Vijay Kumar wants officer-rank post

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Olympic silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar was happy after being promoted to the post of Subedar Major but felt he deserved to be elevated to an officer-rank post after his exploits at the international stage over the years.

The 26-year-old Vijay was on Thursday promoted and given a cash award of Rs 30 lakh with Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh promising all help to elevate him to the rank of an officer.

"I am happy with the promotion. I have no issues with the Army. It is because of them I am here but thinking about one's career is not also bad. So I have kept my points and if something positive comes out, I will continue in Army," Vijay told reporters after a felicitation programme.

"It is not an officer-rank post. It is a junior commissioned rank, not a senior commissioned rank (officer post). My request for a senior commissioned rank is pending and in 5-6 months, we will get the result.

"(Ajay) Maken sir has also assured ... the cabinet has also passed a regulation that if you bring medal then IAS-rank jobs will be given. So let's see," he added.

Elaborating on his promotion, Vijay said, "It was a pending decision. It has been cleared now. Two promotions out of turn is allowed and I was given that. Last year, I had filled up a willing form in seniority.

"In December last year, it was supposed to be decided but I came to know that my name was not there in the merit list. So I filled up the form again and this decision came today," said Vijay, who was handed Rs 25 lakh by SAIL for winning a silver in the just-concluded London Olympics.

Vijay was promoted from rank of Subedar to Subedar Major in a ceremony where Gen Singh and Army Vice Chief Lt Gen S.K. Singh pipped-in his ranks on his shoulders.

"This commission (to the grade of officer) has to be granted by the President and certain rules have to be followed. We will provide all help to him as he is very capable ... he talks in English and is very educated and has the capabilities to become an officer. We will further strengthen his capabilities to make him a commissioned officer," the Army Chief said.