A parliamentary panel has called for an immediate stop to the 'shameful practice of deploying the Army soldiers at residence of  the senior officers as sahayaks and ardalis (orderlies) for  domestic work and to serve their family members.

In its report tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Standing Committee on  Defence, headed by Congress member of Parliament Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, has stressed  that the jawans were recruited to serve the nation and not to serve  the family members of the officers as "demeaning and humiliating" househelp.

Taking a very serious view of the shameful practice prevalent in the  Indian Army [Images], the committee said it should have no place in the independent India as it lowers the self-esteem of the jawans.

"Any officer found to be violating the instruction in this regard (to stop forthwith the practice) be dealt with seriously," the committee recommended.