Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was addressing women journalists at the Indian Women Press Corps on Tuesday. ANI photo

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 18

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said there was no proposal before her to bring down the strength of the Indian Army.

itharaman, who was addressing women journalists at the Indian Women Press Corps on Tuesday afternoon, was asked about the proposed restructuring of the army and reports that its numbers could be cut down.

Choosing her words carefully, Sitharaman said there was “no proposal” before her, adding that Army chief General Bipin Rawat and his senior commanders were discussing a report is based on report of committee headed by Lt Gen DB Sheketkar (Retd).

The committee recommended making the army leaner and having a certain ‘teeth to tail ratio’ (military euphemism for ratio of fighting units and support services).

The proposal has yet to reach the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking about a promised panel promised panel to induct more women in the Short Service Commission (SSC), Sitharaman said details of the proposition were being “worked out”.

The Prime Minister had announced a permanent commission on Independence Day during his speech from the Red Fort.”We are working to get all three services to see that more areas will be available for women to be join as permanent officers,” the defence minister said.

Army chief has ordered four studies to review the structure of the Army. A review is slated in first week on October and another one in end-October.

On the issue of getting the S 400 air defence missile system from Russia, Sitharaman said: “Negotiations are in final stage. We have to see when we can sign. Our relationship with Russia is longstanding it’s a constant issue of balancing and we have balanced (between US and Russia)”.

During Indo-US 2+2 dialogue, the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) was not raised. Referring to the overarching security information exchange (COMCASA) the Defence Minister said:  “We are the only non-NATO country to get the deal. It is an historic step forward in strengthening relations with US”.

Rafale

On being asked about former Defence Minister AK Antony’s allegations why Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was not made the Indian partner in the Rafale deal, Sitharaman said one of the things that did not happen during UPA was that HAL and Dassault could not work together.

“To say that we have not taken care of HAL is incorrect, the UPA did not care of IAF or HAL,” Sitharaman said, adding it is for UPA to answer whether HAL’s terms were appealing enough. “All questions on HAL should go to UPA it is them who did not sign the agreement,” she said.

She dismissed Congress party’s calls for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) saying: “Why JPC? We are discussing it. We are talking about it in parliament”.

Countering Antony on why the central government limited itself to only 36 Rafale jets if the price was low, Sitharaman said: “No plane is not an over-the-counter purchase. We’ve had to negotiate the price. Our basic price is 9 per cent cheaper than the one negotiated by UPA”.

On being asked about what is happening in Jawharlal University (JNU), of which she is an alumna, the Defence Minister said: since the past four-five years what is happening in JNU regarding slogans and pamphlets being distributed (by a section of students) is anti-India. I will call them anti-national”.

On Mallya

When asked about press reports that said the Central Bureau of Investigation downgraded their lookout notice for embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya before he escaped the country two years ago, Sitharaman refused to comment, instead questioning the former regime UPA over “indiscriminate” lending to Mallya’s failing Kingfisher Airlines.

“I refuse to comment on CBI’s working. But the question is why did UPA allow more loans in 2011 despite Kingfisher being on the verge of closure,” she asked.

Mallya revealed recently he had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and offered to “settle his dues” before he left the country in March 2016—a bombshell that had rivals questioning the minister’s role in his escape. Adding to this debate were press reports that revealed that the CBI, one of the several agencies investigating cases of fraud against Mallya, downgraded its lookout circular from ‘detain’ to merely ‘inform’, which critics say allowed him to leave with any hindrance.

Mallya left the country in March 2016, leaving a trail of unpaid loans worth Rs 9,000 core that a consortium of banks led by State Bank of India have since been struggling to get back.

The CBI is currently battling in a UK court to have him deported to India.

The Indian military is a “blunt” institution towards the enemy, and equally importantly, towards itself. (Representational image)

The plea in the Supreme Court against the possible “chilling and numbing effect” on the serving military in the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) by over 350 military personnel is symptomatic of a far deeper, psychological and irretrievable concern that goes beyond the legalistic, constitutional and administrative concerns that are specific to this case. A foreboding sense of the unending “tightening-of-hands” in the face of mounting military casualties in J&K and parts of the Northeast is giving way to a dreary belief of apathy, indifference and casualness when it comes to matters pertaining to the “voiceless” institution (by tradition) of the Indian armed forces, who in a democratic framework are rightfully beholden to the civilian rule. Somewhere, beyond the condescending platitudes, clichés and photo-ops, the armed forces are only getting acknowledged, revered and requisitioned in moments of ceremonies, political opportunities or unmanageable tribulations. The supposed “last resort” of the nation is no longer the “last” in terms of getting requisitioned in internal insurgencies like J&K, civic disturbances like Panchkula, or in providing relief operations in flood-hit Kerala — it is only becoming “last” in the precedence of officialdom with the ever-growing portents of “tightening-of-hands” with impunity and in the sad know that the institution will “fall in line” as always.

The most imposing irony in the Afspa case is that the Indian military, which is not supposed to be handling internal strife as that is the domain of the respective state police forces, intelligence agencies and the concerned Central Armed Police Forces (wrongly called “paramilitary”), is sought to be brought under the “operational policing” by the very same institutions that have failed their own primary mandate, and the Indian military is tasked additionally to do their job of countering internal disturbances. The second fundamental issue of the flawed Afspa narrative is the ignorant perception, where an operational imperative and cover (as extended to any military in “disturbed areas” across the world) is perceived as a privilege, and worse, an unmitigated right to “plunder, kill and loot” as it pleases! The edifice of the Indian military and its operational sub-components in the form of commands, corps, divisions, brigades and units do not have the right to any individual interpretation and thinking, other than what is sanctified as the objective, method and means that are approved by the sovereign. There is also no additional rupee in the soldier’s pay structure, owing to working under Afspa-covered areas, exclusively. Third, the prevalent perspective ignores the existence of military laws, procedural checks and balances and the undeniable institutional commitment of “safeguarding” all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste, sect or region. Unlike a mercenary or a terrorist — a soldier of the Indian Army does not wish to spend one extra day in the domestic insurgency-affected area, other than as warranted by his or her posting or that of their regiment. The Indian military would prefer to stick to its core role of safeguarding the sovereign borders and when required to undertake blunt “kinetic” operations against the enemies that exist on the other side of the border, and not in “policing roles” within the country, and getting questioned on its “intent” for Afspa retention.

The military like any other institution is not perfect and is susceptible to odd operational mistakes. However, to attribute either a pattern or even a sinister “intent” in its workings is absolutely incorrect and lazy extrapolation. Pertinent to the state, that amongst all the governmental institutions it is the closest to “compliance” or “non-failure”. Matters of individual failure or even culpability cannot be ascribed on the totality of the institution, much unlike Pakistan where the military does have a “voice” and a “mind” that is independent of the state itself (“state within a state”).

In the Panchkula mob fury case, the ultimate deployment of six military columns did what the entirety of the Haryana police struggled to control — the efficacy of the military is guaranteed and imposed by its blunt training and conduct that does the needful, even at the potential cost of paying the “ultimate price” by its personnel.

In instances of individual/unit level dereliction of duty, the military courts pass the requisite punitive orders that are both time-bound and of the required severity. In some cases the opinions on the operational and circumstantial conduct are possibly questionable and require adequate introspection and internal-debate to handle for posterity. However, for combatants it is also incumbent to know the “right” conduct, where an act like in the specific case of the “human shield” could have been undertaken to protect the lives of both civilians as well as combatants in the given situation. So far, there has been no workable alternative suggested that could have been undertaken to avoid loss of lives, given the specifics and constraints in this case. Equally important is to ensure that situation or circumstantial conduct does not get glorified, institutionalised and defended in all circumstances, as the environment concerning the “disturbed areas” is asymmetric, non-linear and unique that practically warrants a certain outlook that is inherent in the spirit behind the Afspa. Therefore, the operational sensibilities governing Afspa areas are not applicable in non-Afspa areas for the military.

The Indian military is a “blunt” institution towards the enemy, and equally importantly, towards itself. It intrinsically does not tolerate “non-compliance”. Therefore, it would be prudent on the courts to strengthen its internal legal framework of auto-correction within the military law and control, as opposed to injecting the services and intrusions of those very institutions that have failed the situation in the first place. Today military is an omnipresent institution that is in the thick of all national calamities and rising to the occasion to cherry-pick and weaken the last standing bastion of sovereign resolve, duty and honour would tantamount to unimaginable disservice to the institution, and to the nation. The sense of institutional-isolation from the daily optics of engagements with the politicians, civil bureaucrats, police services, etc, is unmistakable and unforgivable.

Srinagar, September 28

The Army on Friday paid befitting tributes to late Sepoy Happy Singh who was killed during a gunfight in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday.

Local Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Asif Malik was also killed in the gunfight that broke out in the wee hours on Thursday when security forces launched a search operation at Gazi Gund, Dooru in Anantnag.

In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantonment, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, commander, Chinar Corps, and all ranks, paid homage to the slain soldier on behalf of a proud nation. J&K DGP Dilbag Singh and representatives from various security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the soldier. “Sepoy Happy Singh sustained a bullet injury during the gunbattle in Anantnag. He was provided first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, but unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries,” an Army statement said. — TNS

NEW DELHI: A major reshuffle with fresh appointments among the top brass of the army and air force have taken place, including at two key commands that are tasked with guarding India’s frontier with China.

Sources said that orders on the new appointment of the new Eastern Army Commander based in Kolkata and the Eastern Air Force Commander based in Shillong have been issued. These are the two commands that are responsible for defensive and offensive operations along the China frontier.  ..

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Pervin Malhotra
email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com

Q.I’ve taken voluntary retirement from the Army because of some health problem. I am fine now and wish to take up a private job. How should I go about finding a viable second career? Please advise. — Capt A N S

A. Armed Forces personnel are valued for their integrity, efficiency, sense of discipline, commitment and responsibility to their task in the private sector where they fare well across the board in jobs ranging from security, facility management, and administration to training, logistics and personnel management among others in large and medium-sized companies.

Their excellent leadership qualities and communication skills enable them to integrate well within any organisational structure. Besides being stable, honest, trustworthy and open, they also make excellent team players.

Good technical knowledge combined with the ability to work within tight deadlines comes in handy while executing demanding time-bound projects and customers.

Since you haven’t mentioned your specific rank, branch of service or other qualifications, I suggest you take stock of your skills, talent and interest and try matching your profile with the requirement of jobs in the public and private sector to find a second career that’s just right for you. Besides the D/o Ex-servicemen Welfare  (desw.gov.in/directorate) some other websites like www.naukri.com/army-retired-jobs, www.exarmynaukri.com/APA/WEB/common/index.jsp, etc. serve as a common platform for ex-servicemen and employers. There are separate sections for job hunters as well as potential employers. Registration is free of cost. And should you require it, some of them even help prepare your resume, get interview tips and negotiate salaries.

Should you wish to augment your managerial capability, there’s an array of courses — short and long-term — offered by prestigious B-schools like the IIMs (Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore), XLRI, MDI, IIT-D, NMIMS, MDI and Symbiosis to name a few.

Besides helping officers handle the business operations of the armed forces (e.g. logistics, supply chain management and project management), these courses open up a host of career opportunities for defence personnel like you who wish to get into civvy-street by equipping you with additional managerial skills and business savvy to face the challenges of the corporate world after you retire. There are equally attractive courses on MOOCS platforms like Coursera, etc that will bring you up to speed with new developments and skills across sectors.

Reservation policy norms

Q.I am a reserved category student studying in a school in Mohali. As my parents are moving to West Bengal, will I be able to get admission benefits in colleges there? — Paromita  

A. Clearing the air on the reservation policy to be followed by states and UTs, the Supreme Court has held that a person belonging to the SC/ST community in one state would not be entitled to benefits and concessions in other states where their castes or tribes are not notified.

The verdict came on a batch of petitions that raised the issue whether a SC/ST in one state can seek reservation in another state where his caste is not notified as SC/ST.

Try for financial aid

Q.I am a Buddhist boy in studying in Class X in a government school. As my father is no more, my mom is finding it difficult to pay for my further education. I am very keen to study medicine for which I need to take physics, chemistry and biology in Class XI. I would like to go to a better school but don’t have the means. Please help me to fulfill my dream. — Siddharth Asangha

A. Lack of funds need not deter you from achieving anything in life – provided you’re willing to work hard and consistently. Government of India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) offers scholarships under these 3 schemes for six minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis.

Eligibility: School, College University students of Minority community who wish to pursue a course of minimum one year duration at any level (as long as the institution is registered on the National Scholarship portal). They should have scored min 50% in the last annual Board/class examination. You should apply under the Pre-Matric Scheme for Minorities, which covers students from class 1 to X whose family income does not exceed Rs 1 lakh/p.a., Tuition fee of Rs 350/p.m. Plus Maintenance allowance ranging from R 100 – 600 for 10 months in every academic year.

Hostellers and day scholars of Class VI–X get an admission fee of Rs 500 p.a.

For further details, log onto: www.minorityaffairs.gov.in

You can also call their Samadhan Helpline: 1800-11-2001

Make sure you don’t miss the Application Deadline: September 30, 2018

Apply online: www.scholarships.gov.in

Best of luck!

Admission criteria for reserved category students

Q.I scored 59 per cent marks in MA (History). Can I  get admission to MPhil in a good university by rounding off the marks? I am a reserved category student who is very keen to pursue academics. — Pareena kashyap

A. The 2016 UGC regulation, which was implemented by all Central universities, including DU, made it mandatory for students to score at least 50 per cent marks in entrance exams to qualify for MPhil and PhD interviews.

However, concerned about the mounting vacancies in reserved seats following the introduction of the two-step admission process, the latest UGC notification, ‘Minimum Standards & Procedure for Award of MPhil/PhD Degrees (1st Amendment) Regulations 2018’ now permits a relaxation of 5 per cent of marks (from 50 to 45 per cent) for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layers)/differently-abled category candidates in the exam conducted by Universities across the country including the Central Universities of Punjab and Haryana.

And, should any reserved category seats still remain vacant despite this relaxation, universities will launch a special admission drive for that category within a month of the closure of admission of general category students by setting their own criteria.

Ex-servicemen rally held

Srinagar, September 23

To commemorate the ‘Year of Disabled in Line of Duty’ and to reach out to the ex-servicemen fraternity of the Valley as well as address their grievances, a rally was organised at Badamibagh Cantonment on Sunday, an Army statement said.

The rally was attended by over 300 ex-servicemen, including disabled soldiers and “Veer Naris”.

The rally was addressed by General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, who reaffirmed the resolve of the corps towards espousing the welfare and well-being of the veterans and “Veer Naris.” The Chinar Corps chief also unveiled a compendium covering various welfare schemes and benefits available to ex-servicemen and their families. It was distributed to all veterans and “Veer Naris’ at the rally, the statement said.

The disabled soldiers and their dependents were provided with transport and medical equipment to make them self-reliant. Wards of veterans excelling in various fields were also felicitated to motivate them in achieving greater glory. —TNS

He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for sacrificing life while clearing enemy bunkers in J&K

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Gurjinder Singh was born into a soldiers’ family at Ambala on July 4, 1974. His grandfather Subedar Gurbaksh Singh had participated in overseas campaigns during World War II and also on mainland India during the wars in 1947-48 and 1962. His father Lt Col TP Singh Suri, a Sikh Light Infantry veteran, took active part in the 1971 war with Pakistan in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gurjinder studied in Army Public Schools at military stations wherever his father was posted. He went on to join the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, in July 1993 and was commissioned into Army Ordnance Corps in June 1997. He had opted for Sikh Light Infantry as his parental claim but at that time, due to paucity of vacancies, he could not get the infantry regiment of his choice. Nonetheless, he was destined to be a part of a combat arm in the most glorious period of his Army career. And that combat arm happened to be 12th Battalion of Bihar Regiment, the regiment the hero and role model of which, Birsa Munda, figures on top among freedom fighters from Bihar. Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri, commissioned in Ordnance Corps, while on attachment to 12 Bihar Battalion in their finest innings, did something which made the Ordnance, the logistic arm of the Army and 12 Bihar, the sword arm, proud of this young Khalsa.

During 1999, Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri was attached to 12 Bihar when the battalion was deployed in the Gulmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir. It was here at Faulad Post situated at a height of 11,200 feet that Captain Suri attained martyrdom by sacrificing his life in the defence of the motherland.

For his conspicuous act of bravery and supreme sacrifice, Capt Gurjinder was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously. The battle account of his gallant action is available in the War Diary of 12 Bihar. After Captain Gurjinder Suri’s martyrdom, his younger brother Randhir Singh Suri left his lucrative corporate job with a resolve to fill the void. Randhir is today a serving Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. People at Ambala rightly say that Randhir is not part of the third generation of the Suris in uniform, he carries the legacy in the fourth since he joined the Army after his elder brother’s martyrdom. Capt Suri was the lone recipient of Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest military decoration for gallantry, during the investiture ceremony on August 15, 2000.

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)

The summary of the gallant action in War Diary of 12 Bihar reads..

Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri was Ghatak platoon commander and was located at Faulad Post in the Forward Defended Locality of the battalion in the Gulmarg Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. On November 9, 1999, the enemy launched an attack on the post, which was successfully repulsed and the enemy retreated. Seizing the opportunity, the Ghatak Platoon was launched to pursue the fleeing enemy. Captain Suri immediately deployed his support group to take care of any reinforcements/ interference and set out to clear the enemy bunkers one by one. When he saw that one of his comrades was grievously injured in the process, he quickly moved on with his buddy to clear the bunker. He killed two enemy soldiers with his AK 47 rifle and silenced the enemy machine gun. However, he got a burst in his left arm in the process. Unmindful of his injury, Captain Suri continued to inspire his men to accomplish the task. He then lobbed two hand grenades into a bunker and entered inside spraying bullets with his rifle, killing one more enemy soldier instantly. At this point the officer was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade and was critically wounded. He refused to get evacuated and continued to exhort his men till he breathed his last. The officer displayed extraordinary junior leadership, inspired by which the Ghataks fell upon the enemy with vengeance and annihilated them. Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri, thus, displayed conspicuous bravery and exceptional junior leadership in the face of the enemy.

On Wednesday, CBI claimed to have busted a racket of Indian Overseas Bank officials.