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Washington/Islamabad, May 3

The $700 million F-16 fighter jet deal seems to have hit turbulence with the US telling Pakistan it will have to finance the purchase of fighter jets itself after members of the US Congress objected to using government funds to pay for them. Pakistan, however, said it will buy jets from other countries if the US fails to provide agreed funds.The US has asked Pakistan to “put forward” its “national funds” to buy eight F-16 fighter jets after some top American Senators put a hold on the use of taxpayers’ money to partially finance them. Pakistan has time till May-end to avail the American offer to procure F-16s.“While the Congress has approved the sale, key members have made clear that they object to using FMF (foreign military financing) to support it. Given Congressional objections, we have told the Pakistanis that they should put forward national funds for that purpose,” said US State Department spokesman John Kirby on Monday. Kirby, however, did not say when this decision was taken and when was it communicated to Pakistan.Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, however, said the Congressional blockade might force it to turn to other countries. “Pakistan will buy F-16s from some other country if funding (from US) is not arranged,” Aziz said at a seminar.On February 11, the State Department had informed the Congress about its determination for selling eight F-16s to Pakistan at an estimated cost of $700 million. The move was opposed by the Indian Government, which summoned US Ambassador to India Richard Verma to lodge its protest.US top American lawmakers led by Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, put a hold on the sale arguing that it would not let the Obama administration use taxpayers’ money for sale of the fighter jets to Pakistan given that Islamabad was not taking enough action against terrorist organisations, in particular the Haqqani network. — AgenciesCan’t use taxpayers’ money: US Congress

• Under the $700 m deal, Pakistan was to pay $270 m from its national funds to buy eight F-16s built by American firm Lockheed Martin Corp, while the US was to fund the rest from its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) fund
• The US Congress, however, refused to approve funding using taxpayers’ money, leaving the deal in limbo, as cash-starved Pakistan may not be able to make the entire payment
• Last week, top American lawmakers during a congressional hearing told the Obama administration they feared Pakistan will use the F-16s against India and not against terrorists

India’s military growth ‘worrisome’Adviser to Pak PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday expressed concern over India’s growing military power. He said if India’s growing military power was not checked, Pakistan would be “forced to increase its strategic power” too. “The international community should avoid steps which may disturb the strategic balance in South Asia,” Aziz warned — IANS

Pak to ‘opt for’ other jets, if not F-16s

On 24 April 2016, three soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives during a high-profile military exercise in Rajasthan. The deaths were attributed to the excessive heat, injuries sustained while para dropping from helicopters and snake bites. In this context, we delve into the life expectancy of soldiers and non-combat related injuries or health issues of soldiers.

Most nations recognise the inherent stress and strain of military service and its detrimental effect on the health and daily lives of soldiers. India does too. But only in theory, not in practice.
Lip service galore, zilch on-ground support.
Contrary to popular perception, the life expectancy of soldiers is lower than their civilian counterparts. The reason is not difficult to understand. Soldiers live in a regimented lifestyle, away from their families and at times under the shadow of the gun for most of the year. Covered by a tough disciplinary law for twenty-four hours, they face unique stressful conditions which aggravate even regular diseases and ailments.
There is little doubt that soldiers face higher stress levels than ordinary citizens living with their families. This is because soldiers are away from commune living and so, cannot adequately cope up with domestic commitments and stresses.
But in a strange and ironic kind of incorrigibility, it is the defence establishment which is not ready to accept this proposition – a statement which is not rocket science but just common sense.
SnapshotClick here to collapse
Soldiers disabled by high stress levels and other ailments are released from service without regular pension or disability benefits.
Despite Supreme Court orders, Army headquarters has filed appeals against tribunals which have granted disability pension to soldiers.
According to the rules, for a soldier recruited in fit medical condition, any disability is considered to be influenced by service conditions.
Still, benefits are refused on excuses such as ‘disability was incurred in a peace area’ or ‘disability was due to domestic stressors’.
Contrary to popular perception, the life expectancy of soldiers is lower than their civilian counterparts.
Indian Army dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Reuters)
Indian Army dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Reuters)
Denying Basic Human Dignity to Soldiers
Medical specialists all over the world recognise higher stress and strain in uniformed forces. All democracies endorse this. Disability rules in India also state the same. The Prime Minister feels this to be true. And so does the Defence Minister. The apex military medical body is in agreement. Even the courts, including the Supreme Court, have issued directions along these lines.
But still, many of our disabled soldiers are released and sometimes even thrown out of service on medical grounds, without regular pension or disability pension. This denies them a life of basic dignity – on the pretext that their disabilities were declared ‘neither attributable to, nor aggravated by military service.’
This declaration by military medical boards is a blatant disregard of practical realities, to say the least.
Also Read: Shashi Tharoor on the Declining Status of the Indian Armed Forces
When such soldiers fight long legal battles for their dues, the official establishment is quick to file appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. And why? In order to deny these soldiers and their families a few thousand, and at times a few hundred rupees. The officialdom is comfortable wasting money and resources on expensive lawyers and litigation. But not with releasing lesser amounts to those who have served us.
Nothing could be more shameful for us as a nation.

An Indian army soldier mans a gun inside his bunker in Odusaa, 79 miles west of Srinagar. (Photo: Reuters)
An Indian army soldier mans a gun inside his bunker in Odusaa, 79 miles west of Srinagar. (Photo: Reuters)
Hostage to File Notings?
The Supreme Court, in a series of decisions, has directed the Ministry of Defence to grant benefits to disabled soldiers. The Defence Minister constituted a Committee of Experts to look into rising litigation against soldiers, of which incidentally I was a Member. The Committee also recommended the withdrawal of such litigation as well as appeals by the Ministry of Defence against its own soldiers.
Despite all this, recently, elements in the Ministry of Defence had asked the Army Headquarters to file appeals in the Supreme Court against tribunals and court orders wherein disability pension had been granted to disabled soldiers.
And it seems, the Army Headquarters has readily complied.
Having worked for disabled soldiers for close to two decades now, what pains me greatly in writing this, is the fact that even though all stakeholders, including the political executive, are on board and there are all encompassing directions of the highest court of the land, the system is held hostage to contemptuous file notings of lower level officials.
These notings are purportedly based on some legal advice egging on the establishment to file appeals against verdicts rendered in favour of disabled soldiers. The Headquarters of the Defence Services are also meekly accepting this bloodbath, without taking a strong stand on file by pointing out this malaise to the powers that be.

But, What Do The Rules Say?
Our rules, paradoxically, are liberal and sensitive.
The rules provide that in case a soldier is recruited in a fit medical condition, then any disability arising during service, except when caused due to his or her own illegality such as substance abuse, is deemed as having been affected by service conditions.
This presumption is not unique to India but is followed in almost all democracies. This is because the harmful effects of insidious and invisible pressures of military life are known to manifest themselves negatively on the health of soldiers.

Still, benefits are refused on unforgivable excuses such as ‘disability was incurred in a peace area’ or ‘disability was due to domestic stressors’ without realising that the inability to attend to personal requirements has a direct link with the military – since it is due to service in the defence services that a person is not there all the time to take care of his or her domestic needs. This is a fact even recognised by successive defence ministers, who themselves have underlined the rise in stress levels faced by soldiers.
Additionally, soldiers living in barracks need permission, even to go to the washroom, are required to sign registers and take an out-pass for a visit to buy a toothbrush from the market. They are denied basic needs such as physical proximity, emotional warmth or even sexual fulfilment for months together.
In such circumstances, it hardly matters whether they are serving in a ‘peace’ area or ‘field’ area. And to top it all, the rules anyway progressively provide that service in ‘peace’ or ‘field’ makes no difference for disability benefits.
On 24 April 2016, three soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives during a high-profile military exercise in Rajasthan. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook page of ADGPI)
On 24 April 2016, three soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives during a high-profile military exercise in Rajasthan. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook page of ADGPI)
In the ultimate analysis, it seems that it is not the directions of the apex court or the will of the political executive that would be allowed to prevail in our homeland but the sadistic urge of a few stray voices that are holding the morale of our nation to ransom. The courts are clogged with mundane disputes and unwanted litigation thereby burdening the judiciary to unprecedented levels. And here we are, in this great nation of ours, wasting taxpayers’ money in fighting cases against our own disabled soldiers, the ones who silently sacrificed their health to protect us.
Shame on all of us.
(Major Navdeep Singh is a practising Advocate in the Punjab & Haryana High Court. He was the founding President of the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association. He is a Member of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War at Brussels. He is also the author of “Maimed by the System”, a collection of real life accounts of military veterans and their families who had to fight to claim their rights.)

Col Anil Kaul, media Advisor to united ESM front and IESM who has who is in trouble today due to complicated medical problems.He has sacrificed his healt for OROP struggle at Jantar Mantar. He appeals as follows

Ladies & gentlemen, friends and we’ll wishers ,
In the past year or so while fully engrossed in the OROP struggle, I have had to cope with some personal medical issues. They have now reached a state where I am making this appeal. I have two issues to take care off. One is simple and is being addressed on 11/6 . A cataract operation being done at the Shroff Eye Centre in south Delhi. The other is a more serious and complex problem and that is to do with the failure of both my kidneys necessitating dialysis three times a week. I have been advised to undergo a transplant at the earliest. While all other parameters can be handled the availability of a donor is beyond my control. I have no blood relations to turn to as they have all moved on. I am 65 years, my blood group is A+. Should anyone be kind enough to help me please do contact me on my

mail ID kaulvrcanil@gmail.com.or

my direct no 9810272291.
Thank you in anticipation.
Kaul family.

In a demonstration of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indian Navy’s increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kirch under the Command of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral S V Bhokare, YSM, NM have arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on a four day visit, as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

During the visit, the IN ships will have professional interaction with the Vietnam People’s Navy towards further enhancing co-operation between the two forces. In addition, calls on senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions and sharing of best practices, aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two Navies, are also planned. The visiting IN ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the Vietnam People’s Navy, aimed at enhancing interoperability in communication as well as Search and Rescue procedures, post departure from Cam Ranh Bay. INS Satpura is commanded by Captain A N Pramod and INS Kirch is commanded by Commander Sharad Sinsunwal.

Bilateral relations between India and Vietnam are characterised by strong bonds of friendship based on cultural, religious and economic ties dating back to 2nd Century AD. The influence of Indian civilisation speaks of the deep rooted historical linkages between the nations. Indo-Vietnam relations have been strengthened in recent times by a vibrant economic relationship and growing convergence on security issues. India is now among the top ten trading partners of Vietnam. The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative, which has a unique civilisational foundation, has tremendous potential to become a powerful catalyst for socio-economic development in the region.

The Indian Navy has had extensive interactions with Vietnam People’s Navy, particularly in the field of training, repairs, maintenance and logistics support aimed at capacity building. Reciprocal port visits, high-level delegations and training exchanges have bolstered naval cooperation between the two countries. The last visit by an IN ship to Vietnam was in October 2015, when Sahyadri berthed at Da Nang.

    The current visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy. It will further bolster   the strong bonds of friendship between India and Vietnam and contribute to security and stability in this vital part of the world.

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, May 29

An Army man serving in the Mammun Cantonment area allegedly shot himself with his service rifle this morning.Rakesh Kaushal, Senior Superintendent of Police, said the Army authorities had identified the deceased as sepoy Subhash Parsad (31) hailing from Sewan district in Bihar.He was serving in the 68 Engineering Division and was presently deputed as a sentry in the cantonment area. The SSP said after hearing the gunshots some of his colleagues rushed to the spot where they found the jawan lying in a pool of blood. “His parents have been informed and the body has been sent for a post-mortem. A case has been registered at Mammun Cantt police station,” he added.

A committee of retired bureaucrats set up to help the government draft new education policy has suggested an IAS-like all-India examination for appointing teachers. The existing NET (National Eligibility Test) already serves the purpose. It sets a national benchmark for quality and there is scope for improvement, if required. Bureaucrats learn to say “yes sir”, students need encouragement to question received wisdom. Autonomy and ability of regional institutions to select teachers should be respected. The suggestions for greater regulation and having a quality audit merit consideration but the HRD Ministry may use regulation to push its saffron agenda.  While respecting the functional freedom of private schools, colleges and universities, certain regulatory measures can be mutually agreed upon with a credible dispute resolving authority in place. The committee, headed by former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian, has stressed the recall of the no-fail policy. It has reiterated what 15 states and many concerned citizens have already demanded. What needs to be done is to extend the State’s role from being a mere education provider to a facilitator. Giving needy students vouchers and a choice to choose their school is better than funding schools that don’t function. Technology can be used to spread quality education far and wide. The committee pleads for throwing the doors open to foreign universities. This should have been done two decades ago. Today online courses are available from reputed universities, even from Harvard, Stanford and MIT, enabling students to “sign up, view lectures and submit homework from anywhere in the world”, as Nandan Nilekani puts it. Good quality, videotaped lectures are also available for school students. There is “EkStep”, which offers the basic concepts of literacy and numeracy for children. Salman Khan’s Academy is an alternative model for school-level education. Teachers in this system do not teach but act as mentors and sort out students’ problems in understanding, if any. Nandan Nilekani has argued that it is possible to use technology to “teach the next generation” at an affordable cost. The Central and state governments need to change their set ideas and attitudes before changing education.

Lt Gen KJ Singh, Western Command chief, addresses media at military station in Samba. A Tribune Photo

Our Correspondent

Samba, May 25

The Army has lauded the alert citizens of the country and said they have always played a great role in foiling the nefarious designs of anti-national elements.“There are security related problems which are disturbing. The Army is well-prepared and focused to prevent any untoward incident and will not allow the anti-social elements to succeed as it has thwarted all such attacks in the past and neutralised militants successfully,” Lt Gen KJ Singh, Western Command chief, said on the sidelines of a volleyball tournament in Samba recently.“We are prepared to deal with any kind of situation. We have put in place a necessary mechanism to ensure that the anti-national elements do not succeed in their designs. We have not allowed militants to succeed in their designs anywhere, be it Dinanagar, Pathankot air base or any other place,” the Western Command chief said.Lauding the role of the alert Indians, whom he called ‘jagruk Hindustanis’, linking them with Jagruk Hindustani Volleyball Premiere League, Lt General Singh said the alert Indians had always played a great role in foiling the terror attacks.“In all terrorist attacks, the citizen or ‘jagruk Hindustani’ has had a role to play. Whether it was in Dinanagar in Punjab, where a milkman pointed out the explosive that had been placed on the railway track, or in Udhampur, where two civilians captured Pakistani militant Mohammad Naved,” he said.With regard to the detection of a tunnel on the international border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu, he said it had helped avert a major tragedy and “we have to remain extra vigilant”.

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 18

Over 13 years after it was launched to provide comprehensive medical care to retired armed forces personnel and their dependants, the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is today faced with a severe shortage of medical staff and funds.Against an authorised strength of 322 medical specialists for ECHS polyclinics, only 128 are posted there (a deficiency of around 60 per cent), according to information released by the Ministry of Defence this month.The shortage of medical officers and paramedical staff is around 26 per cent. There are 700 doctors against the authorised strength of 955 and 1,872 paramedical personnel against the required 2,523.Launched in April 2003, the ECHS caters to a clientele of 47 lakh beneficiaries across the country through a network of 420 polyclinics and 1,445 empanelled civilian hospitals. The situation is not healthy on the fiscal front either. Against a projection of Rs 3,600 crore under the ECHS revenue head for 2016-17, only Rs 2,363.54 crore has been allocated. Under the capital head, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for this fiscal against the projection of Rs 50 crore.“In comparison to what we got last year, funds have been drastically cut this year. We have been sanctioned less than what we were expecting and it will be difficult for us to pull through for the entire year. We will require additional funding,” a representative of the ECHS has been quoted as saying in the latest report by Parliament’s standing committee on defence.The Financial Adviser (Defence Services) said this was the first year of rationalising grants and the provision of funds for the ECHS would be taken care of at a later stage. The ECHS was covered under the Army budget earlier.

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Steamship Komagata Maru is approached by officials at Vancouver port, Canada, in this undated handout photo. reuters

Toronto, May 18

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday tendered a formal apology in his country’s House of Commons, 102 years after the Komagata Maru incident where the government of the day turned away 376 Indians, mostly Sikhs, seeking a better life in Canada.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“Mr Speaker, today I rise in this House to offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, for our role in the Komagata Maru incident,” Trudeau said in the House, with descendants of the ship’s passengers in the galleries. “No words can fully erase the suffering of Komagata Maru victims. Today, we apologise and recommit to doing better.” The Komagata Maru, a Japanese steamship, arrived in Vancouver in mid-May 1914, after leaving Hong Kong in early April. The ship, however, was not allowed to dock. After an almost two-month standoff, which also involved feisty demonstrations by ethnic Indians on Vancouver’s shores, the ship was eventually turned away. When it reached Calcutta, British colonial authorities attempted to seize suspected radicals on board. The semi-riot that ensued saw security forces kill at least 19 passengers.A 1908 Canadian law at the time forbade arrivals of immigrants in the country who did not make a “continuous journey” from their nation of birth or citizenship. A painful chapter in the history of Sikhs in Canada, the incident also highlighted the discriminatory immigration policies Canada had followed against Asian immigrants in the 19th century.In 2008, then PM Stephen Harper had apologised to the Sikh community, but the Sikh-Canadians had demanded a formal apology in the House of Commons. Trudeau-led Liberal Party, which has four Sikh ministers in the Cabinet, had promised a formal apology during the election campaign last year. — Agencies

Canadian PM apologises for Komagata Maru in House