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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inside MiG-21 Bison at Uttarlai Air Force station in Gujarat. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 11

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today issued a set of instructions under which she will meet the chiefs of three armed forces and the Defence Secretary on a daily basis.The Ministry of Defence said the minister shall meet the three chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Navy at morning meetings. A separate daily meeting with the Defence Secretary has been formatted. The ministry spokesperson said this was “a new practice for quick decision making”.To date, the chiefs of the three services used to be called by the Defence Minister as and when required or they could walk across to the chamber of the Defence Minister in South Block.Sitharaman was today briefed by senior officials to familiarise with the activities and functioning of various activities of the forces and the ministry. Yesterday, the minister had seen operations of the IAF at Uttarlai, Barmer and Navy’s flying operations at Dabolim, Goa.Today, the minister laid special emphasis on the need to step up the pace of acquisition proposals. Towards ensuring time-bound and speedy disposal, it has been decided to hold Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meetings on a fortnightly basis. The DAC is the highest decision-making body of the MoD.Sitharaman has scheduled a range of meetings with the three Defence service chiefs to review Defence preparedness and allied issues of strategic interests.Other areas of focus would be settling all outstanding land-related issues for infrastructure projects and matters relating to welfare of Defence personnel and their families.Today, Sitharaman visited a forward area along the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat. The minister and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat flew in an IAF plane to Naliya air base in Kutch, Gujarat where she interacted with Indian Army troops.

Nirmala Sitharaman inducted into CCS, CCEA, CCPA

• The government on Monday notified the induction of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman into the all-powerful five-member Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
• Headed by PM Narendra Modi, other members of the committee are Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
• The CCS decides on each security-related issue of the country be it new weapons, new raising of forces, appointments of the top brass, military relations with other countries, among other aspects
• She will also be a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA)

ARMY LOWELY PAID AND STATUS DEGRADED BUT ALWAYS CALLED IN HOUR OF NATIONAL CRISIS::: DERA ISSUE EXPOSES HARYANA POLICE

ARMY RECRUITMENT RALLY::PUNJAB

SGPC TO SET UP SARAGARHI GALLERY

ARMY REFORMS ALONE WON’T WORK

 

Under Fire: The biggest setback is the mishandling of the Ram Rahim episode.

KC Singh

PAST fortnight has been a mixed bag politically for the BJP. The setbacks outnumber the lone success at handling the Doklam imbroglio effectively.  The list of missteps is long — the nine Bench judgment of the Supreme Court holding the right to privacy as a fundamental right, on which the government unconvincingly pirouetted to claim it favoured the right anyway. Trouble simmers in the Centre’s arranged marriage between two factions of the orphaned AIADMK, ignoring that Jayalalitha’s conscience-keeper Sasikala, though jailed, still possesses the legacy and vast resources. Honeymoon for another marriage — BJP and JD-U in Bihar — is interrupted by the news of a fodder scandal II that may singe two union ministers and worthies in the state alliance. The BJP’s perennial nemesis, Arvind Kejriwal, has scored a decisive win in the Bawana byelection, putting paid to attempts to marginalise him. Among the reasons is growing job losses in the informal sector due to GST implementation, hitting Poorvanchalis the most.The biggest setback has been the mishandling of the Gurmit Ram Rahim episode. The Haryana Government’s pandering to him by letting him mass-gather followers at Panchkula and then permitting him to careen through the heartland of Haryana in a 200-car motorcade was a blatant attempt to intimidate the judiciary. The high court, particularly the bench of acting Chief Justice Saron, held the Haryana administration’s feet to the fire. Then special CBI judge delivered the coup de grace by upholding the might of the law. The BJP defence that the Chief Minister was beyond reproach as the outbreak of violence was controlled in hours ignores that nearly 40 lives were lost. This was not sensible policing. It was enforcement of law of the land by massacre. The governments in Chandigarh and Delhi may or may not introspect on their lapses, but the region needs to examine why common folks are flocking to the deras of conmen masquerading as messengers of God. Gurmit Rahim displayed not only extremely flawed moral sense, but even cowardice when he fell sobbing on hearing the verdict. Clearly, this was no messenger of God that humanity worships. Studies done globally on the rise of cults or alternative faith systems have arrived at different conclusions about why people flock to them. Most are idiosyncratic groupings that are generally peaceable, but some have turned violent. What makes deras dangerous in India is their ability to turn their followers into electoral behemoths that political parties woo. Dera Sacha Sauda leadership has been a political pestilence in Punjab and Haryana for two decades, blackmailing and bargaining for greater power and affluence. The fault lay with both states, which did not cater to marginalised beings, and organised religions, including Sikhism, which did not make many of their adherents stakeholders in their institutions, or sometimes even welcome in their places of worship. One baba jailed will not change the fundamental socio-religious deficiencies, which will invariably breed the next ‘Love Charger’.The only good news for the BJP comes from the successful handling of the Doklam standoff. The differences in statements by the two sides can be ignored as both needed face-savers. The crucial test of success would be if indeed China abandons attempts to build a road or infrastructure in an area vital to Indian security. The issue needs deeper analysis.Henry Kissinger is a great resource for reading the Chinese mind having interacted with all five generations of Chinese leaders, beginning with Mao. In his book On China, he narrates Mao Zedong telling his military brass on the eve of their 1962 attack on India that the two nations had already fought ‘one and a half’ wars. The first war was during Tang Dynasty (618-907) when China sent troops to help a kingdom counter a usurper. The second was the Mongol sacking of Delhi 600 years later, on the assumption that China and Mongolia then were part of the same political entity. The lesson that India needs to draw from this is that China views events through the prism of history and on a millennium long scale.Later in his book, Kissinger analyses the Chinese diplomatic strategy, explaining that diplomacy for them is the weaving together of political, military and psychological elements in an overall strategic design. Personal equations do not affect their calculations, except where necessary to advance their interests. Hence, PM  Modi sharing a swing with Xi Jinping in Ahmedabad would have minimal effect on power play at the border. Above all, China acts with suddenness after making time their ally.The Chinese did strategic cost-benefit calculations about Doklam. Threats and fire-power drills were not affecting India; the US and Japan were threatening war against a recalcitrant Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, unwilling to listen to Chinese advice; India had begun investigations against Chinese companies for suspected Indian data transfer off-shore; trade war would affect China more as their exports are nearly four times those of India; and President Donald Trump’s speech spelling out the new Afghan policy included kudos to India, imploring it to play a greater security role in Asia-Pacific. What finally clinched success for India was the shutting window for time as the BRICS summit was a week away and a boycott by PM Modi would have embarrassed President Xi on the eve of the crucial 19th Party Congress, where he names his new team and successor, if any.Paradoxically, while being resolute and unbending worked with China as geopolitics favoured India, the same when translated into cussedness domestically is bad politics. In a vast nation like India, policy making must be by building support and co-opting the Opposition. Retaining ineffective leaders like CM Khattar, or using whatever means possible to divide and pillory opposition turns the political environment toxic and the people sullen. The mood of the nation will swing away from the BJP government if the missteps persist. Doklam too could buy success in the short run as China, recalling Mao’s contextualisation of the 1962 War, has an elephantine memory. The writer is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

The Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters at Sirsa. — PTI

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, August 27

For over two years, a local daily-wage earner is waiting for his young wife and mother of two to return from Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa where she is reportedly living in ‘servitude’.Kamlesh Raigar (27), who does not know how to use a mobile phone, is dependent on police investigation and his three brothers’ assistance to locate his wife with whom he first visited the Sirsa dera in March 2015.His wife, Guddi Devi (25) was taken by dera premis on the pretext that Ram Rahim has called her for ‘Dera Pramukh seva’ on March 28, 2015.  Kamlesh Raigar had lodged an FIR through an ‘istgasa’ (complaint in court) with the Jawahar Circle police station here in May 2015 that his wife was kept bondage in the ashram of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was on Friday convicted in a rape case.On the basis of Kamlesh’s complaint of May 5, 2015, the CJM court in Jaipur on May 7, 2015 had asked the police to lodge the FIR of missing woman who was reportedly kept as bondage in the dera. Spending a lot of money on court fee which he borrowed from relatives, Kamlesh also filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court in January 2016 for his wife’s “unlawful detention or imprisonment at Sirsa dera”.In March this year, the Jawahar Nagar police had put an “FR” in the case and filed the report in the local court, an investigating cop told The Tribune on Sunday on the condition of anonymity.The police had marked “FR” because they considered that Kamlesh himself had left his wife in the dera in 2015 and the case belonged to Sirsa police and it should be investigated by police of that state.The police had also found that the victim couple was involved in “mantra-tantra” at their home and used to attract local people for treatment of “evil spirits”.Besides, the police also alleged that the missing woman was ‘mentally challenged’.The complainant also filed a ‘protest petition’ against the police FR with the ACJM court-7 here, and its hearing is scheduled for September 7, where the police would also represent the case on which it put FR. Kamlesh went to the Sirsa dera a number of times to get his wife “relieved”, but he was told that she (Guddi) was in a pose of “samadhi” and will automatically return home.His two sons, aged 6 and 4, were not aware of the dera affairs have been given assurance by relatives that their mother will return one day, for sure. 

Pension Grievances Cell have been receiving some grievances of the pensioners/family pensioners regarding non-payment of OROP benefits

A file photo of the Pangong Tso (lake).

New Delhi, August 18

India on Friday said it will continue to engage with China to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Dokalam standoff, while confirming that “an incident” did take place between Chinese troops and Indian border guards in Ladakh on August 15.

“We will continue to engage with China to find a mutually acceptable solution,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said replying to a volley of questions on the issue.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He said peace and tranquility in the border areas is an important pre-requisite for smooth development of bilateral relationship.

Asked about the incident between Chinese troops and Indian border guards in Ladakh on August 15, the MEA spokesperson said, “Such incidents are not in the interest of either side.”

The incident occurred when land-based patrols of both sides came face to face north of the Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

The MEA spokesperson said two border personnel meetings (BPMs) had taken place between Indian border guards and Chinese troops recently.

He said one BPM had taken place at Chushul on August 16 and another one at Nathu La a week before.

‘Haven’t received hydrological data from China’

Asked if China has shared hydrological data with India in the backdrop of floods in Assam, Kumar said there is an existing expert-level mechanism, established in 2006, and there are two MoUs under which China is expected to share hydrological data on the rivers Satluj and Brahmaputra with India during the flood season of May 15 to June 15.

“For this year, we have not received hydrological data from the Chinese side,” the spokesperson said.

However, he added that it was “premature” to link it with the floods in Assam.

He also noted that in view of floods in Bihar, India was closely coordinating with Nepal, both at the Centre and state levels.

Asked about the reported comments of the Japanese Ambassador on Dokalam faceoff and if India welcomes it, Kumar gave a very guarded reaction, saying the remarks speak for themselves.

The Japanese ambassador was quoted in media as saying that no country should use unilateral forces to alter the status of Dokalam.

“We recognise Dokalam is a disputed area between Bhutan and China and two countries are engaged in border talks… We also understand that the India has a treaty understanding with Bhutan that’s why Indian troops got involved in the area,” the ambassador had reportedly said.

Kumar also refused to divulge details of communication by other countries to India on the Dokalam issue. PTI

A file photo of the Pangong Tso (lake).

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 15

In a serious turn to the existing tensions between India and China, troops of the two sides clashed on Tuesday, with both pelting stones and hitting each other. Men on both sides were injured.This was the first such incident in several years.Sources confirmed that the incident occurred when land-based patrols of both sides came face to face north of the Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. It is an area claimed by both countries and is one of the spots where the two countries fought pitched battles during the 1962 war.The Pangong Tso, a 135 km-wide glacial-melt lake, straddles both countries. It has boat patrols from either side. The land patrols are different from these.The spurs of the mountains forming the northern bank of the lake are militarily termed as ‘fingers’. On a west-to-east axis, India claims territory till ‘Finger 8’, but is in physical control till ‘Finger 4’. The aerial distance between the two ‘fingers’ is about 15 km. The land north of these mountains is disputed.Land patrols of both sides often come face to face and a drill is followed to disengage. This includes unfurling of a banner, asking each other to withdraw. This is the first step.New Delhi has asked for a report as the pelting of stones is considered a serious matter. It is not clear who started the stone pelting or how it was triggered.A flag meeting could be held between brigade commanders of either side at the Spanggur Gap, the designated meeting point south of the Pangong Tso.

Its rather a Shameful act and height of Ambition with greed of the JM Battalion Leader that he directs his second-in-command Brig JS Sandhu to reach Jallander at a schedule  meeting of GOG (Guardians of Governance) the brain child of Capt Amarinder Singh to employ the trained force of Ex-Servicemen as his eyes and ears in the administration Governance.

The meeting was to be addressed by Maj Gen SPS Grewal, Vice Chairman of GOG Scheme and Chairman cum Managing Director  PESCO ( Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation) .

The meeting was to educate the ESM of Punjab from Various Districts regarding the role and responsibility that ESM will have to shoulder to make the GOG a success. The ESM will be State employs  at Village,Tehsil,Districts and State Level and they7 will paid an honorarium in return of their services. The basic aim of Capt Amarinder Singh being an ESM to restore the lost respectability and dignity of ESM in Punjab and utilize their experience in Punjab Administration.

SATBIR CIRCULATED MESSAGE TO ESM PUNJAB AGAINST CAPTAIN AMARINDER THROUGH WHATS APP.NOW SEEKING RS SEAT

COMMENTS ON GEN SATBIR  MESSAGE :TRUE FACTS

2. The claim of 13 points submitted was too late in the month of Jan 2017 ,to be included in the congress manifesto. The 17 Points which had been included in the Manifesto were out of the written 24 points handed over to Manpreet Badal  By SANJHA MORCHA after a detailed discussions in a meeting held in the month of    OCT , Those who were [resent were Lt Gen Shergill,Maj Gen

Maj Gen Satbir is a frustrated individual and JM fame leader history and  lowering his image day by day.

 

TODAY Non of the Ministry or MP wants to see his face or  it speak to him about OROP.History repeats earlier Mr Anthony did not allow him  for 9 yrs.

 He landed up at Sangrur function where  IESL was  celeberating Golden Jublee  organised by Brig Inder Mohan as uninvited Guest in month of Jul 2017. He created an unpleasant atmosphere by his unwarranted OROP speeches.

It is alleged that he handed over approx Rs 2 Lakhs to Hav Sukhdev Singh as reliably learned to make new members from IESL and break IESL member ship and support him and  bring maximum ESM to Jantar Mantar on 05 Aug 2017.

 

He himself landed uninvited at Golden Jubliee Akhand Path of IESL at Sangrur 

 

 Brig JS Sandhu his 2 IC of JM battalion also came uninvited  to disturb GOG meeting addressed by Gen SPS Grewal,CMD PESCO and Vice Chairman GOG at Jallander to remind Capt Amarinder regarding his demand for Rajiya Sabha seat.

 

Later Brig Sandhu was seen pleading ESM to support Gen Satbir for Chairman elections of IESM.

 

 No doubt Maj Gen Satbir  has lost his balance and started blaming Brig Indermohan who was no where nearby GOG meet.

Gen Satbir writes to Brig Indermohan with unwarranted language/wording

Brig Inder Mohan,

1   When will you grow up and attend to what you wish to do for the Def Family.Stop criticising others.

 

2   Please donot spread false and concocted Information.I donot even know that there was a Meeting of ESM at Jalandhar and the Schedule.I donot even know about Brig JS Sandhu attending any such Meeting.

 

3   What are you talking about RS Seat?I have neither asked any one nor given any brief to Brig Sandhu to speak about me on any forum.

 

4   Brig Inder Mohan,HAVE YOU NOT LEARNT YOUR LESSON OF BEING ARROGANT WITH YOUR CRUSHING DEFEAT IN IESL ELECTION?The other Day,you were boasting of OUT RIGHT WIN.

 

5   Once again,please refrain from talking about me,i have nothing to do with you.

Dear Gen Satbir,

 

You are talking of growing up.  I thought we are in the last quarter of our lives.

 

Firstly the names mentioned in the post are all known to you and are your confidants. Hope you understand plain English, I just forwarded the post. Not to your liking doesn’t bother me.

 

How come you are not aware your 2ic is in Jalandhar. You wanted RS seat or not is not my concern. But let me tell you. If there is a queue of RS aspirants, you will be too far behind to be visible. And we know you will not be in the queue also. Your place is in JM please be there.

 

About Punjab IESL election I still command more respect and times ahead will show you. You have done a good job, money distribution coming to light. Lt Col SANGHA realising in three way split Inder Mohan will win hands down surrendered his votes getting only 8. Difference between Col Bhag and me only 5 votes. Then I don’t behave like you. When Col Bhag Singh confirmed he doesn’t want to contest I made him a delegate to support me.  Suffice to say, I do not want to write pages on the betrayal, I would have got grass root elections done in the districts where no open elections have been held. Even now they have no standing. In fact very shamelessly they have divided ESM into SIKH and non SIKH votes. What I am doing you all will know in due course. It doesn’t need any organisation for what I am going to do. My bonding with ESM is good enough. And I don’t need show of strength lest I to am like your strength at JM which can be counted on dinners of two hands. What IESL members and large number of other ESM have given me is beyond your comprehension. Mine is payback time for the rest of my life.

 

And yes, unlike you who are always in financial controversies,  with less than Rs 12000 received in subscriptions from new members in  three years, I leave behind Rs 136000 more than I took over. How?  I did not spend a rupee on any expenditure on self. My cars,  my fuel. How about you? One course when donating money between  Jun – Sep 15 gave a cheque of Rs 175000 to IESL Punjab. They knew money in your hands is gone. 30000 in cheque from my Regt officers. 10000 from another offr in Ludhiana and 1000 from an NCO in Tamil Nadu. That’s all. IESL Hq Delhi gave Rs 150000 for travel to  jcos ncos for Anna Hazare really in Delhi,  all paid to 250 participants on 26 Jul 15 I think.

 

The day you imbibe my leadership qualities you would not be running around for getting support for JM.

Just for your Info, visiting Baba Bakala tomorrow to meet Amritsar group for our next venture. We are no more interested in JM or any activity related to begging for better future of ESM. We will show the way to not only ESM of Punjab but the entire country.

 

Got another feed back from some ESM. They are being asked to become members of iesm to vote  for you in your elections. Good luck.

Rest time will tell.

Inder Mohan Singh

OROP CELEBRATED BY MAJ GEN SATBIR AT JM THEN WHY HOLDING TO JM