Chennai: A major scam involving the loss of several crores of rupees over nine years through the misuse of smartcards for purchase of subsidised goods, mainly groceries and liquor, from military canteens in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kadapa has been unearthed, top military sources said.
On July 2, 2015, documents available with TOI show, the Chennai military station commander in a complaint to police commissioner S George said grocery items and liquor, meant for defence personnel, were procured from military canteens illegally and sold in the local market with the help of touts.
It named the civilian touts, Army staff, canteen operators and executives of Noida-based Smart Chip Pvt Ltd (CIMS), the authorised firm for issue of smartcards for use in military canteens, as beneficiaries of the scam.
The complaint was then forwarded for further inquiry to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Chennai police. On July 23, the CCB police registered a First Information Report in the scam, estimating the loss to the Army at ’60 crore but the actual loss could be much higher, the sources said. The charge that the city police were dragging their feet on the issue and hinted that the case may be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Old smartcards deposited with CIMS for issue of new ones had to be hotlisted (blocked) to stop their misuse.But the firm violated this.
Since 2006-07, executives from CIMS head office and its Chennai branch with connivance of military canteen staff collected thousands of old cards in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh and reactivated them for fradulent use, top military brass said.
It named the civilian touts, Army staff, canteen operators and executives of Noida-based Smart Chip Pvt Ltd (CIMS), the authorised firm for issue of smartcards for use in military canteens, as beneficiaries of the scam.
The complaint was then forwarded for further inquiry to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Chennai police. On July 23, the CCB police registered a First Information Report in the scam, estimating the loss to the Army at ’60 crore but the actual loss could be much higher, the sources said. The charge that the city police were dragging their feet on the issue and hinted that the case may be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Old smartcards deposited with CIMS for issue of new ones had to be hotlisted (blocked) to stop their misuse.But the firm violated this.
Since 2006-07, executives from CIMS head office and its Chennai branch with connivance of military canteen staff collected thousands of old cards in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh and reactivated them for fradulent use, top military brass said.
Old smartcards deposited with CIMS for issue of new ones had to be hotlisted (blocked) to stop their misuse.But the firm violated this.
Since 2006-07, executives from CIMS head office and its Chennai branch with connivance of military canteen staff collected thousands of old cards in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh and reactivated them for fradulent use, top military brass said.
7th Pay Commission: Know at a glance, see this informative chart
New Delhi: In a bonanza for over 1 crore government employees and pensioners, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, which had recommended an overall hike of 23.5 percent.
The killing of eight CRPF personnel in Kashmir on Saturday was a grim reminder of the unpredictable ways of terror: the terrorist has the advantage of the element of surprise. The slightest of laxity can give an opportunity to the enemy to strike with disproportionate gains. With the long experience of insurgency behind them, our security forces are well aware of where the weak links might be, and how to secure those. The latest strike, therefore, demands a rigorous review of whether there has been any decline in the daily discipline of following the procedures.What is more disturbing, however, is what followed the shootout. The Army took ‘credit’ for the counter operation that ended in the killing of two terrorists. This was vociferously objected to by officers of the CRPF, who accused the Army of taking away the attackers’ bodies and weapons unauthorisedly. For the common citizen, the death of personnel of any force is equally tragic. None is considered more valiant than the other. The ‘credit’ war, thus, indicates other unhealthy motivations at work. And these may be part of the larger reward and recognition system in place in the forces, particularly in the Kashmir valley.The importance of discipline in any uniformed or armed force for their effectiveness is well understood. In an insurgency such as in Kashmir, security personnel’s discipline or lack of it has serious political implications. The Army has faced serious embarrassment over accusations of fake encounters or the killing of innocent civilians. Besides giving their detractors a moral edge, unprofessional conduct drains away the populace’s support and acceptance. And it would be unfair to blame only the men in the field. The top leadership has to take the responsibility. Every indiscretion they overlook is tacit encouragement for more. Nowhere in the world have armed men amidst civilians earned any laurels, yet the Indian Army has largely acquitted itself well. But maintaining the professional reputation requires constant vigil.
After Pampore attack, CRPF is going Army way, which has armour-plated its buses that ply between Sonamarg and Banihal tunnel.
Ajay Banerjee & Shaurya K Gurung
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 28
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to “armour plate” all its buses in Kashmir. The move comes after the deadly militant attack on its men on Saturday.
Two militants ambushed a bus carrying CRPF troops and killed eight while injuring 22 at Pampore in Kashmir on Saturday. The steel sheets on the bus body provided no protection as these are not meant to stop bullets. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook and Twitter @thetribunechd)The Army has already armour-plated its buses used between Sonamarg and Banihal tunnel. CRPF DG Durga Prasad said, “After the attack on a BSF convoy (at Bijbehara in Anantnag on June 3), we started looking at the type of arrangement the Army has made to use bulletproof material or sheets all along the sides of the buses.”The bulletproofing material can avoid casualties when persons inside the bus come under a hail of bullets. The DG had defended the application of the existing standard operating procedure (SOP), but said, “We need to look at it again on how best we can improve the existing SOPs.”Sources say all Army troops sit by the window while the adjacent seats are kept vacant so as to allow space to duck in case of any militant attack. The troops always wear bulletproof jackets, bulletproof helmets and carry a loaded weapon. Moreover, highway domination teams move ahead of all its convoys.The CRPF is mandated to ensure safety of civilian and VIP vehicle convoys moving on national highways, protect important buildings, including the state Assembly, and provide security for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. Any change in its existing duties can be effected only after a meeting between the Home Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir Government. The force was deployed in the state to reduce footprint of the Army.
Mehbooba pays homage to CRPF men killed in Pampore
Such attacks defame Kashmir and deal a blow to Islam. MEHBOOBA MUFTI, J&K chief minister
SRINAGAR: Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday paid tributes to the eight slain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed by militants on Saturday and said such attacks “defame” Kashmir and deal a blow to Islam. “We are only defaming Kashmir and the state by these acts. We also deal a setback to the religion we practice,” Mehbooba said.
WASEEM ANDRABI/HTJ&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti paying tribute to CRPF men who were killed in a militant ambush in Pampore.
Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 22 others injured when militants attacked a convoy in Pampore on Saturday evening.
Two militants were also killed. A wreath-laying ceremony, attended by Mehbooba and deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, was held in Srinagar for the personnel.
“This is a fasting month when people should be seeking forgiveness and expiation for past sins. At this time, such attacks in which bread earners of families are attacked – someone’s father or someone’s son – is condemnable. Nothing is achieved by these attacks,” she said.
Mehbooba also spoke about how such attacks have a negative impact on tourism and industrial development in the Valley, adding that investors often back out when they hear of such incidents.
“India is attracting lot of investments in infrastructure development and healthcare but when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, the investors shy away because of these incidents.
The worst sufferers of these attacks are people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. Speaking to the media, director general of police K Rajendra Kumar said, “It is a desperate act by the militants. The attacks over the past few days – at Anantnag, Bijbehara and Pampore – are desperate acts,” Kumar said, adding that these attacks are retaliation to the neutralisation of many militants over the last six months.
On Saturday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences in a series of tweets: “I salute the courage of the CRPF personnel martyred today in J&K. They served the nation with utmost dedication. Pained by their demise. My thoughts are with the families of those martyred today. May those injured recover soon.”
Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, union minister Kiren Rijiju described the killing of CRPF troopers as a “desperate attempt to create problems for the country”.
“We pay homage to the departed martyrs and send our condolences to the bereaved family members,” Rijiju was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
HANDIGARH: Havildar Sampuran Singh (retd), a Vir Chakra awardee of the Indo-Pak 1971 war in Poonch sector, inaugurated a new canteen outlet at Field Area Family Accommodation Complex in Sector 29, Chandigarh.
HT PHOTOHavildar Sampuran Singh inaugurating an army canteen in Sector 29, Chandigarh, on Friday.
This extension counter will fulfill long cherished demand of the field area families residing in Sector 29 complex and vicinity. This will also enable the provision of canteen services at the door steps of the families and dependents of the soldiers who are deployed in field areas.
The new facility is in sync with the four corner stones of welfare, namely ‘Sahuliyat, Sambandh, Sehat and Samman’, said Lt Gen KJ Singh, Army Commander, Western Command. Lt Gen Gurdeep Singh, Chief of Staff, senior army officers, veterans and residents of Field Area Family Accommodation Complex was also present on the occasion.
EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY AT HOSHIARPUR (PUNJAB) :16 JUN 2016
NEW DELHI:Breaking traditions, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has hired a retired IAF officer to coordinate between his ministry and the Services, which has always been a ticklish issue. Air Marshal (retd.) P P Reddy, who was heading the office of the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff till March, has been appointed as a consultant in Parrikar’s office.
Reddy, an ex- fighter pilot, was handling the tri-services’ planning and acquisitions as chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee. “The minister wanted to use Air Marshal Reddy’s expertise in resolving issues related to the tri-services. His duties include coordination between the ministry and the Services, and assisting the defence minister in having a better understanding of Services’ matters,” an official said.Usually, the defence minister has a private secretary, an IAS officer who looks after his engagements and meetings. Then there is an Officer on Special Duty, who explains files and communications to the minister. An official said bureaucrats don’t understand the requirements of the Services, which eventually reflect in the ministry’s decision-making “and creates resentment amongst the Services. An defence official will reduce friction between babus and defence personnel and will hasten decision-making”.http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Parrikar-seeks-help-from-ex-Air-Marshal/2016/06/12/article3477829.ece
Two persons, including a Navy man, have died following a gas leakage on board the seaborne aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the country’s biggest warship.The 44,500-tonne warship was undergoing maintenance at the Karwar naval base, bordering Goa, when the incident occurred at 5 pm today. The accident took place when a team of workers was replacing a pipe in the sewage treatment plant located among the lowermost compartments of the 20-storey tall aircraft carrier. Due to inhalation of the toxic fumes, four personnel — two naval sailors and two civilian workers — were evacuated to the Karwar Naval Hospital.Two persons, Rakesh Kumar, shipwright artificer (Class 4), and Mohandas Kolambkar, an employee of Messers Royal Marine, died of toxic gas inhalation. The next of kin of the deceased have been informed. The condition of the other two personnel is stable. The Navy has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Action has been taken to render the compartment and area on the ship safe.This is the first major refit-and-repair of INS Vikramaditya, or the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov, which was inducted in November 2013 under a $2.33 billion deal with Russia.
State Stalwarts
DEFENCES FORCES RANKS
ARMY, NAVY, AIRFORCE RANKS
FORMATION SIGNS
FORMATION SIGNS
ALL HUMANS ARE ONE CREATED BY GOD
HINDUS,MUSLIMS,SIKHS.ISAI SAB HAI BHAI BHAI
CHIEF PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
LT GEN JASBIR SINGH DHALIWAL, DOGRA
SENIOR PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
MAJOR GEN HARVIJAY SINGH, SENA MEDAL ,corps of signals
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PRESIDENT CHANDIGARH ZONE
COL SHANJIT SINGH BHULLAR
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PRESIDENT TRI CITY COORDINATOR
COL B S BRAR (BHUPI BRAR)
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INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES
DEFENCE FORCES INTEGRATED LOGO
FORCES FLAGS
15 Th PRESIDENT OF INDIA SUPREME COMMANDER ARMED FORCES
Droupadi Murmu
DEFENCE MINISTER
Minister Rajnath Singh
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (2nd)
General Anil Chauhan PVSM UYSM AVSM SM VSM
INDIAN FORCES CHIEFS
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF(29th)
General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM (30 Jun 2024 to Till Date)
