Why this bias against the Army?
Posted on October 22, 2008
Filed Under NEWS |
Following is a news article from the Tribune in India which I cherish
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Chandigarh, India /The Tribune
Recently an inspired news-item appeared in the Press (obviously at the instance of the IAS bureaucracy) ridiculing the Service Chiefs’ claim not to deflate the parity of the Army officials vis-a-vis the civil servants. The Army’s request is more than genuine. One fails to understand the IAS lobby’s blatant partisanship. The late Cabinet Secretary Nirmal Mukerjee, one of the best of the lot, described the IAS as an anachronism in post-1947 Independent India and recommended its abolition and substitution by expert technocrats as in the rest of the world.
I am surprised at the bureaucracy’s partisan, one-sided criticism of the Army. It ignores the harsh reality like the non-family period being half of their service period. This partiality may be due to what is called in journalist jargon “ debt to repay” for some special scoop having been passed on to the paper (nothing wrong of course in a free Press — the only objection is why make the Army the whipping boy).
It is still more surprising that the Army’s case is being deflated deliberately by ignoring the shocking facts disclosed, namely that all DGPs (which are state-related posts) are placed above the Lieutenant-General. By what reasoning is the demand to put the Generals in the same grade as the civilian DGP described as spurious?
More serious, Lieutenant-Colonel had earlier the same pay as IAS Director (an officer between Deputy Secretary and Joint Secretary). But the revised scale now gives IAS Director Rs 14,000 more and even a non-IAS Director Rs 11,000 more than Lieutenant-Colonel.
Is the Army demand to keep the parity as earlier fanciful? Will the government have a second look at the claim of the Army which has genuineness written all over? Let us not forget that in our feudal setup, hierarchy sometimes carries more weight. That is why sometimes a Deputy Secretary would carry more clout than a university professor. Will the Centre ignore the babus and give the Army its well deserved pay and rank?
Justice RAJINDAR SACHAR (retd), New Delhi
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An Ungrateful Nation
Recently one TV channel had asked something like “Indian of the year” where soldier was chosen as the hero by our people. He was a hero till he agreed to die for this country quietly, not saying that he and his family also have a right in this democratic country.
But now as soon as he raised his voice, said he will no longer let beurocracy take advantage of his ‘civility’ which they seem to lack, in the name of patriotism, it seems he is now the enemy. Why? because — how dare he said he also needs money!!! When he joined forces he was condemned to a life of hardships, poverty and to see his people die around him. How dare he asks for the joys of this world?
His only destiny is to live in jungles, deserts, snow and all the godforsaken places where our Esteemed IAS lobby wouldn’t even dream to go. Why should they? They are the cream of the society– the new royalty.
They are the perfect presentation of our slave attitude even after 60+ years of independence. For 200 years English looted this country, now this work is succeeded to our politicians and beurocracy.
See how our country has progressed in their hands, who are suppose to be the brightest of our lot. We are the numero uno in having largest amount of black money, maximum number of swiss bank accounts(acc to a recent report),one of the most corrupt nation on the globe. Communal riots commonly putting an icing on the cake with politician aiding in that.
If you mistakenly thought that 8-9% growth rate is because of our esteemed friends– IAS lobby and politician, please correct your facts.
This is because of the undying Indian Spirit of this country and the technocrats who have gotten us this far. Of course some leaders have helped.
Spare a moment in thinking that if our defence people had not been there to protect us, taking all the hardship they have to, there wouldn’t have been a country named ‘India’.
Think of all the weather he endures.
Think of all the bullets and blasts he takes on to wipe out the outcome of the political misadventures.
Think of the faulty aircrafts he flies, knowing they aren’t up to the mark.
Just think that he is ready to give a supreme sacrifice for you, when he doesn’t even know you.
an aggrieved citizen
An Ungrateful Nation
Recently one TV channel had asked something like “Indian of the year” where soldier was chosen as the hero by our people. He was a hero till he agreed to die for this country quietly, not saying that he and his family also have a right in this democratic country.
But now as soon as he raised his voice, said he will no longer let bureaucracy take advantage of his ‘civility’ which they seem to lack, in the name of patriotism, it seems he is now the enemy. Why? because — how dare he said he also needs money!!! When he joined forces he was condemned to a life of hardships, poverty and to see his people die around him. How dare he asks for the joys of this world?
His only destiny is to live in jungles, deserts, snow and all the godforsaken places where our Esteemed IAS lobby wouldn’t even dream to go. Why should they? They are the cream of the society– the new royalty.
They are the perfect presentation of our slave attitude even after 60+ years of independence. For 200 years English looted this country, now this work is succeeded to our politicians and bureaucracy.
See how our country has progressed in their hands, who are suppose to be the brightest of our lot. We are the numero uno in having largest amount of black money, maximum number of swiss bank accounts(acc to a recent report),one of the most corrupt nation on the globe. Communal riots commonly putting an icing on the cake with politician aiding in that.
If you mistakenly thought that 8-9% growth rate is because of our esteemed friends– IAS lobby and politician, please correct your facts.
This is because of the undying Indian Spirit of this country and the technocrats who have gotten us this far. Of course some leaders have helped.
Spare a moment in thinking that if our defence people had not been there to protect us, taking all the hardship they have to, there wouldn’t have been a country named ‘India’.
Think of all the weather he endures.
Think of all the bullets and blasts he takes on to wipe out the outcome of the political misadventures.
Think of the faulty aircrafts he flies, knowing they aren’t up to the mark.
Just think that he is ready to give a supreme sacrifice for you, when he doesn’t even know you.
an aggrieved citizen