In Bihar, candidates asked to strip down to their underwear for Army exam –

short by Anupama K / 12:33 pm on 01 Mar 2016,Tuesday

As many as 1,150 candidates who appeared for an army recruitment test at Muzaffarpur district in Bihar on Sunday were asked to sit in their underwear to avoid cheating. This was done to save time on frisking so many people, reported The Indian Express. Local residents said that this is the second time the test was being conducted this way.

After that defining freezeframe from Vaishali last year of people perched on the window shades of a multi-storey building, passing on answer chits to students appearing for exams inside, comes another image from Bihar showing the other side of the coin.

This one, from Sunday, shows over 1,150 candidates, dressed only in their underwear, sitting cross-legged on an open ground in Muzaffarpur, putting pen to paper in the hope of making it to the Army. They said they were ordered to do so by supervisors to ensure they don’t cheat in the recruitment exam for soldiers on general duty and in the clerical and technical categories.

Sources at the Army Regional Office (ARO) said the candidates were asked to remove their clothes to “save time on frisking so many people”.

When contacted by The Indian Express, Col V S Godhara, director, ARO, said, “We conduct thorough frisking and ensure that candidates carry minimum external things to the exam centre.”

But photos from the venue, accessed by The Indian Express, and interviews with candidates who appeared for the exams in their underwear suggest that the supervisors went a few steps further. “As we entered Chakkar Maidan, the venue, we were asked to remove all clothes except underwear. We had no option but to comply with the instructions even though it felt odd. The gap between candidates was about eight feet in all directions,” said a candidate, who did not wish to be identified. “We do not expect to appear for such largescale examinations in halls, but telling us to remove our clothes was not dignified,” said another candidate. Officials confirmed that 1,159 candidates appeared for the written test on Sunday, including 775 candidates in the general duty category, 211 candidates in clerical and 173 candidates in technical. They said that the written test lasted an hour, adding that the medical and physical tests were conducted between February 4 and 12. Asked about photos that show uniformed personnel supervising candidates writing the test in their underwear, Col Godhara said, “I have seen one photo (from the exam centre) but that is too vague.” Asked if the arrangement was specific to Bihar, Col Godhara said, “Nothing is state-specific”. While local residents said that this was the second time that the Army recruitment test was being conducted in this manner, a senior officer described the procedure as an “administrative lapse”. Speaking to The Indian Express on the condition of anonymity, the Army officer said, “There is no question of the Army conducting a written test in this manner. It is only during physical tests and medical exams that candidates are asked to remove their clothes. The written test is a test of the mental faculty anyway, and making candidates appear for that in their underwear amounts to an administrative lapse”.

Our Correspondent

Udhampur, February 23

Little Flower Convent High School paid tributes to Capt Tushar Mahajan here today.Captain Mahajan, who lost his life while fighting militants in the Pampore area of Kashmir on Sunday, had been a student of the school and learnt his first lessons of patriotism and valour in the campus. He was always in the forefront and led by examples. His teachers remembered him as a naughty but lovable boy.His classmates remembered him as a lovable and dedicated friend who left an inerasable impression on all those whom he met. He was a brilliant student, excellent in all disciplines.

Protesting Gujjars block Pathankot highway, seek compensation

Vishal Jasrotia

Samba, February 23

A day after the death of a Gujjar youth in the alleged police firing in the Sarore area of Samba, locals, including the relatives of the victim, blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway at Vijaypur in protest on Tuesday.The protesters laid Mohammad Yaqoob’s body in the middle of the road and raised slogans against the authorities.Despite inputs, no preventive measures were taken by the district administration and security agencies to avert the protest, which led to disruption in vehicular movement for more than two hour.The blockade led to a massive traffic jam on both the sides of the highwayThe protesters demanded compensation to the victim’s family and registering of criminal case against the police personnel responsible for the incident.Later, Deputy Inspector General Ashqoor Wani, senior National Conference leader Mian Altaf, Surjeet Singh Slathia and senior district officials reached the spot and assured the protesters of compensation and a magisterial probe into the incident.“We assured Rs 5 lakh from district administration as compensation to the deceased’s family. Directions have also been given for providing tents and relief material to the affected families. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and the situation is control,” said Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sheetal Nanda.An FIR into the killing of the youth has already been registered and police have constituted a team headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Faizal Qureshi to investigate the case, said a police spokesperson.A civilian was killed and seven police personnel, including two women constables, were injured after a clash over an anti-encroachment drive by the Jammu Development Authority in the Sarore area.

End of siege, diversions on NH lifted

Srinagar, February 23

The traffic on the Pampore-Panthachowk stretch of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was allowed to ply normally today after remaining in absolute disarray for about three days.Traffic on the NH remained diverted from Saturday afternoon to Monday evening in the wake of the 48-hour gun battle between security forces and militants in Sempora area of Pampore near here.Nine people, including three Army men, two CRPF personnel, three militants and a civilian, were killed in the gunfight.Security agencies, keeping the safety of commuters in view, diverted Srinagar and Anantnag-bound traffic to different routes to avoid the actual spot of the gunfight.The traffic today, however, was very thin in wake of a sporadic shutdown being observed in many parts along the highway, including Panthachowk, Pampore and Awantipora. Sources said public transport remained largely off the roads throughout the day.—OC

A soldier explains features of a weapon to students at a seminar at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. A Tribune photograph

Amritsar, February 22

Panther Division organised a seminar at Guru Nanak Dev University on various entry schemes to motivate and encourage youth of Punjab to join Army here today.The seminar was attended by a large number of civil officials, faculty members and students. The life of an officer in the Army was highlighted among students, including girls, besides other entry schemes during the seminar.The event commenced with an address by Commander Dograi Brigade, which was followed by a movie “Life less ordinary”, featuring life of an officer and various adventure activities undertaken by the Indian Army. Students were given information about various entry schemes for joining the Army as commissioned officer. A team of officers gave details about complete selection procedure of the Service Selection Board (SSB).Hundreds of students from various colleges attended the seminar. The display of weapons used by the Infantry at the end of the seminar was the main attraction, especially among the younger generation.— TNS

In the last 48 hours, the Indian army is once again in the news. One, for its deployment in Haryana to control the Jat agitation in the state which spiraled out of control, thanks to inept political and administrative handling. And two, losing a young officer, a para-commando officer—who incidentally was a graduate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University—in an on-going operation in Kashmir. It is not clear if the para-military forces—CRPF and BSF—were deployed in Haryana after the police lost control over the situation but what is evident is that increasingly, the Army is being called in to deal with what essentially are law and order situations. The decision to deploy the Army in Haryana at the first indication of trouble instead of using it as the last resort is debatable but given that the agitators were hell bent on destruction of public property and indiscriminate violence, perhaps the decision was unavoidable.

The Army has in the past done whatever job it has been assigned to do and will continue to do so in the future too, its reservations on certain aspects of decision-making notwithstanding but what hurts the men in olive green is the continuing attempts to downgrade the Army’s status and constantly downplay its contribution to the national effort. The award of the 7^th Central Pay Commission (CPC)—thankfully only a recommendation so far not accepted by the government–is a case in point. It seeks to place the Army at par or below the central armed police forces (CAPFs) through granting lower grade pay and lesser allowances. This is harmful to the Army–and the nation in the process–in the long run for several reasons.

Progressive degradation of status of Armed Forces personnel has had alarming adverse impact on self esteem of personnel and hence their operational effectiveness. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR) in its issue of 12 Dec 2013 listed the findings of its research stating that only eight per cent of youth surveyed opted to join Armed Forces as against 58 per cent choosing to join other Central government services although Armed Forces Officers cadre constitutes 72 per cent of all Group A and All India Services strength. Though not being spoken formally, the following facts are undeniable if the current trend continues.

• Shortage of officers in Armed Forces will be extremely difficult to be fully mitigated.
• Self Esteem of those joining as officers, is taking a hit quickly after joining. This, despite many in-house measures, is reflected in relatively lower morale and less than desired level of commitment of younger generation officers.
• Owing to large scale unemployment, intake of recruits (as Jawans) has not declined yet, their quality and amenability to discipline and of being shaped into combatants with high degree of commitment and sacrifice, has been declining by the day. So far significant numbers have been responding positively to the quality of leadership by the officer cadre. However, with declining self esteem of officer cadre itself, their collective capacity at stemming the rot and keep jawans motivated, is eroding. Increasing numbers have already begun displaying unwillingness to serve beyond initial period of engagement. This trend is already affecting retention of skilled manpower, adversely.

And this despite the fact that personnel of Armed Forces, on an average, incur Least Lifetime Cost to the Government on account of the following:-

• Largest numbers serve for shortest period and retire early (between ages of 35 yrs to 54 yrs). Hence, draw least per capita government salary.
• During entire career, they serve maximum time in junior ranks and least time in senior ranks hence, draw lower salaries for maximum portion of career.
• Owing to combination of both of above (largest numbers retiring early and in lower ranks), their last pay drawn is much lower than civilian counterparts. Pension, though being 50 per cent of Last Pay Drawn as applicable to all, pension amount of Armed Forces personnel is much lower.

And yet, as an Instrument of last resort, the demands on the armed forces are significantly higher in terms of proficiency, commitment and sense of sacrifice. Armed forces being ‘Instrument of Last Resort’ do not have the luxury of ‘failing’ or handing over adverse situation to any other government agency. This singular fact demands of its personnel much higher degrees of commitment, leadership, risk taking, proficiency in multiple technological and tactical skills and willingness to sacrifice.

It is therefore imperative that armed forces should at least be considered ‘First amongst Uniformed Services’. Unfortunately, the 7^th CPC has not considered this and placed Defence Personnel even below the Indian Police Service (IPS) by awarding them two additional increments at 4, 9 & 13 years Service (now at par with IAS) while military personnel continue to get only one increment each at 2, 6 & 13 years Service. Overall, taking pay and allowances cumulatively, the 7^th CPC has further placed Armed Forces either at par or below CAPF.

This faulty award is because of faulty assumptions and inadequate Appreciation of Actual Roles and Required Degree of Proficiency & Risks. For instance, equating of CoBRA unit of CRPF with ‘Special Forces’ and assuming their hardship & risk as more severe than ‘Airborne Forces – Para units,’ reflects gross ignorance of roles, desired proficiency levels & attendant risks of various components of Armed Forces and the CAPF. Consider 7^th CPC recommending ‘Risk & Hardship Allowance’ for National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel when employed in disaster relief. Since Disaster Relief is the only role assigned to the NDRF, how can the organization seek extra allowance over & above their salary for doing their primary and only task? By this logic, ask the armed forces personnel, why shouldn’t the military be awarded special allowance when called out to aid civil authority during disasters which is not its primary task?

It’s time a thorough review is done in the way we as a nation compensate our soldiers. Otherwise, one of our most admired institutions is bound to face decay that will come at the cost of nation’s security.http://www.abplive.in/blog/downgrading-the-military-is-bad-for-nations-health

Army personnel get down from a helicopter at the Police Lines in Rohtak on Saturday. Manoj Dhaka

Ravinder Saini,Tribune News Service,Rohtak, February 20

With the main roads leading to Delhi, Hisar and Jaipur either dug up or blocked by protesters, choppers were used to drop troops at the Police Lines ground early this morning. As three Army helicopters made several rounds to drop the personnel, curious residents rushed to their housetops for a better view. The district authorities had to call more troops in the afternoon in view of the large number of protesters who encircled the city.Though the district authorities imposed a curfew and issued shoot-at-sight orders, people were seen roaming around on two-wheelers. Over a dozen autos were found burnt at various places on the city’s main road. Distraught traders and shopkeepers whose business establishments were set on fire last night were seen assessing their loss. The Army and the police staged a flag march from the Police Lines till the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) campus where a large numbers of protesters were on dharna. The protesters did not budge despite repeated warnings.  BJP to issue show-cause notice to Saini New Delhi: The BJP has decided to issue a show-cause notice to its Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini for speaking against reservation forJats. “The party has taken cognisance of remarks made by Saini and decided to issue him a show-cause notice,” BJP general secretary Anil Jain, who is in charge of Haryana, said. “Saini was asked to refrain from making such statements but he defied the central leadership’s diktat,” Jain said at a press meet jointly addressed by Union Ministers Chaudhary Birender Singh and Sanjeev Balyan and Haryana Minister OP Dhankar. TNSPowergrid puts off recruitment examNew Delhi: The state-owned transmission utility firm Powergrid has deferred screening test for engineers due to the Jat agitation. The test was originally scheduled for Sunday. “Test stands postponed. Fresh dates will be be announced later,” Powergrid said in a statement. Haryana continued to be on the boil on Saturday as the Jat stir unleashed fresh incidents of violence and arson, in which railway stations,  police stations and some buildings were set ablaze even as the Army had to use choppers to reach parts of the blocked Rohtak district. PTICentre keeps tabs; UP, Rajasthan on alertNew Delhi: With Haryana on the boil, the Centre is monitoring developments in the state and has advised UP and Rajasthan Governments to be on alert, as it fears spread of the agitation in other parts too. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs while refuting the allegation of Intelligence failure said, “The ministry is keeping a watch on the development in the troubled state and has assured the local administration all possible help.” UP and Rajasthan Governments have been asked to be on alert, as “they might witness a cascading effect of the stir in Haryana,” they said. TNS

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DECLASSIFIES THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS CONSTITUTED FOR REDUCTION OF LITIGATION, REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS AND STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS OF REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
In a step towards greater transparency, the Raksha Mantri has ordered the declassification of the Report of the Committee of Experts constituted for reduction of litigation, review of service and pension matters and strengthening the institutional mechanisms of redressal of grievances. The panel had submitted its Report on 24th November 2015.

Major Navdeep SIngh(Retd)

A helidrop exercise at Pithoragarh as part of the India and Nepal military exercise linked to disaster managment. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 18

On the 10th day of the India -Nepal military exercise, named ‘Surya Kiran IX’, Army units of both nations today held jungle disaster mitigation and guerrilla war exercises at the Army ground of the local Cantt area.According to a press- note of the Army, the troops taking part in the exercise are also getting training in searching hidden enemy through jungle warfare and in reaching at the war zone by helicopters. “We have also organised friendly volleyball, football and basketball matches between the units of the two nations and a seminar on disaster management,” said Rakesh Manocha, an officer taking part in the exercise.

Indian Army Soldier’s Miraculous Survival After Being Stuck Under Siachen Snow For 6 Days

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Great battles – Indian army in siachen glacier 1 of 3

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Great battles – Indian army in siachen glacier 2 of 3

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Great battles – Indian army in siachen glacier 3 of 3

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Life Of A Siachen Soldier

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pakistan army siachen glacier

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NDTV at Siachen: How India is consolidating its hold on world’s highest battlefield

https://youtu.be/3LeA8eQV4CQ

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Guwahati stint ‘harder’ than Siachen:7TH PAY COMMISSION

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, February 5

Posting in Guwahati is “tougher” than serving on the forbidding Siachen Glacier, if one goes by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations to the government. The CPC has suggested Rs 31,000 per month for officers and Rs 21,000 per month for jawans as allowance to compensate them for the “hardship” faced at Siachen. However, once the pay commission’s new salary slabs come into place, the tough area allowance (TRA), which is about 33% of the basic salary, in civilian services works out to be in excess of Rs 55,000 for IPS and IAS officers and Rs 30,000 for others posted in areas like Guwahati.Demanding “fair play”, the armed forces in a representation to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar have suggested a new “hardship matrix” to decide allowances. The representation contends that the facts presented before the CPC are erroneous and its 899-page report submitted in November 2015 has inaccuracies while dealing with military salaries, say sources.The armed forces feel Siachen cannot be equal or lower to Guwahati when deciding on the “hardship” factor. On Wednesday, 10 soldiers died after an avalanche struck “Sonam post” at 19,600 feet on Siachen Glacier, burying them alive and wiping out a helipad.A soldier is posted for six months on the glacier with the mission to protect it from the Pakistan army. The induction process involves three months of acclimatisation and a three-week trek to the post with a full load of weapons. Besides the Army, IAF’s 114 Helicopter Unit and Army Aviation are tasked with providing supplies, besides carrying out rescue missions.The armed forces have suggested a “hardship matrix” that grades the hardship on two fronts — nature of job and geographical location.They have suggested that Siachen be placed on the top of the list and those posted should get 65 per cent of their basic pay as “hardship allowance”. This, as per the new salary slabs of the CPC, will be a fair allowance.Antarctica comes second on their list of suggestions, followed by counter-terrorism duties. Fourth on the list are special operations forces in counter-terrorism roles.

Rs 31,000 vs Rs 50,000: Pay panel’s strange logic

• The 7th Central Pay Commission has suggested Rs 31,000 per month in hardship allowance for officers posted at Siachen
• However, IPS and IAS officers posted in areas like Guwahati are set to get Rs 55,000 as tough area allowance
• The armed forces have approached the Ministry of Defence seeking a new ‘hardship matrix’ to decide allowance