Feedback from interaction of Veterans with Army Cdr today, shared by an offr:

Dear Veterans! Today, Tricity Veterans had an exhaustive and detailed interaction with the entire military hierarchy of Western Command, Chandimandir. The highlights for everyone’s consumption:

1. Tremendous resources are being allocated and spent on the ECHS infrastructure all across. A major bottleneck remains at the MOD level as funds are released in spurts, thus affecting treatment in private hospitals. Action at hand to smoothen it.
2. Nearly 21 Veteran hospitals have been proposed all across the country.
3. Sparsh has employed 100 TCS persons at the PCDA location, and data entry of pre-2016 pensioners is now moving at a faster rate. Likely to be stabilised in two years!!
4. Col Bath’s case has been processed expediously as it came to the knowledge of the Army. A detailed presentation was given with exact timelines and activities.
5. All levels of interaction, including the Army Chief were done promptly. Unfortunately, the counsel of Col Bath did not want an Army rep in the SIT. All support has been rendered. Many twisted tales are circulating, not borne out of facts. WC remains ceased with the issue. A major concern was that within one week, the whole sit-in and agitation was hijacked for political scores, thus constraining the Army response. It has to be understood that the Army can not join a political slugfest.
6. The COS and GOC-in-C flagged two concerns of the veterans as most important – ECHS/medical and Sparsh. The Army has been doing its utmost on both the issues. Nearly 50% of the funds for ECHS are allocated to the WC and its areas, showing the load of veterans.
7. The Army Cdr expressed his anguish at various inputs that the maximum damage to the prestige of the Army is being done by a few ESMs through their constant angst and outbursts against the very organisation they served in. Social Media analysis reveals that – Most negative comments on the organisation originate in the tricity, which ironically has the best facilities for the veterans!
8. He spoke about reciprocity in this symbiotic relationship – serving hierarchy is going all out to improve the facilities, but expect veterans’ support and not an abusive and unsubstantiated criticism. WA university-led onslaughts are the reason for this weakening of the fine tradition and we need to be cautious of the same.
9. The Army Cdr has clearly stated that the relationship has to be transactional and not one-sided. We can not expect unlimited facilities, yet continue with our pot-shots at the Army which are based on heresay or WA stories.
10. It was ultimately told to veterans that he will have to review about on going Projects for welfare of Veterans ( The Punch Line)
11. The interaction ended with a sumptuous tea layout

Pts by Veterans –

There were sarcastic, vitriolic comments and sweeping statements by the veterans that ECHS has always NA for medicines! Our Army is weak or that the higher leadership is weak. This was a poor, pathetic and incorrect projection by the veterans as feedback.

Brig Harwant Singh direct attack on Present Army Command and control

Following points were brought out by Brig Harwant Singh (Retd),during inter action at the Manekshaw Auditorium on 15 April ’25 about the recent Col Bath’s case.

“PERCEPTION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FACTS”. I don’t know what the FACTS are but the PERCEPTION about the Army is that it is WEAK in looking after its people subject to Police BRUTALITES and other EXCESSES against them.

There is also a PERCEPTION that the Army has NO “MAI- BAAP”.

Army HAS to change this PERCEPTION. The Army has to create such a “PERCEPTION” that Constable BHOOP SINGH and other WRONG DOERS have to think MANY TIMES before taking “PANGA” with a Soldier.

How that PERCEPTION is created upto the ARMY.

“An organization that CAN NOT PROTECT ITS OWN “HONOUR”, CAN NOT BE EXPECTED TO PROTECT THE HONOUR OF THE COUNTRY”

Facts about Col Bath Case

1. There was nothing like Punjab Police Vrs Army but the color was given by Western Command by Holding Joint Conference with DGP Punjab. Where DGP left the meeting after he scored his points and did not want to Face Reporter and left Lt Gen Sitting on the chair .
2. No body from Commnd or Div HQ of Patiala ever spoke to Mrs Bath or Col Bath as conveyed by Mrs Bath.
3. No Senior Lady of both the institutions spoke to the lady runnng pillar to Poat for Justice but no one from army ever asked them even unofficially.
4. During COAS Visit the Chief Wife Spoke to Mrs Bath but Locals avoded her as Told by Her.
5. Any Serving officer would had be of No Consequences as he had no Power to Conduct and Inquiry along with Police .
6. It was sad to know that Mrs Bath was asked through DIV HQ to withdraw her appeal for CBI inquiry to take action against SSP and four Inspectors
7. There was no Deviation towards Political high jacking its a assumption by the Army Cdr at his level, as the agitation was conducted by Veterans only .No Political Party members of Congress or BJP were seen no where .
8. Mrs Bath Did approach Local APP MLA who again kept mum like his CM.
9. Army did not even response in filing Correct FIR or his Treatment nor any officer met Col Bath.
10. Till Date so called AWWA is playing a silent role nor anyone visited the family