"Our Organization is not one of those run of the mill ones that provide security men to offices or Factories. In fact, due to the type of services we are providing, and the quality that we are giving our customers, we have a long waiting list of customers". These were the remarks of Wing Commander CN Bal, the Chairman of Armed Forces Ex Officers Multi Services Cooperative Society Limited (AFEXCO).

"Our goals are pretty clear: we have fixed rates which may be higher then the rest of the competition, but we still maintain those rates as all our personnel are paid salaries comparable with the best in the Industry. All our employees are retired from the Armed Forces," he continues. Retired officers of all Three Wings of the Armed Forces established AFEXCO LIMITED in Pune on 18th September 1972, after the 71 war. It was felt that ex-serviceman who are retiring at comparatively young ages were finding it difficult to find jobs after they retired from the Services. Today the Society employs 2,000 personnel in these basic services - Security, House Keeping, Transport, Tailoring and a service station for servicing of public and private vehicles. Out of the 2,000 men employed, 1200 are ex servicemen.

Security Services- The society has 104 contracts with 1200 men employed in providing of security to corporates and Institutions. Today the organization has the enviable task of refusing contracts to corporate as they do not have enough ex service men to service these contracts. The workforce mainly consists of ex servicemen.

House Keeping- The society today has 22 conservancy contracts that employ 400 workers. The society has been able to maintain these contracts and also add new ones.

Transport- The society has 77 TELCO-owned buses, and also 48 society-owned buses. The buses are used to ferry children to and fro from school.

The society takes Tailoring Contracts to stitch uniforms for the corporate sector.

The Society has two Service Stations that are used to service TELCO and Society buses. It also services private vehicles like Two wheelers, Auto rickshaws, Mini doors and private cars.

The society has member officers who check on the efficiency of the people working out in the field. These officers also have the task of Liaisoning with the Managements of the companies where the society has its contracts.

Rahul Surkund