Hindustan Times
New Delhi, January 16, 2012
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd), former Vice Chief of Army Staff, said: “I am glad that the Chief has approached the court. It is a matter of honour. It will help the Army as it shows he is a strong chief. The ministry of defence should have sorted it out in house. But they took it to media. You cannot play with Chief of Army Staff on technical grounds.”
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (retd), former Vice Chief of Army Staff and Chairman, Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM): “It is unfortunate and unprecedented. He should have resigned and then approached the court. As an individual, he has full justification in seeking justice for him, but it will damage the image of the Army.”
Maj Gen Rajender Nath (retd), a military historian: “I am very sad at the development. I sincerely wish it should have been avoided. Indian Army is the second biggest Army in the world and this sort of development does not bring good name. The General should have sorted it earlier in his career.”
Air Marshal RS Bedi (retd) said, “Both sides are wrong (government and Chief of Army Staff). It is unfortunate. Chief should have resigned and then approach the court. We have done damage to the institution of the Chief. On the other hand, government bungled it. Matriculation certificate decides the date of birth in this country. The government and the bureaucrats are not understanding the sensitivity attached to the post of Chief of Army Staff."
Retired Army officers react on VK Singh's age row
Age Row- Bureaucracy conspiracy?
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does not want to comment on the controversy over army chief General V K Singh's age because it is a 'sensitive issue'.
Union Defence Minister A K Antony is 'very sorry' about what is happening. Then why don't these two gentlemen at least ensure that the issue is settled with dignity, and the army chief's birth date is recognised as 1951 as per the official records?
There is a certain intolerance creeping into government that sees a contrary view as dissent, and reacts to it with a heavy hand. Any officer who does not agree with the often blinkered views emanating from the corridors of power is axed, as many will testify, with the result that most now hesitate to speak their minds.
This might make the politicians happy, but the fact of the matter is that they now rarely benefit from informed and impartial opinion.
In this particular case, however, it is more to do with getting a chief of their choice into government.
The poor army chief does not know what he is up against, as it is difficult to box at shadows and conspiracies that do not reveal themselves.
A petty government has pushed the army chief into a corner, feels Seema Mustafa
Formulation of the succession Plan
Govt going by army's word on Gen's age by Nagendar Sharma & Rahul Singh, Hindustan Times
Two immediate predecessors of the current chief — General JJ Singh in 2006 and General Deepak Kapoor in 2009 — concluded that the legally maintainable year of birth for General VK Singh can only be 1950. The government’s subsequent decisions were based on this. He was commissioned in the army in 1970.
Govt going by army's word on Gen's age
Comment
As a techno-legal view, if the COAS resigns his commission before going to court and subsequently the court upholds his stand and gives a verdict that his yob is 1951, legally the Resigned / lost / surrendered President's Commission, CANNOT BE REVOKED AND HE CANNOT BE RE-COMMISSIONED.
Veteran Gp Capt Subramanian
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Indian Government Asks Army to get off Facebook
Earlier this week, TV media was reporting of how 4 naval officers leaked confidential information on social networking sites divulging information about the location of warships and other confidential data etc.
The four officers were being tracked for quite some time by naval authorities for allegedly leaking confidential information, including location of warships, armaments being carried by them and their patrolling patterns (source) and now, government is reported to have issued orders asking all its men, officers and other ranks, who had joined social networking sites like Facebook or Orkut earlier to immediately quit them.
Similar incident happened in 2009 when government advised army to stay away from social networking sites and even banned social networking sites/ picture sharing sites for Indian diplomats.
“The Army’s worry is that public access to such information could increase the vulnerabilities of both the Army and its personnel. Some information could provide clues to the Army’s strategies. It could also make personnel more vulnerable to things like honeytraps (spies using sex to extract information)”.
Incidentally, Indian Prime Minster joined Twitter 2 days back.
Indian Government Asks Army to get off Facebook
Banning or curbing social media could become a major demotivating factor for youth aspiring to join the Army at all levels
This very important aspect is actually a point currently not even on our radar. We must find a practical and balanced solution in consonance with the times which would not only ensure personal freedom but also hands-on adherence to security requirements. If social media is taken as an enemy of security then so could be normal day to day human interaction, all types of computing devices and mobiles. Would be, or could we ban those too? Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh
Read More: Social media and the Armed Forces : Need to refrain from knee-jerk reactions
The four officers were being tracked for quite some time by naval authorities for allegedly leaking confidential information, including location of warships, armaments being carried by them and their patrolling patterns (source) and now, government is reported to have issued orders asking all its men, officers and other ranks, who had joined social networking sites like Facebook or Orkut earlier to immediately quit them.
Similar incident happened in 2009 when government advised army to stay away from social networking sites and even banned social networking sites/ picture sharing sites for Indian diplomats.
“The Army’s worry is that public access to such information could increase the vulnerabilities of both the Army and its personnel. Some information could provide clues to the Army’s strategies. It could also make personnel more vulnerable to things like honeytraps (spies using sex to extract information)”.
Incidentally, Indian Prime Minster joined Twitter 2 days back.
Indian Government Asks Army to get off Facebook
Banning or curbing social media could become a major demotivating factor for youth aspiring to join the Army at all levels
This very important aspect is actually a point currently not even on our radar. We must find a practical and balanced solution in consonance with the times which would not only ensure personal freedom but also hands-on adherence to security requirements. If social media is taken as an enemy of security then so could be normal day to day human interaction, all types of computing devices and mobiles. Would be, or could we ban those too? Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh
Read More: Social media and the Armed Forces : Need to refrain from knee-jerk reactions
Hereditary Members of Indian Parliamentary Monarchy
India a Democracy or a Monarchy? Heading towards a Hereditary Monarch and Indian Princelings
India: A Portrait by Patrick French – review
Patrick French's affectionate portrait of modern India hymns the tiger economy but ignores the country's contradictions and complexities
French retells the story of Ramanujan, the brilliant young Tamil mathematician who died in England before he could fulfil his promise. The suggestion is that the talents of 1.2 billion Ramanujans – all of them tremendously multicultural and supremely talented – are on the verge of exploding. The leading historian of modern India, Ramachandra Guha, chose to end his magisterial work, India After Gandhi, on a more sombre note: his countrymen, he pointed out, could be legitimately proud of their democracy but they had to remember that the task of lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty still lay ahead of them.
Patrick French offered this startling revelation about the Indian Parliament:
"Every MP in the Lok Sabha under the age of 30 had in effect inherited a seat, and more than two-thirds of the 66 MPs aged 40 or under were HMPS [Hereditary Members of Parliament]. In addition, this new wave of Indian lawmakers would have a decade’s advantage in politics over their peers, since the average MP who had benefited from family politics was almost 10 years younger than those who had arrived with ‘No Significant Family Background’. In the Congress, the situation was yet more extreme: every Congress MP under the age of 35 was an HMP. If the trend continued, it was possible that most members of the Indian Parliament would be there by heredity alone, and the nation would be back to where it had started before the freedom struggle, with rule by a hereditary monarch and assorted Indian princelings."
He has divided his book into three parts: Rashtra (nation), Lakshmi (wealth), and Samaj (society). While that's a neat division, a multi-everything nation like India can be sub-divided in many different ways. The deeper question is: does it hold together and form a coherent narrative? That depends on the reader's expectations.
Read more: India: A Portrait by Patrick French – review
Another Review: India: Click here
India: A Portrait by Patrick French – review
Patrick French's affectionate portrait of modern India hymns the tiger economy but ignores the country's contradictions and complexities
French retells the story of Ramanujan, the brilliant young Tamil mathematician who died in England before he could fulfil his promise. The suggestion is that the talents of 1.2 billion Ramanujans – all of them tremendously multicultural and supremely talented – are on the verge of exploding. The leading historian of modern India, Ramachandra Guha, chose to end his magisterial work, India After Gandhi, on a more sombre note: his countrymen, he pointed out, could be legitimately proud of their democracy but they had to remember that the task of lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty still lay ahead of them.
Patrick French offered this startling revelation about the Indian Parliament:
"Every MP in the Lok Sabha under the age of 30 had in effect inherited a seat, and more than two-thirds of the 66 MPs aged 40 or under were HMPS [Hereditary Members of Parliament]. In addition, this new wave of Indian lawmakers would have a decade’s advantage in politics over their peers, since the average MP who had benefited from family politics was almost 10 years younger than those who had arrived with ‘No Significant Family Background’. In the Congress, the situation was yet more extreme: every Congress MP under the age of 35 was an HMP. If the trend continued, it was possible that most members of the Indian Parliament would be there by heredity alone, and the nation would be back to where it had started before the freedom struggle, with rule by a hereditary monarch and assorted Indian princelings."
He has divided his book into three parts: Rashtra (nation), Lakshmi (wealth), and Samaj (society). While that's a neat division, a multi-everything nation like India can be sub-divided in many different ways. The deeper question is: does it hold together and form a coherent narrative? That depends on the reader's expectations.
Read more: India: A Portrait by Patrick French – review
Another Review: India: Click here
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thai PM Shinawatra exudes Indian Generation Gap
Friday, January 27, 2012 Bureaucrats, diplomats enjoyed President Patil’s high tea party at Mughal Garden
Thai PM Shinawatra with India's Supreme Commander
IT was Thursday afternoon. The 63rd Republic day parade was over by then. Country’s top bureaucrats, diplomats, armed forces officials along with their spouses reached the backyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan to join the high tea party hosted by President Pratibha Patil. The menu of the President’s “At Home” party included samocha, pakora, fish fries and sweets. And of course tea and coffee!
President Patil who is completing her five-year term in July this year seated at the VVIP enclosure along with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia among others.
But the bureaucrats and diplomats enjoyed the moment by roaming around the sprawling and elegantly manicured Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was a sunny afternoon, and none of the 1000 guests was in a hurry to go back home. Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and his wife were greeted by many officials present there. Ex-US ambassador Meera Shankar and her husband Ajay Shankar, a former industry secretary, were also spotted chatting with their friends in the corridors. Montek Singh Ahluwalia's adviser Gajendra Haldea, ex-CBDT chairman PK Mishra and minority affairs secretary Surajit Mitra were among those seen chatting with friends and colleagues. A number of secretaries, former governors and political leaders were also present during the occasion.
None of the officials and armed forces bigwigs probably had any idea that 44-year-old Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was by then one of the top 10 Twitter trends in India. But Shinawatra wearing a cream skirt and jacket was the cynosure of all eyes during the high tea party. Those who were present near the VVIP enclosure said woh! when Thai PM said: Namaste India.
Young Thai PM in contrast with ageing Bureaucracy, Diplomats, President and PM of India
Ageing Ministers and Bureaucrats for Governance?
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the country needs more youth leaders to infuse creativity, energy and dynamism in different fields of national endeavour.
India needs youth leaders for nation building: PM
IT was Thursday afternoon. The 63rd Republic day parade was over by then. Country’s top bureaucrats, diplomats, armed forces officials along with their spouses reached the backyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan to join the high tea party hosted by President Pratibha Patil. The menu of the President’s “At Home” party included samocha, pakora, fish fries and sweets. And of course tea and coffee!
President Patil who is completing her five-year term in July this year seated at the VVIP enclosure along with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia among others.
But the bureaucrats and diplomats enjoyed the moment by roaming around the sprawling and elegantly manicured Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was a sunny afternoon, and none of the 1000 guests was in a hurry to go back home. Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and his wife were greeted by many officials present there. Ex-US ambassador Meera Shankar and her husband Ajay Shankar, a former industry secretary, were also spotted chatting with their friends in the corridors. Montek Singh Ahluwalia's adviser Gajendra Haldea, ex-CBDT chairman PK Mishra and minority affairs secretary Surajit Mitra were among those seen chatting with friends and colleagues. A number of secretaries, former governors and political leaders were also present during the occasion.
None of the officials and armed forces bigwigs probably had any idea that 44-year-old Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was by then one of the top 10 Twitter trends in India. But Shinawatra wearing a cream skirt and jacket was the cynosure of all eyes during the high tea party. Those who were present near the VVIP enclosure said woh! when Thai PM said: Namaste India.
Young Thai PM in contrast with ageing Bureaucracy, Diplomats, President and PM of India
Ageing Ministers and Bureaucrats for Governance?
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the country needs more youth leaders to infuse creativity, energy and dynamism in different fields of national endeavour.
India needs youth leaders for nation building: PM
Sixty Third Republic Day Highlights
R-Day parade is very inspiring for all of us: Naveen Jindal
New Delhi: An impressive display of armour and unmanned aerial vehicles recently added to India's military prowess was on full display at the 63rd Republic Day parade today that also showcased the country's rich heritage.
The early morning chill did not deter people along the 8-km-parade route as they gathered on both sides of the majestic Rajpath, the country's ceremonial boulevard facing the Raisina Hills, and cheered the contingents as they went past portraying the diverse culture of the country.
The well-turned out and synchronised military and police formations led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt Gen V K Pillai marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President Pratibha Patil, who is the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, took salute.
The impressive march-past was watched by Chief Guest Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh and top political and military brass.
Read more at: Click here for the full report
New Delhi: An impressive display of armour and unmanned aerial vehicles recently added to India's military prowess was on full display at the 63rd Republic Day parade today that also showcased the country's rich heritage.
The early morning chill did not deter people along the 8-km-parade route as they gathered on both sides of the majestic Rajpath, the country's ceremonial boulevard facing the Raisina Hills, and cheered the contingents as they went past portraying the diverse culture of the country.
The well-turned out and synchronised military and police formations led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt Gen V K Pillai marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President Pratibha Patil, who is the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, took salute.
The impressive march-past was watched by Chief Guest Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh and top political and military brass.
Read more at: Click here for the full report
63rd Republic Day Gallantry Awards
President Pratibha Patil on Thursday conferred awards of 368 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others as part of the 63rd Republic Day Celebrations.
This includes 01 Ashoka Chakra, 03 Kirti Chakra, 16 Shaurya Chakra, 03 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 73 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 02 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 01 UttamYudh Seva Medal, 06 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 45 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 04 Yudh Seva Medal, 03 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 08 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 06 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 115 Vishisht Seva Medal.
In addition a total of three Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced for participating in Operation Rakshak.
On January 26, the President conferred the Ashok Chakra Award on Lt Navdeep Singh (posthumous), before the start of the parade at the Rajpath.
The full list of the recipients of gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others is as follows: Click here for the complete list
This includes 01 Ashoka Chakra, 03 Kirti Chakra, 16 Shaurya Chakra, 03 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 73 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 02 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 01 UttamYudh Seva Medal, 06 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 45 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 04 Yudh Seva Medal, 03 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 08 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 06 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 115 Vishisht Seva Medal.
In addition a total of three Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced for participating in Operation Rakshak.
On January 26, the President conferred the Ashok Chakra Award on Lt Navdeep Singh (posthumous), before the start of the parade at the Rajpath.
The full list of the recipients of gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others is as follows: Click here for the complete list
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Govt ignored military secretary's recommendation on Army chief's age
India Today / India / North / StoryCourtesy: Headlines TodayShiv Aroor New Delhi, January 20, 2012 | UPDATED 17:44 IST
The Ministry of Defence ignored a crucial document which shows that Army chief General V.K Singh's contention on his age was accepted and there was no controversy on it within the forces. The document clearly gives the Army chief an edge over the government's stand on the issue in the court.
Headlines Today accessed the July 2011 note from the military secretary's (MS) branch which states that the chief's age be treated as May 10, 1951 and not 1950.
The document, signed by then military secretary Lt Gen G.M Nair, provides instances of selection boards that promoted V.K Singh up the ranks based on 1951 as the year of birth.
click here to enlarge
The reason why this document could prove crucial is that it was the MS branch that originally had in its possession the documents which recorded the chief's year of birth as 1950.
In other words, the document is the MS branch recommending that the anomalous records in its possession be ignored and 1951 be treated as the year of Singh's birth.
As it turned out, the government chose not to accept this recommendation. However sources told Headlines Today that the document strengthens the chief's case and could prove a trump card in the Supreme Court.
The document also lays to rest the notion that there was any internal conflict over the chief's age between the MS branch and the adjutant general's branch.
Read more at: Govt ignored military secretary's recommendation on Army chief's age
The Ministry of Defence ignored a crucial document which shows that Army chief General V.K Singh's contention on his age was accepted and there was no controversy on it within the forces. The document clearly gives the Army chief an edge over the government's stand on the issue in the court.
Headlines Today accessed the July 2011 note from the military secretary's (MS) branch which states that the chief's age be treated as May 10, 1951 and not 1950.
The document, signed by then military secretary Lt Gen G.M Nair, provides instances of selection boards that promoted V.K Singh up the ranks based on 1951 as the year of birth.
The reason why this document could prove crucial is that it was the MS branch that originally had in its possession the documents which recorded the chief's year of birth as 1950.
In other words, the document is the MS branch recommending that the anomalous records in its possession be ignored and 1951 be treated as the year of Singh's birth.
As it turned out, the government chose not to accept this recommendation. However sources told Headlines Today that the document strengthens the chief's case and could prove a trump card in the Supreme Court.
The document also lays to rest the notion that there was any internal conflict over the chief's age between the MS branch and the adjutant general's branch.
Read more at: Govt ignored military secretary's recommendation on Army chief's age
Ageing Indian Army: Anti- Insurgency/ Counter- Terrorism or a Combat Force?
The Asian Age Home » Opinion » Interview of the Week
‘In terms of manpower, the Indian Army is ageing’
This is a good interview. I endorse Gen Malik's views on most issues.
1. Defence Services must have greater voice in forming National Strategic policies. Not to be left to Group of Ministers, mostly.
2. Having a CDS is a must.
3. Our organisations and concepts of large scale operations in mountains are old. The Army in the mountains in particular has to become LEANER AND MEANER. Much greater integral heli lift is essential as also armed hepter resources.
4. Indian Army has got tired of operating in counter insurgency operations in J&K and in the East. How long can a unit remain in such areas, year after year. Pakistan has really bled us for the last 64 years. These guys have nothing to eat and spend and an individual can be hired to do Jehad for paltry sums. Our passive attitude has not served us well. The only way is to have a TIT for TAT policy. We have to ignite the flame in Balochistan and let the Pak Army bleed there. The British and the Americans would also be interested to boil up things in Balochistan. Pak Army only understands a strong response.
Veteran Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Interview of the Week with General VP Malik Jan 15, 2012
On the occasion of Army Day, former Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik says that the current method of civilian control over the military leaves much to be desired. He also tells Sridhar Kumaraswami that grouping all strike corps under a strategic command is not a good idea.
In what ways can a career in the Army be made more attractive? Does this require more cash incentives or just better parity with the civilian services?
Three requirements, in order of priority:
improved promotion prospects with a golden handshake early-retirement policy
improved civil-military services parity
greater respect for soldiers and ex-servicemen from the government and society. We need to revisit terms and conditions of service that were framed in a different socio-economic milieu many years ago.
click here for the full interview
‘In terms of manpower, the Indian Army is ageing’
This is a good interview. I endorse Gen Malik's views on most issues.
1. Defence Services must have greater voice in forming National Strategic policies. Not to be left to Group of Ministers, mostly.
2. Having a CDS is a must.
3. Our organisations and concepts of large scale operations in mountains are old. The Army in the mountains in particular has to become LEANER AND MEANER. Much greater integral heli lift is essential as also armed hepter resources.
4. Indian Army has got tired of operating in counter insurgency operations in J&K and in the East. How long can a unit remain in such areas, year after year. Pakistan has really bled us for the last 64 years. These guys have nothing to eat and spend and an individual can be hired to do Jehad for paltry sums. Our passive attitude has not served us well. The only way is to have a TIT for TAT policy. We have to ignite the flame in Balochistan and let the Pak Army bleed there. The British and the Americans would also be interested to boil up things in Balochistan. Pak Army only understands a strong response.
Veteran Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Interview of the Week with General VP Malik Jan 15, 2012
On the occasion of Army Day, former Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik says that the current method of civilian control over the military leaves much to be desired. He also tells Sridhar Kumaraswami that grouping all strike corps under a strategic command is not a good idea.
In what ways can a career in the Army be made more attractive? Does this require more cash incentives or just better parity with the civilian services?
Three requirements, in order of priority:
click here for the full interview
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
By Daily PostBhiwani
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced to increase the amount of lumpsum financial assistance and annuity of the gallantry award winners of the state. He also announced to get a survey conducted to assess repair and renovation of all the existing Sainik rest houses to be done as per their need and to construct a new Sainik rest house at Dadri.
The CM was speaking as chief guest in the 30th annual Sammelan of All India Ex-services Welfare Association organised at new Anaj Mandi, Dadri, on Sunday. He said the state government had decided to increase the award money of the winners of Paramvir Chakra and Ashok Chakra from Rs 25 lakh each to Rs 31 lakh each, of Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra from Rs 15 lakh each to Rs 25 lakh each and of Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra from Rs 10 lakh each to Rs 15 lakh each.
Similarly, the amount being given to the winners of Vayusena medal, Navsena medal and Sena medal had also been increased from Rs five lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh and the amount for Mention-in-dispatches from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh.
He said the annuity for the winners of Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Mahavir Chakra had been increased to Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh respectively.
Besides, winners of Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena medal would get annuity of Rs 1.50 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Annuity for mention-in-dispatches had been increased to Rs 20,000, he added. Hooda said it was a matter of great pride that Haryana with 1.37 per cent of the geographical area of the country was contributing a lot to the Armed Forces of the country.
Every tenth soldier of the Armed Forces belonged to Haryana. The youth of Haryana were safeguarding the borders of the country and the farmers of this sacred land were producing foodgrains for the teeming millions. Despite better availability of employment in the state, the youth of Haryana preferred to join Army.
The number of serving personnel and ex-servicemen of the state stood at 19.38 lakh. The state government was committed to the welfare of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents. For the welfare of these persons, the state government had made a provision of Rs 33 crore in the annual budget for the year 2011-12.
Citing details of the incentives being given to the serving personnel and ex-servicemen by the state government, Hooda said ex-servicemen above the age of 60 years and their widows, who are not getting any pension, were being given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month.
The war widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month besides their monthly pension. The ex-servicemen, who took part in World War II and who were not getting any kind of pension, and their widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month by the state government. The blind ex-servicemen and handicapped ex-servicemen, who were not getting any kind of pension, were also being given a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.
Hooda said 10 per cent residential plots floated by HUDA and 5 per cent houses built by Haryana Housing Board (HHB) have been reserved for ex-servicemen and serving personnel. Defence colonies were being set up at Rohtak, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar, Narnaul, Bahadurgarh, Jind, Dadri and Karnal by HUDA.
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced to increase the amount of lumpsum financial assistance and annuity of the gallantry award winners of the state. He also announced to get a survey conducted to assess repair and renovation of all the existing Sainik rest houses to be done as per their need and to construct a new Sainik rest house at Dadri.
The CM was speaking as chief guest in the 30th annual Sammelan of All India Ex-services Welfare Association organised at new Anaj Mandi, Dadri, on Sunday. He said the state government had decided to increase the award money of the winners of Paramvir Chakra and Ashok Chakra from Rs 25 lakh each to Rs 31 lakh each, of Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra from Rs 15 lakh each to Rs 25 lakh each and of Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra from Rs 10 lakh each to Rs 15 lakh each.
Similarly, the amount being given to the winners of Vayusena medal, Navsena medal and Sena medal had also been increased from Rs five lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh and the amount for Mention-in-dispatches from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh.
He said the annuity for the winners of Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Mahavir Chakra had been increased to Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh respectively.
Besides, winners of Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena medal would get annuity of Rs 1.50 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Annuity for mention-in-dispatches had been increased to Rs 20,000, he added. Hooda said it was a matter of great pride that Haryana with 1.37 per cent of the geographical area of the country was contributing a lot to the Armed Forces of the country.
Every tenth soldier of the Armed Forces belonged to Haryana. The youth of Haryana were safeguarding the borders of the country and the farmers of this sacred land were producing foodgrains for the teeming millions. Despite better availability of employment in the state, the youth of Haryana preferred to join Army.
The number of serving personnel and ex-servicemen of the state stood at 19.38 lakh. The state government was committed to the welfare of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents. For the welfare of these persons, the state government had made a provision of Rs 33 crore in the annual budget for the year 2011-12.
Citing details of the incentives being given to the serving personnel and ex-servicemen by the state government, Hooda said ex-servicemen above the age of 60 years and their widows, who are not getting any pension, were being given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month.
The war widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month besides their monthly pension. The ex-servicemen, who took part in World War II and who were not getting any kind of pension, and their widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month by the state government. The blind ex-servicemen and handicapped ex-servicemen, who were not getting any kind of pension, were also being given a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.
Hooda said 10 per cent residential plots floated by HUDA and 5 per cent houses built by Haryana Housing Board (HHB) have been reserved for ex-servicemen and serving personnel. Defence colonies were being set up at Rohtak, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar, Narnaul, Bahadurgarh, Jind, Dadri and Karnal by HUDA.
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
Monday, January 23, 2012
Age row: Former Army chief backs Gen VK Singh
Todays notable comments
Vasant Datar (Nashik)
38 mins ago (09:53 AM)
It is very unfortunate that 'Babus' control every aspect of Indian machinery. It is disgusting that they - together with politicians extract so much for themselves; while leaving Army insulted! We should not forget that we are one nation even now, not because of 'Babus' or politicians; but because of gallant Army. But for politicians, we could have resolved problems posed by notorious neighbors after 1965 and 1971 wars.
sk (Oman)
1 hr ago (09:26 AM)
I really appreciate former Army chief Gen Shankar Roychoudhary for supporting present Chief. How can an honest Army chief be humilated by Govt. to fulfill their Bofors like motif, for which Mr Singh could be a hurdle. Our Govt. has crossed all th limits of SHAME. Earlier humiliated Anna for raising voice against corruption. Now they are putting nation & country's security at risk, by making a issue public & exposing Army to China, Pakistan & other countries.
ND (I-ND-IA)
51 mins ago (09:40 AM)
in india - THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES THE GENERAL'S AGE. in pakistan - THE GENERAL DECIDES THE GOVERNMENT'S AGE.
agni (mumbai)
38 mins ago (09:53 AM)
--Legally: 1) It is a case between an employee and his employer. Law treats everybody equally. To hell with those who feel special consideration should be given to the General. A General and Sepoy are just individuals in the eyes of the law. 2) Parties to the case cannot reach an agreement on age. Birth is an event with a date. The most reliable sources will be treated as proof of age. You can't have and agreement on dates of delivery! Any such agreement is stupid and invalid--. Nincompoops in the ministry of defence should be thrown out to ensure that such controversies do not take place in future. I believe the SC will decide the date to be 1951. It will affect promotions of 4 levels of officers currently in service (acc. to a TV show), if the General decides to continue till 2013. Law is not concerned with this particular issue of 'levels'.
Age row: Former Army chief backs Gen VK Singh
Vasant Datar (Nashik)
38 mins ago (09:53 AM)
It is very unfortunate that 'Babus' control every aspect of Indian machinery. It is disgusting that they - together with politicians extract so much for themselves; while leaving Army insulted! We should not forget that we are one nation even now, not because of 'Babus' or politicians; but because of gallant Army. But for politicians, we could have resolved problems posed by notorious neighbors after 1965 and 1971 wars.
sk (Oman)
1 hr ago (09:26 AM)
I really appreciate former Army chief Gen Shankar Roychoudhary for supporting present Chief. How can an honest Army chief be humilated by Govt. to fulfill their Bofors like motif, for which Mr Singh could be a hurdle. Our Govt. has crossed all th limits of SHAME. Earlier humiliated Anna for raising voice against corruption. Now they are putting nation & country's security at risk, by making a issue public & exposing Army to China, Pakistan & other countries.
ND (I-ND-IA)
51 mins ago (09:40 AM)
in india - THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES THE GENERAL'S AGE. in pakistan - THE GENERAL DECIDES THE GOVERNMENT'S AGE.
agni (mumbai)
38 mins ago (09:53 AM)
--Legally: 1) It is a case between an employee and his employer. Law treats everybody equally. To hell with those who feel special consideration should be given to the General. A General and Sepoy are just individuals in the eyes of the law. 2) Parties to the case cannot reach an agreement on age. Birth is an event with a date. The most reliable sources will be treated as proof of age. You can't have and agreement on dates of delivery! Any such agreement is stupid and invalid--. Nincompoops in the ministry of defence should be thrown out to ensure that such controversies do not take place in future. I believe the SC will decide the date to be 1951. It will affect promotions of 4 levels of officers currently in service (acc. to a TV show), if the General decides to continue till 2013. Law is not concerned with this particular issue of 'levels'.
Age row: Former Army chief backs Gen VK Singh
Defence Service Officers Subjected to Functional Degradation
Discrimination & Agony of Defence Service Officers Continues
ISSUE OF NFU (NON FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION) NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION
1. All Defence Offrs, please be informed that Offrs of other services with whom you interact on functional basis, like MES Civ Offrs, GREF Civ Offrs, Offrs of BSF, CRPF ,ITBP, Def Accts(IDAS), Test Audit(IA&AS), Ord Factory Bd etc, will now get the salary and grade pay of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen (GP Rs 10000/-) in 19 yrs of service, and will draw the pay of Addl Secretary to Govt of India which is equal to a Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/-) in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
2. The above condition has been brought about consequent to acceptance of 6 CPC recom on NFU by GoI, wherein it recommended that whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4,the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre. Hence if an IAS officer becomes Joint Secretary in 17 years of service the offrs of Org Gp A Service(like the ones mentioned in Para 1) will start drawing the salary of Joint Secretary in maximum of 19 years of service and similarly that of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen in 30 and 32 yrs resp.
3. Why is it not applicable to Def Offrs: Because as per Govt of India Defence Officers are NOT part of Organic Gp A Services and the above recommendation is applicable to only to the latter.
4. If Def Offrs are not part of Org Gp A service then what are they: They are just ‘Commissioned Officers’.
5. If all the above is correct then who all form part of Org Gp A Services and then how come Defence Officers are bracketted as Class 1 offrs: Central Civil Services mainly include AIS (All India Services, namely, IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) and Org Gp A service. There are a total of 58 services forming part of Org Gp A service. Defence Officers are not part of Civil Services but have been broadly kept at par with Gp A Offrs of Civil Services(erstwhile known as Class 1 offrs) by various Pay Commissions. The reference to same since independence.
6. Background to recommendation of NFU for Org Gp A Service as per 6 CPC:
(a) The Sixth CPC observed that there is a conventional edge of two years between IAS and other AIS/ Central Group A services and stated that though the Fifth CPC had taken the view that the edge need not be disturbed, in practice, however, the gap of two years (for posting to various grades in the Centre in form of empanelment of IAS officers and promotion for other Group A officers), has increased in respect of many organised Group A services.
(b) The sixth CPC felt that this is not justified as Organised Group A services have to be given their due which justifiably should mean that the disparity, as far as appointment to various grades in Centre are concerned, should not exceed two years between IAS and organised Central Group A services. It recommended that the Government should, accordingly, consider batch-wise parity while empanelling and/or posting at Centre between respective batches of IAS and other organised Group A services with the gap being restricted to two years.
(c) Therefore whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4, the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre.
(d) The higher non-functional grade so given to the officers of organised Group A services will be personal to them and will not depend on the number of vacancies in that grade.
(e) These officers will continue in their existing posts and will get substantial posting in the higher grade that they are holding on non functional basis only after vacancies arise in that grade. This will not only ensure some sort of modified parity between IAS and other Central Group A services but will also alleviate the present grade of disparity existing between promotional avenues available to different organised Group A services.
(f) The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .
7. Why should the def offrs get NFU: Because for the following reasons:
None of the Org Gp A service faces as much stagnation as the Armed Forces officers because of its pyramidal structure. In fact, on the contrary, most of the Gp A service offrs, as it is, reach the level equal to Addl Secretary due to cylindrical structure of promotion of their service. Only issue for them is,’ in how many years’. In comparison, 97% defence officers retire at the levels below Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen. Hence, if the logic of giving NFU to Org Gp A offrs is stagnation, then, no one deserves it more than the Armed Forces Offrs.
Traditionally, since independence, there has been a broad parity between the Class 1 / Gp A offrs of Civil Services and the Defence Services Officers which has been acknowledged by different Pay Commissions in their reports. In such a case, the differential behaviour of 6 CPC not only disturbs the financial parity, it pushes down the defence services in status as even directly recruited officers of Gp B services attain a better pay and promotional avenue and manage to reach the level of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen before retiring. In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/ BSF/ ITBP too can beat Defence Services Officers when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary/ Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt/ DSP in 8 yrs. All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offr like Stn Cdr. In a specific case a Civ Chief Engineer of MES has started considering himself senior to a COS due to NFU and started saying so all around. Such problems will only increase in future. Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution. If our top brass stands up united on this issue, the Government will have to accept it. Service HQs are aware of this issue and had sent a proposal to MoD, but it has been rejected. However, the issue needs a more forceful pleading duly backed by Service Officers unanimously.
8. Benefits of NFU: It will not only benefit the officers facing stagnation at the level of Lt Col, Col, and Brig, but will also benefit senior offrs like Maj Gen and Lt Gen who otherwise pick up their ranks in 29 yrs and 35 yrs respectively, as they will too start drawing the pay of Maj Gen in 19 yrs of service and that of Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service.
9. What can you do: Don’t accept ‘fait accompli’, Spread awareness, as knowledge is power. Apprise more and more officers about this discrimination. Raise it in appropriate forums to escalate its level and let the top brass take it up as seriously as PB-4 issue with the govt for IT IS, AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE. It not only affects pay, it also affects status. So please do your bit, at least ask for it from your seniors. If you have anything more to add to this article, which is relevant and factually correct, please go ahead and add on for the benefit of all, and circulate this in your yahoo/ google/ any other groups of various courses/ batches on the internet.
CAN ANYONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
Defence Officers Discriminated in Non Functional Upgradation by CPC
ISSUE OF NFU (NON FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION) NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION
1. All Defence Offrs, please be informed that Offrs of other services with whom you interact on functional basis, like MES Civ Offrs, GREF Civ Offrs, Offrs of BSF, CRPF ,ITBP, Def Accts(IDAS), Test Audit(IA&AS), Ord Factory Bd etc, will now get the salary and grade pay of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen (GP Rs 10000/-) in 19 yrs of service, and will draw the pay of Addl Secretary to Govt of India which is equal to a Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/-) in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
2. The above condition has been brought about consequent to acceptance of 6 CPC recom on NFU by GoI, wherein it recommended that whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4,the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre. Hence if an IAS officer becomes Joint Secretary in 17 years of service the offrs of Org Gp A Service(like the ones mentioned in Para 1) will start drawing the salary of Joint Secretary in maximum of 19 years of service and similarly that of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen in 30 and 32 yrs resp.
3. Why is it not applicable to Def Offrs: Because as per Govt of India Defence Officers are NOT part of Organic Gp A Services and the above recommendation is applicable to only to the latter.
4. If Def Offrs are not part of Org Gp A service then what are they: They are just ‘Commissioned Officers’.
5. If all the above is correct then who all form part of Org Gp A Services and then how come Defence Officers are bracketted as Class 1 offrs: Central Civil Services mainly include AIS (All India Services, namely, IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) and Org Gp A service. There are a total of 58 services forming part of Org Gp A service. Defence Officers are not part of Civil Services but have been broadly kept at par with Gp A Offrs of Civil Services(erstwhile known as Class 1 offrs) by various Pay Commissions. The reference to same since independence.
6. Background to recommendation of NFU for Org Gp A Service as per 6 CPC:
(a) The Sixth CPC observed that there is a conventional edge of two years between IAS and other AIS/ Central Group A services and stated that though the Fifth CPC had taken the view that the edge need not be disturbed, in practice, however, the gap of two years (for posting to various grades in the Centre in form of empanelment of IAS officers and promotion for other Group A officers), has increased in respect of many organised Group A services.
(b) The sixth CPC felt that this is not justified as Organised Group A services have to be given their due which justifiably should mean that the disparity, as far as appointment to various grades in Centre are concerned, should not exceed two years between IAS and organised Central Group A services. It recommended that the Government should, accordingly, consider batch-wise parity while empanelling and/or posting at Centre between respective batches of IAS and other organised Group A services with the gap being restricted to two years.
(c) Therefore whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4, the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre.
(d) The higher non-functional grade so given to the officers of organised Group A services will be personal to them and will not depend on the number of vacancies in that grade.
(e) These officers will continue in their existing posts and will get substantial posting in the higher grade that they are holding on non functional basis only after vacancies arise in that grade. This will not only ensure some sort of modified parity between IAS and other Central Group A services but will also alleviate the present grade of disparity existing between promotional avenues available to different organised Group A services.
(f) The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .
7. Why should the def offrs get NFU: Because for the following reasons:
8. Benefits of NFU: It will not only benefit the officers facing stagnation at the level of Lt Col, Col, and Brig, but will also benefit senior offrs like Maj Gen and Lt Gen who otherwise pick up their ranks in 29 yrs and 35 yrs respectively, as they will too start drawing the pay of Maj Gen in 19 yrs of service and that of Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service.
9. What can you do: Don’t accept ‘fait accompli’, Spread awareness, as knowledge is power. Apprise more and more officers about this discrimination. Raise it in appropriate forums to escalate its level and let the top brass take it up as seriously as PB-4 issue with the govt for IT IS, AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE. It not only affects pay, it also affects status. So please do your bit, at least ask for it from your seniors. If you have anything more to add to this article, which is relevant and factually correct, please go ahead and add on for the benefit of all, and circulate this in your yahoo/ google/ any other groups of various courses/ batches on the internet.
CAN ANYONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
Defence Officers Discriminated in Non Functional Upgradation by CPC
Captain Arminder Singh of Congress Campaigns for the Cause of Ex Servicemen
CONGRESS DI BULAND AWAAZ For the benefit of our Ex-Servicemen1. Refer to Punjab Pradesh Congress advertisement appearing on Page 5 of THE TRIBUNE Dated 22 Jan 2012.
Dear Veterans the following points were accepted by Capt Amrinder Singh for implementation in front of 6000 Plus ESM of Punab. This has got reflected in the Advertisement of Punjab Pradesh Congress.
1. Will pursue with the central Government for 100% implementation of One Rank One Pension Scheme which will benefit 8 Lakh Servicemen of Punjab.
2. Pursue and engage the central Government to extend the benefits such as Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), gratuity etc to non pensioners.
3. Ex-servicemen would be exempted from paying Toll-Tax on State highways to be constructed on Public Private Partnership basis.
4. Every effort shall be made to remove anomalies of 6th Pay commission for Defence Personnel.
5. VAT on all CSD items will be exempted.
6. Financial Grant for marriage of the daughters of ESM widows will be enhanced.
7. Funds will be released for creation of ESM Institutes along with Zila Sainik Welfare Centers.
8.All ESM affairs will be directly under CM.
9. All ESM & Defence Personnel will be attended to on Priority by the State Govt Officials.
NAVI SOCH NAVA PUNJAB
Dear Veterans the following points were accepted by Capt Amrinder Singh for implementation in front of 6000 Plus ESM of Punab. This has got reflected in the Advertisement of Punjab Pradesh Congress.
1. Will pursue with the central Government for 100% implementation of One Rank One Pension Scheme which will benefit 8 Lakh Servicemen of Punjab.
2. Pursue and engage the central Government to extend the benefits such as Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), gratuity etc to non pensioners.
3. Ex-servicemen would be exempted from paying Toll-Tax on State highways to be constructed on Public Private Partnership basis.
4. Every effort shall be made to remove anomalies of 6th Pay commission for Defence Personnel.
5. VAT on all CSD items will be exempted.
6. Financial Grant for marriage of the daughters of ESM widows will be enhanced.
7. Funds will be released for creation of ESM Institutes along with Zila Sainik Welfare Centers.
8.All ESM affairs will be directly under CM.
9. All ESM & Defence Personnel will be attended to on Priority by the State Govt Officials.
NAVI SOCH NAVA PUNJAB
Lokpal and the Armed Forces
LOKPAL: Case for an inclusive approach by Maj Navdeep Singh
The Lokpal Bill, expected to be placed before the Rajya Sabha in the next session, has kicked up a debate over the exclusion of the Armed Forces from its purview. Barring operational and intelligence matters, being under the Lokpal would be beneficial and not detrimental for the services as it could well prove that the levels of corruption in the defence services are lower than in other departments. All references in the final Act to Group-A officers should also apply to Commissioned Officers, while those to Group-B and Group-C staff should be applicable to Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks respectively.
The reaction amongst the military community was apparently euphoric when it came to light that the Parliament had agreed on keeping the Armed Forces out of the purview of the Lokpal.
Why the elation, one may ask? The exclusion only leads to the solidification of the 'holy cow' image and a message is sent out that the Armed Forces do not want the cloak of secrecy to be removed since there could be skeletons to hide, which in fact, is not the case at all. Being one of the cleanest institutions, the Armed Forces must set an example and welcome probity of any kind rather than revelling in the bloated myth of being 'different'.
National security and operational aspects have become the much flogged reasons for circumventing transparency not only in the defence services but elsewhere too. The gullible public, including lawmakers, buy it in the name of patriotism. But real patriotism would only be displayed when the uniformed forces go all out to embrace the concept of Lokpal in line with the national effort.
click here to read the Tribune OPED
The Lokpal Bill, expected to be placed before the Rajya Sabha in the next session, has kicked up a debate over the exclusion of the Armed Forces from its purview. Barring operational and intelligence matters, being under the Lokpal would be beneficial and not detrimental for the services as it could well prove that the levels of corruption in the defence services are lower than in other departments. All references in the final Act to Group-A officers should also apply to Commissioned Officers, while those to Group-B and Group-C staff should be applicable to Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks respectively.
The reaction amongst the military community was apparently euphoric when it came to light that the Parliament had agreed on keeping the Armed Forces out of the purview of the Lokpal.
Why the elation, one may ask? The exclusion only leads to the solidification of the 'holy cow' image and a message is sent out that the Armed Forces do not want the cloak of secrecy to be removed since there could be skeletons to hide, which in fact, is not the case at all. Being one of the cleanest institutions, the Armed Forces must set an example and welcome probity of any kind rather than revelling in the bloated myth of being 'different'.
National security and operational aspects have become the much flogged reasons for circumventing transparency not only in the defence services but elsewhere too. The gullible public, including lawmakers, buy it in the name of patriotism. But real patriotism would only be displayed when the uniformed forces go all out to embrace the concept of Lokpal in line with the national effort.
click here to read the Tribune OPED
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