Restrictions on Defence Officers joining firms

Govt mulling restrictions on defence officers on joining firms
Press Trust of India / New Delhi September 15, 2012, 18:45
Against the backdrop of cases of alleged involvement of former militray officers in defence scams, the Government is considering a proposal to impose restrictions on services personnel joining private arms companies post retirement.
A proposal in this regard has been prepared and is expected to be sent to the armed forces in the near future for their views on the issue, sources said here.
The biggest worry of the Government is about officers working in procurement and acquisition directorates of the ministry and the services and joining arms companies as consultants soon after retirement, they said.
Recently, Defence Minister A K Antony had stated that the Government was "seriously considering" a Standing Committee recommendation to bar services officers from joining private sector five years after their retirement.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence had recommended that cooling off period should be five years from the present one year.
The cooling off period was earlier two years but it was reduced to one year.
After the allegations levelled by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh against Lt Gen Tejinder Singh for lobbying for Tatra trucks, the Standing Committee had said that some of the retired defence officers act as a middlemen for defence procurement.
It recommended that cooling off period needs to be increased to five years for officers of the rank of Brigadier and above, and their equivalents.
Govt mulling restrictions on defence officers on joining firms
Comment
nimesh (Delhi) 15 Sep, 2012 08:55 PM
These defense officer guys are scamming the tax payer worse than corrupt babus. Like people the world over we indians revere the 'Jawans', but these corrupt officers are a scourge on the nation. They are making crores from the defense budget while the poor have nothing to eat. AK Antony is a great minister. May he succeed in his mission to clean up the defense ministry.
Moderator Comment
Generally senior officers (Brigs, Maj Gens and Lt Gens) who have six or more tenures in Delhi (and who are generally medically unfit) are prone to build up nexus with corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and munition suppliers. Many of these Officers have links with relatives of politicians who are into the business of arms procurement for the Military and Police establishments including paramilitary with the intent of making a 10% to 25% commission on weapon purchases. These commissions find their way to secret Swiss banks. Senior Officers who are medically unfit and repeatedly seeking a posting in Delhi must be boarded out. All Senior Officers posted in AHQ must be monitored by the CBI for clandestine activities and pursuing 5 star culture.
More Valid Inputs
1. The main beneficiaries from arms/equipment deals are the politicians; thousands of crores. Next come the bureaucrats. Some Army officers may get a few lacs. It is very easy and news making to set up news items against Service officers and put restrictions on them. This also deflects focus from the prime beneficiaries as mentioned above. WILL THEY PUT SAME RESTRICTIONS ON DY/JT SECRETARIES, ADDITIONAL SECRETARIES!!
2. The world over Defence Officers are employed by companies dealing with Defence Equipment. In India lately considerable officers of middle rank, Brigadiers/Cols/Lt Cols/Majors have found such employment. Many Signals officers have done so too. All are aware that Officers retire early and it is essential for them to have second career so that they can settle their children. Such restrictions will adversely affect them. Very few generals get employed.