Monthly Archives: August 2018

The move comes in the backof a video uploaded by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on social media over the poor quality of food served in frontier posts of the BSF.

New Delhi, February 8

Senior officers of paramilitary forces have been advised to have the food prepared for jawans and endorse a note on its quality, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.The move comes in the backdrop of a video uploaded by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on social media over the poor quality of food served in frontier posts of the BSF.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the ministry has reiterated to forces to ensure that the officers during their visit to posts, may check on the aspects of living conditions, clothing, food and equipment and they may also take initiative to get free and frank feedback of the personnel.“It has been advised that senior officers may also partake in the food prepared for the jawans and endorse a note on the quality/quantity of the food in the inspection register.The forces have also been advised to review their internal grievances redressal system and take proactive measures to redress the grievances,” he said.On the issue of videotape of Yadav, Rijiju said, “Senior officers of the force were deputed to ascertain the facts. A Staff Court of Inquiry (SCOI) has been ordered and to facilitate free and fair inquiry, the officers concerned have since been transferred”.In response to a separate question, he said, “BSF has informed that the jawan, who made the complaint of substandard quality of food, has not been transferred from out of the frontier where he is serving. It is also reported that the said jawan never made such complaint earlier to anyone”.In yet another response, the minister said the CRPF has also reported two such complaints of poor quality of food along with various other grievances.“With respect to other paramilitary forces viz – SSB, ITBP and CISF, no such complaints have been received adding that all the forces have robust grievance redressal mechanisms,” he said. — PTI

THERE has been much debate on the officer-jawan relationship in recent months in the media. Let me forcefully state that the Indian Army officers can cross all boundaries of laid-down rules to look after the welfare of their troops. Here goes an ‘actuality’. I got my flying wings in 1975, and by 1976, was flying in an Observation Post Flight in Jammu. The three-seater Krishak aircraft was mainly meant for directing fire on enemy locations, photo missions, evacuation of injured personnel and ferrying of Commanders for operational tasks. The switch to this aircraft from Auster MK IX, which I flew earlier, was done under the watchful eye of a flying instructor who was a no-nonsense man and a stickler for rules.VIP tasks soon came my way. I was to pick up the GOC of a division from Poonch and fly him to Rajouri. I had to clear the hills by midday to avoid turbulence. The takeoff from Jammu was delayed by an hour due to inclement weather and I landed, an hour late, at my final destination, Poonch. As I was taxying to a mini ad-hoc dispersal, I saw the staff officer from the Brigade HQ, heading towards my aircraft. I was told that the GOC had already left for Rajouri by road as he was not sure of my arrival due to bad weather. In the same breath, I was told that the Brigade Commander wanted me to join him for breakfast. Quick to accept the offer, I directed the Guard Commander to ensure that guards were placed all around the aircraft. The breakfast was sumptuous, and soon, I was heading back to the landing ground. As I approached the kit, I could see someone already sitting in the co-pilot seat — a handsome Sikh soldier, carrying a small bag in his lap. In a commanding voice, I asked my unauthorised passenger to come out of the aircraft. I asked the Guard Commander how he allowed this security breach. He replied that he was told that ‘he’ and ‘I’ were performing similar duties and had the ‘right to board’ the aircraft. My next arrow was fired at this overconfident soldier; and I asked him how our duties were similar. Pat came the reply, ‘Sir, you are a driver, and so am I. If a driver does not look after another, who will?’ I was fuming. How dare he call a pilot a driver! To put him in his place, I asked him what type of ‘vehicle/aircraft’ he ‘drove’ on which he rested his claim. Proudly, he stated that his task was more difficult than mine, for he was a ‘mule driver’, and had taken the liberty of taking a lift in my aircraft as he wanted to reach his hometown early to see his ailing mother. My anger gave way to guilt. I immediately strapped him in my co-pilot seat. Seeing him smile, I felt I had made up for the unwanted vocal ordeal of the last 10 minutes. I made contact with the Jammu Air Traffic Control and said I was carrying a passenger who was not a planned occupant and this be told to my Flight Commander. On landing, I ensured that he was taken to a langar, where a feast was laid out for him. The jeep driver was directed to drop him at the railway station, with the order that he must be brought to my office before leaving the air base. Soon, he entered my office, his salute perfect. His verdict was that I was a ‘good driver’. Indeed, I was a driver in the air and was lucky to have been given an opportunity to ferry a ‘VIP mule driver’!

Lucknow, February 6

Indian National Army (INA) veteran ‘Colonel’ Nizamuddin died in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, his family said. He was 116.A close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Nizamuddin breathed his last in Azamgarh district’s Dhakwa village.He served as a driver-cum-guard of Bose after the INA was formed. He accompanied Bose when he went to meet Hitler to seek help to secure freedom for India.He also accompanied Bose during his trips to Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.He is survived by his 107-year-old wife Ajbunisa, daughter Habibunnisa (85) and sons Akhtar Ali (72), Anwar Ali (65) and Sheikh Akram (55). IANS

The martyr’s mother Lalit Mohini at her residence. Photo: Dev Dutt Sharma

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 5

The family of Major Yogesh Gupta, who sacrificed his life while fighting terrorists at Surankot in Jammu and Kashmir in July 2002, feels neglected. The family have been struggling to keep the name of the martyr alive for the last 14 years.Talking to The Tribune, Lalit Mohini, the martyr’s mother, said, “Despite killing four dreaded terrorists and sacrificing his life, no gallantry award has been given. We remember the Commanding Officer mentioning his name being forwarded for the Ashok Chakra, but have not heard anything in this regard so far.”The battle casualty report stated: “Based on specific information, the Operation Prachand Prahar was launched with 9 Para (SF). At 0430 hours, contact was established with terrorists at Ranjati. In the ensuing firefight, Major Yogesh Gupta suffered severe gunshot wounds in the abdomen.” It further stated: “Despite being severely injured, Major Yogesh Gupta continued to engage the terrorists valiantly and killed four dreaded terrorists. A total of five hardcore terrorists were killed in the firefight and Major Yogesh Gupta attained martyrdom.”“If this is not bravery, what are gallantry awards given for? Either the Army should say it had prepared a wrong casualty report or tell why the martyr has not been honoured so far,” she added.“We desire that a memorial to Major Yogesh Gupta should be built, which will help in keeping his name alive and inspire the future generation. The government and administration have turned a blind eye to our struggle and the sacrifice of my son,” she further said.“It is sad that there is not even five yards of land in Ambala for a martyr while huge space is used to build statues of political leaders. We are not seeking any monetary help. It is a matter of honouring a martyr and remembering his bravery,” said the pained mother.“Sometimes, we do not feel like raising the issue again. We feel neglected when a gallantry award is presented to the next of kin of other martyrs and feel the injustice meted out to Yogesh,” she said.“We have approached all concerned, including the Ambala GOC, local administration, MLA and the PMO repeatedly, but to no avail,” said the martyr’s mother.

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 21

Pakistan has opened a window for India to launch across-the-border operations to crush terrorism as it itself has gone in for anti-terror operations in Afghanistan.The border, when it comes to launching anti-terror operations, holds no sanctity. Pakistan has proved that in the last few days following the carnage at a Sufi shrine in Sindh.America was the first to do it after 9/11 when it bombarded Afghanistan and landed its forces there to stamp out the Al-Qaida and the Taliban.Now Pakistan has done it. By that standard of anti-terror operations, Pakistan cannot deny India its right to strike at terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for terrorists have been using Pakistani soil to attack India. Besides, Pakistani terrorists have been hyper active against India in Afghanistan as well.Pakistan did not hesitate even for a moment to conclude that the terrorists who killed worshippers at the Lal Shabaz Qalandhar shrine in Sindh were from Afghanistan. It went on to ask for 76 terrorists from the Afghanistan government. The Afghan envoy was not summoned to the foreign office but to the General Headquarters of the Pakistan army.The Pakistan army claimed to have killed over 100 terrorists in Afghanistan. It has also warned Kabul that it would repeat the operations as and when Islamabad would suspect that Afghanistan-based terrorists were targeting Pakistani people or establishment.The message was heard loud and clear in Pakistani Senate when on Monday, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told the House: “The Prime Minister had authorised the army to take out terrorists wherever they might be.”There, however, was a dichotomy in his statement when he said: “It had been established beyond doubt that foreign soil had been used to orchestrate the two latest attacks — in Lahore and in Hayatabad.” He recalled Pakistan’s commitment that its soil would not be allowed to be used for terrorism in any country and noted that the time had come to ensure that no other country’s soil was used against Pakistan.Pakistan’s soil has excessively been used by terrorists to target Afghanistan and India. It is an undeniable fact that Pakistan’s soil has given birth to several terrorists, who have been trained to strike the western countries too.Terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad and some sections of the Taliban having links with the Islamic State have been operating under the direct patronage of the Pakistan army.So, for a Pakistani minister to say that “Pakistan’s soil would not be allowed to be used for terrorism in any country” runs into the face of the realities that have traced terror camps in Pakistan, wherefrom terrorists are prepared for “jihad” in J&Kand other parts of India and Afghanistan.India for its own security has the right to strike at terrorist camps wherever they exist, here or across. The sovereignty definition cannot be a one-sided definition. Pakistan itself has shown the door officially. Now, it is time for India to learn the right lessons, this time from the neighbouring country, also troubled by terrorism.It is a universally acknowledged fact that Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism. The best course for Islamabad, as military experts would suggest, would be to first decimate its home-grown terrorists. The terms “good terrorists” and “bad terrorists” hold no ground. By now this fact should have dawned on Pakistan.

Aspirants await their turn for a medical test during a recruitment drive in Ludhiana on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Shivani Bhakoo & Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 21

On the second day of the recruitment rally for 14 vacancies in Territorial Army here today, syringes and other objectionable material, including empty bottles of cough syrup, was found from the bags of several candidates.Army officials said the material was obtained not only from the candidates of Punjab, but also from Haryana and Delhi. Col NK Sharma, under whose guidance the recruitment process is being held, said the candidates’ bags were checked on both days randomly.“We found used and unused syringes and empty bottles from their bags. This shows that to enhance the performance the candidates must have consumed drugs. We did not let them go for any physical or other test and they were immediately sent back,” said Col Sharma.On being asked the number of such candidates, Col Sharma said the bags were randomly checked by Army personnel at different points and they did not maintain any record.“We are also conducting dope test of candidates, who have scored well in physical tests. Each testing kit costs around Rs 250 and is used on one person only. It is not viable to conduct dope test on each and every candidate. But those selected and have scored well are being minutely watched,” said Col Sharma.Most of the participating candidates are from rural background from states of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The rally will conclude on February 28.At least 6,000 candidates are expected to take part for 14 vacancies of Territorial Army.

Tribune file photo for representation.

New Delhi, February 21Dhobi, safai karamchari, mali and mochi at CRPF will soon get English titles, while cook will become chef and barber will be called hairstylist as part of a ‘nomenclature facelift’ suggested by the government.Fitter will become automotive mechanic, mali will be gardener or horticulturist and safai karamchari — house keeper, while those working in kitchen including masalchi, kahar and water carrier will be known as assistant chefs.Other proposed changes for titles of trademen at the paramilitary force include dhobi to laundryman, chowkidar to security assistant and mochi to shoe maker.These changes were suggested to the Central Reserve Police Force by Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy under the skill development programme.“Hoping to enhance the respect of the work force in CRPF the minister wants to do away with tags such as chowkidar, mali, mochi, safai karamchari,” a senior official told PTI.“Though there is no substantive change in the rank and nature of job, yet their trade title is proposed to be changed. Further there is no financial implication in this case,” the official said.The changes have also been shared with other paramilitary forces like CISF, ITBP, BSF, SSB and Assam Rifles.Sharing his thoughts with CRPF jawans while distributing certificates of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) earlier, Rudy had noticed that the nomenclature associated with the skill sets and work force are archaic and needed a facelift, the official said.The minister had expressed the need to recognise and prepare a new and more aspirational vocationally skilled work force with a view to ensuring their employability, and making them more respectable and indicative of the trade. — PTI

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, according to media reports, has sought a report over the short supply of medals that has forced soldiers to buy duplicate ones from the market.

The medals are for various achievements including bravery, distinguished service among others. According to sources, while those medals awarded at investiture ceremonies were available, lakhs of others awarded over the years are not.

This includes those given for completing a certain number of years in service, serving in difficult areas or taking part in various operations. The situation has been such that only a handful of medals have been officially issued over the last 7-8 years while over 10 lakh medals are pending. Media quoting a defence source said, “The Defence Minister has sought a report on the situation and why it (the medals) has not been issued for so many years. The Medals Department of MoD is responsible for issue of medals to the Armed Forces.”

Defence Minister Parrikar should also ask for figures of how many medals were dispatched by post to soldiers say in the last 10 years long ‘after’ after they had retired from service. The numbers would likely shock him.

Of course, the Medal Section is quite capable of obfuscating the real figures. According to an unnamed source in the Ministry of Defence, non-availability was due to some “financial constraints”. This is nothing but a weak bureaucratic cover up especially considering the crores of rupees from the defence budget that gets surrendered each financial year.

Soldiers perforce have to buy duplicates of their hard-earned medals. One favourite place for purchasing duplicate medals is Gopinath Bazar in Delhi Cantonment. The difference between the original and the duplicate is that the name of the soldier and his service number is engraved on the rim of the original medal.

Why does a soldier buy a duplicate medal? Not understood by many, it is what medals he wears on his chest that adds to his ‘izzat’. He does not favour his chest bare without the medals due to him and – consequently less medals compared to his contemporaries. And why should he not receive his medals promptly rather tham several years later when he has earned them through sweat and blood. MoD’s Medal Section will of course excuse the inexcusable to the Defence Minister, blaming shortage of funds and the like.

The problem of giving the medals to soldiers’ years after these were awarded is endemic and the actual issue is institutionalized corruption.

Fancy what a MoD official had revealed some years ago. When the Government of India decided to award the 50-year Independence Medal to all security forces (Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and Police personnel included), the overall contract worked out to some Rs 100 crores. This was with the cost of every individual medal worked out at Rs 100, even though the duplicate was available in Gopinath Bazar for less than half that price.

Awarding the contract itself took considerable time because vendors were being hunted who could pass on Rs 20 crores under the table before the agreement was inked. Thus not only is awarding the contract delayed, timely delivery of medals becomes a casualty with no pressure on the vendor with the money jingling in the pockets.

It is also very likely that the same vendor or vendors, who produce the actual medals, also makes the duplicates. This can be easily verified from the shops selling duplicate medals.

Obviously, delayed delivery of actual medals boosts the sales of duplicate medals. After all, the vendor has to somewhat make up, if not completely, the bribe paid while securing the contract for delivering the actual medals.

What the defence minister may wish to examine is that why even today, is the cost of the duplicate medal less than the real one and how much should it actually cost to engrave the service number and the name of the awardees on the rim of the medal? Incidentally, the engraving of the name and service number is generally quite crude.

In this age of advanced metallurgy, it certainly should not make such a vast difference between the cost of the real medal and the duplicate one. Inordinately delayed issue of medals has been a perpetual problem perhaps from the time since Independence because of deep rooted institutionalized corruption, and this needs to be probed and eradicated.

It remains to be seen what explanations / excuses the Medal Section will put forward and what decision the Defence Minister will take. It is quite possible that there may be no further news on the issue in the media.

(Lt General P.C.Katoch (retired) is a veteran officer of the Special Forces)

Wang Qi (77)

Bhopal, February 10

Five decades since he crossed over to India post the 1962 war and raised a family in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, a Chinese soldier is all set to fly back to his native country.Wang Qi, now 77, was caught when he entered the Indian territory shortly after the Sino-India War of 1962. He was later released from jail.”Wang with his wife Sushila, and their son Vishnu and two other family members will be flying to China,” Balaghat Collector Bharat Yadav said.He said Wang and his four family members got visa today and they might fly to China tomorrow, adding this became possible due to the help they received from the Ministry of Home and External Affairs. Official sources in Beijing said Wang and his family members were expected to arrive there tomorrow.After their arrival, they would travel to his native place in Shaanxi Province to meet Wang’s relatives, they said. Yesterday, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that it was following up the case and helping Wang and his family members to visit China to meet his extended family. The development has come within a week after a delegation from the Chinese Embassy met Wang who had been wanting to visit his country. Wang, who lives with his wife and three children in Tirodi area of Balaghat, has not been able to visit China for want to permission from Indian government, according to the family. — PTI