While the original case pertains to Illegal NOC's (No Objection Certificates) granted to an educational institution for transfer of land near 33 Corps HQ in Sukhna, a probe has brought to light that the same institution was allegedly in negotiations to purchase another chunk of land belonging to the Ranikhet-based Kumaon Regimental Centre in Uttarakhand. The Educational Institution — comprising four firms JF Low and Company Ltd, Sheetala Vyapar Pvt Ltd, Mata Vaishnodevi Mercantile Pvt Ltd and Akshara Vanijya Pvt Ltd — was in talks to purchase land in Uttarakhand for supposedly opening a school. The sale was halted after an inquiry was launched into the Darjeeling fraud.
The Kumaon Regimental Centre is under the shadow of Army land scam case in which same Educational Institution was close to purchasing regimental land in Uttrakhand under the garb of starting a school posing as an affiliate of the Mayo College in Ajmer. The name of Lt Gen Awdhesh Prakash is in limelight in Darjeeling land scam case too.The Army top brass has been rocked by another controversy and inquiry being ordered into alleged irregularities in the construction of a War Memorial and Renovation of a Museum at the Ranikhet-based Kumaon Regimental Centre.
Brigadier Bhupinder Singh, who was heading the centre, has been attached to the Lucknow-based Central Command for the inquiry into charges of diverting funds for the museum and memorial against the norms, the probe has also brought Lt Gen Avadhesh Prakash under the scanner.The inquiry is looking into the role of the (then Colonel) of the Kumaon Regiment (now) Lt Gen Awdhesh Prakash for allegedly sanctioning funds to the tune of Rs 1 crore for the museum and memorial against the norms. The inquiry commenced in Lucknow under a Major General, is looking into allegations that the Regimental centre concealed from Central Authorities that it had received funds of over Rs 80 lakh from the Cultural Department to construct the Museum in violation of procedures.Another charge being probed is that over Rs 30 lakh was allegedly taken out from the Welfare funds of the Regimental Centre—funds that are earmarked for the welfare of ex-servicemen—to construct the Museum and Memorial.
The promotion of Brigadier Bhupinder Singh, (who had been approved for the rank of a Major General) has been put on hold pending Inquiry. Army officials defending the decision to grant sanctions for the museum said the funds were utilised “as per the Standing Operating Procedure” and “proper sanctions” were given. The inquiry was ordered after the Central Command discovered that the massive amount of funds had been sanctioned without its approval. According to Sources the contract for the design and construction of the war memorial was given to the daughter of a serving General, again in a violation of norms and no open tender was invited by the regimental centre.
On Oct 30th 2009 Defence Minister A K Antony asked Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to order an inquiry into the case that has brought the seniormost Army officers under the scanner. The Ministry Inquiry will be separate from the Court of Inquiry (CoI) that has been convened by the Army.Apart from Mother India, Indian Army is in worship to other Gods like Kuber and Laxmi and the list ranges and variates with the Arm they are serving with. These officers in Indian Army are somewhat trying to prove at its best that :
"THEY CAN DO ANYTHING FOR THESE GODS AND GODDESSES".
Epilogue:
Forget the supposed evidence , phone records, statement by the real estate developer comparing the indicted General to God, Attempts to deflect attention by involving the West Bengal government by filing defamation case against it by Gen Awdhesh and the statement by a General Rath's brother drawing the Army Chief and the Eastern Army Commander into the controversy.
First the Army PRO tried to dowse the speculative fires about the land scam at Sukhna but to little avail. Then the Army Chief publicly turned defensive about the whole finger-pointing business. Then he has also tried to contact friendly opinion makers to control the damage emanating from this incident with some of the folks who are already at work in the national media batting for the army.
The incidents may differ but the questions will remain the same.
One is about having Zero Tolerance towards any corruption in the armed forces.
Second, and the more important one, is about the excuses being furnished that mean little except delaying the inevitable.
Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony is not a man of accomodation with such incidences in Army with very soft hand as he has proved it time and again earlier.
There is a call for hour --- A systemic plan to reform and restructure the defence services.
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