Monthly Archives: October 2022

India calls for peaceful transition as Syria’s Assad regime collapses

India’s embassies in Damascus and Beirut coordinated the operation, prioritizing the safety of its citizens in the conflict-ridden nation. “The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad,” the statement added.

The MEA also urged Indian nationals still in Syria to stay connected with the Embassy in Damascus for updates. They were advised to reach out via the emergency helpline number (+963 993385973) or email (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in).

His rifle recovered from the spot

The body of a village defence guard with a bullet wound was found in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir a day after he went missing, police said on Tuesday.

His rifle was recovered from the spot, they said.

“The body of a VDG member, Ashok Kumar, with a bullet injury was found in the upper reaches of Chapper. However, it remains unclear whether he shot himself or was shot by someone else,” a senior police officer told PTI.

After receiving information, a police team was rushed to the spot. The body was shifted to a hospital for post-mortem. Kumar’s rifle was found at the spot, the officer said.

The post-mortem report revealed that he was shot in the abdomen and the bullet was fired from his rifle, the officer added. A case was registered, police said.

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Chandigarh has become country’s first administrative unit where 100 per cent implementation of three laws has been done

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and others during an event for the successful implementation of new criminal laws, at PEC, in Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Video grab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws here.

These laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — came into effect on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Chandigarh has become the country’s first administrative unit where 100 per cent implementation of the three laws has been done.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the new criminal laws represent a concrete step towards realising the ideals enshrined in the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens. He said these laws signify the end of colonial-era laws.

The colonial-era laws were the medium of atrocities and exploitation committed by the British when they ruled over India, Modi added.

“The 1857 revolution shook the roots of the British rule and in 1860, they brought the IPC and later, the Indian Evidence Act and the CrPC framework came into being. The purpose of those laws was to punish Indians and keep them enslaved,” the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the three new laws have been fully implemented in Chandigarh. “Within three years of the registration of an FIR, one will get justice,” he said.

“Our criminal justice system will be the most modern system in the world,” Shah added.

The Union Home Minister also lauded the Chandigarh administration for fully implementing the new laws.

Earlier, Modi watched a live demonstration simulating a crime scene investigation under the new laws.

The demonstration of the process of collecting evidence and recording statements was given by the Chandigarh Police at an exhibition hall set up at the Punjab Engineering College here.

The programme showcased the practical application of the new laws. Modi was also briefed by Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur.

The Prime Minister and the Home Minister were accompanied by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Chandigarh adviser Rajeev Verma and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav.

The new criminal laws, which were implemented nationwide on July 1, 2024, aim to make India’s legal system more transparent, efficient and adaptable to the needs of contemporary society, an official statement said on Monday.

These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of India’s criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offences, it said.

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What happens to Aadhaar Card, PAN, Voter ID, and Passport after a family member’s death? | – Times of India

The death of a loved one brings emotional challenges, but it also comes with the practical responsibility of managing their official documents and IDs, such as Aadhaar, PAN card, Voter ID, passport, and driving license.

Legal heirs often find themselves uncertain about what to do with these documents—whether to retain, surrender, or destroy them. While there are no universal rules for handling such documents, here is a detailed guide on the procedures and considerations for each.

Guide to handle Aadhaar Card, PAN, Passport, and Voter ID after a family member’s death

Aadhaar Card

Purpose and retention

Aadhaar is used as a unique identification number and serves as proof of identity and address. It is often linked to critical services like LPG subsidies, scholarships, and EPF accounts.

Can Aadhaar be deactivated?

Currently, there is no provision to deactivate or cancel the Aadhaar card of a deceased individual. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has not integrated its system with state death registries, and Aadhaar is not mandatory for registering deaths.

Preventing misuse

Legal heirs should ensure the deceased’s Aadhaar is not misused. To secure the biometric data associated with Aadhaar, heirs can lock the biometrics through the UIDAI website.

PAN Card

Significance of PAN

The PAN card is essential for filing income tax returns (ITR), operating bank and demat accounts, and completing financial transactions.

When to retain PAN

The PAN must be retained until all financial matters, such as filing ITRs, closing accounts, or claiming refunds, are resolved. The Income Tax Department can reopen assessments up to four years from the current assessment year.

How to surrender PAN

Write an application to the Assessing Officer (AO) under whose jurisdiction the PAN is registered.

Include the deceased’s name, PAN, date of birth, and a copy of the death certificate.

Surrendering the PAN is not mandatory, but it can be done once all financial matters are settled.

Voter ID

Cancellation procedure

Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, a deceased person’s voter ID can be canceled.

Visit the local election office.

Submit Form 7, available under the Electoral Rules, along with a copy of the death certificate.

The name will be removed from the voters’ list upon processing.

Passport

Validity after death

A passport does not require surrender or cancellation upon the holder’s demise. However, once it expires, it automatically becomes invalid.

Recommendation

Retain the expired passport, as it may serve as a useful document for unforeseen purposes, such as verification.

Driving License

Varied procedures

Each state has its regulations for the issuance and cancellation of driving licenses. While there is no central provision for surrendering a deceased person’s license, heirs can inquire with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for specific procedures.

Vehicle transfer

Legal heirs should also initiate the process of transferring the ownership of any vehicle registered in the deceased’s name by visiting the RTO.

What happens to a deceased person’s documents if authorities aren’t informed?

There is no legal penalty for not surrendering these documents. However, failing to notify the issuing authorities leaves the documents vulnerable to misuse by fraudsters. Informing authorities adds a layer of security against such risks.

Storage and retention of documents of a deceased family member

For documents like Aadhaar and passports that cannot be surrendered:

Store them securely with the death certificate.

Do not destroy these documents, as they may serve as proof of identity or address for future legal or financial matters.

He said following the ‘dis-engagement’ of troops along the LAC, managing border areas with China requires further attention

Tribune News Service

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that following the ‘dis-engagement’ of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), managing border areas with China requires further attention. He emphasised that peace and tranquillity along the LAC will form the basis of future relations with China.

Jaishankar detailed the steps taken at the diplomatic and military levels to handle the crisis that resulted in a military standoff in April-May 2020 and violent clashes, including the one at Galwan in June 2020.

The Minister said that India’s priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points to prevent untoward incidents and clashes, which has been fully achieved. He added that resumption of patrolling to traditional areas is underway.

It was initially tested by sending out ‘patrols for verification’ of disengagement on the ground and is being followed up by regular activities as per the agreed understanding, he added.

Jaishankar emphasised that three principles must be observed under all circumstances: both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC; neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo; and agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety.

On discussions in the past with China, Jaishankar made clear that “development of our ties were contingent on the principles of mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interests”. “Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events,” Jaishankar added.

The conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost, the Minister said.

Referring to the October 21, 2024, agreement regarding Depsang and Demchok, Jaishankar stated that the unstable local situation and impacted bilateral relationship were the primary drivers behind these recent efforts. The main issue in these two areas was the obstruction of long-standing patrolling activities. Additionally, in Demchok, there were concerns about access for the nomadic population to traditional grazing grounds and sites of cultural significance.

Jaishankar said, “With the task of disengagement completed, it is now our expectation that discussions would commence regarding the remaining issues that we had placed on the agenda.”

He praised the services for their competence and professionalism in speedy and effective counter-deployment. In negotiations with China, the defence and diplomatic arms worked in lockstep to ensure that our national interests were comprehensively met.

The team of 61 Cavalry won the Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Polo Tournament organised by Indian Polo Association today. The title winners defeated Indian Navy 4-1 in a thrilling match on the seventh day of the event at Chandigarh Polo…

Tribune News Service

The team of 61 Cavalry won the Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Polo Tournament organised by Indian Polo Association today. The title winners defeated Indian Navy 4-1 in a thrilling match on the seventh day of the event at Chandigarh Polo Club.

Dhruv Pal Godara gave Indian Navy a one-goal lead in the second minute from a brilliant pass by Captain AP Singh, which ended the first round at 1-0. Later, Major Anant Raj Purohit scored an equaliser for 61 Cavalry in the second round. Indian Navy failed missed a 25 yard penalty in the same round. In the last moments of the round, Lt Col Vishal Chauhan dodged the opponent to score another one and secured lead for the first time in the match as the round ended with a scoreline of 2-1.

A tough contest was witnessed in the fourth and final decisive round in which both teams were seen in an attacking mode. Just one minute before the end, Chauhan brilliantly chipped in a 25 yard shot to the goal giving two points in the form of goals to 61 Cavalry making the team victorious with 4-1.

Lt Major Manoj Kumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C, Western Command felicitated the winners, runners-up and other teams in the presence of host Chandigarh Polo Club’s president Dilpreet Singh Sidhu and secretary Col Manoj Dewan.

In his address, Sidhu lauded the CPC for intensifying its efforts in the development of this game with the cooperation of UT Administration. Their focus is to host another polo season in April next year, which will again host teams from all corners of the country.

Each statue will be accompanied by a headstone inscribed with details of the soldier’s contributions

Gateways are being constructed at several entry points to Punjab to honour the sacrifices and contributions of soldiers. Speaking at the concluding session of the 8th Military Literature Festival here on Sunday, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced plans to erect statues of martyred and gallantry-awarded soldiers in a landscaped stretch of 1 km along roads leading to the state from Haryana.

Each statue will be accompanied by a headstone inscribed with details of the soldier’s contributions. Sond said this initiative aims to raise awareness among visitors about the state’s military heritage while serving as a fitting tribute to its heroes.

Highlighting Punjab’s rich martial legacy and its significant role in past wars, Sond affirmed the state’s readiness to stand by the nation whenever required. He praised the successful conclusion of the festival, emphasising its role in connecting the past, present and future. Such events, he added, not only celebrate military achievements but also address national security issues and inspire the youth.

Imperative for India to be part of global value chain

China’s coercion of India stems from its perception of India as a rising power with immense potential across various spheres, compounded by India’s strong ties with Western nations. Additionally, peninsular India’s proximity to China’s vital sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean adds to the friction.

These observations were shared by Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd), former General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps, Leh, during a session on “Domains of Modern Warfare with regard to India, Pakistan and China” at the fest. He noted that today’s geopolitical environment operates on the principle of “might is right”, with few effective mechanisms for conflict resolution.

Discussing Pakistan, Sharma described it as a fractured nation bound by an anti-India sentiment, despite deep cultural links with India. He stressed the need for India to integrate into the global value chain and economic ecosystem, leveraging partnerships with technologically advanced nations to achieve its goals.

Maj Gen DD Dwivedi (retd), former military attaché to China, emphasised the Chinese approach of operating outside conventional norms, making them challenging neighbours and formidable competitors. He highlighted their well-defined roadmap for military and economic strategies, underscoring the need for India to remain vigilant and strategic in its response.

China’s presence in Indian Ocean

China’s goal is a unipolar Asia and, at most, a bipolar world, said Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd) during a discussion at the Military Literature Festival. He warned that China would continue to pressure India and react aggressively to any assertion of India’s power, underscoring the need for India to enhance its comprehensive national power to counter such strategies.

Speaking at a session on Grey Zone Warfare, former Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba highlighted the increasing presence of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean. At any given time, six to eight Chinese vessels, including anti-piracy escorts, research and hydrographic survey ships and satellite tracking vessels, operate in the region. Lanba pointed out that these vessels might also be conducting surveys for potential submarine deployments.

Citing China’s activities in the South China Sea, Lanba said despite earlier promises not to militarise reclaimed islands, the Chinese have established a significant military presence there.

Significance of Af-Pak region

A session on “The Shifting Geo-Strategic Significance of the Af-Pak Region” featured RK Kaushik, former IAS officer, Lt Gen Kamal Davar (retd), former head of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Sumeer Bhasin. The panel explored the historical dynamics that have shaped the region’s current situation and examined the roles of various stakeholders in its evolving geopolitical landscape.

The festival also paid tribute to the legacy of late Surjit Pattar, a celebrated Punjabi poet. Academicians highlighted how his poetry resonates with the public while earning critical acclaim. Additionally, discussions were held on several books addressing military topics, further enriching the event’s intellectual discourse.

A year after the armed forces began appointing women officers to command positions in line with the Supreme Court directives, a letter by a top Army commander flagging several functional issues involving women officers has kicked up a debate in…

Vijay Mohan

A year after the armed forces began appointing women officers to command positions in line with the Supreme Court directives, a letter by a top Army commander flagging several functional issues involving women officers has kicked up a debate in defence circles.

In October, Lt Gen Rajeev Puri, General Officer Commanding, 17 Corps, Panagarh, wrote to Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Kolkata, raising concerns like frequent complaints, ego and lack of empathy in units commanded by women officers. He listed several remedial measures to address the situation.

“Since command of a unit is singularly the most crucial command in the Indian Army and is also the way forward to progression to higher ranks, it is imperative that a pragmatic performance analysis be undertaken in respect of the women commanding officers (COs),” Lt Gen Puri said.

“The last one year plus has given an insight into the style of command of women commanding officers. Casual discussions with officers at various echelons have also provided inputs, some of which are encouraging. However, a large number of inputs have brought out common traits and trends which need to be studied, analysed and discussed for the benefit of future commanders as well as the overall interest of the organisation,” he added.

Some women officers, meanwhile, have rebutted the contents of the letter and the issues raised.

The Army opened its doors to women officers in 1992, allowing them short service commission in non-combat arms and services like Signals, Ordnance, Engineers, education, law and Intelligence. Later, more arms like Aviation and Air Defence were opened up and the latest development is allowing women to join the Artillery, a combat arm. At present, the Infantry, Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry are the only three arms that do not have women officers.

The first batch of 25 women officers was commissioned in 1993. Before this, women officers were allowed only in the Army Medical Corps and the Military Nursing Service, where they have reached the rank of Lieutenant General and equivalent. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy also followed suit the same year and have now allowed women to become fighter pilots and serve onboard warships.

Elsewhere, women have been a part of the armed forces, as officers as well as in the ranks, since long. The current heads of the US Navy and the US Coast Guard are both women.

In 2015, following intervention by the Supreme Court, permanent commission was introduced for women officers, which allowed them career progression beyond the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The first woman officer to be selected for promotion to the rank of Colonel outside the medical cadre was in 2014 from the JAG Department. In 2023, 108 women officers were promoted to the rank of Colonel and some were also given command assignments. In the Air Force, about 40 women have been promoted to the equivalent rank of Group Captain. The nuances of command are different in each service, given their role, operating environment, manpower psyche and ethos.

A new chapter began in 2019 when the armed forces started recruitment of women into their rank and file. The first batch of women soldiers, recruited under the Agnipath scheme, was inducted last year and at present they are allowed only in the Corps of Military Police.

Though numbers vary each year owing to overall vacancies and discharges, the approximate number of women officers currently is 1,740 in the Army 1,600 in the IAF and 530 in the Navy. In addition, there are 6,430 officers in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service. The review carried out by Lt Gen Puri was based on the performance of eight women officers holding command positions within 17 Corps.

In his letter, the Corps Commander cited a lack of tact and sensitivity towards the personal needs of officers and subordinates, with the approach being authoritative conflict resolution rather than mutual resolution.

An emerging trend of senior authorities receiving complaints from women COs at the drop of a hat has been noticed. Mundane cases seldom reported by male counterparts are indicative of a predisposition to lean on the hierarchy as soon as an adverse situation develops, the letter states.

Women COs have also been found to centralise decision-making, with non-inclusion of officers of considerable seniority in the day-to-day affairs of the unit. There seems to be inability or lack of concern for effective communication and establishment of trust, and the lack of involvement has led to officers having a lower understanding of their professional tasks, it adds.

A misplaced sense of entitlements and personal privileges contrary to orders and authorisation, some of which have been termed laughable, self-centred and egoistic, is another issued flagged in the letter, which states that the sheer proportion of women COs involved with these issues points towards a trend rather than an exception. Lack of empathy, neglect of genuine compassionate requirements of troops as well as officers, disproportionate punishments and viewing professional disagreement as insubordination have also been projected.

According to the letter, an analysis of the underlying factors suggests that women officers were inducted as a support cadre and were neither trained nor groomed to assume the role of a commanding officer in an operational establishment, and nor did these officers themselves prepare for this task until about a couple of years ago.

The postings of these officers did not expose them to command roles and hardly has any woman tenanted a high-pressure command and staff appointment prior to becoming a CO. At the level of a CO, hand-holding is neither available nor expected, and hence the role at present is being performed more as an on-the-job training rather than a well-prepared task.

The remedial measures suggested in the letter include:

• A comprehensive policy on gender neutrality be issued by the Adjutant General’s (AG) Branch. Further, neutrality in posting and selection profiles be implemented by the Military Secretary’s (MS) Branch.
• Policy on spouse coordinated postings be reviewed. Case for spouse coordinated posting be treated at par with posting on compassionate grounds.
• Training the trainers at institutes of instruction for a gender-neutral assessment of course performance.
• Women officers are an empowered lot. Hence, showcasing involvement of women officers in women empowerment roles like women-only bike rallies and adventure activities needs to be minimised.
• Increase in content of HR management for the next few batches of senior command course for women officers is recommended. This should be focused on case studies and bringing out important lessons.
• While attempting proportionate representation in assignments like UN missions and foreign postings, the MS and AG branches should also monitor proportionate tasking in all assignments within the organisation.
• Women officers posted to units were allotted different tasks as compared to male officers and exposure to certain operational tasks was minimised. This preferential treatment resulted in a lack of understanding of hardships and the resultant lack of compassion for troops involved in these tasks.

Maj Gen AP Singh (retd), a former division commander who has also served with the Army Training Command, says the process seems to have been fast-tracked and it will take time to mature. “There is a structured process at all levels that grooms prospective commanding officers, which is different from basic soldiering. Since women had initially come in for short service commission, this aspect was missing in their career progression,” he adds.

“If men can get command, so should women,” asserts Lt Gen JS Cheema (retd), former Deputy Chief of Army Staff. “But then,” he adds, “they should first be duly exposed to the nuances of command at the sub-unit level and undergo the requisite courses.”

Women officers, and now also the rank and file, are here to stay and their role and numbers are only expected to grow. There have been debates on women in the armed forces before and more would crop up as and when fresh issues emerge, policy changes are implemented and personal and professional perceptions are aired in the appropriate forums.

Experts say the appointment of women officers as COs is something very new to the armed forces. Hence, some functional deficiencies and friction, either perceived or genuine, are to be expected even though women officers have performed commendably in other roles.

It is also pointed out that the letter may not have been a one-off communique. It is for the leadership, both political and military, they say, to take a pragmatic and objective view to address the issue and devise measures so that the wrinkles are ironed out.