Did the AG make a half-truth statement in the apex court (English Version) Rakshak News 18 Mar 19
http://www.rakshaknews.com/vishesh/did-the-attorney-general-make-halfway-truth-in-the-supreme-court
Did the AG make a half-truth statement in the apex court? (English Version) Rakshak News 18 Mar 19
During the final day of hearing in the apex court on the Non-Functional Upgradation case filed by army officers against the government, the Attorney General is claimed to have made some revealing statements. He claims that army officers are already a privileged lot living in palatial bungalows enjoying facilities including Army Public Schools, Canteens, free rail travel, military service pay and many more. There is no doubt that his comments would be disregarded by the Judiciary, as they remain aware of the realities.
Before commenting on this obnoxious statement, there are few questions which need to be considered. Firstly, who asked him to make these comments, the defence minister or her defence secretary? It is unlikely that someone as experienced by him would have made such wild statements unless directed.
Secondly, do these comments represent the government view or the bureaucratic view? If government, then all actions of the defence minister and the PM joining Jawans for Diwali and promising the moon are an eyewash, only aimed at garnering votes. If not by her, then has she chastised her defence secretary, if not, then it appears she supports this view. It also brings forth the aspect that the government seeking votes due to positive performance by the armed forces is fake and the reality remains that the government is committed to lowering its status and hence should not be supported in elections.
The veracity of the comments made by the AG is well known to the nation. Even seeking to counter most of them would be degrading, as every Indian is aware of the sacrifices and difficult service conditions of the armed forces. It is surprising that whoever drafted these comments has missed the obvious. Only a few deserve elaboration.
Army Public Schools are run by the Army Welfare Education Society, which is an independent body, not under the government, created to care for service wards who move very frequently. On the contrary profits from the army canteen services have been used to fund and support Sanskriti School in Delhi, created mainly for the wards of bureaucrats. Who is misusing government funds is left to the reader to judge?
Secondly, the armed forces face bullets in the valley and the North East, for which the risk factor provided in financial terms is lower than 50% of that provided to bureaucrats. There has yet to be a single casualty to a bureaucrat in history. For armed forces casualties, one just needs to visit the National War Memorial and read the long list, yet he demands and gets much more. Recently the home minister raised the risk allowance of the Central Armed Police Forces operating in the valley. It has yet to be even considered for the army, as the bureaucracy remains a stumbling block. Again, a question of who misuses funds and is more pampered, military or bureaucrats.
This is the same bureaucrat, who delays release of pension upto a year for those boarded out on medical grounds due to operational incidents, firing or accidents. The recent case of Sanju Ram of the Dogra Regiment projected on social media is a common example. It takes even longer for those who sacrifice their lives in operations or are declared dead where bodies remain untraceable due to extreme conditions of floods or avalanches. In these cases, the bureaucracy seeks proof of body before releasing financial dues. Clearly a heartless organization.
Thirdly, while barely 1% of the armed forces officers rise to ranks equivalent to a joint secretary, almost all in civil services are guaranteed that rank. In addition, the period of service involved is vastly different. Since everyone in the bureaucracy serves to 60, pensions are far higher. Everything is in favour of the civil services. Hence, rejecting some benefits for the armed forces on flimsy grounds appears to be to deny even a limited semblance of equality. If this irks the bureaucracy, then it is nothing but immaturity and childishness.
The question which the bureaucracy of India must answer is does the armed forces of the country belong to India, Pakistan or China? The way they object to anything meant for the armed forces appears that in their perception it is either from Pakistan or China. If they believe it is the Indian armed forces, then why do they fight their own?
I do hope that the defence minister is questioned on her role in this projection by the AG. Her answer would clear the air on who directed the AG to project such a negative picture of the one force which sacrifices lives every day, as also makes the nation proud by either eliminating Pak based terror outfits or constructing bridges to replace those which were contracted and approved by the bureaucracy and collapsed rapidly. Her answer must be sought before elections, so that the true face of the government is displayed to the nation.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army
Agree with you and the article in all its entirety.
It is a must that the RM clear the air on the issue. In fact in a recent interview she has with much vehemence and facial grimacing, declared that she is micromanaging the MoD and she goes through all the cases which the MoD is appealing against in the Supreme Court.
Thank you very much. I did hear the interview. Hence, hope that in of her interactions, this question is specifically asked by someone from the audience. It will then open the nation’s mind to the governments views
If the RM is Micro Managing all the legal cases in the MoD, then obviously, she is very much aware, as to what the AG spoke in the SC that, Defence Officers were living in’Palatial’ Bungalows or palaces..
The only reason why I mentioned hat I did was because in reply to the question she stated that she is aware of all cases. The only line she did not mention is that all responses by the MoD are approved by her. If they are, then she is grossly wrong
A very logical premise by the author. Onus lies on the RM to explain AG’s conduct; which by all means may be termed as ‘anti-national’. Such statements reflect as to the esteem Armed Forces are bestowed upon by the BJP Govt!!!
Thank you. I do hope the government clarifies in one of their future press interactions and admits that it was wrong in its assessment.