09-27-2006, 02:10 AM
Indian army crackdown on indiscipline
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NDTV Correspondent
Watch story
Sunday, September 24, 2006 (New Delhi):
Indiscipline will not be tolerated in the Indian Army. Fed up with reports of petty corruption the top brass of the force has decided to act.
In the high altitudes of Siachen and Kargil in the jungles of the northeast or even the deserts of Rajasthan Old Monk rum is indispensable to the army jawan.
While that swig of rum may relieve a jawan's stress a major general found out last week that illegally selling regulation alcohol in the open market gives a nasty hangover.
He was stripped of his rank and sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment.
Though it wasn't the first time a general was cashiered by the Indian Army - Major General GI Singh's case is an example of the new school of thought at the Army Headquarters.
Punitive action
Since 2000, the Army has court martialled nearly 6,000 troops including hundreds of officers.
Since 2004 three Major Generals, six Brigadiers and at least 20 Colonels have been convicted by military courts.
Their offences have ranged from corruption, fake encounters and deviant sexual behavior.
For the 1.1 million strong army, the declining standards of probity and discipline are major issues.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>But serving and retired officers point out no other arm of the government is as swift in dispensing justice as the armed forces...</span>
A retired Major General says, "while it is certainly a source of concern that corruption has seeped in the higher echelons of the army".
He added, "our personnel come from the same society that believes in easy money and shortcuts and therefore are not entirely immune to various temptations to make a quick buck".
"<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>At the same time, the armed forces are the only institution that punishes offenders and hands out exemplary punishment". </span>
"Has one politician or bureaucrat caught in corruption cases faced similar punishment ever," the officer said.
Tehelka sting
In the 2001 Tehelka case for instance three officers including a major general were court martialled and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>But none of the civilians or politicians involved in the same case has been brought to book.</span>
It's been five years since the web portal exposed the corruption in defence procurement procedures.
Growing corruption within its officer cadre is certainly a concern for the Army but it is not yet a major worry since a quick court martial and dismissal still works as an effective deterrent against wrongdoing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDTV Correspondent
Watch story
Sunday, September 24, 2006 (New Delhi):
Indiscipline will not be tolerated in the Indian Army. Fed up with reports of petty corruption the top brass of the force has decided to act.
In the high altitudes of Siachen and Kargil in the jungles of the northeast or even the deserts of Rajasthan Old Monk rum is indispensable to the army jawan.
While that swig of rum may relieve a jawan's stress a major general found out last week that illegally selling regulation alcohol in the open market gives a nasty hangover.
He was stripped of his rank and sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment.
Though it wasn't the first time a general was cashiered by the Indian Army - Major General GI Singh's case is an example of the new school of thought at the Army Headquarters.
Punitive action
Since 2000, the Army has court martialled nearly 6,000 troops including hundreds of officers.
Since 2004 three Major Generals, six Brigadiers and at least 20 Colonels have been convicted by military courts.
Their offences have ranged from corruption, fake encounters and deviant sexual behavior.
For the 1.1 million strong army, the declining standards of probity and discipline are major issues.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>But serving and retired officers point out no other arm of the government is as swift in dispensing justice as the armed forces...</span>
A retired Major General says, "while it is certainly a source of concern that corruption has seeped in the higher echelons of the army".
He added, "our personnel come from the same society that believes in easy money and shortcuts and therefore are not entirely immune to various temptations to make a quick buck".
"<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>At the same time, the armed forces are the only institution that punishes offenders and hands out exemplary punishment". </span>
"Has one politician or bureaucrat caught in corruption cases faced similar punishment ever," the officer said.
Tehelka sting
In the 2001 Tehelka case for instance three officers including a major general were court martialled and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>But none of the civilians or politicians involved in the same case has been brought to book.</span>
It's been five years since the web portal exposed the corruption in defence procurement procedures.
Growing corruption within its officer cadre is certainly a concern for the Army but it is not yet a major worry since a quick court martial and dismissal still works as an effective deterrent against wrongdoing.