he said. NCC's main objective is to maintain discipline and do social service.

On the June 24 Rath Yatra, 400 NCC cadets will help manage the crowd along with the cops. On the next day, they will clean the temple. "The temple administration has requested us in this regard," Agrawalla added.