Expressing concern over shortage of CAs, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) today said it has initiated a slew of measures, including improving of infrastructure to attract bright minds, to build their career in the profession.

"Presently the country has around 2.25 lakh CAs. This number is minuscule compared to total population of the country," said ICAI president Subodh Kumar Agarwal.

He was addressing media on the sidelines of a two-day national conference being hosted by the Western India Regional Council (Rajkot branch) of ICAI. The event was inaugurated by state Assembly Speaker Vajubhai Vala.

Nearly 700 Chartered Accountants from various parts of the country are taking part in the conference.

"As the country always faces shortage of Chartered Accountants, ICAI has decided to take several steps including to improve infrastructure so more and more scholar students can be attracted to build their career in this field," Agarwal said.

ICAI is world's second largest accounting body which has 2.25 lakh CAs as members and around 12 lakh students undergoing training.

"We have 138 branches across the country and now we are going to open our branch in Dibrugarh (Assam) so the institute can reach every corner of the country and guide those who are willing to become chartered accountants," the ICAI president said.