Army top brass upset over being kept out of key meet on cantonments
Army top brass upset over being kept out of key meet on cantonments
Cite lack of representation in expert panel looking into changes in defence land usage.
Army sources have alleged that the Indian Army is not being represented or even consulted on crucial meetings.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Defence ministry has set up a panel, headed by ex-IAS officer, to look into use of defence land
- No serving personnel on panel, allege some; only a retired lieutenant general
- Defence land is a potential gold mine when it comes to making money illegally
Close on the heels of the controversy of opening of all the 62 military cantonments, there is a brewing resentment in the higher echelons of the Indian Army. The men in uniform are said to be upset over what they think as government intrusion in their turf, literally.
The latest trigger is the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-constituted expert panel's scheduled visit to Pune on Monday. Sources told India Today TV the committee headed by retired IAS officer Sumit Bose will be discussing "significant changes" in decision-making powers regarding control of defence land.
But in an unprecedented move, the Indian Army is not being represented or even consulted on crucial meetings, Army sources have alleged.
Sans Army representation, the meet will have 62 vice-presidents of cantonment boards across the country, mostly, civilians, leaving several Army top brass angry and upset.
"It is very sad. Defence is the backbone of the country. At least Army should have been consulted on the decisions," Lieutenant General (retired) KS Kamath said.
Sources have alleged that key changes are being made in the Army Cantonment Boards in order to benefit the scam-tainted Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE). The body manages defence land worth several lakh crore rupees.
Ironically the MoD under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government in 2010 considered disbanding DGDE after several charges of corruption were levelled against it, including the high-profile Adarsh Society scam.
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