New Delhi: In a shocking lapse, the Ministry of Defence has admitted that it was unsure whether or not a private vendor has fled with the personal data of about 50 lakh ex-servicemen and noted that it “cannot comment whether a copy of the same has been retained by the company or not”.

After maintaining a stony silence for over three months, the ministry finally responded to the issue raised by the Right to Information activist Commodore (retd) Lokesh K. Batra on March 22 and admitted that the data pertained to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

Biometric data was contained in smart card

Responding to the questions raised by Batra about the maintenance of data on ex-servicemen at ECHS, its joint director (information technology) said that in the “system of Smart Card which was in vogue till May 2015, the biometric data (left & right thumb impression only) of the individual was stored in the Smart Card”.

The ECHS further stated that “the Smart Card was in the custody of the individual” and that “no biometric data was stored in the system”.

ECHS does not know if company retained copy of data

It was the remaining part of the reply, however, which ought to send alarm bells ringing as the data pertained to ex-servicemen of all ranks. The ECHS official admitted: “The other personal data as per the contract stipulation was handed over to the ECHS on termination of contract. ECHS cannot comment whether a copy of the same has been retained by the company or not.”

So, as Batra said, no one knows if a copy of the data has been made or was being misused. The matter, incidentally, moved at a sharp pace within the ministry only in the past week after the under secretary in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare urged the commanding officer (CO), ECHS on March 16 to take “necessary action” within three days on the issues raised by Commodore Batra.

In the letter, the official, Jitender Kumar, had noted in the subject line that the matter pertained to “ECHS Smart Card/CSD Canteen Card made through ‘private vendor’ and issues related to personal information and data safety with ‘private vendor’.”

Further pursuing the matter, another under secretary in the Ministry of Defence, A.K. Karn, wrote a letter to the managing director of ECHS on March 21, after the three-day period had lapsed, pointing out that the CO of ECHS was earlier requested to take necessary action in the matter within three days on the issues raised by Batra and to apprise the ministry accordingly.

He further requested that the report or status on the matter related to biometric and personal information of ECHS Smart Card held with the private vendor be furnished to the ministry by the same evening and that the matter “be accorded top priority”.

Incidentally, even after this order of the defence ministry, Batra, who had been waiting for a response on his query for the last three months, was not too hopeful of an early reply. He had commented on social media that “cover-up will start now”.

‘Private vendors should be properly monitored’

The noted RTI activist said that the defence ministry should at least follow the same procedure as the Unique Identity Authority of India of taking affidavits from the private vendors. “If the vendor were to say that data has been destroyed …. how and who will ensure the truth?”

Stating that “50 lakh ESMs data is not a small number”, Batra had questioned if the private vendor had run away with the personal data of the nearly five million ex-servicemen

Exserviceman Rally and Medical Camp being conducted at Lebong Race Course under the aegis of Striking Lion Division on 25 Mar 2018. Max Veterans & Veer Naris requested to attend. @PIB @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIn

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 16

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in Uttarakhand on March 25. She will be distributing cash awards to students of the state, who have been recently selected by the Indian Military Academy and the National Defence Academy. The award ceremony nomenclatured Shaurya Diwas was aimed to encourage young generation in the state to take up career in defence forces. Uttarakhand State Minister for Higher Education Dhan Singh Rawat presided over a high-level meeting to make the award ceremony a success.A cash award of Rs 50,000 will be given to the student, who has been selected in the IMA or the NDA recently. In case of absence of a student during the ceremony, his parents will be accepting the award. The award scheme is an initiative of the Uttarakhand Education Department.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Pauri Garhwal MP Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) after inaugurating the Garhwal Rifles Regiment War Memorial Boys and Girls Hostel in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 18

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today said they would soon open hostels for the wards of martyrs and serving and retired defence personnel in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and other difficult geographical terrains. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Garhwal Rifles Regiment War Memorial Boys and Girls Hostel at Danda Lakhond here. He expressed gratitude to the Uttarakhand Government, regimental officers, jawans and others, who, he said,  had contributed generously towards the construction of the facility.Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said children residing in far-flung areas could now avail the hostel facility and complete their higher education. He said another such hostel would come up in Haldwani. General Rawat said the state government had increased the grant provided to Sainik School, Gorakhal, from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore. The Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Sarath Chand, who is also Colonel of the Regiment Garhwal Rifles & Scouts, recalled how he conceptualised the hostel plan in Dehradun seven years ago.He said although he would be retiring shortly, he would continue to be connected to Uttarakhand through this hostel. He said an assistance of Rs 10 lakh was provided by the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre, Lansdowne, while each battalion of the Garhwal Rifles contributed Rs 3 lakh each. Maj Gen BC Khanduri  (retd), BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal, was also present during the inauguration ceremony. BJP MLA from Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi and a large number of ex-servicemen were present.

Security men patrol the Jammu-Srinagar highway. file photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 8

The Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies seem to have learnt no lesson even after several terror attacks in and outside Jammu district. There is no random checking of vehicles on the highways connecting the district.The police have established checkposts on the Jammu-Pathankot, Jammu-Srinagar and the Jammu-Poonch national highways, but policemen do not check any vehicle.There is no enhanced security on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, where terrorists have carried out several attacks leading to killings of soldiers and civilians. The highway is sensitive as it is close to the International Border. On several occasions, militants, after infiltrating from Pakistan, have launched attacks on security installations along the highway.Similarly, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been used by militants from time to time to move and launch attacks. Intelligence agencies were of the opinion that three militants involved in the February 10 Sunjuwan terror attack had reached Jammu via this highway.The Jammu-Poonch national highway also assumes importance as it is the only road link through which supplies are carried to the Army and other security forces guarding the Line of Control. Major Army installations along the Poonch highway have time and again been the target of militants.Jammu IGP SDS Jamwal refused to comment, saying that he is busy and will talk about the issue later.NH used by ultras to launch attacks earlier   

• The police have established checkposts on the Jammu-Pathankot, Jammu-Srinagar and the Jammu-Poonch national highways, but policemen do not check any vehicle
• There is no enhanced security on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, where terrorists have carried out several attacks leading to killings of soldiers and civilians
• The Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been used by militants from time to time to move and launch attacks.

Reuters file

Beijing, March 5

China today announced an 8.1 per cent hike in its defence budget in 2018 to a whopping $175 billion, over three times higher than that of India, as an increasingly assertive Beijing focused on the modernisation and reach of the country’s military, amidst simmering disputes with its neighbours.The announcement of China increasing its military spending comes as President Xi Jinping, the commander-in-chief of the country’s over 2-million-strong armed forces, focuses on cementing his status as the most powerful leader since Chairman Mao Zedong.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The 8.1 per cent increase unveiled today is higher than last year’s budget allocation, when China upped military spending by 7 per cent over the previous year.According to a budget report to be submitted to the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s parliament, the defence budget in 2018 will be 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion). China last year increased the defence budget to $150.5 billion. China is the second largest spender on defence after the US. The Pentagon has requested a budget of $686 billion in 2019, up $80 billion from 2017.The increase of China’s defence budget by 8.1 per cent this year is three times higher than India’s latest defence budget of about $46 billion.China will “advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, and firmly and resolvedly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” Premier Li Keqiang told the opening session of the NPC.“Faced with profound changes in the national security environment, the absolute leadership of the military by the ruling Communist Party must be observed, and the unity between the government and the military, and the people and the military must always be strong as stone, he said.The armed forces will firmly and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, Li said. — PTI

Spent 1.3% of GDP on defence in 2017

• The increased spending is seen as an indication of China’s strategic ambitions, as it continues to modernise its army — the world’s largest — and develop its infrastructure in contested areas like the East China Sea, South China Sea and its Himalayan border regions with India
• China spent about 1.02 trillion yuan ($161.87 billion) in national defence in 2017, about 1.3% of its GDP

President Abdulla Yameen. Reuters file

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 6

India is mulling over possible options as it watches closely the sliding situation in the neighbouring Maldives. A day after issuing a travel advisory for citizens against “non-essential travel” to the Maldives, India, which said it was “disturbed” over the situation in the archipelago nation, reiterated its concern over the internal turmoil “following the refusal of the  government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full Bench of the Supreme Court.” The SC Chief Justice and another senior judge were arrested today in dramatic developments after Emergency was declared by the government of President Abdulla Yameen. The SC had on February 1 ordered the release of political prisoners, including former President Nasheed, living in exile, as well as re-instatement of 12 disqualified MPs.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“The government continues to carefully monitor the situation,” the Indian Government said. Sources dismissed media reports suggesting Indian aircraft and submarines had been put on standby after former President Nasheed’s sought India’s intervention. Nasheed tweeted: “On behalf of the Maldivian people we humbly request:1. India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & political detainees including President Gayoom. We request a physical presence. 2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks (sic).” Sources said the Defence Attache at Maldives Embassy in Delhi held conversations with officials in Directorate General of Military Intelligence and the latter denied such reports. India is looking at the option of restricting exports to Maldives under the 1981 trade agreement that offers Delhi certain privileges. But this could hurt the people on the ground the most. President Yameen remains defiant. In address to nation, he said: “There is no enforcement of a curfew and general movement, services and businesses are not affected. Nor is travel in and out of or within the country affected.”

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa with US Air Force Chief Gen David L Goldfein in New Delhi. File photo

New Delhi, February 4

The Indian and the US air forces will significantly step up operational cooperation to complement the strategic interests of the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of US Air Force General David L Goldfein has said, while expressing concern over China’s rising military influence over the area.Calling India a “central strategic partner” of the US in pursuing common interests in the region, he said two of the world’s largest air forces were going to jointly shift the focus on the Indo-Pacific region while asserting that the rules-based order must be preserved in the critical sea lanes.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Goldfein, who held extensive talks with Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and the top brass of the defence set-up during his three-day India visit that ended yesterday, said the “Quadrilateral” coalition among the US, India, Japan and Australia would provide for deeper cooperation between the Indian and American air forces.Asked if cooperation between the two forces would deepen in the wake of the four countries joining hands with an aim at containing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, he replied, “I do (think so) and that is a big part of my visit and in my discussions here”.In June last year, two Lancer heavy strategic bombers of the US Air Force had conducted flights over the South China Sea, sending a clear message to China against its military build-up in the disputed area. Three US aircraft carriers — the USS Nimitz, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Theodore Roosevelt — have also been operating in the Indo-Pacific region.“We have common interests in preserving the rules-based order. So while we look for opportunities for partnerships, it is actually appropriate also for us to be critical for those who are trying to change that in ways that may not benefit the region,” he told PTI in an interview here.In November, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of Chinese influence.Referring to “Quad” or “quadrilateral coalition”, the US Air Force Chief said there was a natural convergence among four countries to work towards preserving the rules-based order, adding cooperation between Indian and US air forces would increase at several levels. — PTI

Lt Gen AK Bhatt takes over as the Corps Commander of Chinar Corps from Lt Gen JS Sandhu. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 1

Lt Gen AK Bhatt has taken over as the 47th Corps Commander of the Army’s Srinagar-based sensitive and strategic 15 Corps, also called the Chinar Corps, an Army spokesman said.Today, Lt General Bhatt took over from Lt Gen JS Sandhu, who was given a befitting farewell at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here. Lt General Sandhu is proceeding to New Delhi to assume charge of the Military Secretary, the Srinagar-based Army spokesman said.Before taking over as the Chinar Corps chief, Lt General Bhatt was the Director General of Military Operations and was in charge of all Army operations, including on the Line of Control.The Army spokesman said that Lt Gen AK Bhatt was commissioned into the 9th Gorkha Rifles (Chindits) and has had an illustrious military career spanning 36 years during which he has held varied prestigious command, staff and instructional appointments.“The General Officer Commanding has an incisive understanding of J&K as he has served here thrice before,” the spokesman said.A graduate of Staff College, Camberley, UK, Lt General Bhatt has also held several appointments at the Army Headquarters and had an instructional appointment at Commando School, Belgaum. The General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps has also represented the country as the Deputy Force Provost Marshal in Lebanon.On assuming charge, Lt General Bhatt conveyed his greetings to the ‘awaam’ of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps fraternity.Lt General Sandhu’s tenure will be defined by the successful execution of ‘Operation All-Out’ launched by the security forces in the Valley. During the operation, a large number of militants were eliminated in the Valley.

Photo for representation only. Source: iStock

New Delhi, January 31

An Indian Air Force Group Captain, equal to Colonel in the Army, has been detained by the IAF’s counter-intelligence unit for possible espionage and exchange of classified documents,  routed through  a  woman.The officer, an  instructor but not in the flying  branch, struck friendship with the woman on Facebook and then took to WhatsApp over which he passed on certain classified  documents.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Posted at the IAF headquarters in New Delhi, the officer had access to certain levels of plans and documents. Sources suspect he may have been ‘honey-trapped’ after his ties with his woman friend grew deeper. The identity of the woman is not clear. The IAF suspects more people may be involved in the ring.Armed forces officers can have a social media presence but are barred from posting their pictures in uniform, revealing  their place of posting or any official material, information on visits or plans regarding operations.Each letter or document in the armed forces is graded for security as confidential, secret, classified and top secret. — TNS