DC Rakesh Kanwar (extreme right) inspects the land with the Army officers in Solan on Friday.

Tribune News Service

Solan, January 20

The Solan Municipal Committee (MC) may soon get a stretch of 2,367 sq m of defence land at the old bus stand by exchanging about 2,400 sq mt of its land at the Kather bypass with the defence authorities. This will pave the way for the construction of new parking lots for taxis and local buses besides a shopping complex.A meeting to work out its nitty-gritty was convened today by Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar where Col Omvir Pawar represented the defence authorities. Executive Officer, local MC, BR Negi; ADM Sandip Negi and revenue officials were also present on the occasion.The officials also visited the site and inspected various crucial issues, including location of the new sentry gate on the Kather bypass. A meeting will now be convened with the officials of the national highways on Monday. Since a large portion of the bypass was slated to be included in the ongoing four-laning work, it will be ensured that the location of the sentry gate did not fell in the purview of the four-laning.The MC had earlier constructed a road to facilitate the movement of Army vehicles into their area. The movement of heavy Army vehicles from the busy Mall Road often created peril both for the Army as well as civilians.

GENERAL JJ SINGH CLAIMS THE MODI GOVT HAS GIVEN DEFENCE PERSONNEL OROP, HE DOES NOT REALISE THAT WHAT THEY GAVE IS A LAME­DUCK OROP

G eneral JJ Singh (retd) has decided to take the plunge in the electoral politics of Punjab on an Akali ticket. The general, besides having been the chief of army staff, was also the Arunachal Pradesh governor.

It’s unfortunate that the lure of power and pelf has proved too much for the general to resist. He already seems to have imbibed the political language and tenor when he claims that he will fight the enemy (his opponent Captain Amarinder Singh of the Congress) without pity or remorse and humiliate him (‘Mein ohdi mitti puleet kar dewanga’). Such language and stance is decidedly not befitting a former army chief and a former governor.

General Singh claims that the Modi government has given defence personnel one rank one pension (OROP), and that the Seventh Pay Commission has been favourable to them. Obviously, the general does not seem to know that what the government has given is a lame-duck OROP and veterans continue to protest.

While ex-servicemen roughed it out at Jantar Mantar for over a year and a half, the general did not find it worthwhile to visit them to say that he was with them on their most legitimate demand. Nor did he have anything to say when these veterans were lathicharged, and their war medals pulled off their shirts by the police. These veterans were protesting in a peaceful manner at a place designated by the government and there was no unlawful act on their part.

The general also does not seem to know what injustice the Seventh Pay Commission has done to the defence services; on the contrary, he claims that this commission has done well for them. It would be too much to expect him to be aware that over two dozen anomalies of the Sixth Pay Commission, some decade and half later, are yet to be resolved by this government and that Seventh Pay Commission has added to their woes.

At the time of Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC), he was the army chief (as also chairman of chiefs of staff committee) when Non Functional Financial Up-Gradation (NFFU) was given by this commission to over 50 central services while leaving the defence services in the cold. When some officers at the Army Headquarters approached him to pitch for grant of NFFU to defence services as well, he is believed to have observed, that if every military officer is to get the same pay and pension (based on length of service) then what is the fun of becoming a general! Maybe he was rewarded with governorship for meekly accepting the anti-defence services dispensation of the 6th CPC.

The sad part is that barring two service chiefs (both from the Indian Navy) no other chief and that includes Gen JJ Singh, has stood by their officers and men and their core interest while dealing with successive pay commissions. Thus, every pay commission has succeeded in dealing a totally unfair hand to defence personnel, both serving and retired. Gen JJ Singh’s claim that he wants to serve the people needs to be assessed against his performance in serving the interest of men under his command.

While he has decided to contest the Punjab elections, he may not be aware that the party on whose ticket he is fighting this election, is aligned with the party in power which is making every effort to deny serving soldiers their fundamental right to cast their vote at the place of their posting. How can a former army chief be so oblivious of such a mischievous move by the government, with which his party is in cahoots?

A delegation of veterans from Chandigarh has taken it upon themselves to dissuade General JJ Singh to stay away from contesting the election or at least not contest against another respected veteran. Maybe the general’s ambition has always had the better of his judgment and nothing will ever dissuade him from taking this electoral plunge. Whether he will win or lose is not clear yet, but he will surely succeed in lowering the stature and standing of the institution of the Chief of the Army Staff.

(The writer is a Chandigarh­based retired army officer. Views expressed are personal)

*GEN JJ SINGH AND A GENTLEMAN  !* 

– BY LT COL NOEL ELLIS (RETD)

19/I/2017

⚠  _The basic principal of fauj, when you went to establish a new post was to recce, familiarise, see the routes of ingress and egress, see your bottle necks, look for cover, camouflage and concealment, cover your approaches based on your priorities, in fact get hold of “Khabar Dushman ki” first. You have got the appreciation totally wrong;_   *instead of digging in you have gone for an attack which is an offensive operation.* So how many marks should the invigilator give you? If you have got the basic funda of which ops of war to apply, God only help you. *You were not made Chief in one selection board; you went through your paces. Here you want to take Pakistan, along with China in one go, without preparation and ground work. Do ponder over it and get the basics right General.* ?????

General JJ Singh’s Video Blasting Capt Amarinder Singh Goes Viral

http://

http://

Gen J J Singh is crossing the line of decency: Preneet Kaur

http://

PM Narendra Modi speaking at the second Raisina Dialogue. ANI photo

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wanted to walk with India. He was addressing the second Raisina Dialogue here. Modi said the people spoke in one voice to mandate my government to bring change.         (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)              “Reform would not be enough until it transforms our society. Our economic growth, the welfare of the farmers, and security of our nation…all of them are deeply impacted by the developments of the world but the reverse is also true.“The world needs India’s rise also. The world is going through profound changes. Physical borders may be less relevant in this age.                       “Globalisation gains are at risk and economic gains are not easy to come by. Non-state actors are significant actors to the spread of challenges.                       “Sabka saath, sabka vikas not just for India but the whole world.  In the last two-and-half-years we have partnered with almost all neighbours.”                       The Prime Minister recounted how he had invited all leaders to his swearing-in.“My vision for our neighbourhood led me to invite leaders of all SAARC countries, including Pakistan, for my swearing-in.“Next week I will host the Crown Prince of Abu Dabhi. In our relationship with China we have sought to tap the vast economic aspect. It is not unnatural for two large neighbours to have differences,” Modi said.

BATTLEGROUND KITCHEN: MY MOTHER (SENIOR TITAN), WHO THOUGHT I WAS STILL A TODDLER, TOLD THE MAID THAT SHE WOULD DECIDE MY MENU. THE MAID RELAYED THIS NEWS TO THE JUNIOR TITAN (MY WIFE), WHO LAUNCHED A SURGICAL STRIKE

I discovered the real meaning of ‘crossfire’ when I picked up the Brigadier’s rank and was posted to Amritsar.

As a Second Lieutenant, the first piece of advice given to me by a senior Major was: Don’t ever get into the crossfire of Titans. He went on to add: Be neutral, no loose statements, no favourites, and remain away from the ‘power camps’. Curiosity prompted me to ask him about the Titans of the armed forces. His quick reply was that they could be the Commanding Officer, Second in Command, Brigade Commander, Divisional Commander, etc. And he further told me that generally the heat is generated both on the professional and social fronts. I surmised that somewhere this Major had been hurt in the ‘crossfire’. The word ‘etc’ came into force much later in my life. My wife and my mother could easily be termed as Junior Titan and Senior Titan. Both the ladies were thrilled that I had donned the rank of a Brigadier and were possessive to the hilt.

The first salvo was fired by my mother who declared that we will move into the Flag Staff House only after visiting the Golden Temple. The Junior Titan, my wife, countered this by saying that “nobody should dictate us”. Nonetheless, the Senior Titan prevailed.

Then, my mother declared her arrival dates unilaterally. We had only two television sets. On one, I followed the news and sports, while on other the better-half watched the entertainment channels. My mother’s impending arrival prompted my wife to pick up a third TV as the Senior Titan started her day with Gurbani.

Their next battleground was the kitchen. My mother, who thought I was still a toddler, told the maid that she would decide my menu. The maid relayed this news to the Junior Titan, who launched a surgical strike. “It’s either “her” or “me”, “she thundered over my hotline. By afternoon, I had exhausted all my negotiation skills. In the evening, my wife announced the verdict to my mother: The Senior Titan could decide the menu only twice a month. Winner: Junior Titan.

The score-settling became a daily routine, and the next in the firing line was our Labrador named Bossy, who resented the Senior Titan from Day 1 as the latter had banished her to one corner of the house. The hatred between two was mutual. Bossy never believed in losing and was quick to jump on my mother’s bed when she wasn’t around till she received a solid whack of her walking stick.

My driver was the next to add fuel to the blazing fire. Seeing my mother limp, he suggested that ‘Bada Sahib’ arrange her meeting with the ‘fauji doctor’. Thus began the bi-weekly ‘Free Consultancy Journey’, which was followed by my mother calling the doctor for tea. It was no surprise when he went on to become the ‘sincere beta’ and we were told to learn from him.

By now, two distinct camps had emerged. Senior Titan had the doctor, driver and the gardener, while the Junior Titan had the cook, maid and Bossy. Fortunately, I was intelligent enough to adopt the role of a UN observer with total immunity for my reactions.

Finally, we got a breather when the Senior Titan announced her decision to visit my sister for three months. She left with a parting shot: “All those who look after the parents, will be blessed by the Almighty.”

NEW DELHI: The army is “one team” and soldiers must make their complaints internally, General Rawat said, referring to recent videos of jawans. He announced the setting up of the Chief of Army Staff Redressal and Grievance Boxes. “Whoever has any complaint can tell me directly,” he said, adding that the identities of soldiers will be protected.

Army chief asks troops to have faith in seniors, promises grievance redressal in right earnest

From page 1 NEW DELHI: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday asked soldiers to directly communicate their grievances to the force’s senior leadership rather than taking to social media, amid a few security personnel, including an army man, going public with their problems by circulating video clips.

“Let troops have confidence in the senior leadership. Their grievances will be addressed in right earnest,” Rawat said in his first press conference after taking over as the army chief on December 31.

He said he had issued orders for “suggestion and grievance” boxes to be installed at several places in the Army headquarters so that complaints could reach him directly, and a similar model would be replicated right down to the force’s lower formations.

Rawat’s comments came a day after a lance naik posted a video on social media condemning soldiers being employed as ‘sahayaks’ by officers. The chief said social media was a twin-edged weapon that could be both favourable and detrimental..

The army chief, however, said the ‘sahayak’ or ‘buddy system’ was an important part of the force’s culture as the officer and his buddy forge a personal relationship and take care of each other.

“If someone can’t perform a sahayak’s duties, they are let off,” he said.

Rawat said the soldiers should submit their grievances along with their names but their identities would not be revealed.

He said the army would not let a communication breakdown happen and soldiers’ problems would be resolved. If soldiers were dissatisfied with the handling of their grievances, they could use other channels, he added.

In a video clip released on Thursday, lance naik Yagya Pratap Singh, who is posted in Dehradun, said that after he wrote to the Prime Minister, the defence minister, the President and the Supreme Court last June, the PMO directed his brigade headquarters to look into his case.

Manmohan Singh releases Congress manifesto for Punjab. —Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 9

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday released the Congress manifesto for Punjab and hailed state unit chief Amarinder Singh as someone whose leadership a financially-strained Punjab needed.Blaming 10 years of Akali-BJP rule for the current economic mess in Punjab, Singh described the state manifesto of Congress as a forward-looking, visionary document that will help put the state back on track.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Releasing the manifesto in the presence of Amarinder Singh, Ambika Soni and AICC Punjab in charge Asha Kumari here, the former prime minister said: “Punjab is a state with potential, but this potential was not utilised in the last 10 years.The people of Punjab need a better tomorrow in terms of agriculture and manufacturing. Captain sahab’s leadership is badly needed by the state. I sincerely believe that under the leadership of Capt Amrinder Singh, we will undo the damage done to Punjab in 10 years. People of the state will have higher per capita income and better infrastructure and agriculture growth. “Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh gave details of the manifesto, which promises to hit at drug cartelswithin four weeks of government installation, ending VIP culture, one job per family, waiver of Rs 67,000 crore farm loans, houses to the homeless and free education for weaker section girls from KG to PhD. Read: Cong manifesto sacred promise to people, vision document: Manpreet

”We took six months to prepare the manifesto. We have gone through villages and reached out to the people. In Punjab we have Rs 5 crore deficit in budget. To tide over all this we have come with programmes for people from every walk of life. Rural debts are Rs 67 000 crore.We will  negotiate with the banks so farmers don’t have to pay, “ Amarinder Singh said.

He referred to Congress ‘ Ghar Ghar main Naukri’ plan to target 90 lakh new voters this time in the age group 18-35 years. The Congress has also promised Rs 2,500 stipend to unemployed youth registered in the state till they get jobs.”We will stop drugs in four weeks’ time, create an industrial pool, offer 33 pc reservation for women in government and contractual jobs, “Amarinder Singh said adding that he will keep all the promises.He also mentioned the creation of Guardians of Governance department in the CMO and ex-servicemen will be overseeing progress of schemes for veterans.Among other sops Congress offered to end 10 year exile in Punjab is free smart phones for students.

Manmohan on demonetisation

“Demonetisation will have an impact on the elections of Punjab. I said in Parliament that it would adversely affect GDP growth. New data shows GDP down from 7.6 per cent to 7.1 per cent. Demonetisation will deeply harm GDP growth,” the former prime minister said.

Highlights:

—No travel for CM in state helicopter

—No state banquet to anyone, except foreign dignitaries

—One job for every household

—Total elimination of political interference in police functioning—Commission of inquiry to find false cases registered against political activist during last 10 years

—Police and political nexuses would be broken

—Free insurance for police

—Third-party audit of expenditure in last three years

—Teachers for teaching only, no other duty

—Free textbooks to all students, books would be available online also

—200 scholarships for bright students to study abroad under the Partap Kairon scholarship scheme

—Electricity tariff for industry pegged at Rs 5 for five years                    —Freight subsidy for industrial products

—No advance tax, no imprisonment for traders in tax cases

—33 per cent reservation in all housing schemes

—50 per cent jobs to Punjab residents in industry

—Old-age pension Rs 1,500 per month

—Public sector thermal plants will be run at optimum level, re-negotiation with private thermal plants on electricity rates

—New ministry for retired defence personnel

—Free education for girls from Class 1 till PhD

—Special security scheme for media

—State kitchen to provide meal at Rs 5 per head

— Ending VIP culture: Abolishing red beacon lights except on emergency vehicles, 90% cut in security personnel for politicians and officials,

2-year ban on foreign travel except where mandatory, medical insurance to reduce financial burden on government.

— Punjab river water for people of the state only: No new canal construction, including SYL, to be allowed

.— Zero tolerance for drug business

— Employment generation: Shaheed Bhagat Singh Employment Generation scheme for youth, unemployment allowance of Rs 2,500 per month till job provided to those registered with the bureaus.

— Agriculture & Allied Occupations:Farm  loan waiver, free power to farmers, increase in crop compensation, crop insurance.

SAY NO TO DRUGS: Members of the Nasha Mukti Committee. Photo: S Chandan

About six months back, Sandeep Singh (25) had a deeply disturbing experience. A boy from his village died after drug overdose. The youth was addicted to it while selling ‘chitta’ in neighbouring villages. As a baptized young man, Sandeep made up his mind: he’d force drug peddlers out. “The villagers have become so indifferent to the notoriety of Chak Balochan Wala as a drug and illegal liquor haven that such deaths mean little,” says Sandeep, studying for the elementary teachers training (ETT) diploma. Fighting a well-connected drug ring is dangerous. “I made a video clip of a hideout of drug addicts on the outskirts of the village,” says Sandeep, recalling how at least 10 youths fell to drugs in a span of just one year. “Since none of the deaths has been documented, there is no official record. In some cases, addicts selling the intoxicant have died,” says Sandeep.His next step was to form a group of 50 boys to take on the peddlers frequenting his village. He told everyone he met: it’s time to wash the drug taint off the village. Several people in the Rai Sikh-dominated village of 1,800 residents have come forward. Sandeep has set up Youth Nasha Mukti Committee. The election canvassing has further strengthened their resolve as committee members want candidates to promise that they will help in stamping out the drug menace.“Youngsters from neighbouring areas sell chitta (adulterated form of heroine) in our village. We have brought it to the notice of the police. Several drug peddlers have been booked,” says Sandeep.The menace of chitta became more pronounced over the last year. In June 2014, a police team raiding an illicit liquor distilling unit was attacked by villagers. The illicit liquor trade had acquired the status of a cottage industry in the village allegedly under political patronage. In the last two decades, around 1,500 cases have been registered against residents of the village under the Excise and NDPS Acts.

VETERANS AT WAR Vow to avenge humiliation at hands of Modi govt with their votes

From page 01 CHANDIGARH: The Modi government’s failure to implement one rank-one pension (OROP) principle in its totality could have significant ramifications on the elections in Punjab, which has 1.5 lakh voters in the armed forces and is undertaking the firstof-its-kind exercise of e-voting for soldiers.

HT FILEThe Modi government’s failure to implement ‘one rank, one pension’ in its totality could have significant ramifications on elections in Punjab, which has 1.5 lakh voters in the armed forces.

Brig Harwant Singh (retd), national president of All India Defence Brotherhood (AIDB), says they are marshaling soldiers and ex-servicemen to come out in large numbers to defeat the Akali-BJP combine in Punjab. “I am already canvassing in Sangrur, and we are rallying troops across the state,” says Brig Harwant. “Kautilya said that an enemy’s enemy is a potential friend. True to that principle, we will encourage voters to cast their lot with  the Congress , but not with the BJP or its ally,” he adds, claiming that it was “soldier power” that led to state Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh’s win from Amritsar in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The veterans are sore with the successive state governments for not fulfilling the promises made in their manifestos too. Capt Reet MP Singh (retd), secretary, War Decorated, says he’s stopped reading manifestos. “It’s just a paper, it doesn’t mean a thing,” he growls. Brig Baljit Singh Gill (retd) of War Decorated India fumes that the SAD failed to fulfil its 2012 promise of removing VAT from CSD products.

Congress manifesto’s promise to make ex-servicemen the “guardians of governance” if the party comes to power, however, is igniting some interest. “Capt Amarinder has a soft spot for soldiers. It’s easier to meet him than any other politician,” says Col BS Sohi (retd), adviser to C&C, adding that Amarinder has the mettle to fulfil his promise. “The guardians of governance,” says Amarinder, “will be a group of ex-servicemen from panchayats and blocks to districts, right up to the chief minister. This disciplined force will be used to keeps tabs on the implementation of schemes.”

Amarinder was present at a press conference in New Delhi last month in which Maj Gen Satbir Singh (retd) of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), which has been spearheading the fight for OROP, pledged support to the Congress in all the states going to polls. Later, however, it was clarified that he’d made this statement in his individual capacity.

Citing the low victory margins polled during the 2012 polls, Brig Gill says soldiers could prove to be a swing factor this time. “In 2012, at least 15 seats saw a victory margin of 50 to a few hundred votes. This is where the votes of soldiers, serving or retired, can play an important role.”

Yet, Amarinder is the lone ex-serviceman fielded by Congress. The SAD and AAP fare a little better with two candidates each. While the SAD has fielded former army chief Gen J J Singh (retd) from Patiala against Amarinder, and Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, an army captain before joining the civil services, from SAS Nagar, the AAP has nominated Capt Bikramjit Singh Pahuwindia, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, from Khemkaran, and Brig Raj Kumar (retd) from Balachaur.

Gen JJ Singh (retd), however, claims the ex-servicemen are being misled. “I still think Akalis are the best bet for soldiers in Punjab.”

Regardless of the arguments, it will all boil down to the number of soldiers who actually vote. As Brig Kiran Krishan (retd) of the IESM puts it: “The deeper issue is whether the serving soldiers, who are quite well-informed these days, will actually get to cast their votes.”

Punjab chief electoral officer V K Singh is hopeful that they will. With the Election Commission registering voters in cantonments as per the People’s Representation Act, 1951, which specifies that soldiers and their families can cast their votes at the place of posting, this poll is likely to see brisk voting in the cantonments as well, says VK Singh. He adds that the EC has carried out the process of registering votes in the cantonments of Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur, though he did not have the exact number as these soldiers have been registered as general voters.

He is optimistic that the voting percentage of soldiers, which is usually 3%, may jump to 70% in the February 4 polls, given the election office’s efforts to proactively encourage postal ballots and introduce e-voting for five constituencies, which include all the four seats of Ludhiana and one of Jalandhar central. Plus, the election office is hoping for a good response to postal ballots as well amid the growing awareness among soldiers about the need to vote.

Angry General rains fire on Capt

The Patiala royal is upset as I have questioned his track record in the army, where he never spent a single night on any border and remained an ADC with senior officers. GEN JJ SINGH, ex-army chief and SAD candidate from Patiala Urban

PATIALA: Lashing out at Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal candidate from Patiala and former Army chief General JJ Singh (retd) said that Amarinder has questioned the wisdom of former PM Manmohan Singh by labeling him a “lackluster and average general”.

“Amarinder has raised illogical points over my promotion as Chief of Army Staff, and he has questioned the wisdom of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and other senior Congressmen, who as part of Cabinet Committee of Appointments, had cleared my appointment as Chief of Army Staff. If Amarinder labels me an ‘average cadet’, he is questioning the wisdom and decision of Dr Manmohan Singh,” said General while rubbishing the charges of Capt Amarinder.

Clearly enraged at being labeled as a “lackluster and average general”, JJ Singh said an average general doesn’t get the highest civilian award from the Government of France or become a Governor. “The Patiala royal is upset as I have questioned his track record in Army, where he never spent a single night on any border, and remained an ADC with senior officers,” he fumed.

“Let me further make an addition, just as he is committing a fraud by claiming to have fought war, he is committing a big fraud by claiming to be an Army historian. The book titled ‘The Monsoon War’ was actually written by Lt Gen Tejinder Shergill (retd), and Amarinder had grabbed it and put his name as the first writer. Everyone knows that he was never on border. As an ADC, he remained in a helicopter or in the convoy of Gen Harbaksh Singh. Everyone knows an ADC’s duty is to keep the General’s bag, stand behind him or serve him a peg (liquor)”, said Gen JJ Singh.

He said that before questioning his credentials, Amarinder must explain his friendship with a Pakistan-based journalist. “What relationship does he have with his Pak-based friend. Voters want to know it,” he thundered. “It’s a serious matter as his friend is a defense correspondent in Pakistan, and this issue pertains to national security,” he added.

He rued that Amarinder had sent his wife Preneet Kaur to Patiala for canvassing. “People this time will punish Amarinder for being absent from the constituency,” he warned.

Sidhu like my son, has joined Cong unconditionally: Capt

TEAM SPIRIT Cricketer­turned­politician Navjot Sidhu shows bonhomie with Punjab Cong chief at first joint press conference after the former joined the party

Everybody is aware that it was Capt Amarinder Singh who saved Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia from the CBI probe into the drug case. BHAGWANT MANN, AAP’s Sangrur MP Amarinder had labelled the ‘Awaaz­e­Punjab’ as the ‘Tonga Party’. Now, he is thanking leaders of the same outfit for joining the Congress. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL, Union minister, SAD leader

AMRITSAR: Coming together for the first time after cricketerturned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the Congress, party’s Punjab president Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday said Sidhu had joined the party without any pre-conditions.

GURPREET SINGH/HTAt the Amritsar press conference on Thursday, Navjot Singh Sidhu said about his equation with Capt Amarinder Singh: ‘Son is a son and father is a father.’ The Punjab Congress chief said about the former cricketer: ‘I am his wicket­keeper.’

Sidhu, who maintained a low key throughout the press conference, showed respect to Captain with a bow and when asked to say something about Amarinder, he said: “Son is a son and father is a father.”

Capt Amarinder Singh made it clear that party promised nothing to Sidhu, saying, “Sidhu is like my son and I am very happy to have him in the party. Sidhu was not offered anything and he has come unconditionally. I will be in Lambi and see the Badals, he will look after Amritsar.” Amarinder said he had known Sidhu’s family from the days when he (Sidhu) was a child and his joining the party was great.

On a question whether he was the ‘Captain of Sidhu’, Amarinder said, “I am his wicketkeeper.” When Capt Amarinder was asked what if Sidhu was made the chief Minister by the party high command, Sidhu intervened to answer, saying, “If my aunty were a man, she would be uncle.”

Amarinder said Sidhu will be the star campaigner of the party. “In Lambi I will give a bigger thrashing to the opponents,” Sidhu said.

Amarinder later tweeted a photo of the two together: “Addressing our first press conference together. @sherryontopp (Sidhu) is like my son, and I’m glad we’re together in our #BattleForPunjab.”

WILL REINVESTIGATE DRUGS CASE: CAPT

Captain Amarinder said if elected to form the government, he would get reinvestigated the drugs case in which revenue minister and senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia’s name had cropped up and throw behind bars all those found guilty.

On AAP allegation of being soft towards chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Amarinder said he was fighting from Lambi to defeat Badal Senior. “Does the media want me to physically thrash Badal?” he said.

With the party’s nine candidates from the region by his side, Captain Amarinder also exuded confidence that his party will win all the seats in Majha.

Claiming that the state was in ruins under the Badal rule, Captain Amarinder said he needed a clear two-third majority to make a difference to bring Punjab back on the path to progress.

To another question, Amarinder said murmurs of dissent in the Congress triggered by the ticket allocation will be doused soon.

Captain wins Lambi battle, virtually!

A MEME MADE BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM OF CONG STRATEGY FIRM HAS GONE VIRAL ON TWITTER AND WHATSAPP

CHANDIGARH: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s release Raees is already making waves in pollbound Punjab.

The movie, set to be released on January 25, has inspired the makeover of state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh as Punjab’s very own gladiator.

A meme made by the social media team of party poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) shows Amarinder’s face superimposed on action hero Akshay Kumar of Khiladi 786, single-handedly taking on chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

he 27-second video has the background score of Raees and ends with Shah Rukh’s dialogue, “Aa raha hoon (I am coming).” The destination is Lambi and date January 18, the day Amarinder filed his nomination papers against Badal.

The video has gone viral on social media and become a WhatsApp and YouTube hit. IPAC’s Rishiraj Singh says the video was made by a social media volunteer to highlight the Lambi battle and show that one Amarinder can take on three rivals.

The Captain seems to have won the Lambi battle, at least virtually!

Gandhis, Manmohan, Azhar on Cong ‘star’ list

CHANDIGARH: With two stars competing for the limelight, the Congress may not need more. Though Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh is named at number eight on the list of 40 star campaigners and Navjot Singh Sidhu is on the 38th spot, the Congress will rely on their star appeal with party’s top leaders, former prime minister Manmahon Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi playing a supporting role.

The dates for rallies of Manmohan, Sonia and Rahul will be finalised by the national unit. A party statement said Sidhu will campaign in Lambi, the seat where Amarinder is taking on CM Parkash Singh Badal, while Amarinder will campaign across the state.

Former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin is also a part of the list along with actor Sonu Sood, who hails from Moga.

The list includes several Congress chief ministers and former chief ministers from various states, as well as a host of senior national-level party leaders, a party release said in Chandigarh on Thursday. These include Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot as well as former Punjab chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

But former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda is not in the list. Hooda had stated he would not campaign in Punjab over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal row, and Amarinder had said that Punjab Congress will not extend an invite to those “against the state’s interests”.

Among the top All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders chosen to give a boost to the Punjab campaign are general secretary Ambika Soni, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and former Union ministers Sushilkumar Shinde and Pawan Kumar Bansal. AICC in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari is already camping in Punjab for the past several days to steer the party campaign in the state, while AICC general secretaries Digvijaya Singh and Mukul Wasnik will also add their weight to the campaign in the coming days.

Rajasthan PCC president Sachin Pilot and UPCC president Raj Babbar have also been listed by the Congress to strengthen the Congress campaign in the state. The list includes several Congress MPs and former MPs, besides All India Mahila Congress president Shobha Oza.

Several Punjab leaders who are contesting too are on the list as the party high command has told them to lend support to the candidates in other areas.

Captain, Navjot Sidhu to hold rallies

FATEH GARH SAHIB: Despite Congress having faced protests in Amloh constituency by its rebel Jagmeet Sahota, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh has chosen the segment for his first campaign rally after filing the nomination from Lambi on Wednesday.

HT PHOTOKaka Randeep Singh addressing party workers in Mandi Gobindgarh on Thursday.

District Congress president Harinder Bhambri, who was a ticket contender from the same seat, informed on Thursday that Captain will hold a rally in the industrial town of Mandi Gobindgarh on Saturday, in support of the sitting MLA and candidate Kaka Randeep Singh. Star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu will follow next, added Bhambri.

Bhambri held a meeting with party workers here on Thursday and assigned duties for the rally. Meanwhile, Randeep’s wife Behishta Singh was busy in doorto-door campaign along with Neelam Rani, secretary, Punjab Mahila Congress .

Earlier, the erstwhile PPP contestant from the constituency, Jagmeet Sahota, had protested against the candidate when Congress chose Randeep Singh over Sahota in December last year. He rebelled and decided to contest as an independent candidate.

“If Capt comes here, people will ask him why he kept on befooling people, choosing outsiders every time,” said Sahota.

Returning officer impounds 13 SAD publicity vans in Moga

MOGA: The sub-divisional magistrate (SDM)-cum-returning officer (RO) Moga Charandeep Singh, impounded 13 publicity vans belonged to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance, for violating the model code of conduct on Thursday.

HT PHOTOThe vehicles bearing flexes of SAD­BJP alliance in Moga on Thursday.

As per the information, a convoy of at least 13 vans installed with flexes and hoardings carrying pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal were spotted by RO near sub-jail in Moga.

“Taraki di bani rahe raftaar, Ik var Akali-Bhajpa Sarkar (To continue the pace of developments, vote for SAD-BJP once more),” read the hoardings on the vans.

Sources said that these vans were on the way to the Jalalabad, which is Sukhbir’s constituency, to carry out promotional activities there.

“When I stopped the vans and asked for the permission documents to carry out election publicity material, the drivers were failed to show any documents after which I called for the flying squad team and district transport officer Moga,” said Charandeep.

The RO said that as the vans were not canvassing for any particular candidate or promoting the party, he has directed the DTO Gurwinder Singh Johal to take action for violating the code of conduct. According to rules, no vehicle can carry out any kind of publicity of any party or candidate during the model code of conduct without the permission of chief electoral officer (CEO).

Johal said that he has impounded the vehicles after the drivers failed to show any documents, including the registration certificates and driving licenses and has given them time to get the documents.

THE GREATEST ENEMY OF KNOWLEDGE IS NOT IGNORANCE.
IT IS THE ILLUSION OF KNOWLEDGE!

Do you know the answers to these basic questions about the Defence Services? 

If not, go to the link given right in the end.

1.    What does it mean to be a Commissioned Officer?  Why are Defence Officers “Commissioned Officers” while IAS, IPS, etc. are not?
2.    Why is it that the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces is the President of India and not the Prime Minister, whereas all other Central Govt Services are under the control of the Prime Minister?
3.    Have you read the Primary and Secondary Roles assigned to the Defence Forces by the Constitution of India? (As a Defence Person, you should remember them!)
4.    In what Article of the Constitution of India are defence personnel permitted to prefix “Title of Ranks”, while civil counterparts cannot prefix any Title?
5.    How are officers in the Defence Forces appointed and how and why does their oath differ from that of a civil servant?
6.    Why is the parchment of commission authenticated by a (military) General and not by any civil officer?
7.    Under what constitutional provision is the military obligated to intervene and declare martial law in the country?
8.    Constitutionally, is the military subordinate to the PM and his cabinet?
9.    Why are Defence Officers never on election duty?
10.    When and why did the Army Chief caution Indira Gandhi in writing to remain within the limits of the Constitution? 
11.    Why is it that baboo(n)s continue to reduce the status of defence service personnel?
12.    What are the constitutional provisions for the status and service conditions of the Defence Forces?
13.    What are the powers of a Commissioned Officer which are not vested with civilian officers?
14.    What does the Constitution say about inter se seniority of defence services and other civilian services such as IAS, IPS, etc.?
15.    Does the Govt have a legal right to downgrade status and compensations of the Defence Forces since they are in power?
16.    Why does the military not go to court to resolve its issues of status and pay parity?
17.    What happened to the promised white paper on the problems and also formation of a military commission? 

Do You Know Your Defense Forces? FAQs: On the Constitutional Status of Defense Forces?

 

Thanks readers for overwhelming response. Two more blogs will come. Second one in continuation of present one dealing with aspects like what does apolitical means in terms of law and Coup Proofing Vs Coup Phobia and third one on “What Rots Indian Military within”?

Question No 1. Military veterans seems to be always agitated on issues like pay, pension and allowances. Why is it? Are they depressed or greedy? 

Answer.

Military veterans vocal on electronic, print and social media or agitating on Jantar Mantar airing their concerns on many issues concerning military, are neither depressed nor greedy. Soldiers of Indian army give more preference to service to nation and democracy than money. There are certain pressure points which govts after govts have not only ignored since 1973, but are creating more reasons for agitations.  

As for as public is concerned, in independent India it is happening for the first time, that in last 5-6 years military veterans have taken the course of agitation on key issues in public domain creating ripples in minds of common man creating such false impressions. The issues are pending with govt since 1973 and now the patience of soldiers is at breaking point. 

Question No 2. But why shall Govt show such apathetic attitude towards soldiers? Soldiers defend nation and render great service and politicians, babus and govt are surely aware of it? 

Answer

It puzzles solders too. Why such apathetic attitude towards soldiers? Serving soldiers do not have unions or lobbies like civilians. They always had blind trust in govt but in 1973 they were delivered a serious blow when their status, pay, pensions and allowances were reduced drastically by 3rd pay commission and that of civilians raised.  It created serious imbalance and that too once soldiers had delivered an unprecedented and historic military victory in 1971 war.  Instead of award, soldiers were punished. It never happens like that. It is a sure way of killing the high moral of a victorious army setting a wrong precedence.   

Soldiers have a system of reporting their problems to their commanding officers, who then report the matter to services HQ at Delhi. Military Chiefs then take up matter with the govt. Soldiers followed the same system and had trust in the ability of their chiefs and Govt. Naturally such serious imbalance created by 3rd pay commission were reported to Govt through proper channels. Then PM Indra Gandhi assured Military Chiefs of resolution of their problems but it never happened. 

Since 1973. chiefs after chiefs have kept reporting the matter to Govt. Govts after Govts have kept assuring soldiers about resolution of their problems but without any solution in sight. Rather various political parties have used frustration of soldiers for petty vote bank politics. It has now created a situation wherein soldiers have lost trust in ability of military chiefs to get solution and started doubting the intentions and seriousness of Govts to deliver justice forcing them to came on street and social media bringing matters into the notice of public. After in all in democracy people are supreme. It is surely not a healthy sign for the democracy. It has also created problem within military where abilities of top leaderships to effectively communicate with govt are now being questioned?  

Question 3. Still why is Govt not serious? Soldiers on street in democracy is a frightening scene? 

 

Answer. 

It is surprising for soldiers too. Why is govt not serious? Why are political parties only interested in using frustration of soldiers for votes? Ignoring the problem without giving any justification is like adding the fuel to fire. Unfortunately, such apathy is creating impressions that corrupt politician- babu nexus has no time for serious issues of the nation and soldiers demand for justice is no exception. Look around, justice system has collapsed, govt administration is totally rusted, corruption rules everywhere, parliament has become defunct, proxy govts rule, no political party has internal democracy, funding channels are kept secret, banking is overburdened with NPAs, gap between poor and rich are widening, farmers are committing suicide. A situation of hopelessness exists. It looks politics has become a profession of employment for failed people who are only interested in loot and plunder. Babus, banks, judiciary, some crony businessmen and temple priests, have joined hands with corrupt politicians to create a mafia. Naturally such mafia has no time and sensitivity for soldiers and justice or what else could be the reason? 

Indian soldiers are sensitive, committed to constitution and responsible people. Soldiers know that in the given situation of hopelessness, if they also come on street, as it happens in other countries, it will deliver a death blow to the nation. Naturally so, military veterans have taken the responsibility to communicate with “we the people” who are supreme in democracy, keeping the threshold of agitation well below acceptable limits so that the situation doesn’t explode. 

Questions 4. What are the major demands of soldiers? 

 

Answer 

 

The major demands of soldiers are:

1. Status of soldiers as given in the constitution be respected. 

2. Accordingly, serious imbalances and disparities between compensation model of soldiers and other govt civil employees be removed based on best HR practices taking into account the average career earnings including pension  benefits.

Question 5.  What are the constitutional provisions for the executive authority of the military? 

Answer

Constitutional military executive authority of the soldiers comes out of the following articles:

1. Article 18;- respects the “Title of Ranks” of Soldiers even after his death. Soldiers never retire. Title of Ranks never die. 

2. Article 34:- Gives military a political executive authority to intervene by declaring martial law only to restore democracy.  In India parliamentary democracy is supreme. This article makes Indian military as soldiers totally committed to democracy and “we the people”. There may be situation where state fails to govern as per constitution or parliament is unable to function due to any reasons or rise of a civilian dictator endangers democracy or external/ internal aggression endangers it . In such situations constitution makes obligatory on military authorities to intervene to protect and restore democracy. Baba Saheb Ambedkar was a very wise man. He could sense that in independent India, probability of rise of civilian dictators are more than rise of a military dictator. He therefore under this article, entrusted military a role of silent and invisible custodian of Indian democracy.  History of independent India is testimony to the fact that Baba Saheb was right. Military has been loyal to constitution and we the people whereas Indra tried to become dictator declaring unconstitutional emergency. Military did play its role to protect democracy, when then Army Chief cautioned Indra to remain within limits of constitution. In fact emergency was lifted as all three chiefs wrote a top secret letter to Indra Gandhi advising her to lift emergency and call for elections. Probably this is right time the content of this letter shall be disclosed to public. 

3. Article 52 read clubbed with Article 74:- The sovereign authority of govt is vested in the President who wears two distinct hats. One of being head of civil political govt and other of supreme commander of defense forces. These two roles of the president are independent. Under this article the hard and soft national powers are identified and constitutionally divided. While the democracy under the pre-dominance of soft power functions under the leadership of Prime Minister and his cabinet, the total command authority over the hard power of military is denied to him/her. Baba Saheb was a visionary and had deep knowledge of Indian history. He wisely so separated national hard power from the national soft power. Baba Saheb knew if PM or defense minister are given total command authority over military it will give rise to many civilian dictators.  Therefore under this article if read clubbed with article 74, the political direction to military comes from cabinet headed by PM, administrative support comes from ministry of defense and military retains the authority and freedom to take military executive decisions and that is the reason precisely military is an attached organisation to the political govt. Constitutionally, military can not be subordinate to PM and his cabinet as President who is senior to PM is its head and also PM is not given command of military. In Indian democracy where PM exercises executive political authority and President is constitutional head of military, services HQ can only be integrated with civil govt and can not be merged as is the case in USA.  

4. Co-relation of Article 34 on Article 52 and 74. Articles 52 and 74 do not take away the authority as vested in supreme commander of defense forces and military commanders as Silent and Invisible Custodians of Indian Democracy. There could be situation where advice of PM (aspiring to become a dictator) and his cabinet to President could be detrimental to democracy. Under article 52 and article 74, president is left with no choice except to accept their advice after one review however under article 34 supreme commander of defense forces or military commanders can exercise military authority as vested in them only to defend constitution and democracy.

Question 6. Constitutionally, what are the roles of the defense forces? 

Answer

If seen in the backdrop of above constitutional provisions, the roles of Indian Defense Forces are:

1. Primary Role. To defend Indian Constitution and democracy against any of the following threats:

a. Any external aggression or threat in any form on the geo-political and economic interests of India, territories under the political control of Indian Govt and Indian constitution. The external threat may not be always in form of military invasions. It may appear in form of externally abetted political assassinations,  cyber or economic wars, threatening geo-poltical alliances or posturing etc.

b. Any internal threat endangering functioning of the constitution and democracy which may be in forms of armed rebellion or political takeover by a civilian dictator.

2. Secondary Role. To assist civil administration in maintenance of law and order and in case of natural calamities, disasters and disturbances only when requisitioned.

Please note that defenses forces can act in their secondary roles only when requisitioned. However for preforming their primary roles, no such orders or requisition are required. However as long as an elected political govt under parliamentary democracy is functioning, defense forces will always seek their political directions before any action. In case such govt seize to exist or nuke attacks have obliterated such govt or a civilian dictator has taken over violating constitution or any state govt has rebelled or any armed rebellion has seized any part of territory/ govt administration, defense forces will act under the military authority as vested in them to protect constitution and shall not wait for any political directions.

Question 7. What are the constitutional provisions for the status and service conditions of the Defense forces?

Answer

Chapter 14 of the constitution deals with “Services of the Union and States”. Though defense forces are created under articles 34 and 52, but their service conditions are constitutionally governed under this chapter. Relevant article are as under:

1. Article 309 empowers parliament to make legislation for the service conditions of various public services including defense forces.

 2. Article 310 Makes provisions for the tenure of all commissioned officers of the defense forces personals and civilian gazetted officers to be at pleasure of president. This article mentions various govt services in order of their seniority in terms of constitutional status. Officers of the defense forces are first in the seniority even ahead of civil services of the union (discontinued after independence) and All India Services (IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS etc).

Articles 311- 323 under the chapter deal with various safeguards provided to civil services and forming of Public Service Commissions.

Legal provisions for withdrawal of Pleasure of President in respect to officers of the  defense forces differ from the civil officers which  for defenses forces are further given in respective services acts, rules and also regulations.

Under article 309, various civil services acts for giving various service conditions in details like IAS acts and rules or IPS acts and rules have been framed. However in relation to defense services Govt and Parliament has chosen to remain silent and adhocism has been created. Absence of act and rules for service conditions of defense forces in detail as mandated under article 309, is the root cause of soldiers grievances. Present Defense Acts and Rules deal more with the discipline aspect of forces. The defense regulations are customs of Monarchy. India is a democracy and defense forces shall not be administered under adhoc regulations.

Question 8.  How are officers in defense forces appointed and how does their oath differ from a civil servant?

Answer

Officers of the defense forces in addition to being gazetted, are also commissioned officers. The word “commission” is mentioned in the parchment given to them at the time of their commissioning wherein they take oath of allegiance not only to the constitution as taken by civil officers but also to obey lawful command of their superior officer up in the chain of command after due observations to it being a lawful in accordance with laws of regular army.

Under this observed obedience of lawful command, duty to defend the constitution is inherent. Civilians including PM and Govt Ministers take oath of allegiance to the constitution and not to defend constitution? Few key aspect which shall be noted in appointments of defense officers are :

1. The parchment of commission is given under the printed signatures of the President authenticated by a Military General and not by any civil officer. 

2. In parchment of commission, the President uses the word “ME” and not “MY GOVT” as he uses in Parliament, because the authority of military command is absolute in nature and is vested in him as supreme commander of the defense forces. Such power legally can not be delegated to any other authority. Provisions of article 74, therefore do not apply on military authority and chain of command. Army laws make nature of command legally very clear.  In case of confusion of political directions for military between President and PM, defense forces are obliged to follow orders of supreme commanders of defense forces and not PM. 

3. Officers of defense forces take oath to serve anywhere in world and space, where ever they could be send by land, air and sea beyond the territories of India and where even the Indian laws do not apply? They enforce the sovereign authority of the state not only within national territories but beyond. 

4. Officers are suppose to follow such orders of command which are lawful in nature. Legal validity of orders are decided by officer himself interpreting these under the law. Commissioned officers are therefore expected to use their judgment to decide legality of the orders and all illegal orders he is expected to disobey. In case commissioned officers obey illegal orders, they carry liability of criminal prosecution.  

5. Officers of the defense forces by virtue of being commissioned officers, are vested with following powers

a. Military executive authority not only to impose its will using military force on any entity but also to the extend of forming govts. Military Govt in India were formed in Hyderabad, Goa and Junagarh once these were liberated and also in Bangaldesh and Jaffna Sri Lanka.  

b. Judicial powers to not only give punishments to the extend of death sentence, but in certain situations confirm and execute it without any reference to any court, govt and president. 

c. Powers of Magistrates are exercised by defense forces in aid to civil authority. Officers of the rank of NCOs and above  exercise such powers. Whereas in case of civil these are not below gazetted officers. 

d Military Authority to command troops. Military functions based on unique concept of command. 

e. Administrative powers like any civilian officers. 

It could be seen from above that all functions of state for which a civil govt has different organs, in case of military are vested in commissioned officers.  

Question 9. It seems somewhat confusing? General Impressions are that constitutionally IAS officers are Masters of Indian Destiny and they are even superior than other sister services like IPS, IRS and IFS? 

Answer

If seen in backdrop of article 310, that is not correct. Over a period of time IAS officers have taken advantage of their certain appointments and closeness to politicians. Corrupt, greedy and insecure politicians have obliged them, as in elections IAS officers are appointed returning officers responsible to check validity of their nomination papers, their election canvassing activities and spending of funds. In fact it is this appointment which makes them a kind of masters of Indian Elections. It is the IAS officer as DM, who announces results of vote counting. When in multi corner elections where victory margins are thin, such officers naturally can oblige politicians. It is this relationship between politicians and IAS officers which has given unjustified advantage to IAS. In most of the democracy. No civil servant is given the responsibility of being a returning officer.  In US, civil servants only oversee checks over political spending, in Pakistan, these are judicial officers who are nominated as returning officers. The present practice is harmful to Indian Democracy and parliament must take note of it? 

Nevertheless constitutionally, following shall answer the question about the correct position on the standing of officers of defense forces with officers of IAS and other All India Services :

Comparison of Constitutional Status of Defense Officers and IAS including Officers  of All India Services

1. Sovereign Executive Military Authority is an exclusive domain of military officers exercised through powers and chain of command. Under such authority nations are destroyed or made. Political directions for military actions at macro levels are given by elected govt in a functional democracy. Under article 34 defense forces have been made silent and invisible custodian of Indian democracy with a responsibility to keep it intact. No such powers in civil domain to any civil officer.

2. Authority to form political Govt is an exclusive domain of political civil Govt in a functional democracy on mandate of ‘we the people’. However in certain situations with approval of elected civil political authorities and if it doesn’t exist then own its own, officers of the defense officers form a political govt in any external captured territory and anywhere within the country. Examples are when military formed Govts in Haydrabad, Goa and Junagarh within the country and in Bangladesh and Jaffna; Sri Lanka abroad. Such govt can be led by any military officer or any other person so authorized by responsible military commander.  Adjutant General of the Army HQ is responsible for the subject. Only officers of the rank of Brigadier and above are authorized to declare formation of such govt. That is the reason rank of Brigadier was and should be equated with the appointment of secretary of Govt of India. Same is the practice world over in most democracies. No such authority is vested in any of the officers of all India services. All civil officers serve under the command of military commanders under the military govts.

3. Judicial Powers Any commissioned officer can be nominated to the military court as a Judge. Military officers of the rank of Captain and above exercise judicial powers of a session judge and can give death sentences.  In case of SGCM, an officer of the rank of Captain and above can nominate himself as judge and can give death sentence in a summary trial. He in this case can also confirm the sentence given by himself on behalf of president and give orders for its execution without reference to any court and civil authority. No right of appeal is given to the accused. Military Laws can be made applicable to civilians either by notification by central govt or under martial laws. Legal validity of the courts formed under martial laws has the sanction of Supreme Court. No such powers or authority is held by any officer of the all India services.

4. Powers of Magistrate.   Powers of magistrate is more of a civilian concept when a civilian officer is given part of executive authority of the state by virtue of he/her holding an appointment or given for a period. Military works on the concept of command where executive powers of state are inherent in powers of command of Military officers by virtue of holding commission or authority to exercise such powers. In case of military, powers of command are given down to NCO levels. In aid to civil authority military Non Commissioned Officers, has the powers to order fire.  Such orders in case of civil can only be given by a Civil magistrate. These powers are not inherent as is the case of military officers. IAS officers exercise powers of magistrate as returning officers for an election. It is this appointment which gives advantage to them to illegally oblige politicians and makes them powerful over others.

5. Administrative Powers   Exercised as authorized by defense officers as well as officers of all India services.

Please note,  IAS officers or other officers of all India services exercise executive powers of state only when they have powers of magistrate or holding a specified appointment where as executive authority of the state are inherent to all commissioned officers by virtue of they holding  commission on behalf of President. Nature of job of officers of all India services is more as administrative whereas in case of defense officers it is pre-dominantly executive. That is the reason article 310, puts officers of defense forces in senior most order than officers of all India services and other civil services. Yes it is also true constitutionally that IAS officer have no legal standing to claim seniority or preference over IPS, IRS or IFS. Their present superior status is illegal and has been created with help of politicians as they are the only one who can become returning officers to conduct elections.

Question 10. The word defending the constitution are neither mentioned in Oath and Nor in commission parchment, then how are officers of the defense forces responsible for the defending the constitution?

Answer 

 

Oath of President of India has two key words. One “upholding the constitutions” and other defending it?  President takes the oath to defend constitution as supreme commander of the defense forces and the only means to defend constitution, he has are the defense forces. He therefore passes his authority to officers of the defense forces in form of commission. It is through this commission the officers of defense forces become responsible for defending the constitution by military force following lawful command. Article 34 also makes it obligatory on part of the defense forces to defend constitution. 

Question 10A. Civil Political Govt has authority and freedom to decide what shall be status of the defense officers and how shall they be paid? Why shall defense officers and soldiers crib?

 

Answer

 

Govt of the day is formed and functions under the broad constitutional framework. No govt or babu is above constitution and they are expected to work within the space as provided. Since 1973 govt are taking certain unconstitutional decisions and downgrading status and compensations of the the defense forces. The same is highly objectionable. Defense forces have been so far maintaining the decorum and trying to argue reason with the govt. Unfortunately the same is not yielding the result and no answers are coming from the govt?  That is main reason military veterans have taken to social media and streets. 

Questions 11. Why shall Govt give answers to the military? It is communicating its decisions? Where is the problem in it? 

 

Answer

 

India is a democracy and not autocracy. Govts are answerable to the people and parliament. In case of military they need to explain reasons as by law military is not expected to obey unlawful orders. Soldiers have certain of their fundamental rights restricted it doesn’t mean they lose all other rights of a being Indian citizens? Govt carry a responsibility to reason out their grievances? It is demand of democracy. 

Question 12. Why is military not going to court? After all it is an attached organisation to the govt and maintains its own identity? 

 

Answer

Defense forces surly have such options open but not exercising showing respect to democracy and hoping  that some day wisdom will prevail. After all military going against an elected govt in court might cause serious problems to the democracy. Yes some serving officers and military veterans are taking some lead but the same is also not a healthy sign. 

Question 13. What are the main grievances? Can same be elaborated? 

Answer

 

Same were explained above in answer to question 4. The same is again elaborated here:

1. Considering various articles 18, 34, 52, 309 and 310 of the constitution and their authority, powers of command, roles and functions, officers of defense forces have a constitutional status and the same is superior to the senior most civil services that is IAS. Article 310 makes it very clear. Equating commissioned officers inferior to police and higher than homewards is surely humiliating. Since 1973 defense forces are actually under systematic motivated attacks from political establishment for marginalizing them. The same is likely to create a serious imbalance in power structure of the country in total violation of constitution which is fraught with serious consequences like creating space for rise of civilian dictators. 

2. On the eve of Independence, first Govt under PM Nehru in fact had realized the problem and on recommendations of a committee, respecting constitutional status of the defense officers, certain principle of parity were laid down. The same were:

a. The status of officers of defense forces will be superior to civil services; IAS. 

b. Seniority protocol between commissioned officers and IAS shall be decided based on length of service and not on the basis of rank of defense officers. 

c. Compensation packages in terms of total average career take home including pension of defense forces shall be higher than civil. In case of defense officers more than IAS. 

3. The above thumb rule as made under Nehru govt, respected the constitution. It was in 1973, in lust to be a dictator, Indra Gandhi tweaked above policy and cut their status and compensation drastically. The process which she started is still continuing? Now the situation is that in terms of status, defense forces are being equated to Grade B civil officers and their average career take homes are less than police and above home guard? 

4. The real unrest is not OROP or some allowances here or there. Real issue is question of disparity and serious imbalances in total disregard to constitutional status of the soldiers. If a MP is respected as MP, if president is respected as president, if judges are respected as judges all as per status given in constitution than why are soldiers not being respected their constitutional status? Degrading soldiers in total disregards to constitution is nothing but direct attack on Constitution.  

Question 14. PM Modi seems to be serious in resolving the issues, then why are soldiers still agitating?

 

Answer

 

Soldiers had lots of hope in Sh N Modi as he looked sincere but actions of his govt doesn’t speak the same story. Following may please be noted:

1. BJP promised a white paper on the problems and also formation of a military commission. In last 2 years nothing has happened on it? 

2. After BJP formed govt, their defense minister clearly said “OROP” can not be given. Soldiers are asking salary for life. That triggered agitation. Then their Home Minister tried to break the agitation using force. A RSS leader in their first ever political darbar in Delhi, in fact as reported passed instructions to present Defense Minister in a very derogatory manner “Give them something and make them quite’?   It further aggravated problem. 

3. Govt has accepted recommendations of the VII pay commission which has given a very humiliating treatment to soldiers, cutting them further in status and compensations. There are issue pending since IV, V and VI pay commissions. Nothing was addressed, rather more cuts have been implemented. It has happened for the second time, while the civilians have been given their dues, soldiers are still struggling. It is the first time in the history of India, where three services chiefs have polity declined implementation of VII pay commission till major anomalies are resolved.  

4. On issue of disability govt has created yet another controversy. 

5. Now fresh controversy over status parity has erupted in MOD, where civil officers of the Grade B are being treated much superior than commissioned officers.   

6. On all these issues, one can notice deliberate leaks and motivated article  to defame soldiers? In VII pay commission report, an attempt has been made to put down soldiers and show them as greedy.

7. A new fund has been created for public to donate money giving and impression that as govt has no money for soldiers as nation is poor, public must pitch in donations. 

Question 15. India is poor country surly she cant not pay soldiers lavishly? 

 

Answer

 

Who is asking that? India is a poor country then why to pay civilian govt employees so lavishly? Soldiers are asking to remove imbalances and restore their status maintaining the principle of parity in line  of constitutional status. Nehru Govt did make the rules. 

Question 16. If govt doesn’t address the problem as seen by soldiers and tries to resolve its own way then what are the consequences? 

 

Answer

 

At first place govt shall not do that. The constitution is supreme. If govt still wishes to go ahead then better amend constitution. Make defense minister as supreme commander of defense forces, abolish article 34 and article 52 II. Amend article 310 to make defense forces junior to police forces. Make NSA as Chief of Defense Staff and stop giving commission to defense officers. Where is the problem? We live in a democracy where constitution and will of people are supreme. 

But if not done, then respect the present constitution. In any case, since independence a situation has been created now where trust of soldiers in govt as the its lowest. It is a dangerous situation. A soldier who is low in his self esteem and doesn’t trust govt will have no trust in cause of his mission and moreover he will be more worried about future, safety and security of his family? Such soldiers can only deliver defeat.  Choice is of the govt and we the people. 

Question 17. What is the way out? 

 

Answer

 

Well the way out is known to the govt. BJP did promise a white paper and standing military commission. In fact Supreme Court has been suggesting same to govt. Twice it has happened that SC has ordered Govt to form a standing commission and then withdrawn its orders on promise of the govt. Let this commission first publish a white paper and then take a comprehensive approach to restructure the whole model keeping constitution in mind. The real issues are only two. 1. Treating soldiers as per their constitutional status and 2. accordingly structuring a compensation model. 

It was heartening to see Gen. Bipin Rawat focusing on the Indian Army’s primary duty – fighting wars – at his maiden press conference as the newly-appointed Indian Army Chief. As is the norm, Gen Rawat had to wade through topical question before coming to the core issues – counter insurgency and the future wars. The general sahib, given to garrulity, could not put his best foot forward. His solution to stop jawans from airing their grievances on the social media was prosaic and well worn. The Army chief defended the existing grievance redressal mechanism and, in an apparent play for the galleries, suggested they use the suggestion boxes in army installations. Gen Rawat seems to miss the point. If a jawan risks punishment and worse by taking it to the social media, it is obvious the regular channels are not working.   But the Army chief was in his elements on Pakistan and fighting future wars. Gen Rawat was confident that the surgical strikes have dimmed the Pakistani state’s appetite for stirring up trouble in Jammu & Kashmir. Although over 50 soldiers have been killed since the surgical strikes took place, he repeated that if Pakistan did not accept India’s commitment to peace and tranquility, “this [Surgical strike] method of operational execution will continue.”  In J & K, as the ground situation indicates, the security forces appear to have regained control.But Gen Rawat’s emphasis, however, on Cold Start indicates that India has abandoned its conventional approach for good in favour of keeping the adversary on tenterhooks with the policy of offence is the best defence. India has a long way to go in terms of acquiring the appropriate hardware for the task where the army will have to move fast and communications between commanders has to be spot on.  Moreover, the army will have to factor in Pakistan’s threat to deploy nuclear weapons in a conventional skirmish. As Gen Rawat tellingly added,“ weaknesses have to be overcome and this can only happen if you accept the strategy.” The nation – as also our adversaries – are yet to hear a definitive baptism to Cold Start – and, all that follows from it.