he utility of officers employed for the proposed three-year service would be highly suspect. We will end up being flooded with officers of the Captain rank who will be going around looking for odd jobs in the civil market. To draw on the right material that can meet the demands of exacting standards of performance in the defence services, the terms and conditions offered for short service commission have to be attractive enough.

Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)

Military Commentator

THE news that the Army is considering a proposal to allow civilians to join the force for three years, claimed to be an effort to attract talented young people, is laughable. How does one attract good talent with the offer of just three years’ service? What will be the utility of an officer when taken in for such a short period is the question the higher command needs to address.

The proposal is part of efforts to bring in reforms in the 13 lakh-strong Army. The military appears to be under pressure to cut its expenses in every possible manner. This is in keeping with the proposal to reduce the defence budget. The military’s higher command, in response to this demand from the government, is going about like a bull in a china shop rather than applying its mind and standing up for what is inescapable for national security.

Several committees have looked into reorganising the Army, essentially to cut costs, reduce teeth-to-tail ratio, make the Army more efficient (lean and mean, a phrase often used) and improve the career prospects of the officer cadre. Still, there appears to be continuing pressure on the military to further decrease expenses. There is little realisation that in areas of national defence, as in life, some things do not come cheap.

However, the government (MoD) has been cherrypicking only those recommendations of various committees that conform to its thinking and plans. Thus, many of the more useful recommendations of the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee and more recently those of the Shekatkar Committee have been left out. Since most of the recommendations are interlinked, so when you do ‘cherrypicking’, it leads to disruptions and complications and the end result is often the opposite of what was intended.

The number of civilian employees paid out of the defence budget is around 3.75 lakh. These are from various groups such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ordnance factories, Military Engineer Services (MES), defence PSUs. MoD, etc. Though they are around 25 per cent of the strength of the defence forces, in terms of pay, allowances and pensions, their take-home, in proportionate terms, is much higher.

This is due to non-functional financial upgradation (NFFU) granted to these civilian employees and the availability of far more vacancies for them in higher pay bands, compared to those in the defence forces. Further, their advancement in career to higher pay bands (due to NFFU) comes with far shorter service than that of defence forces officers. Thus, an officer in Class A service — most of them among these 3.75 lakh are in this class — climbs to the pay band of a joint secretary to the Government of India with 19 years of service, while a Major General, unfairly equated with a joint secretary, gets to that pay band after around 29 years of service.

This group of 3.75 lakh is the actual tail that needs drastic pruning and yet it has never been touched. In the defence forces, there are about 20 in the apex scale of pay, whereas among these civilians, with a far smaller cadre strength, the figure is well over 100.

Nearly 70 per cent of the Army’s budget is tailored towards revenue expenditure, leaving little money for other essential requirement of modernisation etc. A former Chairman, Chiefs of

Staff Committee, Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) highlighted this aspect in an article. What seems to be missed out is that revenue expenditure is 70 per cent because the budget itself is small (during 2019-20, it was about 1.46 per cent of the GDP). If the allocation for defence were to be 3 per cent of the GDP (as proposed by the Parliamentary Committee of Defence), this percentage would perhaps come down to 40 per cent or less of the defence budget.

A review of the officer cadre involves the ratio between regular and short service cadre and rank structure of various appointments within the service. In the past, the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee recommended a ratio of 1:1.1 between the regular and short service cadre. The more appropriate ration should be 60:40 (60 per cent regular and 40 per cent short service).

The authorised strength of the officer cadre of the Army is nearly 40,000. Presently, the shortage of officers is around 12,000; it has persisted all along and impacts the performance of units.

Presently, the short service commission officers serve up to 10 years, extendable to 14. Such length of service has drawbacks and problems of readjustment and re-employment in civil life. Equally, such terms and conditions of service just cannot attract good material.

On the proposed three years of service, the utility of officers employed for such a short period would be highly suspect. We will end up being flooded with officers of the Captain rank, released from the Army, who will be going around looking for odd jobs in the civil market, which will have its own impact on the military’s standing in civil society.

To draw on the right material that can meet the demands of exacting standards of performance in the defence services, the terms and conditions offered for short service commission have to be attractive enough.

Therefore, the duration of the short service should be five years with additional four months for training. Their academic qualification should be Class XII (science stream) or graduation. As regards their resettlement, a small percentage may be absorbed in regular commission and all others given assured admission and free technical education with stipend for the duration of their education. Some can be absorbed in CPOs and central civil services.

Those who wish to altogether opt out should be given an appropriate one-time financial grant. These officers could be given CSD canteen facilities.

Finally, from what has been appearing in the press, asking the military to accept second-grade weapons and equipment, reducing the strength of officers and men in units, and changing organisations of field formations throws up a dismal picture.

Possibly, we are moving closer to our state that prevailed before 1962. The military’s higher command owes it to the nation to keep the country safe and stand up for national security interests.

Virus cannot survive or remain stable on newspapers, cash or books for long. one should keep them outside for 2-3 hours before using them.

Plastic or metal items like pen or pencil box can be sanitised as there is evidence that sanitisers work on them. (Source: File Photo)

During the pandemic, as people bring essentials or other items home, the fear of contracting coronavirus from the same also looms large. PGIMER’s Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health Professor Dr Sonu Goel explains why sanitisers are not recommended for use on fruits and vegetables and handling of cooked food can be a cause of concern. While busting myths, Professor Goel also sheds light on the protocol to be followed while bringing essentials to one’s home.

How can we ensure safety as we get vegetables and fruits from the vendors?

This virus is likely to remain on fruits and vegetables for 6-8 hours and if they are exposed to heat, the virus stays on it for less than four hours. In any case, when one get vegetables from vendors, the general protocol should be that they should keep it outside for four hours within the packet itself.

After the said time, dispose of the packet and put the eatables in warm water or wash them with warm water and baking soda to ensure complete safety.

There are many who use sanitisers on vegetables and fruits. Is it a suitable method?

Sanitisers are completely not recommended for vegetables and fruits, rather they can be harmful because of the presence of chemicals. Moreover, there is no evidence that the sanitisers can kill virus on vegetables and fruits.

Sanitisers are useful only for our hands, body and metal or steel surfaces. Spraying chemicals on vegetables and fruits, becomes all the more harmful as it is chemicals being sprayed on things which one will consume.

Warm water is sufficient or put just a drop of KMnO4 or potassium permanganate in the warm water and dip the eatables in it. It is the safest to use and also pocket-friendly.

If one does not have potassium permanganate, baking soda can be used in warm water. Wear a mask while doing it.

What should be done in case of items such as bananas or onions which cannot be dipped in warm water or washed?

It is like a catch 22 situation especially now when the temperature outside is soaring and there are perishable items also. Such items should be put in a closed space where heat does not reach it directly.

The aim is to not expose yourself to these things and keep them outside for 3-4 hours before consuming them. Do not immediately cook these vegetables or consume the fruits.

In case of medicines strips too, there is no evidence that sanitisers work on them. Keep them in a closed box at room temperature. One should not get exposed to them immediately after buying them as they too have changed hands several times.

Ensure that you does not put these medicines under direct sunlight as it could affect its efficacy.

Many companies have launched vegetable sanitisers. Do you recommend them?

I am not aware of the composition of these sanitisers. If these vegetable sanitisers have KMnO4 or potassium permanganate, then it is fit for use or else not.

What should one do in case of grocery items such as cheese and milk which cannot be kept outside for four hours?

If cheese and milk are packed, one should wash them with soap water and immediately dispose of the outer packet (all while wearing ones mask). However, these packets should not be disposed of in an open dustbin.

They should be discarded in a way that they are not directly exposed to any human being. In case of items in plastic, metal or cold drink cans, the virus may remain for 24-48 hours.

Thus, such items should not be refrigerated, but kept at room temperature where there is no human exposure.

Is cooked food that is ordered from outside safe? What about cooked food that comes packed in boxes?

There is no problem with cooked food because it is already heated at boiling temperature which the virus will not survive. Cooked food is not the issue but its handling is a cause of concern as someone must have packed it and then delivered.

It changes hands several times in the process. Ideally, one should avoid cooked food from outside. If there are unavoidable circumstances, ensure that the packet it is coming in, such as the pizza box or cake box, are discarded immediately.

There is no evidence that sanitisers are effective on cardboard surfaces, thus, using it may prove futile.
What to do in case of cash, newspapers or stationery items? Many governments are sanitising books and recommending the same.

Virus cannot survive or remain stable on newspapers, cash or books for long. one should keep them outside for 2-3 hours before using them.

Sanitisers may be of no use on these. Plastic or metal items like pen or pencil box can be sanitised as there is evidence that sanitisers work on them.

How should the purchased garments or shoes be sanitised? Should the received letters and courier be sanitised?

One should make sure that the shoes worn outside are not used inside the house, as there is a possibility that one could have stepped on an infected person’s spit or similar contaminated surface, while outside.

In case of purchase of new garments and shoes, they should be kept in the verandah or balcony for 48 hours. It is recommended that one should wash the new garments before wearing it.

Courier or post received should also be kept in the sunlight before being accessed- if paper-based, it should be kept under sunlight for 3-4 hours, while if it is plastic or metal based, it should be disinfected.

One must also ensure that they use their own pen while signing on receipt letters brought by the postman.

5 Safe Methods of Disinfecting Your Home

It’s the weekend and time to clean the house. You’re elbow deep in rubber gloves, wielding a can of disinfectant in one hand and a bottle of bleach in the other. Sure, you want to disinfect your home, but who wants all of those chemicals floating around in the air that you breathe?

The good news is you don’t need to use harsh chemicals to keep your house clean and germ-free. And the best part about using natural products is that they tend to be cheaper than a bottle of store-bought household cleaner. Here are five safe methods you can use to disinfect your home that won’t break the bank.

1. Vinegar

Anyone who has used vinegar as a cleaning solution is bound to give it rave reviews. This is because despite its stinky nature, vinegar is an all-natural disinfectant. It contains acetic acid, which gives it antimicrobial properties and makes it great at killing mold. Vinegar has endless uses in the household; it’s ideal for cleaning glass and stainless steel without leaving streaks. It can also get that nasty mold out of your toilets and sinks, and it’s safe for washing all of your fresh produce. Some tough jobs around the house call for straight vinegar, but for those everyday jobs, just mix one tablespoon of vinegar with 1 cup (29 milliliters) of water and keep it in a spray bottle.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

You’ve surely used hydrogen peroxide to clean out a cut before applying a bandage, but did you know it’s also great for household cleaning? It does wonders on stains in both carpets and clothes, and when used in conjunction with vinegar, it’s an excellent scum buster on tubs and tile. And unlike vinegar, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t have a noticeable smell nor does it need to be diluted with water. It’s also handy for washing your produce and whitening your teeth.

3. Lemon Juice

If your house is plagued with alkaline stains like soap scum, crank out the lemon juice. The citric acid in lemons helps break down that annoying scum better than just about anything else. And you can also use lemons to shine up your copper pots and pans so they’ll look like new. But more than that, these tart fruits also are able to sanitize and disinfect non-porous surfaces, and reduce bacteria on hard surfaces — and they smell way better than vinegar.

When life gives you lemons, make household cleaner!

GLASSHOUSE IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an all-natural essential oil that’s extracted from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca tree. Because tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic, it’s commonly used in cosmetics and skincare, but it’s also a great household cleaner when mixed with water. It’s so concentrated that all you need is a few drops to create an effective cleaner. Use it in everyday applications like cleaning countertops and tile. It’s also good for disinfecting areas where pets have had accidents or kids have gotten sick.

5. Soap and Water

If you’re not dealing with a heavy-duty germ situation and just generally want to get your house clean, then soap and water is the original eco-friendly cleaner. Soap provides a lather that’s able to mix oil and water together in a way that attracts and suspends dirt so that it can be rinsed away. So a bucket full of hot, soapy water is always your best bet for cleaning floors, countertops and other household surfaces.

As per Army Rules and Regulations, the findings of the court-martial are to be confirmed by the convening authority of the trial, which in this case, was the GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen RP Singh.

With the GOC-in-C not confirming the verdict, the Army may now take administrative action against the Colonel, who retires next month.

A Colonel who has twice been found not guilty by a General Courts Martial (GCM) on the charges of outraging the modesty of a woman employee of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) now faces possible administrative action after the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Western Command did not confirm the verdict of the trial.

The court-martial in Meerut had found the Colonel not guilty of the charges levelled against him. However, the verdict was not accepted by the higher authorities and was sent back to the court for reconsideration. On the second instance too, the accused was found not guilty by the court-martial.

As per Army Rules and Regulations, the findings of the court-martial are to be confirmed by the convening authority of the trial, which in this case, was the GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen RP Singh.

With the GOC-in-C not confirming the verdict, the Army may now take administrative action against the Colonel, who retires next month.

The case dates back to 2015 when a woman employee of NCC working in Delhi alleged that the Colonel held her hand when she was serving tea to him. He was tried under Section 69 of the Army Act read with Section 354 of the IPC. The officer had made counter-allegations in his defence saying that he had been made a scapegoat as the original target was a Colonel of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) branch who had been raising issues of impropriety in the Directorate General of NCC.

The officer had also levelled allegations in writing against a Brigadier of JAG branch stating that he had demanded Rs 5 Lakh bribe for getting him off the hook and on his refusal to pay the amount, had allegedly ensured that he faced court-martial.

Alleging that there was a tug-of-war between civilian officers of the NCC headquarters and Army officers, the Colonel had stated in his petition before Armed Forces Tribunal that one of the civilian officers, who was involved in the unsavoury turf battles and played a role in setting up the trap, has been made the head of the inquiry in his case. Misuse of government transport by the civilian officers, including the inquiry panel head, for commutation from residence to the office, and drawing privileges of a higher grade than what was authorised by her has also been alleged in the petition.

The Colonel had also levelled serious allegations in his petition about corrupt activities being covered up in Delhi’s NCC Headquarters on the behest of senior officers.

It is also learnt that the officer has now presented before the Western Command authorities that no reason has been provided to him of non-confirmation of the verdict. He has stated that the charge against him has tarnished his military character and reputation of his family permanently. He has asked for reasons to be provided to him for non-confirmation of the verdict so that he can challenge it in a court of law.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the manufacturing sector had been the worst-hit by the lockdown and the disruption in supply chains, and the defence sector was more aggravated than others as the only buyer of its products was the government.

Addressing a video conference on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) e-conclave, Singh said: “There are more than 8,000 MSMEs and partners of many organisations — ordnance factories, DPSUs and service organisations. They contribute more than 20 per cent of the total production of these organisations”.

The MoD, he said, had taken several steps for industries, especially MSMEs, such as extension of response dates of tenders and early clearance of pending payments. The definition of MSME has been revised for expansion. At the same time, there will be no distinction between manufacturing and services sector MSMEs.

In government contracts (procurements) of value Rs 200 crore or less, global tenders will not be allowed. This will help MSMEs to grow their business. In the event of being unable to participate in trade fairs due to Covid-19, e-market linkages will be ensured. The government and PSUs will also ensure the clearance of all outstanding payments in the next 45 days.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced a slew of measures to boost ‘Make in India’ in defence sector, including raising the FDI limit in manufacturing to 74%

While raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in defence manufacturing to 74 per cent from the current 49 per cent as part of the fourth tranche of the economic stimulus package, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will notify a list of weapons and platforms for ban on import with year-wise timelines.

This is a first for the sector in India.

The FM also stressed that there would be indigenisation of imported spares and separate provisioning for domestic capital procurement.

The indigenisation of spare parts has been in the works for long. It was kickstarted by former defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

Calling these “structural reforms”, Sitharaman said these steps will reduce the huge defence import bill.

Last year, India ranked as the second biggest importer of defence equipment in the world. India was the top importer for over a decade but last year’s ranking did not take into account the slew of multi-billion-dollar deals — S-400 Triumf air defence system, lease of a nuclear submarine, manufacturing of frigates and AK 203 — signed between India and Russia in the last three years, deliveries of which are yet to start.

Sitharaman also said the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) would be corporatised, but underlined that this was not privatisation. The OBF runs 41 factories across the country and its corporatisation has been under public discussion for some time.

The hike in FDI limit in defence manufacturing will come as a huge relief for foreign companies who have been consistently asking the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give them the controlling stake in a joint venture.

The FM also announced a time-bound defence procurement process besides setting up of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to support contract management. She stressed setting up realistic demands for weapons and platforms that are intended to be purchased.

She also said the government has decided to overhaul trial and testing procedures.

The Army hospital was thrown open for the policemen after a request was made to the Army Headquarters by the Delhi Police.

he Army’s Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment has extended its medical facilities to Delhi Police after latter made a request for admitting Covid-19 positive cases in the force.

At present seven policemen are undergoing treatment at the Base Hospital. Senior Army officers informed The Indian Express that the Army hospital was thrown open for the policemen after a request was made to the Army Headquarters by the Delhi Police.

“There are adequate arrangements at the Base Hospital to combat Covid-19 and since Delhi Police asked for our help we have had no hesitation in taking in their personnel who have tested positive for coronavirus. Seven of them are currently under treatment”, said a senior Army officer.

On May 6, a Delhi Police constable died of coronavirus after he was allegedly turned away from two hospitals. There had been allegations that had he been given timely help, the constable, in his early 30s, would have survived.

It is learnt that following this incident the top brass of Delhi Police decided to enlist the help of the Army medical authorities in order to ensure that its personnel who are infected by the virus while discharging their duties are ensured best possible medical treatment.

The GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen RP Singh, also visited the Base Hospital in Delhi earlier this week and took stock of the anti-Covid measures. He also inquired about the facilities, which are being provided to the police personnel and directed that all possible help must be provided to them.

The GOC-in-C also visited the Delhi Area headquarters and was briefed by Lt Gen VK Mishra, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area about the prevailing Covid-19 situation and assistance being provided to civil authorities including Delhi Police.

The Army Commander also visited the quarantine facilities set up by the Army at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment.

The study for the period 2014-19 has found that 80% of limb injuries were due to explosions caused by artillery shells and anti-personnel landmines.

Published in the latest issue of the Journal of Marine Medicine, the study on limb injuries shows that 80 per cent of such injuries, between 2014 and 2019, were due to explosions caused by artillery shells and anti-personnel landmines (APLM).

“From January 2014 to December 2019, we received 272 casualties, of which 166 (61.02 per cent) were with limb injuries”, said the study, Limb Injuries in Combat Trauma, compiled by Colonel Sanjay Maurya, Lt Colonel Vipin V. Nair, Colonel Onkar Singh and Lt Colonel S.K. Singh.

The analysis, however, is based only on 166 cases of injuries and not the fatal casualties. It is also from one tertiary care centre, which is likely to be the Command Hospital, Udhampur, in Jammu and Kashmir as the study has focussed on the western sector.

“Seventy-three (43.9 per cent) casualties had isolated upper limb injuries, 71 (42.77 per cent) had isolated lower limb injuries, and 22 (13.2 per cent) casualties had concomitant injuries,” the study said. “A total of 112 (67.4 per cent) injuries were caused by explosives or fragmentation devices, whereas 54 (32.5 per cent) were caused by bullets.”

It added that in most wars, fragmentation devices account for the majority of injuries. Fragmentation devices include IEDs, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar fire, APLM, and artillery shells.

Also read: CDS Bipin Rawat to work on items for import ban, artillery guns could be included

Artillery shells, landmines the worst offenders

The study also found that of the 112 injured, most had been hit by artillery shells or affected by landmines (APLMs).

“When we specified the explosive device, it was found that 80 per cent of these were caused by artillery shells and APLM,” the study said. “This high incidence is due to continuing hostilities across the Western border, where artillery shelling by the hostile nation is a constant feature.

“The movement of troops in the region of APLM during CI Ops also contributed to such high figures of landmine injuries. These findings can have implications for its administrative and logistic support for the military commanders,” the study added.

The study also underlined the importance of wearing body armour — bullet-proof jackets and helmets — which it said had improved the survivability of soldiers and the reason why 60 to 70 per cent of all injuries were recorded to hands and limbs.

The study itself is unique because it has for the first time evaluated limb injuries in a combat zone. It also demonstrates the grade of injuries, hospitalisation time, number of surgeries, and their correlation in the ongoing military operations by the Indian Armed Forces.

This study will be helpful for the Army commanders because it can form a basis of logistic and administrative support in providing quality combat trauma care and also focus on preventive aspects.

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 19

A gunfight has raged between joint forces and militants in old Srinagar city, police said.

The gunfight broke out in the wee hours when joint teams of police and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Kanemazar Nawakadal locality of downtown Srinagar after an input about militant presence.

“The operation was launched at around 2 am and the contact with militants was established immediately when the suspected area was being cordoned,” a police officer said. “The operation is underway.”

A policeman has been injured in the ongoing operation.

The authorities have suspended low speed mobile internet and the voice calling service of all operators except for BSNL has also been snapped in Srinagar district.