by
Prakash
Katoch
Most interesting was the
recent TV debate featuring a former Army Commander and a former CAG, besides
others. The main issue was purchase of bullet proof jackets for troops fighting
terrorists in Kashmir. The latter repeatedly harped on why “procedurally” these
bullet proof jackets should not have been purchased. Finally, the former Army
Commander asked him if any other indigenous bullet proof jacket was available
in the country that be purchased. Our man was dumbfounded but the anchor
instantly intervened saying there was no time for further discussion (as if the
reply would need eternity), adding he would call them next day to continue the
debate, which he never did. What the former Army Commander implied was simply
this – am I supposed to get my soldiers shot by terrorists while you
“procedurally” sort out how to permit purchase of bullet proof jackets and patkas?
Northern and Eastern Army Commanders have enhanced financial powers, with due
government sanction for maintaining operational preparedness and saving lives
notwithstanding bureaucratic jealousy and the urge for centralized control at
any cost.
Who is accountable
for these delays while soldiers are maimed for life or shot/killed without
protective gear? Aren’t these perfect murders - read culprits perfect murderers
who don’t get nailed? In 1999, an Army Division occupied posts in Kargil Sector,
some as high and as cold as Siachen but special clothing was authorized to some
5000 troops of this formation only in 2005 and that too only two-third of projected
demand. Who is accountable for frost bitten cases from 1999 to 2005 in Kargil
Sector? Our armchair warriors in ministries couldn’t
care less for lives of our soldiers; military, para-military forces, central
armed police forces and police. The MoD in any case is a conglomerate of
generalists, sans domain knowledge, some of whom were forced to visit Siachen
when George Fernandez was Defence Minister. Ironically, the Supreme Commander
of the Armed Forces (President of India) too has been sidelined through Machiavellian manipulation of ‘The Transaction of Business Rules, 1961’. Even
dismissal/ appointment of Service Chiefs are not referred to the Supreme
Commander any more. The Committee of Secretaries rules the roost subjugating
all ministries including MoD.
The Supreme Commanders watch silently while military veterans return
their medals and gallantry awards with petitions inked in their own blood or
when government fools the nation with announcements like “Financial Bonanza for
Veterans – Government Sanctions OROP”; a blatant lie and a cruel joke on the
military. Even the belated correction of basic pay done by the Cabinet
Secretary chaired Committee has not been followed up through a government
notification despite several weeks having elapsed. Arrears on account of rank
pay authorized since 1986 are being given from 2006 only and individual
officers made responsible to produce all the documents. Who ate up the lakhs/crores
of rupees spent on computerization of entire CDA? But, the million dollar
question this nation needs to ask is can the soldiers be allowed to be murdered
and maimed behind the cover of red tape? Isn’t time more than overdue to affix
bureaucratic accountability?
The author
is a former Special Forces Lieutenant General of Indian Army
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