WhatsApp number issued for soldiers to make direct complaints to Army chief

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The army has set up a WhatsApp number for its soldiers to post their problems directly to Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat instead of going to the social media directly.

The move came after a series of videos were posted online by personnel from the army, IAF and central police forces regarding various conditions that they work under.

The WhatsApp number to register complaints is -- +91 9643300008.

Officials said that that there is an existing system of grievance redressal within the army which is prompt. "But in case a soldier has exhausted all grievance redressal forums and is still not happy, he may contact the Army Chief's office through the new number," an official said.

However, many in the army are apprehensive about this move as they say that it will be impossible to keep out any unwarranted messages that can come on WhatsApp.

Since it is a common WhatsApp number, it will not be just the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army personnel who can send messages to the number but also anyone in the world.

And also, there will be no check on what kind of text, video or link will be sent to the number.