Mysuru: National Cadet Corps (NCC) appealed to Karnataka govt to sanction funds for establishing a permanent cadet training and accommodation centre at Mysuru Group Headquarters, stating that the lack of basic infrastructure is posing a lot of challenges in conducting annual training camps for thousands of cadets across southern Karnataka.Mysuru NCC Group Headquarters, established in the 1950s, has 3.7 acres of land in Siddhartha Nagar, which was transferred to NCC by state govt in 1994. But it exists without the necessary infrastructure required for conducting training camps. Mysuru Group Headquarters oversees NCC activities in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and adjoining regions, catering to nearly 12,000 cadets every year.As part of its training calendar, NCC conducts several residential camps, including Annual Training Camps (ATC), Combined Annual Training Camps (CATC), Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat camps, National Integration Camps and other specialised training programmes. Each camp generally accommodates 500 to 600 cadets for a period of around ten days.Despite handling such a large number of cadets, NCC does not have its own residential training facility. Officials said they are forced to depend on schools, colleges, hostels, Scouts and Guides campuses and other institutions for accommodation and training venues. Obtaining these facilities has become increasingly difficult, with many institutions declining requests due to their own commitments, leaving NCC authorities struggling to organise camps every year.To address the issue, NCC has proposed the construction of a permanent training complex comprising dormitories, classrooms, dining facilities, sanitation blocks and other essential infrastructure that can accommodate 500 to 600 cadets at a time. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 5 crore.Speaking to TOI, Lt Col Anantha Keshava, commanding officer, 1 Kar Engr Coy NCC Mysore, said, “The proposals seeking financial assistance have been submitted to the Karnataka govt through the higher education department. However, the project is yet to receive administrative approval or funding.”“We have urged the state govt to expedite approval of the proposal, stating that a permanent training centre in Mysuru would eliminate dependence on external institutions, improve the quality of training and provide world-class facilities for thousands of cadets from the region, strengthening discipline, leadership and nation-building programmes for the youth,” he said.
