Army Chief visits Siachen with words of praise for soldiers
Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag interacts with soldiers in Siachen on Friday.
Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 1
Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag today visited Siachen to review the situation following recent avalanches in which 12 soldiers and a porter were killed.
“The Army Chief visited the sites where soldiers lost their lives at Siachen in the recent avalanches. He interacted with the soldiers serving at Siachen and commended them for their outstanding work in difficult conditions. He exhorted them to be careful of the threats of avalanches,” said defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami.
The Army Chief also met the porters who maintain the posts in difficult conditions at Siachen.
General Dalbir Singh was accompanied by Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen SK Patyal.
On March 25, two soldiers on patrol duty were buried under an avalanche in the Turtuk area of western Siachen.
A porter died on February 27 when he fell into a 200-foot-deep crevasse in Siachen’s northern glacier.
His body was found 130-foot-deep after the rescue teams cut through frozen snow and ice.
On February 3, 10 soldiers were buried under a major avalanche which wiped out an Army post on Siachen Glacier. While nine of the soldiers were found dead, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, buried under 25 feet of snow, was found alive in a critical condition six days after the avalanche had hit the Sonam post.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, however, succumbed to hypothermia among other ailments at Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi on February 11.
Following the death of nine soldiers on February 3, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit had suggested withdrawal of Indian and Pakistani armies from the strategic glacier.

GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh (centre) meets officers and staff of the new Service Selection Centre (North) in Kapurthala on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1

As the armed forces continue to grapple with shortage of officers, a new Services Selection Centre (North) became operational today at Kapurthala, near Jalandhar, and is expected to help offset some shortfall.Last month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had told Parliament that there was a shortage of 9,106 officers (18 per cent) in the Army and 1,265 officers (15 per cent) in the Navy. The Air Force is reported to have negligible deficiency.The Army has drawn up a roadmap to fill the vacancies, but the process is expected to take another six to eight years to bring the shortfall from 18 to 12 per cent. While there is no deficiency in the higher ranks of Colonel and above, the problem lies at the junior officer level that forms the cutting edge. Battalions and regiments remain severely understaffed, raising operational, administrative and psychological issues.The screening and tests for the first batch of 80 candidates commenced today at the new centre. Candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and even Jammu and Kashmir will generally be called here for Service Selection Board (SSB) interviews. These states, according to last year’s figure, contributed over 24 per cent of the total cadets who became officers.The centre consists of two SSBs (No. 31 and No. 32). This is the fourth selection centre to be raised to select aspirants for the Army, the other three being at Bangalore, Allahabad and Bhopal. The Air Force and the Navy have separate SSBs. The Defence Ministry has approved seven new boards across the country, including two each for the Army and the Air Force and three for the Navy.The centre was earlier scheduled to commence functioning from September this year, but its early operationalisation would enable the centre to handle an additional 25 batches. It is expected to function provisionally at Kapurthala Military Station for two years till it is shifted to its proposed permanent location at Ropar where a state-of-the-art campus spread over 200 acres is under construction.Inaugurating the centre, Lt Gen KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, said it was a pending demand of Punjab to open a selection centre in the state as aspirants from the North had to travel to far off places for SSB interview.

Mohana Singh

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 10

Mohana Singh, who is among the first batch of women fighter pilots set to join the Indian Air Force, is a product of the city’s Global Institutes. There are three women who will join the IAF as fighter pilots.Global Institutes vice-chairman Dr Akashdeep Singh felicitated her telephonically and observed that her trail- blazing success would inspire many young women to aim high, work hard and achieve glory. He wished her many more milestones in future also.He said it was a moment of great pride in the history of Global Institutes when the news came that its student Mohana Singh, who did her BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering with 83.68 per cent marks in 2013, received the honour of being one of the first women fighter pilots in the IAF, a rare distinction achieved by only three women of substance, courage and conviction for the first time in India.Hailing from Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Mohana had joined the institute while her father Pratap Singh was posted here in the Army.She has brought laurels not only to her alma mater and family, but also to all women of the country with this feat. She has proved that for a woman of determination, sky is the limit. She can, like men, conquer all barriers and obstacles to attain her chosen goal.This is what Mohana has shown as possible. She was determined to make a mark in this exclusive male domain. She has shown to all Indian women that they can achieve what they want and make their life more meaningful and fulfilling professionally also. Mohana had been a focused and hardworking student during her studies at Global Institutes.The management, faculty and the staff were thrilled to hear the news. They sent congratulations to the distinguished fighter pilot and her parents on her grand professional success.

Pakistani delegates during an interaction in Chandigarh on Thursday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) today said India should “religiously” follow the Indus Water Treaty, 1960, and allow full water discharge in the Jhelum and Chenab.The leaders said the occasional blockade of water discharge in these two crucial rivers led to immense hue and cry among peasants of west Punjab, as more than half of farmlands there were dependent on river water irrigation.Mian Mehmood-ur-Rashid, Leader of Opposition in Provincial Assembly of Punjab (Pakistan), said: “India should religiously honour provisions of the Indus Water Treaty, 1960 and act like an elder brother. Farmers in our country, especially in Punjab, are mostly dependent on the river waters.”The leaders are part of the delegation comprising over a dozen prominent politicians and retired bureaucrats, who are at present visiting India to participate in interactive sessions on sharing of experiences on governance and democracy being organised in various Indian cities. A similar such event was organised today at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID).PML (N) leader Saud Majeed, a member of the Pakistan Senate from Punjab, who has also served as a member of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013, also said India should ensure full water discharge in the Jhelum and Chenab.During the discussion, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, shared as to how the agriculture sector in Pakistan was facing acute challenges similar to that in India.Admitting that India’s farm sector was still ahead of Pakistan’s, nearly all visitors appreciated India’s effort of developing high yielding seed of cash crops.“High lending rates being charged by commission agents, crop damage due to weather calamity, distress sale of produce and soaring input costs are some of the major problems that are common to farmers of both Punjabs. Even the climatic challenges are almost similar. Therefore, the exchange of technology know-how can benefit farmers of both nations,” said Saud Majeed.

‘Issues can be solved through dialogue’

• The South Asia region should be declared nuclear as well as missile-free zone, said Lt General Abdul Qayyum (retd), who served as military secretary with two Pakistan PMs. He was at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development at Chandigarh for a dialogue between India-Pakistan legislators and public officials. Qayyum is a senator from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and serves as chairman of the Standing Committee on Defence Production of Pakistan Parliament. He said, “The interest of both nations lies in peace not in conflict and no country can become a superpower when it has conflicts at its backyard. There are so many issues that can be solved with dialogue on a table.” He said Sher Shah Suri Marg (GT Road) should be opened and accessible to different vehicles for people of both nations. “It will open new avenues of trade and will strengthen the economy of both countries,” he said.

Washington, March 10

Terming the Haqqani network as the greatest threat to US forces in Afghanistan, a top American general has said it is time for Pakistan to “take decisive action” against this Pakistan-based terror group.

“We need Pakistan to take decisive actions against the Haqqani Network (HQN). The Pakistanis are uniquely positioned to counter the HQN, which remains the greatest threat to our forces and to stability in Afghanistan long-term,” Commander of US Central Command General Lloyd J Austin told members of the Senate Armed Service Committee at a Congressional hearing.

The US is encouraged by some signs from Kabul and Islamabad that point towards a renewed effort at improving Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, and Pakistani support for the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, Austin said yesterday.

“The Pakistan military continues to play a visible role in efforts to reduce safe havens in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, while at the same time actively countering VEOs, including AQ, Tehrik- e-Taliban Pakistan, and the newly-emerged ISIL-KP,” he said.

“During the most recent fighting season, we saw increased collaboration among Afghan and Pakistani military leadership.

Commanders at the corps level have met multiple times and continue their efforts to increase interoperability between the forces.

“Both countries’ military leaders are working to secure a bilateral border standard operating procedure,” Austin said.

Noting that US-Pakistan military-to-military relationship remains stable, he said key contributing factors are the American security assistance and the Coalition Support Fund.

“In December 2015, we participated in the Defence Consultative Group, a component of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, which focused on future initiatives that will help sustain US-Pakistan bilateral defence cooperation on shared security interests,” Austin added. — PTI

Brig KG Behl (retd)

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 9

Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the All India Consumers Council Uttarakhand, has requested all environmentalists to come together to save Parade Ground in Dehradun that was being converted into a concrete ground without permission for change of land use.Brig Behl said Parade Ground is considered the lungs of Dehradun and it is along with Gandhi Park was the only open and green place left in the town. Its conversion into a concrete ground would not only spoil the greenery and beauty of Dehradun but also suffocate the people of Doon who were already suffering from increasing traffic and pollution.He said on the pretext of one or another excuse Parade Ground was being converted into a concrete surface without bothering how much it would affect the greenery of the town and create pollution. He added why couldn’t the environmentalists, who keep on harping on greening Dehradun, come and see how Parade Ground was being spoiled in the name of sports.Brig Behl said they were not against sports but it should be managed properly and carried out at specific places. He questioned the necessity of making concrete courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball in Parade Ground.An old Doon resident said the government had a few years ago planned construction of a stadium at Parade Ground but all lovers of green Dehradun protested and the proposal was shelved. “But now slowly they are again following in the footsteps of those residents who had opposed construction of a stadium at Parade Ground and trying to convert it into a concrete one. It needs to be stopped forthwith,” he added.He appealed to the Governor and the Chief Minister to save the historic Parade Ground and its green cover.

The police keep a vigil at a temple in Surat on Mahashivaratri on Monday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 7

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held a high-level internal security review meeting amid multi-city alert owing to a terror threat following inputs of 10 LeT and JeM terrorists having entered the Indian territory from Pakistan through Gujarat coast. Alert has also been sounded in Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.As most temples, keeping in view Mahashivaratri celebration today, and other strategic locations were put under tight vigil, the Home Minister was briefed by officials about the security drill.Singh took stock of the situation and steps taken to prevent any possible terror attacks, though the agencies remained clueless about the location and possible target of the suspected terrorists.Besides National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, other top security officials present at the meeting included Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineshwar Sharma.An alert has already been sounded in Gujarat and other major metropolitan centres by central security agencies following reports that the 10 terrorists are on a mission to carry out attacks against high-value targets. Tier-two cities such as Lucknow, Jaipur, Vijayawada, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Panaji have also been asked to step up vigil. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore have already been on alert following the input.In the national Capital, police presence and patrolling have been stepped up around temples, popular markets, iconic buildings and other places such as metro stations, railway stations and bus terminus, a senior official said.After the review meeting, the Home Minister told mediapersons that action had been taken following the intelligence inputs. “We have received some information and whatever necessary instructions had to be given, have been given,” he said.Sources in the MHA said the minister reviewed the steps taken to beef up security at strategic locations, religious sites and industrial spots in Gujarat and metro cities apprehending threats.Kiren Rijiju, junior minister in the MHA, said security agencies were working and taking necessary steps after receiving the intelligence inputs. In view of the January 2 terror attack at the Pathankot airbase, security agencies were not taking any chances and all possible steps are being taken to prevent any possible terror strike, assured the minister. Security was beefed up across Gujarat and in other parts of the country after the National Security Adviser got a call from his Pakistani counterpart Nasir Janjua about the 10 terrorists from two Pakistan-based outfits having sneaked into India through the Gujarat coast.The central agencies are investigating the discovery of five abandoned fishing boats near Sir Creek on the Kutch coast over the past three months, including one found by a BSF patrol on Friday. 

(With agency inputs)

RAJNATH REVIEWS SECURITY SITUATION

The home minister on Monday met top intelligence officials in the wake of an input from Pakistan about possible militant infiltration into Gujarat. But 48 hours after the tip-off, security agencies had no information pointing to the presence of a suicide squad. They, however, continued to trawl through voice and data traffic for leads

VIGIL ON SHIVRATRI Rajnath meets top officials in wake of input about possible infiltration by 10 extremists from Pakistan

SCENE one: After retirement we moved into a small house which provided  parking space for only one car. My Maruti 800 occupied that space. With the arrival of the second and expensive car of my son, the Maruti had to be parked outside the house. I would secure the vehicle with a steering lock at night, an act not pleasant to my friends who believed  that no one would take away a Maruti 800. During the thick of summer, the roof padding of the car would give way due to extreme heat, and I would look for a shady space to protect my vehicle from the cruelty of the sun.  After a short survey, an elegant amaltas tree was spotted across the road. The tree looks beautiful when it sheds its leaves and sways majestically in the spring breeze.One day, while I was parking the car,  a middle-aged lady gestured me to stop; possibly she had a message. I unrolled the windowpane to listen to her. “Veerji, don’t park the car here. The reflection of the sun annoys me in my house which is just across the road.” I was dumb-founded with the unusual sermon of the lady, and took a  few seconds before I could react. I thought a bit and folded my hands: “Sat bachan,” I replied, accepting her verdict. She walked away satisfied with the sense of achievement, contentment writ large on her face. My  sat bachan had avoided any conflict, even though I had  parked the car on government land Scene two: I was driving the Maruti in the congested motor market of Chandigarh to get the roof repaired. I was trying to locate the shop which I had visited on earlier occasions. I observed a young boy running behind my car, signalling me to stop. After negotiating my way, I managed to park the car and followed the boy to the shop. The owner, standing behind the counter, furiously remarked: “Sardar saheb, you have hit and damaged my scooter while driving in front of my shop!” I had the moral courage to accept my mistake and replied: “Sat bachan, my fault. Please get it repaired at my cost.” The shopkeeper,  who initially appeared aggressive  mellowed, possibly never expecting  such a reply. “Sir, it is ok,” he said.Driving back, I realised the power of sat bachan, and being humble. There were no arguments, no raising of voices, no fights, but everything ended on a pleasant note. The present young generation, which is all set to fight on trivial issues, needs to embrace humility, a quality which keeps oneself under control. It would prevent many road rage cases that occur often. Humility does not exhibit   weakness, but the strength of the individual.

The biggest disappointment has been the move to tax Provident Fund withdrawals. This is like rubbing salt in the wounds of a middle class that honestly pays its taxes.

The Union Budget-2016 is typical of the NDA government, strong on hype and short on substance. The Finance Minister has made a lot of statements, but one wonders how he would deliver on those. The Budget speech was resoundingly silent on the “how” aspect of the promises. For example, it is a very worthy objective to claim that farmers’ incomes can double in five years! But Mr Jaitley has not mentioned any concrete steps on how this income can go up so rapidly. For this to happen, farmers’ incomes would have to go up by almost 15 per cent per year, which is almost double the rate at which the GDP is expected to grow for the next few years. In view of the current macro-economic situation, as well as the cautionary notes issued by the Economic Survey, this kind of rapid growth looks unlikely. That is what betrays the NDA government’s lack of intent to fulfil the big promises.Farmers are already grappling with a vicious cycle of debt, stagnation of income and two consecutive bad monsoons. Under such circumstances it would have been reassuring to see the government increasing the crop insurance allocation, but that hasn’t happened. Likewise, the increase in the allotment for irrigation is also suspect. It has been done previously as well, but there was also a commensurate increase in the area under irrigation. States like Punjab need investment to upgrade the irrigation infrastructure, but there was no announcement to that effect.What is heartening to see is that the government has chosen to persist with the MNREGA. This is a good decision, though one cannot restrain oneself from pointing out that shortly after coming to power, the Prime Minister had rather boastfully claimed that the scheme epitomised all that was wrong with UPA policies. It would be unfair on my part to say that the government has done a U-turn, but it is good to see that it is persisting with some of the good polices of the UPA, including Aadhaar, which it had initially debunked.It is also good to observe that the Finance Minister has chosen to keep fiscal deficit at 3.5 per cent. However, it is unclear how this is going to be achieved. There is no mention of how the minister is going to adjust the implementation of the pay commission proposals. There has been no buoyancy in the collection of income tax and corporate tax in the first two years of the NDA government. So a suggestion that income and corporate tax collections would go up significantly this year needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Moreover, the service tax has been left unchanged and corporate tax has been brought down; the GST still appears on a distant horizon; so one wonders if the fiscal target would be achieved.The biggest disappointment for me was the disastrous move to tax Provident Fund (PF) withdrawals. This is like rubbing salt in the wounds of a middle class that honestly pays taxes and is suffering an unstoppable inflation. While it would have been good of the Finance Minister to give some income tax exemptions, he has gone on to charge tax on as much as 60 per cent of the corpus of the PF withdrawals. The justification that the government wants the middle class to remain invested in pension annuity incomes, etc, to retain continuous saving is highly disingenuous. To attract the middle class to these schemes you don’t need to give them the fear of tax. You should be giving attractive savings interest rates to ensure that the money flows back into the economy, stimulating capital formation.Also, the government seems to have grossly underestimated the extent of the rot that exists in our public-sector banks. It would have been good to see a clear strategy and more aggressive laws hitting at defaulters and reducing the bad debt/non-performing assets (NPAs). It is shocking to know that the total NPAs of public-sector banks are more than the combined market capitalisation of these banks. It is obvious that we are sitting on dynamite. Under such circumstances, it would have been good to see aggressive bankruptcy norms, merging of small banks, performance indicators of public sector banks, reform in the boards of these banks, and infusion of private capital in them. None of this happened. The allocation of Rs 11,000 crore is paltry in view of the sheer extent of the problem in the banking sector.There has been no indication of the achievements of the much-touted Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or the Skill India Mission. Promises, we see, have been made liberally, while there is very little money visible to realise those.The writer is a member of the Congress and former Finance Minister of Punjab.