Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Army Chief-MOD Row over Certain Personal & Professional Issues

The uneasy calm in COAS-Govt working recently has become a matter of debate in national media. Unfortunate as it may seem, departure from old working ethos, it is required to be seen in correct perspective in our system of governance, democracy.

We feel it is not a case of adverse Civil-Military Relations but an inappropriate handling of matters relating to personal issues of the Army Chief, and certain defence equipment procurement problems and corruption there-in.

Age row is a personal matter and affects succession in the Army. If one gains, the other(s) lose. Govt. of the day has taken a pragmatic decision on it.

As regards procurement issues, it is an ongoing and a complex matter and has nothing to do with 'sour' Civil-Military Relations. Yes, we all must endeavor to keep our Armed Forces modern in keeping with our tasks and move efficiently. Communication to the PM is very much in order; MOD just needs to be kept in loop.

Chairman, SvipjaCMRChair