Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

With the armed forces projecting the need for some 700 helicopters — light utility and armed — the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has asked the public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to ramp up production, speed up existing under-development projects and start out-sourcing work.The HAL, headquartered at Bengaluru, produces some 22-24 advanced light helicopters (ALH), the Dhruv, annually and some 200 of these are flying; however, the requirement is huge.In the second phase, rapid production of light utility helicopters (LUH) and light combat helicopter (LCH) will start. Prototypes of both are ready but need operational clearance. The MoD wants HAL to produce up to 85-90 copters per annum of these three types – the Dhruv, LUH and LCH — said sources, while adding that out-sourcing of some work had been suggested on the lines of global manufacturing practices.Some 100 copters – are needed annually to meet the needs of the three armed forces, the Central Armed Police Forces, the Coast Guard and smaller friendly nations. While HAL continues to be a major player, some of the production can be given to a selected private partner.The three armed services need 484 of the LUH-type to replace Cheetah/Chetak fleet of helicopters for which the Army requires 259, IAF 125 and Navy around 100 such helicopters equipped with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.The Army and the IAF need some 180 attack helicopters. The Coast Guard and other paramilitary forces have their own requirements which are nearly 100 copters. The HAL has planned to expand capacity and a new facility at Tumkur, some 100 km from Bengaluru, will start production in 2018.HAL is making a 5.5-tonne-class LCH, which is currently under development and undergoing weapons integration.

90 helicopters needed per annum

• The MoD wants Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce up to 85-90 copters per annum of these three types — Dhruv and light utility and light combat helicopters

Constable Tej Bahadur Yadav of the Border Security Force has caused quite a sensation despite his humble rank. The Union Home Minister was forced to take note and several of his colleagues were compelled to swing into the damage control mode. But the superiors of the humble constable, the backbone of the force guarding most of our frontiers, did not come away smelling of roses. The response from the BSF was insensitive and tactless and it should be hauled over the coals for suggesting that Yadav was a chronic trouble-maker. For good measure, the BSF even labelled him an alcoholic. In the age of social media where there is a level-playing field, the balance was clearly tilted in the complainant’s favour.Yadav has infringed the set procedures in a uniformed force where adherence to the chain of command is the sine qua non for its efficient functioning. He also does not have the advantage of claiming protection under the Whistle Blower Protection Act for it prohibits the reporting of a corruption-related disclosure if the subject concerns the security of India. Yadav may yet escape the fate of other dissenters in a highly disciplined and authoritarian institution because of the goodwill earned for his apparent sincerity. Whether Yadav had breached discipline or had a bee in his bonnet, his allegations need to be thoroughly probed.But this is also the occasion to cast the net wider and examine whether the BSF and the CRPF are overstretched and if the strains are showing. The CRPF is often deployed frequently and somewhat whimsically. An amendment to the BSF Act in 2011 extended its area of operations and it is now on anti-insurgency duty as well. It also needs to be studied whether staffing their top levels with IPS officers is part of the problem. A thorough examination has become necessary after other BSF jawans spilt the beans about the poor clothing, housing and deployment as well.  Our soldiers and policemen deserve every bit of attention and comfort we can provide them. Muzzling is no answer.

SECURING FORCES Study talks of at least 50 gaps, points out proper fuel storage could have lowered toll in the 2016 Uri terror attack that claimed 19 lives

NEW DELHI: At a time when military is increasingly coming under attack in Jammu and Kashmir, an army report has pointed out at least 50 gaps — ranging from body armour, night-vision gear to flawed fuel storage — that pose a threat to soldiers’ lives.

AP PHOTOA soldier takes position outside a General Reserve Engineering Force camp in Akhnoor sector, near Jammu, on Monday.

If the army doesn’t make fuel storage safer at its forward bases, it could risk the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Militant strikes can cause greater damage not because of their sophistication but because tens of thousands of litres of fuel is being stored in make-shift shelters, says the document.

“The enormity of the problem can be gauged from the aftermath of the recent terrorist action on the FOL (fuel, oil and lubricants) dump at Uri,” says the report on Future Core Technologies and Problem Statements.

Nineteen soldiers were killed when suspected Pakistani militants struck at an army base in Uri in September. Fourteen of the troops were burnt alive as their tents were pitched next to a fuel dump. The attack, one of the worst against the army in the border state, forced a rethink on fuel storage. The army design bureau (ADB), inaugurated last August, has identified FOL storage in forward bases as one of the 50 problems that need to be resolved swiftly. An initiative of the Modi government, the ADB has been tasked with promoting research and development and act as a bridge between the force and the private sector to meet the army’s requirements. The ADB has stressed on the need for smart vests for soldiers with built-in codes for identification, sniper scopes to engage targets with greater precision and robots to carry equipment in high-altitude areas, including Siachen glacier. The document, published by the CII, says “vintage barrels and jerrycans” used for storage and transportation of fuel are vulnerable, increasing the “scope for collateral damage”. Make-shift fuel storage facilities are susceptible to enemy shelling and fire hazards, too.

The army has sought the help of academia and the industry to develop alternative mechanisms for storage.

BSF jawan at LoC alleges bad quality food; inquiry ordered

Photo courtesy: Tez Bahadur Yadav’s Facebook account.

New Delhi, January 9A BSF jawan, deployed along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, has alleged that troops are served bad quality food and even have to go “empty stomach” at times, prompting the border guarding force to initiate an inquiry.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)In videos uploaded on social media platforms, the jawan, wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a rifle, claimed that while government procures essentials for them, the high-ups and officers “sell it off” in an “illegal” manner in the market.In at least three different videos clocking over 4 minutes released online, constable T B Yadav (40) of BSF’s 29th battalion also goes on to show the food that is allegedly being served to him.(Video courtesy: Tez Bahadur Yadav’s Facebook account) 

“We only get a ‘parantha’ and tea as breakfast and this is without any pickle or vegetables… we slog for 11 hours and at times we have to stand throughout the duty hours. For lunch, we get ‘dal’ (pulses) which only has ‘haldi’ (turmeric) and salt… with roti. This is the quality of the food we get… how can a jawan do his duty?”I request the Prime Minister to get this probed… no one shows our plight,” Yadav alleged.

He said he “may not be here” hinting action might be taken against him and urged people to take the issue forward so that corrective action is taken.He further alleged that at times jawans have to go to sleep “empty stomach”.

The Border Security Force took cognisance of the video and tweeted from its official handle that an inquiry has been ordered.”BSF is highly sensitive to the welfare of tps(troops). Individual aberrations, if any, are enquired into. A senior officer has already rchd (reached) the location,” the force tweeted after tagging the video.

A senior BSF official said Yadav is currently deployed along the Line of Control in J&K and the BSF jawans here work under the operational command of the army which also provides for “food and other logistics of the jawans”.It has also been found, the official said, that Yadav has been given four major punishments in the past and has been issued reprimands for alleged violation of discipline.”However, the force has already ordered for a full investigation into the allegations made by Yadav who joined the force in 1996,” the official said, adding the jawan has also applied for voluntary retirement. — PTI

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, January 5

The family members of a prisoner of war (PoW) have started a signature campaign to persuade the people to boycott the elections in this area.Annoyed with the elected MLAs and MPs for not pursuing the repatriation of Surjit Singh, a BSF seopy languishing in a Pakistani jail for the last 45 years, his family members said they wanted to tell the people that the political leaders were not serious about the lives of those who defend the country.Surjit Singh had gone missing in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. In the first week of April 2011, when some prisoners were released from Pakistan after 27 years in jail , the wife and son of Surjit Singh had came to know about his whereabouts.Amrik Singh, son of Surjit Singh, said for the last five years, the External Affairs Ministry was making just promises of getting his father released. But there was never any concrete and plausible effort at any level.“Fed up with empty promises, we have decided to launch a campaign to persuade people not to give vote to any candidate,” he added.

Outgoing Army Chief General Dalbir Singh given guard of honour

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General Bipin Rawat addresses the media. Tribune photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 1

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Sunday sent out a strong message saying India wanted peace and tranquillity at the borders, but if needed, they would not hesitate to use force.General Rawat was talking to the media after inspecting a guard of honour at the South Block here. He had taken over as chief on Saturday and this was his first ceremonial guard of honour.

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Gen Rawat said, “We want peace and tranquillity at the border but the target of peace does not mean we are weak. If need be, we will not hesitate to use force.”India shares a 3,323 km boundary with Pakistan, including a 749 km Line of Control (LoC). The Indian Army lost 63 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016 and there have been 225 violations of ceasefire by Pakistan across the LoC.On being asked about his priorities, he said, “There will be no change in vision and thrust areas of the army. It has been arrived at after due deliberations.”Earlier in his remarks, Gen Rawat said, “I am aware of the roles and tasks assigned to the army. This will include maintaining security at the borders.”On being asked about the fact that two of his seniors, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt Gen PM Hariz, had been superseded, Gen Rawat said, “It’s a decision of the government. I respect the superseded officers. I hope we continue to work together to strengthen the Army.”Gen Rawat also sent across a message to all ranks of the army saying every soldier counted. “Everyone counts and is equal in my eyes,” he said in a possible effort to end the social media comments about promotion of Infantry over the Armoured Corps.

New Delhi, January 25

Nineteen soldiers of the 4 and 9 Para, the special forces’ units which undertook the daring cross-border surgical strike across LoC, have been awarded gallantry medals, including a Kirti Chakra, while their commanding officers have been given Yudh Sewa Medal.Major Rohit Suri of 4 Para, who led one of the teams across the LoC targeting terrorists’ launch pads, was awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award, on the eve of the Republic Day.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of the Gorkha Rifles got the Kirti Chakra posthumously.Col Kapil Yadav, commanding officer of 9 Para, and Col Harpreet Sandhu, Commanding Officer of 4 Para, were awarded the Yudh Sewa Medal, awarded to mark a high degree of distinguished service in an operational content. The award is the wartime equivalent of the Vishisht Seva Medal, which is a decoration for peacetime distinguished service.Five personnel from the two para units also got Shaurya Chakra, while 13 got Sena Medal (Gallantry).The Army conducted surgical strikes on terrorist launchpads across the Line of Control in September last year, after a terrorist attack on an Army camp in Uri claimed the lives of 19 jawans.Those who have been awarded posthumously included Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev, who has been given Shaurya Chakra.Lt Col Ranjit Singh Pawar, Maj Krishnan Manoj Kumar, Maj Amit Deswal, Naik Ran Singh, Naik Vijaykumar S, Sepoy Ram Chander of DSC, Sepoy Satya Prakash Singh and Sepoy Satish of DSC along with Signalman Ajay Singh Choudhary were awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) posthumously.The President has approved award of 398 gallantry and other defence decorations to armed forces personnel and others. — PTI/TNS

Chasen Lowang Dada, the widow of martyr Hav Hangpan Dada, receiving Ashoka Chakra from President Pranab Mukherjee on behalf of her husband on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI

New Delhi, January 26President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday posthumously conferred the Ashok Chakra on Havildar Hangpan Dada of the Rashtiya Rifles, who laid down his life after single-handedly killing three terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

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The highest peacetime gallantry award for valour and courageous action was accepted by Dada’s widow Chasen Lowang, who struggled to hold back tears while receiving the honour.In a firefight in Naugam sector on May 26, when his section was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire, the soldier closed in towards terrorists hiding behind rocks and boulders, saving the lives of his comrades.With scant regard for his life, he displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists at close quarters. In the exchange, he was grievously injured.Undeterred, he went after the remaining terrorists.”In the process, he came face to face with the third terrorist whom he killed in hand-to-hand combat before making the supreme sacrifice. His action led to elimination of the fourth terrorist,” the citation said. — PTI

In deed: There cannot be a substitute for the Mahatma.

ITS symbolism was devastating: the replacement of the familiar image of Mahatma Gandhi at the charkha in the traditional calendar and diaries of the main khadi institution by PM Narendra Modi. What was intended to be left unsaid was made explicit by the Haryana Minister in the BJP government, Anil Vij. He declared that Modi was a better brand than Gandhi, forced though he was to withdraw his remarks under pressure from an embarrassed BJP. This was undoubtedly Modi’s biggest misstep in the domestic arena in his first three years in office. Having hogged space in the political arena and in social media, the Prime Minister has done himself no service to proclaim that he has arrived, to rub shoulders with one revered as the Father of the Nation. Assuming that the change in the calendar would not have been made without a nod from the Prime Minister’s office, it was a disastrous decision because it proclaimed Modi’s narcissism and desire to distinguish himself from other politicians across the political board. This comes after he has disregarded the convention that apart from a symbolic speech, the holder of the highest political office in the land does not get into campaigning for his or her party in Assembly elections. As we have seen in the past and continue to witness in campaigning for Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections, Modi is the star campaigner lusty in his castigation of the Opposition and his party men are not shy in seeking votes for state Assemblies in his name. His persona is writ large in his election speeches, typically suggesting that the Opposition wants to remove Modi while he wants to remove black money. Modi has made two major mistakes in running his administration. In addition to wearing the crown of the Mahatma, his one mistake in foreign policy was to persist in seeking membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group after China made it clear in private and publicly that it would block it. Beijing administered a clear snub by vetoing the move. Indeed, it is a mystery why Modi decided to declare a losing hand, rather than waiting to fight another day. This is not to denigrate the Prime Minister’s astute foreign policy moves in wooing former US president Barack Obama or making a dash to Lahore to greet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. However, Modi’s calendar move is of far greater import politically because he is in danger of living in a bubble glorifying his own prominence and the reverential tones his party men are adopting in referring to him are building an aura of invincibility. The Mahatma never held public office although he was the guiding spirit of the Independence movement in which the BJP’s mentor, RSS, played an ambiguous role.In realpolitik terms, by transposing his picture for the Mahatma’s, Modi has peaked too early. Granted, he is thus far the unchallenged and tallest leader of the BJP, but the danger lurking in the background is his propensity to take major decisions alone. Take the demonetisation issue. The new man in charge at the Reserve Bank, Mr Arjit Patel, is suggesting that the demonetisation move was months in the making. If so, why was no homewok done on the urgent steps required to fill the gap after the old notes were withdrawn? The tussle with the judiciary establishment is another facet of the government’s desire to control as many levers of power as it can.Is Modi then leading the country to a virtual president form of government? The Prime Minister appears uncomfortable with the parliamentary system, spending little time in participating in the cut and thrust of debate, unlike his predecessors. Indeed, his metier seems to be one-way communication — through tweets and Facebook — because there is no scope for hostile questioning.The question to ask today is: where Modi’s caravan will go in the remaining term of his office. If he does not believe in the Oscar Wildean adage of “nothing succeeds like excess”, he must trim his sails as he reaches out for a second term. It is all very well to present the country’s problems as a contest between the rich and the poor, but there is a limit determined by credibility to how far you can reduce everything to this simplistic code. Bashing the Opposition parties as dens of the rich is likely to prove unproductive. In his armoury are the double-edged demonetisation issue for its boldness and of course the “surgical strikes” on Pakistan. The tipping point in Modi’s three years of rule at the Centre has arrived inadvertently. But it is a warning signal that there are treasured institutions that cannot be denigrated. Granted that Modi is the big chief, but even big chiefs have to respect icons of the age. There cannot be a substitute for the Mahatma. A presidential system is beyond the horizon of the next general election in 2019 and even when we arrive at that point there is bound to be stiff resistance to the idea. The framers of our Constitution had good reasons to opt for the parliamentary system because of the diversity of the nation. Indira Gandhi’s experiment with the Emergency showed the weaknesses of an over-centralised system of governance, apart from the very repugnance of the regime. What remains to be determined is how far Modi will seek to buttress his own powers even before he can change the parliamentary to a presidential system. The Prime Minister is capable of staking positions that involve risks such as the demonetisation measure. The danger, of course, is that he is so convinced of his own infallibility that he can overreach himself. The outcome of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is important not only for the BJP, but also for Modi’s own political future. He is banking on his “magic touch” by failing to name a chief ministerial candidate. It is Modi all the way.