Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1

A Brigadier and four other officers, including three Colonels and a Lieutenant Colonel, are facing disciplinary proceedings for allegedly causing a loss of about Rs 56 crore to the government by procuring items at highly exorbitant rates, as well as downgrading equipment for disposal without following due process, it is learnt.

According to sources, five charges were levelled against the Brigadier, who was then the Commandant of an Ordnance Depot, under various provisions of Section 52 of the Army Act for intent to defraud and criminal breach of trust in respect of property belonging to the government.

The other officers, who were then posted under the Brigadier in the same depot, are facing different charges. Following a court of inquiry that held the officers blameworthy for their acts of commission and omission, they were attached with Headquarters Purva Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Sub Area for recording of the summary of evidence (SoE), which concluded at Agra today.

The SoE is a prelude to a possible trial by court martial and a decision to hold such a trial is taken on the evaluation of the available evidence and advice thereon by the Judge Advocate General’s branch.

Sources said that according to the tentative chargesheet on the basis of which the SoE was recorded, the professional officers’ valuation board, tender documents and price negotiation committee proceedings were approved for procuring various items from a private firm well knowing that the rates were much higher than the last purchased price rates, thereby causing wrongful loss to the government.

The chargesheet also states that the said firm was not registered with the Directorate General of Quality Assurance as was required. Further, a large quantity of communication and electro-optical equipment and generators was downgraded without going through the stipulated echelons of repairs.

The court of inquiry into the matter, presided over by the General Officer Commanding, Paschim Uttar Pradesh Sub Area at Meerut, had been ordered after complaints of misappropriation and financial irregularities were received by the office of the Chief of Army Staff in 2017, sources said.

New Delhi, October 27

Separatism in Jammu and Kashmir is more out of convenience rather than conviction and the children of separatists are enjoying while those of common people are suffering, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said terrorism in the Valley was mercenary in nature and was not driven by any conviction, ideology or motivation.

“It is paid terrorism perpetrated, funded and sponsored by hostile powers which all of us know,” Singh said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

“There is no such issue as Kashmir issue. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of the Indian union very much like other states,” he said. Singh said if at all there was any issue pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, it was to retrieve Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and restore the original culture and demographic character of the state, “which would be possible only by the return of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community”.

“Separatists stand exposed. Separatism in Kashmir is more out of convenience rather than conviction, which is not easily palatable but it is a fact,” Singh said at an event here last night.

He also came down heavily on mainstream politicians for practising what he described as “opportunistic separatism”.

Speaking at the event, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said for the last 50 years, the political leadership in the state had only made false promises to the people. “Be it the promise of freedom, freedom with Pakistan’s help or autonomy,” he said.

The Governor said the need of the hour was to tell people that armed struggle was not the solution. “The policy of healing touch is needed, but what is needed more is development and removing corruption and unemployment,” he added.

“I don’t have the mandate for a dialogue. It’s with the Prime Minister and with the political parties and other stakeholders,” he said.

Malik also said a litany of lies was being propagated about the situation in Kashmir, which in reality was not that bad.

“More people die in Bihar and UP than the number of casualties that take place in Kashmir,” he said. — PTI

On Hurriyat

The problem with Hurriyat is that they can’t even go to the toilet without Pakistan. They want to include Pakistan in everything. I have made it clear that we won’t have anything to do with Pakistan in Kashmir. —Satya Pal Malik, J&K Governor

On freedom model

The separatists’ freedom model is fake. It is a model that follows the pattern of getting the neighbours’ children to become jihadis and lodging your own children in safe havens. —Jitendra Singh, MOS, PMO

On stone-pelters

Stone-pelters are nothing but overground workers of terror outfits. I still say the same… if they can kill people with such acts, are they not becoming like terrorists?  —Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief

New Delhi, October 19

Pakistan on Friday accused India of destabilising South Asia through its purchase of S-400 ‘Triumph’ air defence missiles from Russia. During the annual strategic summit dialogue between PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin in Delhi this month, the two sides concluded the contract for the supply of the S-400 long range surface to air missile system to India at a cost of $5.4 billion.

“The Indian purchase of S-400 missile system is a part of their efforts to acquire a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System through multiple sources. This will further destabilise strategic stability in South Asia, besides leading to a renewed arms race,” said an official statement from Islamabad. — T

Due to freezing cold in Lahaul Spiti, the frost has started depositing on the road, making it slippery for vehicles.17 Oct 2018 | 2:15 PM

MANDI: The administration of Lahaul Spiti has closed the Manali-Leh and Gramfu-Kaza roads for winter in view of public safety. Due to freezing temperature and recent snow in Lahaul Spiti, the frost has started depositing on the road, making it slippery for vehicles.

Tribune News Service
Mandi, October 16

The administration of Lahaul Spiti has closed the Manali-Leh and Gramfu-Kaza roads for winter in view of public safety.

Due to freezing temperature and recent snow in Lahaul Spiti, the frost has started depositing on the road, making it slippery for vehicles.

Ashwani Kumar Chaudhari, DC, said, “The Border Roads Organisation had informed us to stop vehicles on these routes in view of public safety. Due to high altitude, the Kunzum Pass and Bara-lacha La may receive heavy snow anytime which may put lives of commuters at risk.”

He said due to sudden snowfall on September 22, a large number of vehicles had been stuck on the Manali-Leh and Gramfu-Kaza road. It took weeks for the district administration to get them out.

The DC asked the police to stop visitors leaving for Leh or Kaza. He also urged the people to follow the instruction.

“However, the traffic between the Manali-Keylong road via Rohtang is normal,” said the DC.

New Delhi: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Sunday said the Russian Army is “very keen” on associating with the Indian Army, while stressing on the independence of Indian policymaking.

“Russians are very keen on associating with the Indian Army because we are very capable. We are capable of standing for what is right for us,” General Rawat said at the inaugural General K V Krishna Rao Memorial Lecture at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

“When Russians asked about the American sanctions, my reply was, ‘Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions on us, but we follow an independent policy. You can be rest assured. While we may be associating with America in getting some technology, but we follow an independent policy’,” he said.

General Rawat added, “I further told them, ‘While we are talking sanctions and you are questioning on sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are signing the treaty on the purchase of the S-400 weapon system in spite of the fact that we may face challenges from America in the future and a $5.3 billion deal has been signed between the two countries.”

The Army chief also said that India is “looking forward to getting Kamov helicopters”. “We are also looking forward to getting other weapon systems, space-based systems and technologies to enhance our space capabilities.”

General Rawat, who recently undertook a six-day visit to Russia, met the top brass of the Russian Armed Forces and key military formations and establishments. The delegation also visited the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Military Academy, the Headquarters of Western Military District in St. Petersburg and General Staff Academy.

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 3

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Wednesday said the Rafale fighter jet would be a “game changer” once it came and would be a “booster dose” for the IAF.

Addressing a press conference ahead of Air Force Day here, the Air Chief Marshal was replying to a question on the purchase of Rafale when he said the government took a “bold step” in deciding on its purchase.

About the major concerns for the IAF, he said, “The depleting fighter jets is an issue. The signing of 83 Tejas, 36 Rafale besides Sukhoi-30 will arrest the drop down from the existing 31 squadrons.”

The IAF currently has 31 squadrons as against the 42 mandated by the government for a two-front war.

On being asked about China, he said they were watching the development of infrastructure and had a plan to counter that.

The IAF chief denied that the 50 fighter jets in Tibet were a threat.

He refused to comment if the Rafale, after the recent controversy, could be ruled out as a contender for the forthcoming tender to get 110 fighter jets.

He said the IAF was consulted at the “appropriate level” while deciding getting only 36 and not the planned 126 Rafale jets.

On the HAL not being chosen, he said it is the corporate decision of HAL. He thanked the HAL saying it was due to them that the Gagan Shakti exercise was such a success.

He, however, gave figures of delay saying the HAL was running three years behind schedule, the Jaguar upgrade is six years behind schedule and LCA operational clearance is five years behind schedule.

Commenting on the upcoming purchase of the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia, the IAF chief said the CAATSA (Countering Adversaries of America Through Sanctions Act) is not going to come in the way of getting the S-400.

For the procurement of 110 fighter jets, he said the process would not be as long as the previous one, referring to the tender to get 126 planes which was initiated in 2007 but could not be completed till 2015.

BUYING RAFALE A BOLD MOVE, DEAL GAME­CHANGER, SAYS AIR CHIEF

On the second anniversary of Surgical Strikes, Pakistan army violated ceasefire and tried to push in a group of terrorists under the cover of heavy firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

“Infiltration attempt by terrorists and Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar Sector in evening hours today,” confirmed Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.

Indian Army immediately swung into action and retaliated in equal measure to silence Pakistan guns.

“Own forces retaliated strongly and foiled infiltration bid being attempted under covering fire by Pakistan Army.  No damage, injury or casualty on own side,” Colonel Kalia said.

The cross birder firing comes on the day when the nation is celebrating the second anniversary of surgical strikes by Indian Army on terror launch pads across the LoC in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

The ceasefire violation comes a day after External Affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj snubbed Pakistan after she left midway during SAARC conference.

Figures released by Ministry of Home Affairs reveal that 2,855 incidents of Cross Border Firing occurred during two-and-half years.

In a reply to the RTI application filed by Jammu based activist Raman Sharma, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said over 2855 incidents of unprovoked cross border firing from Pakistan has occurred on Line of Control (LOC) and International Border (IB) since 2016 to July 2018.

More than 109 people including 35 army soldiers and 21 BSF personnel were killed while 565 people were injured including 302 civilians and 263 security force personnel in the cross border firing since January 2016 to July 2018

Photo for representational purpose only. iStock

Kolkata, September 30

The Indian Navy currently has only two minesweeper ships at its disposal to safeguard sea lanes and ports spread across thousands of kilometres of coastlines in the eastern and western seaboards, a top Navy officer has said.

The Navy requires 12 minesweeper ships, but at present has only two, Rear Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Assistant Chief of Material, Indian Navy, said.

“The Navy needs these ships urgently,” Swaminathan said.

Minesweepers are small naval warships that detect and destroy underwater mines and are considered vital for keeping the critical sea lanes safe for movement of essential cargo, including crude oil.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a fuel barge for the Navy on Friday, he said that Defence PSU Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) is in the process of collaborating with a foreign firm for manufacturing minesweepers.

The government has been looking for a foreign collaborator for its over Rs 32,000 crore project, entrusted to GSL, for procuring 12 minesweeper ships.

The basic function of these ships would be to locate, classify, sweep and neutralise all types of ground moored and drift mines.

A parliamentary standing committee on defence last year had slammed the government for delay in procurement of the minesweepers and asked it to make efforts to fill the gap in the Navy’s capability.

There are at least 12 major ports and several other minor or intermediate ports in the eastern and western seaboards. PTI

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 27

Lt Gen AK Bhatt, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, met Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday. He briefed him about issues relating to the security situation in the Valley and security arrangements made for the upcoming urban local bodies and panchayat elections. The Governor stressed the importance of maintaining a sustained coordination between the security forces and the civil administration to meet the security challenges in the st