Lieutenant General PC Thimmaya

Bathinda, July 5

Lieutenant General PC Thimmaya took over the command of Chetak Corps from Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar at a solemn military ceremony.A Mechanised Infantry Officer, commissioned in 1981, he has varied experiences at the Western and Eastern fronts. Besides commanding a Mechanised Infantry Brigade, he has commanded a strike RAPID division and has held important staff appointments at Integrated HQ of MoD (Army).He has also been a military observer with UN mission (Angola) and Defence Attache in Bangladesh.— TNS

Congress members protest in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. PTI

No proposal is under consideration to scrap the Sahayak system in the Army, the government on Friday said, notwithstanding rising cases of jawans coming out openly against the colonial-era provision. The clarification by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre came in the Lok Sabha in response to a question. Under the Sahayak or buddy system, a solider is attached to officers and their duties include protecting the officers, maintaining their weapons and equipment and helping them in carrying out their responsibilities. ptiGovt aware of offensive WhatsApp videosInstances of ‘objectionable videos’ being uploaded through mobile phones and shared through WhatsApp have been noticed, the government informed Parliament on Friday. The messaging app provides a feature to report such content and a user can take screenshot and share it with appropriate law enforcement authorities, Minister for Electronics and IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. pti

THE Panama Papers, detailing the surreptitious salting away of ill-acquired wealth in offshore accounts by the crooked, have brought down several middling figures the world over. But it is the courts of Pakistan, decried by many as a failed state, that have unseated a serving Prime Minister, following the example of the more institutionally evolved Iceland. The Pakistan Supreme Court superbly paced its probe in the teeth of tenacious opposition by the Nawaz Sharif clan to deliver a verdict that no one has a grouse against. The judgment will set a precedent whereby Pakistani politicians, at all stages of their career, will have to explain the accumulation of wealth, thus increasing transparency and accountability in its political fabric.Compared to the prolonged foot-dragging in Pakistan, India was faster in responding to the biggest-ever data leak of offshore accounts. The courts readily accepted a plea by an ordinary litigant who sought a probe into charges against 500 individuals, including business tycoons, film stars and other movers and fixers. But a year later, the Supreme Court is yet to take a call on whether to form a special investigating team or hand over the case to the CBI. The petitioner’s allegation that the Central agencies are not interested in the probe has given rise to speculation whether the celebrities named in the leaks such as actor Amitabh Bachchan, real estate tycoon KP Singh and industrialist Gautam Adani’s elder brother would ever face the courts? Unfortunately, Indian agencies, despite their current zeal for targeting opposition politicians, were unable to swiftly prosecute all those named in the earlier Swiss leaks. The ongoing Panama case in the Supreme Court is not very visible in media but is at a decisive juncture. However, despite the groundswell of political and public support on tracking black money, some of it contrived, none of those indicted seem to be diving for cover. One of them, in fact, has become a brand ambassador of the GST, the Central Government’s most ambitious endeavour till date. With the Pakistan Supreme Court’s order having become the touchstone for probity, it is time India lifted its game as well.

The inquiry had been ordered after the lady complained to the Chief of Army Staff and the Defence Minister in May this year levelling the allegations as well as producing photographs and video clips in support of her complaint.

• WRITTEN BY MAN AMAN SINGH CHHINA | CHANDIGARH |
• Published On: July 25, 2017 10:04 Pm

The woman officer from Military Intelligence (MI) had earlier been in the news when she took part in botched intelligence operation in Jorhat in Assam in 2011 while serving with 3 Corps Intelligence and Surveillance Unit. (Representative Image)

The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to look into the allegations levelled by a Colonel’s wife against a woman Major of the Corps of Military intelligence accusing her of having improper relations with her husband as well as some senior flag rank officers of the Army.

The inquiry, which is currently underway at Al Hilal military station near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, is being presided upon by the General Officer Commanding of Yol-based 39 Mountain Division, Maj Gen VS Ranade. The two other members of the inquiry are Brigadier PPS Bajwa, Commander 33 Mountain Brigade and Colonel SK Dhawan. Two senior flag rank officers, a retired Lt General and a serving Major General have already been examined by the Court of Inquiry.

Given the nature of allegations and the involvement of a woman officer, another woman officer of the Army Medical Corps from 439 Field Ambulance Unit has been deputed as ‘member in attendance’ in the inquiry.

Highly placed sources in Western Command inform that the Colonel’s wife has already deposed in the Court of Inquiry. The inquiry had been ordered after the lady complained to the Chief of Army Staff and the Defence Minister in May this year levelling the allegations as well as producing photographs and video clips in support of her complaint.

It is also learnt that the inquiry has resorted depositions of witnesses through video conferencing in order to save time. Under the terms of reference of the inquiry, it has also been asked to suggest remedial measures to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in future.

The woman officer from Military Intelligence (MI) had earlier been in the news when she took part in botched intelligence operation in Jorhat in Assam in 2011 while serving with 3 Corps Intelligence and Surveillance Unit. The incident had resulted in a lot of controversy and the then Chief of Army Staff, General VK Singh, had issued a show cause notice to the then GOC 3 Corps, and later the Army Chief, Lt Gen Dalbir Singh, for improper supervision.

Later, the MI Major, who was a Captain at the time, was ordered to be tried summarily and was also given punishment. She had faced two charges under Section 63 of the Army Act and was accused of ‘An omission prejudicial to good order and military discipline”.

She was accused of not keeping proper command and control over the raiding party which conducted a counter-insurgency operation. In the same operation one 7.65 mm pistol and a cell phone were allegedly stolen by members of the military intelligence raiding party taking part in the operation. She faced a second charge for not maintaining a seizure memo of the confiscated documents and not taking a representative of the local police during the conduct of the said operation.

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 20

As the diplomatic relations between India and China have flared up over Doklam in Sikkim, the Director General of the Border Roads Organisation visited Ladakh to inspect the strategic roads in the region.Lt Gen SK Shrivastava, Director General, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), is on a visit to Ladakh to take stock of the construction activities of various strategic road networks maintained and constructed by Project Himank.The DG’s visit began on July 18. On the first day, he undertook a detailed inspection of seven operationally, strategically and administratively critical roads, spanning a length of approximately 650 km in eastern Ladakh, an official statement said.The visit of the Director General to the cold desert assumes significance at a time when the relations between China and India are strained over the troop movement in the Doklam area of Sikkim. Ladakh is the most strategic region for India as it borders the country with China.Lt General Shrivastava interacted with the Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, and the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Corps to discuss issues relating to the development of road communication network required for meeting the development of the region.The Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brig DM Purvimath, apprised the DG of various measures taken by Project Himank in linking unconnected areas despite odds. He held a detailed review of the operational requirement of the defence forces and promised all possible efforts from the BRO in this direction.

Constitutional office with constitutional responsibilities

After KR Narayanan, India will have its second Dalit President in Ram Nath Kovind (71). The outcome of the electoral exercise was known well in advance and political interest was limited only to the margin of victory. It may be inappropriate to mention the caste of a President but politics has sunk so low that more than merit, qualifications, stature or suitability political decisions are guided by such extraneous factors as caste. Given the general acceptability of caste politics in the country, it did not surprise or shock too many people to see the Presidential poll being reduced to a “Dalit-vs-Dalit contest”, even though the Opposition and its representative, Meira Kumar, tried to make it look like “a battle of ideologies”. Political decisions of the BJP — be it the choice of Kovind as the Presidential candidate or Yogi Adityanath as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister — are taken with an eye on 2019. Kovind’s choice was an attempt to contain the anti-BJP Dalit upsurge in places like Hyderabad, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Dalit politics apart, as President, Ram Nath Kovind will be measured against the standards set by one of his worthy predecessors, KR Narayanan, who he will often be compared with. Since political expediency has landed Kovind the high office, every Presidential decision would be judged by the yardstick of political neutrality. Though the President’s is mostly a ceremonial office, at times of political uncertainty during government formation or recommendations for President’s rule, Rashtrapati Bhavan plays a significant role. Any hint of political bias at such critical moments would be held against him. The nation will keenly watch how he graduates out of his political affiliations. Kovind was living in political obscurity and Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have put him on the national centre stage; indeed most Presidential candidates belong to a political party. The outgoing President, Pranab Mukherjee, was a life-long active Congressman till his election. In keeping with the demands of the august office Kovind will now have to rise above the pulls and pressures of the political class and emerge as a true Head of State.http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/president-ram-nath-kovind/439599.html

From Rajendra Prasad to missile man, take a look at previous Presidents

APJ Abdul Kalam was the first scientist to become a President in 2002. File photo

New Delhi, July 20

Ram Nath Kovind was on Thursday elected President of India.  He defeated former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to the post.The presidential election on July 17 saw close to 100 per cent polling. A total of 771 Members of Parliament and 4,109 legislators were eligible to cast votes.The two presidential nominees — National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition’s Meira Kumar — are both from the Dalit community.Here is a list of achievements of previous Raisina Hill occupants. 

Rajendra Prasad (1950-1962):

Prasad was the first President of Independent India and stayed in office for the longest term of around 12 years. Post the completion of his tenure, he quit the Congress and set up new guidelines for parliamentarians which are still followed. Prasad played a major role in forming the Bihari Students Conference in 1906 and served as the president of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution of India.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962-1967):

September 5, the birthday of Radhakrishnan, one of the most learned scholars and statesmen of the nation, is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India. He was one of the first to receive the Bharat Ratna, in 1954, and was also the first to lead the line of five Presidents to receive the Bharat Ratna till now. Shortly before his death in 1975, he was honoured with the Templeton Prize for his work.

Dr Zakir Hussain (1967-1969):

Dr Hussain was the country’s first Muslim president, who occupied the office for the shortest period. His untimely death two years after being elected made VV Giri the first acting President of India. Dr Hussain was an avid intellectual educator and the co-founder of Jamia Millia Islamia University.

Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1969-1974):

Giri resigned two months after being appointed as the acting President of India, following the death of Dr Zakir Hussaian as he wanted to become an elected President. He was later elected as the fourth President of India in 1969. After India attained Independence from the British, VV Giri had been appointed as the High Commissioner to Ceylon. In 1957, he headed a team of prominent public personalities and academicians to establish The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) and received the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1975, for his contribution in the area of public affairs.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974-1977):

Ahmed served as the President of India during the time of Emergency. He was the second Muslim to be elected as the President of India and also the second to die in office. Ahmed was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Pristina, in Kosovo, in 1975. In his honour, a medical college Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College has been named at Barpeta, Assam.

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977-1982):

Reddy was the sixth President of India and the first to be elected unopposed and the youngest to occupy Rashtrapati Bhavan. One of the incredible feats that Reddy achieved was that he renounced residency at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and took a 70 per cent cut in his salary as a gesture toward the poor economic conditions of the masses in 1977.

Giani Zail Singh (1982-1987):

The only Sikh President of India till now, Singh also served as the Chief Minister of Punjab. He came under the scanner during Operation Blue Star, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered the security forces to combat Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers in the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Since the order to the armed forces has to come directly from the President, questions were raised as to how Gandhi managed to order the Army to carry out the mission.

Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1987-1992):

As a President of India, Venkataraman had the distinction of working with four prime ministers. Before being elected as the President, Venkataraman served a stint as the Governor of the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank. He was also among the delegates of India at the United Nations General Assembly and was also elected the President for life of the United Nations Tribunal.

Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992-1997):

Sharma earlier served as the eighth Vice-President of India and the Chief Minister of Bhopal. As the member of the Congress, he accompanied the movement against the Nawab of Bengal, who expressed desire to retain the princely state. Sharma was arrested in 1948 for leading a public agitation against the Nawab. During his tenure, Sharma rejected the mercy petitions in all 14 cases placed before him.

KR Narayanan (1997-2002):

Popularly known as KR Naranayanan, he was the first Dalit-origin President of India. Narayanan, who formerly served as a diplomat, served as India’s ambassador to China and the United States. As a President, he always explained his decisions to the nation, and brought openness and transparency in the functioning of the President. During his tenure, Narayanan dissolved the Lok Sabha twice — firstly he refused to dismiss the Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh in 1997 and a year later, the Rabri Devi government in Bihar in 1998.

APJ Abdul Kalam (2002-2007):

Known for his role in the development of India’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes, APJ Abdul Kalam was the first scientist to become a President in 2002. Kalam was affectionately known as the People’s President and also received the Bharat Ratna. During his tenure as the President of India, Kalam rejected one case and commuted a death sentence in another, while he did not decide on 23 other cases.

Pratibha Patil (2007-2012):

Patil was the first woman to become the President of India. During her tenure, she commuted death sentence in 19 cases and rejected petitions of three. She was also criticised for allegedly using government funds for taking trips overseas, often accompanied by relatives. She also made headlines for alleged acquisition of land in Pune and Maharashtra to construct her retirement home.

Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017):

The outgoing President, Pranab Mukherjee, who served as the 13th President of India, will demit office on July 25. Before entering into politics, Mukherjee worked as a lecturer and journalist. Mukherjee is the only President who served all the major portfolios at the Centre — Foreign, Defence, Commerce and Finance — at different times in his political career. He rejected 30 cases of death sentence and commuted to life the death sentences of four convicts. During his term, he has spent a considerable amount of time promoting the need for improving standards of higher education and holding the compass to the political leadership to remain steadfast in observing Constitutional probity. In 1984, Mukherjee was voted as the Best Finance Minister in the World by the Euromoney magazine and is the only finance minister to serve the post both, in the Pre-Liberalisation and Post-Liberalisation eras. —ANI

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

After 75-year struggle, a soldier disabled during WW-II fighting the Japanese has won a legal battle that would entitle Indian soldiers to war injury pension for disabilities suffered in pre-Independence operations. The war injury element of pension is double the regular disability element that such soldiers are paid.Sowar Amar Singh, 93, of Bhiwani in Haryana, was serving with the armoured corps on the Burma campaign in 1942 when he lost three fingers and suffered multiple fractures in his right arm. He had approached the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) with a plea that despite having been injured during WW-II, he was being paid regular disability pension admissible to cases of diseases incurred during service such as hypertension and heart disorder.The AFT’s Chandigarh Bench comprising Justice Bansi Lal Bhat and Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra ruled that discrimination could not be perpetrated by distinguishing between injuries suffered in different wars.Amar Singh had averred that it made no difference that soldiers were fighting for the British Crown during those times since WW-II and post-Independence, the same British Indian Army became known as the Indian Army.Over 2.6 million Indian troops had participated in WW-II, which is double the strength of the present Army. Many died in penury on being released without pension on reduction of India’s military establishment.