Carts before the golf
This is a symptom of the malaise.
In a sense, the procurement of golf carts from operational funds by an army commander is an old story now. It has travelled to far corners of the world, being reported about in The Times of London and The Irish Times, among others. For all the attention the story has generated, the army’s official response to this blatantly corrupt act has been that of a stony silence. The ex-servicemen forums and avid blog commentators have also not deemed fit to push the army on this grave issue, something that they did so successfully on the pay commission and pensions issue with the government earlier.
Since the inception of the Army Commanders Special Financial Powers Account (ACSFPA) a few years back, the CAG has made scathing observations on the way these funds have been used (and misused). There are many in the service fraternity who like to believe that the CAG has intentionally tried to malign the army by raising these audit objections. However, it must be remembered that these audits by the CAG are merely standard audits and not forensic audits. And as this news report explains, the army and the defence ministry have been unable to counter the evidence submitted by the CAG — evidence being the documents submitted by the army themselves to audit authorities.
The problem earlier was of buying items like grass cutting machines and television sets from ACSFPA — a fund meant to meet urgent and immediate requirements of counter-insurgency operations and internal security duties. That seemed to be a genuine and honest mistake on part of the army, which was accepted to be so by the government and thus did not raise many hackles.
The problem now, is of a totally different nature — of disingenuousness, deceit and deception — at the highest levels in the army. This business of christening golf carts as Electric Multi Utility Vehicles and Track Alignment Reconnaissance Vehicles was in all probability inspired from a similarly disingenuous act of the army — of renaming its golf courses as environmental parks and training area.This was resorted to a few years ago by the army — and decided at no less than the Army Commanders conference chaired by the then army chief — to bypass a statutory provision that prohibited use of A-1 defence land for non-military purposes. When an institution decides to indulge in such blatant acts of falsehood for petty gains of a select few, it has no moral authority left to condemn those who do the same thing at their levels. In fact, such institutional chicanery inspires other decision makers in the organisation to pursue the same disingenous path to meet their goals, which they perceive to be legitimate.
A retired senior IAF officer, in all likelihood a non-golfer, has tried to put the blame for the curent problems on to the game of golf itself. It is akin to a drunkard’s family blaming the bottle, absoving the alcholic who can’t resist the allure of liquor of all the blame. Another columnist in The Tribune has gone further ahead and justified the blatantly corrupt act as something that must be overlooked because of the sacrifices made by the army officers. Well, the columnist conveniently forgets that the same army brass was unable to procure life saving drugs for its soldiers deployed on the LoC and on COIN duties from the ACFPA funds.
Another interesting aside to the whole story is that an army which acts so swiftly in other acts of corruption at slightly lower levels — Colonels and Brigadiers — seems incapable of doing the same against its highest ranks. It was an year ago that the then Northern army commander was moved out after he had ordered enquiries into acts of omission and commission, when the incumbent army chief was the northern army commander. A case of selective morality perhaps or are some people more dispensable than others, when it comes to quick and firm action against alleged acts of corruption. The King (and his feudal cohorts) are beyond reproach, while the rules are absolutist for the minions.
Praveen Swami had diagnosed the malaise and put it very bluntly a few years back.
India’s military does not really seem to want to reinvent itself as a truly modern force. The many Indian military experts who prophesied that Iraqi troops would be able to resist the overwhelming technological superiority of the United States were, in a sense, defending the assumptions that shape the Indian military doctrine. Images of heroic soldiers commanded by heroic generals and engaged in massive infantry battles suffuse the official imagination of war. The Indian Army today rivals Mughal forces both in its worship of rigidly hierarchical systems and its massive employment of non-combatant subaltern staff to sustain this structure. New military technology will inevitably flatten the space between General and Subaltern, a prospect that constitutes a nightmare for most of the top brass, used as they are to a world where Mrs. Colonels must, as a matter of class, defer to Mrs. Brigadiers.
The Durbar culture that prevails was vividly illustrated by former Army Chief K. Padmanabhan’s unprecedented efforts to award Fernandes and former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh medals for their armchair exploits during the Kargil war. Cronyism and corruption, inevitably, flourish in this quasi-feudal environment.
Simply put, there can be no worthwhile change in the Indian army without changing its organisational culture. Period.
Pshhhtttt!
Bloody piddly squat blogger, don’t you know that generals never err? It’s only jokers like you who do. If you think generals have erred, your assumptions are wrong! Change them. And give me a flying maharaja while you’re at it, bloody ******!
@ Golf
Actually a person becomes corrupt only when he is caught by an agency outside the services.
Secondly, it is institutional culture. Mind u – as such it is difficult to imagine a war fought between any two big countries now – conventionally, so how do we sustain the interest groups.
Poonam Kaur can get sacked for levelling “fake” allegations (a women and daughter of a retired NCO) – so what should be done to these gentlemen.
“so what should be done to these gentlemen.”
[1] Proposed: Henceforth all Sepoy / Native Generals who buy Polo
Ponies in lieu of Cannon, shall be blown from the mouths of the
same and ashes scattered on the greens.
[2] Golf killed General:
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Personnel/Chiefs/158-BC-Joshi.html
http://armyzonegolf.net/cc_pithor.htm
http://airforcesportscomplex.com/
“Multi utility Track Recce and Alignment vehicle” with the acronym “MUTRA”
purchased to cart the asses of people around in Golf courses.
No wonder – ppl do not know that electric powered vehicle (closely resembling a golf club car) can not even work for 50 meters in Rajasthan/Punjab under developed terrain.
They should have actually purchased hi-quality tractor for doing the job, but then those can not be used for carting asses around (No pun intended). Can they ?
After all it is govt money ?
Seeing this trend “MMS” and “Gilani” recently decided that the entire border between Bikaner and Kutch will be converted into a golf course – so that Gens/SOs can play Golf and fight war simultaneously
The ex-servicemen forums and avid blog commentators have also not deemed to push the army on this grave issue,—
Praveen Swami had diagnosed the malaise
(a)Calling it a GRAVE issue is just your imagination runnig wild,its not even a serious matter in a country where cruuption is rampant for personal gains.In this issue NO money has been pocketed by anyone.Compare this with crores being spent for providing security,accomodation & allied services to extended gandhi family (& many many such people).Dont you agree that the family is having a ball on us suckers –the taxpayers!!I would rather prefer my tax be spent on the welfare of the military than the brats.
(b)Never heard of this guy Swami!!Anyway what the hell is this crap he is talkig about?Prag one would expect a saner MILITARY EXPERT than this guy on your blog.
@ASK,
“I would rather prefer my tax be spent on the welfare of the military”
Hmm … noble thought. Perhaps you would care to explain how a golf course translates to ‘welfare of the military’? Or did you mean welfare of the officers?
There are people other than officers in the armed forces, you know, and it’s those poor sods who have to maintain the courses, instead of being out training. Try asking one of those poor chaps what their feelings about the game of golf are.
Just to help your thought process along, ever wonder why infantry regiments have the best kept facilities (not just plumbing facilities)?
Hint: It’s all that manpower!
@ Shaunak “I would rather prefer my tax be spent on the welfare of the military”
You missed the key words”than the brats” at the end of above quote.That is why your cofused comments.You see it was all comparative !!
I tend to agree with rest of your educative comments.Have a fairly good general awareness, having been in uniform from age 11 to age 56(RIMC,NDA,IMA & 37 yrs in Army)though never liked the game myself.Many of our intl level players had thier formative learning on Army golf courses ( Jyoti Randhawa etc)so the effort of creating & maintaining these training areas has not been entirely wasteful,at least at the national level!!
The Generals can never err, they are God like! The present Army Chief had written to reduce the Pay of Army Nurses. They changed their Uniform and now wants to remove the Commissioned Rank also. Do they know anything about Military Nursing in other Nations ? They are all out to destroy this force.
Not only the Nation’s, the Army’s meomory is also very short. It has forgotten the sacrifices made by the brave women of Military Nursing Service over the past 121 years. They changed their uniform and made them aliens in Indian Army, made the Government to lower their pay scales, still not satisfied and wants to remove the Commissioned Officer tag also.Excerpts from the Nation Remembers Army Nurses:- “They nursed, they comforted, and they made sure no patient died alone. They selflessly endured countless hours of their patient’s pain, sorrow, screams, blood, mutilation and at times death. And when it was over, they quietly withdraw to the background. They all paid an emotional price for those selfless services to humanity, though not always physically scarred”. Read more http://mnscorps.blogspot.com/
@ ASK
37 years in uniform. And still you say “not entirely wasteful”! How wasteful of that period spent in uniform. Why then, does the Indian Army not deploy for protection of the IPL 20-20? That also will encourage sport stalwarts in their “formative years”. Hey, you know what, maybe we can have another Generals’ vacancy there also! And perhaps a PVSM for me for the idea!
Well, we don’t do that because that is not the Army’s job. Period.
Unfortunately, your POV endorses having upto 120 men per Cantonment Golf Course being employed as “malis”. That is completely disgusting and uncouth. I’m not against the “Brasshats” , but ASK, don’t you feel that employing combatants to cater for the pseudo-luxury of indifferent senior folks, is absolute moral corruption ? Also, you have your facts off target when you say that “In this issue NO money has been pocketed by anyone”. Oh, come off it. Don’t for heavens sake act so naive, thinking that any fauji is going to buy that fiction. I’m not dwelling further on it as it is beyond the scope of this discussion, or else we can fill up reams of paper about who’s pinching what……
There is a cost to all this. The cost is in equipment maintenance. It is the cost of morale and professionalism that is lost when troops are used as caddies and “maalis”. Of Sappers blown to bits during mining ops because their units were tending to Golf courses. 10 years after Op Vijay, as we aspire to global status, is this where we stand? Thats a time-warp you’re in, pal. Modern armies worldwide train realistically. Have you, in your entire existance in uniform, seen an entire subunit train with, say IWESS?
Actually, your comments are pretty ambiguous. Whose side are you on anyway? The solution is like this- Golf can continue. Sure, the Brass Hats can tee off, but at their own cost. It’s lives that pay the price for lack of training, not these self styled Tiger Woods’s. Let those interested pay for estate maintenance and the like. After their mess bills are settled, of course. (wink!) Let your salary pay for your “welfare”; not the tax.
Lastly, perhaps revisiting NDA precis on welfare would do us a hint of good so that we understand what it’s about. The greatest welfare you can do for your soldier is to train him hard. That ensures that he’ll shoot straight, remain fit and survive the first 2 minutes of a contact. (Hope you understand what a contact is- unless you missed out on it from age 11 to 56).
Hiding behind the pretext of rampant corruption is pathetic. Egg-generals and Booze-brigadiers notwithstanding, the Army’s still an upright organisation. These irregularities must be punished exemplarily. It’s downright shameful! Have you the faintest idea of the impact of this nonsense on the Army’s image?
First issue
Golf are u all aware the manhour spend of soldiers to mantain Golf. is that offical. Are we suppose to use our boys carrying Golf bags and scuttling to fetch Golf balls. The malaise is deep down in using organzation men and resources for luxury of top brass.
The only feel good factor is that our country does not tolertae military regimes othrewise things would be worse.
Let us remebere that our officers and soldiers are willing to sacrifce own lives at the borders or insurgeny areas but where is the responbility of these corrupt few top brass accounatblity.
Can somebody lodge a RTI Application to seek the CAG reports on all these issues and upload on the web.
Can somebody also lodge a RTI Application to confirm what happens after CAG reports are submitted.
The test of credibility of govt. and parliament is whether it is able to bring all such people to justice when the matter has been reported by no less than CAG, a constituional authority or it will put the issue under the carpet as it usually does on all matters relating to defence in the name of national security.
Another Moot point is how such people with contempt towards statutory provisions are able to rise to top and able to get away with the crime every time in the name of defence.
Is the govt. not to blame itself as it has allowed such tendencies to grow in strength by ignoring them every time.
the inside story is cover up for each other. All are mixed up, mostly the top brass who do not want to spoil the years of hard work for one stand.
The case point is war between top brass in Northern Command.
Who stood for that Gen Panag >
Prag can u please find out from u sources what is Gen Panag doing these days,
He is in civil street now, why dosnt he clean up the unfinshed job?
These are the times when the King’s men have to answer the common man for their folly. The sacrifice of the lives of the soldiers on the front for the national cause does not by the furtherest length grant those who are at the helm of affairs do manipulate the system to the convenience of their fiefdoms!
Let’s talk about an excuse that may be offered – in the spirit of sports is an answer. Lets ask another question – Where has the “sports culture” led the sports men who have gradually become a rare commodity on the national circuit? Moreover the number of officers playing golf compared to the committed resources gives a very disheartening picture.
The policy of sports and the spirit of games is dying at a rather fast pace. This is reflected from the fact that the no of services personnel in sports on the national level have decreased – something that is visible to everyone. We have hardly ever had a Golfer at the International level from the Services. Hence, the question remains – manipulation of the resources for whom and for what? The answer is blatantly clear – for those few who can enjoy the luxury of playing Golf. The soldier who is destined to fight the war and may be give his life is not as well trained as he should be. The old concept of “Keep the men busy” being the dictum grants the brass hats the freedom to use the soldier for the upkeep of their fiefs rather than train him. The soldier is still a poor man and trusts the authority unquetioningly. Time is not far away when he will question the wisdom of the “Brass Hats” to not train him and treat him as cannon fodder in face of the enemy.
All would have been well had the “Brass Hats” somehow ensured that: –
-The soldier is well trained and not cannon fodder
-There was a decent presence of the Army sportsmen at the national and international levels – this should be considered in the light of the fact that the number of sportsmen of the national and international calibre produced by the Army in the “poorer” days was much more.
Someone needs tot address the questions honestly – till then the case of fiefdoms will rest to rot.
Talking of sports, i was amused when a snooping cat told me the military Games by 54 Div was resulting in uncovering of scam and misappropriation of funds. so what they did promptly, post the GOC 54 Div only as ADG DV dte to suppress his own issues only. Incidentally the cat also told me the GOC 54 DIV WAS SO WELL CONNECTED IN EARLER DAYS that he himself was under DV ban for some years till he managed to get out and become GOC and story continued. It is a laughing matter when somebody will forward theaccount sheet to CAG also.
The joke is imagine the man at helm of affairs of vigilance and discipline inquires in IHQ was under DV BAN HIMSLEF AND IN SCANDAL of issues of military games. So what accountability can one expect ?
Will some body lodge a RTI application seeking accounts of money spend on Military Games and send it to CAG . That will tell the real story how funds were misused and diverted else where with exaggerated bookkeeping accounts which could have been also send to our Sports Trg institutes.
Our Military Heroes are on their own if they wish to do something in Sports level at National or International level. Rifle and Boxing sports are encourged but thanks to our own brave hearts. Golf is a luxury game with somebody yet to make a mark in international circuit, rest all is bull with no support.
that is first reform for the top brass to seriously think about…………
Any more thought process in other issues
Dear Blogger,
I do agree that some wrong may have been done and knowing the system some immediate action will be taken by the Army.A Mayawati may get away ,even from Supreme Court, but the Army does not wait once the observation has been raised( as in case of Tehalka-but what happened to the politicians there ?) But what is more disturbing is the fact that some people ,like this Blogger, are delibrately and systematically trying to harm the Armed Forces( or is he trying to prove that the PMFs /Police are more honest?). Apperently the Blogger is well informed of all purchases(perhaps he’s from the Audit )but lacks ground realities.
What are you looking for in a Nation which ranks 129 th on the curruption scale? – that moment a person joins the Forces he must turn into the most pious and most honest chap? Auditors are the most feared people in the Forces .They do not hesitate to ask for their pound of the flesh .See any senior Auditors, they all enjoy Army privilages like Staff Cars, Sahayaks and membership of Golf Clubs.Every Unit in the Army has to regularly pay in kind(rations,free food,transport etc )to the Auditors for fear of implicating them in made out fraud cases or raising Audit pars/objections.
Why is playing Golf made such a big deal? Go to the Delhi Golf Club and see how many IAS/IPS are playing there. They can afford(?) the Faujis can’t.
Army is a wonderful orgnisation and the only secular institution in the country, still some what insulated from the materialistic world.Or what else can drive a chap to live more than half his life, away from his family and be ready to sacrifice his life for pay of a chawkidar? Every third vehicle on Delhi roads has a police sticker. Can a police ASI/SI afford a car from his pay? Dont try to change the Army to become like the Police .The country will suffer.Change their outlook. Authorise them the required equipment so that they dont have to fudge their records.Give them the pay they deserve .The selection system for all ranks of Generals is in the hands of the Ministry.Then why blame the orgnisation if they get what is given to them.
No HR Intitute teaches you the techniqes to lead people to certain death , so please dont apply your techniqes to the Army . Their job is special and treat them as such.Thanks.
Dear Dalal
I really appreciate ure sentiments and i live those sentiments day and night .
How do u know i am an auditor or somebody who abhors auditors as much as u not because they are also but they fail to unearth more scams just for kerosene or petrol in the scooter.
The ground realities are u and me are left arguing over who is more patriotic while somebody has made fast buck on the recent wire scandal lam sure u will blame the auditors also but not on that gentleman who made fast buck and also grabbed media headlines for being responsible for wire fencing paln . Who is that gentleman, file the RTI and find who sanctioned the wire from that single firm?
However i am seeing the big picture more than Golf/ audits / sports or anything u are saying should not be there to view. The big picture is the double standards between the top brass and the rest of the lot. It is there in everything. The MoD does not ask our corrupt top brass to ignore or suppress the corrupt and clear them in SB. Only the SB results go for ratification. Rest all suppressing and manipulation is our own top brass darbauries doing.
Let us not be also jingoistic on value of Army. I have lost many good friends and valued human being who gave their lives in war and still there are many who are serving and will do anything about it. My only issue if u and me take credit for Vikram Batra heroism as he was one of us indicating that he was our culture, why do we shy of taking responsibility of even discussing our bad eggs in Public forum. Do they deserve the same respect of Vikram Batra. If u wish to defend such lot and put them on same pedestal of of Vikram Batra, then I am sure I are one of them and I touched a raw nerve probably u are also involved in some shady deal.
If u are plain speaking true fauji , wake up to surrounding around u Forget the Police/nation/society. let us only focus on the org we all cherish. Seek reforms in those issues that is easily corruption . True loyalty to own org is not make jingoistic speeches on our fighting capability, but to honestly see what are our own failings.
If u have not seen the ugly side i pray u do not see and continue to serve under the good ones. The reforms in every aspect is also not for u or for me but the next lot of school kids.
Lastly the army job is special treat them special, where was the need of bootlegging GOC selling the bottles. was he not happy with his daily pegs. He is also not one odd case if u claim u are aware of the issues go to any institute where all student officers barter liquor for all services Is that special treatment u are talking about. I saw, Many officer who passes staff College goes with a trunk full of low cost liquor because they are not willing to pay the actual money for service but do bootlegging with ayas/ safiawallsa/gardeners/MES etc.How much more money u want now after 6 PSC with worthwhile job one is actually doing ( levae out the brave hearts posetf in NC or EC) the majority in WC/CC/SC are bsuy jumping from one adm function to another. So don’t take credit on behalf of the brave hearts but think how other can be more useful in other Command other than AWWA functions.
regards and list any special treatment u want . Don’t ask what system can give u ask what u can give back to the system if u r a true soldier.
Its all right. Senior officials everywhere, civvy or mil are generally allowed hanky panky, touchy feely with their organisation’s money, menials, molls.
So what else is new ?
Remember hearing BC Joshi on TV saying that some civilian honcho* saved golf for the army ( messiah was the word the general used with a happy smile)
*put up some money for tournaments.
Gen BC Joshi was the last of the originals.
“This is a symptom of the malaise.”
Even if Sir. Strangely, not too many complaining of their lot eg
British PBOR (Killed in action June 2009):
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hello-mum-this-is-going-to-be-hard-for-you-to-read-1753008.html
“I died doing what I was born to do I was happy and felt great about myself although the army was sadly the ending of me it was also the making of me so please don’t feel any hate toward it.”
”I died doing what I was born to do I was happy and felt great about myself although the army was sadly the ending of me it was also the making of me so please don’t feel any hate toward it”
It has been same for most of us self discovery, but that is only possible if we see it……………and whatever we are today it is the big culture of Army that made us men . All the more reason we owe a duty to make the next lot also as men and that is why when i chanced upon this blog,i saw the big picture was bascially we all want reforms and make this org free of the lot of rapist Gen/bootlegger Gen / ration selling Gen/ name a thing these fellows will take it as u said in name of ‘hanky panky, touchy feely ‘.
My issue is what gives them that right to get away…………….and then make speeches.
Hon’ble friends,
I have gone through this Blog, let me tell you that this project of Golf Cart GOLFGATE,was started by me in May 2007. I had moved an application under the RTI Act 2005 to find out the number of Multi Utility Vehicles purchased by the Western Command Headquarters to the PIO, Western Command. The reply I got it,”Western Command does not have a Golf Course” and it has only Shivalik Enviornmental park and Training Area. No information can be provided regarding the SEPTA as it is not a public authority”. I was denied this information.
Why I had asked this information? this is a big question, as I am not a Golfer, neither I have any intention to criticise any Army institution nor any person in particular. Sir, it all started with my visit to Command Hospital on April 16,2007, where I had gone to see my regimental officer in the Officers Ward. The main approach road was blocked due to some VIP visit or inspection. In the Car park, which is around 100 metres from the car parking area, I saw an old Army officer of 85years plus, who was waiting in his car for some help so that he can be taken to the Department of orthopaedics. Without knowing, who he was, I volounteered to help him, but he could not walk. I approached the reception and checked from the Duty Doctor about any wheel chair or stretcher. The doctor replied that they have number of stretchers, wheel chairs and some newly purchased electric cars. At that moment, I could manage a wheel chair for the elderly officer,( who later I found was a MVC awardee of 1962 operations and resident of Chandigarh) and took him to the orthopaedic surgeon. Meanwhile, I was informed by the same doctor that the electric vehicles were purchsed by the Command Hospital for use in the Hospital for ferrying elderly patients,orthpaedic patients and pregnant women. But these electric cars, ten in numbers, were sent to the Golf Course under the instructions of the then Army Cdr.The biggest surprise was that they were under the charge of the Command Hospital. These elecrtic cars were distributed to Shivalik Golf Club, Ambala Golf Club, Jalandhar, Pathankot and to some other army golf clubs under the western command headquarters.Not even a single car was left with the hospitals.
This incident, motivated me to move an application under the RTI 2005 Act. I moved an appeal under the Act but same reply I got from the Appellate authority, Western Command. I forwarded the copy of the application and the reply received to CAG office, hoping some thing will happen. It was precisely after two years, when I was contacted by NDTV to give my comments on it.
I am not against Golf, but why can’t senior Army officials have got the guts to inform the Defence Ministry, that we want Golf Clubs for our officers, we want Golf carts for Golf Clubs, why misappropriation of funds and resources. No one in defence minstry will ever deny these permissions. Every years crores of rupees allocated in the defence budget goes unspent and ultimately lapses. There is no shortage of funds with the Army authorities. What was the justification of changing the names of the Army Golf Clubs to Enviornmental parks and training areas. No training has ever been organised there for the troops, except giving them training of grass cutting and waiters. If it is a training area,, why Civil officials and civilians are permitted there, why Army officials become subservient to IPS and IAS.
The membership fees, green fees in the so called enviornmental parks are unjustified.
In civil streets, still Army Personnel have got respect, we are better then IAS, IPS and business men. No doubt, corruption is rampant in civil sectors, a visit to any jail will show that some of these IAS, IPS, IRS and other central Civil Service officers are either under detention or have been convicted for corruption cases. The percentage of army officers is still very less.Army Personnel should maintain their dignity, be more transparent in their functioning . If you ask, any officer, except the General officer about the functioning of Golf Courses, AWWA and other activities in the name of welfare, dear Sir, you will come to know the truth. Shed the veil of secrecy and be more transparent and constructive in approach.
It is high time that Army personnel should mend their ways of criticising Civilians, Politicians and business men for the rampant corruption prevailing in the country. First clean your own house,take stringent action against the guilty and give deterrent punishment to set an example before the civilians.
Finally, inspite of so many officers playing golf, Army has failed to produce any International Golfers, are they serious golfers or just trying to please their seniors for good promotions,postings and personal welfare.
Guneet