Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 10:48 am:

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Basky_indya:

kiiiik

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Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 08:18 am:

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quote:

It must be abundantly clear why Gen VK Singh today finds himself in an unholy mess. He has violated the Omerta Code of the Power Circle. The one that dictates that once you�ve made it to the posh club of power insiders, you don�t talk about some things, such as the gravy train that everyone rides on and feeds off.

In the posh clubs where liveried waiters hover like friendly ghosts, and where moustachioed Generals and netas in their pressed bandhgalas and babus in their pin-stripe suits guffaw and talk ••••• over their Patiala pegs, it is taboo to talk about money. Particularly the kind of obscene money that everyone gets a fair share of when deals are finalised.

Into that posh club, Gen VK Singh has blundered in like a barefoot dehati.

And, worse, he declines gratuitous invitations from fellow officers for him to become �one of them� by getting suited-booted up, refuses to clamber aboard their gravy train and help himself to the goodies � and, horror of horrors, goes so far as to initiate investigations into their own conduct unbecoming of officers. All this merely because they played by the �jobs for the boys� rules of the Power Club, and feathered their own nests.
VK Singh

If what it takes to get us even talk about the colossal mess we are in is for him to shake the government and our civil society out of our stupor, more power to you, Gen Singh. AFP

And now, he has begun focusing his Sauron eye on serving officers, who are in line to become Army Chief. Is the man mad, they wonder. How did we ever let him into the club, they fret.

Of course, there have been � and continue to be � honest men in the uniformed services, just as there are honest men in politics and in the civil service. But even when they themselves are scrupulously clean, they have all along abided by the Omerta Rule: even when they knew that other officers and netas and babu were pigging out on the trough, they chose to look the other way. Why blow the whistle and invite trouble, and risk losing their honour and their well-earned pension and the prospect of being invited to head some committee or a thinktank in the future?

Which is why the retired Lieutenant General whom Gen VK Singh accused of offering him a bribe cannot get his head around the fact that there are still a few good men in uniform. �Army chiefs before you have accepted money, and army chiefs after you will, so why do you not?� he asked Gen VK Singh, when he made the offer of a Rs 14 crore bribe.

Today, Gen VK Singh, close to retirement and perhaps sensing that he has been robbed of his dignity in the battle with the government over his date of birth, has gone rogue. He has broken the Omerta Code of silence and is telling the world of the horrors he has seen within the Army fortresses. And it isn�t a pretty picture.

Fellow officers are shaking their heads and tut-tutting into their Scotch on the rocks. Why rock the boat, they ask him. Why invite inglorious attention to what we�ve tucked away out of sight �and put on a show of glorious make-believe? Why, oh why, can�t you just look away?

The political establishment in its entirety is equally appalled. The General has become a guerilla warrior, they thunder. He ought to abide by the code, yield to civilian supremacy, and either stay silent or be sacked. In the same way that they rubbished Team Anna�s campaign against corruption last year and continued with their rollicking party in Parliament, they have ganged up against Gen VK Singh. In words eerily reminiscent of last year (in the context of Anna Hazare�s campaign), Lalu Prasad Yadav wonders if Gen VK Singh is angling for a career in politics.

And what of the media and sections of civil society? They too have their �angles�: Gen VK Singh�s motives are suspect, they say. Why did he not act in all the time that he was in office, why now, they wonder. In the same way that they turned on Team Anna and made mincemeat of that campaign, they are shredding Gen VK Singh to pieces � when, in fact, the focus then and now should have been on the sky-high corruption that they exposed.

It�s a bizarre, perverted world if we are asked to tolerate the status quo, even when we know it to be venal, merely because the alternative � of shaking things up � makes us queasy. Because it violates Section 2, Subsection 3(a) of the club rules.

For sure, Gen VK Singh has gone rogue. But I say: more power to you, Gen Singh. Even if, as some have suggested, you are doing it only for megalomaniacal reasons � or out of a sense of pettiness. Even though I can�t quite understand why you waited until now to say these things, I�m just plain glad you are saying them at least now.

Any self-respecting civilian government or military force or civil society ought to be celebrating Gen VK Singh for being a true warrior and taking on the Enemy Within. The problems that he highlights are our collective problems. Those problems have turned us into a banana republic far more than anything Gen Singh has done in severing the cosy, comfortable, clubby relationship between the military and the civilian administration.

If what it takes to get us even talk about the colossal mess we are in is for him to shake the government and our civil society out of our stupor, more power to you, Gen Singh.

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Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 02:47 am:

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Amara:

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Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 02:15 am:

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quote:

Army Chief General VK Singh has today rejected allegations that he is responsible for the leak of a confidential letter written by him to the Prime Minister, warning that India's security is at risk because the army's equipment is obsolete. 'This is an outrage! Official communication with the PM, RM or anybody for that matter with the COAS (chief of army staff) is privileged information. The leaking of the letter should be treated as high treason. This cynical approach to tar my reputation has to stop. The source of the leak has to be found and dealt with ruthlessly," said the army chief today via a mailed statement.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 01:51 pm:

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Rajusk:

corrupt avvadaniki uniform addam raadu ani septhunna..anthe..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 01:45 pm:

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Tilak:

so andaru army vaallu corrupt antara? story ardam ayyindi .. moral enti? relevance enti?

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 01:43 pm:

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Rajusk:

so Army vallu vaalla Army vans teesukoni vachi..Diesel ammukone vallu vaadiki..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 01:40 pm:

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Emc2:

ekkada mee illu,lorries park ante AOC daggara?

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 01:25 pm:

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Rajusk:

neeku oka vishayam cheptha..this is around 1990-92 time frames


maa inti deggara oka lorry adda undedi..ante lorries akkada park chesukonevaadu...aa lorries owner..

so Army vallu vaalla Army vans teesukoni vachi..Diesel ammukone vallu vaadiki..

I have taken pictures myself and send it to Deccan Chronicle..of course aa letter print ayyindo ledo naaku telvadu..but this is something that I saw first hand..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 12:21 pm:

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Tilak:

ante Army lo honest undaru ante .. was surprised

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:52 am:

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Rajusk:

normal gaa political connections or some push undande Brig nunchi paiki antha veezy kaadu antar..

endukante naa classmate ade seppetodu..he was Lt.Colonel..so 2 steps from Brigadier by the time he would have been 40/42..so manchi chance undi kada top position ki ante..appudu cheppindu ..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:47 am:

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Rajusk:

Maj gaa retire ayyinru ante..non-NDA candidates ayyi undali..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:45 am:

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Tilak:

Major ga retired army people unnaru tiger friends lo

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:44 am:

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Emc2:

l ga aa post lo aa chief post loki vellaka entho kontha edo okati untadi,

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:44 am:

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Emc2:

it also depends what department you are in army/navy/air force..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:43 am:

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Tilak:

veedu/vaadu

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:41 am:

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Emc2:

nenu cheppindi manodu mottam army career antha thavvite telusthundi ani...

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:41 am:

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Tilak:

air marshal (2nd highest level) ga pani chesi retire aina vaallu unnaru .

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:41 am:

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Emc2:

unnadu babu,general K V krishna rao J&K governor ga unnadu chala rojulu,baaga control chesadu..

telugadu and sainikpuri secudenrabad resident..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:39 am:

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Tilak:

maa family lo .. air marshal (2nd highest level) ga pani chesi retire aina vaallu unnaru .. no one took a paisa from the army/airforce ..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:34 am:

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Emc2:

ante manodu emi inka vere bribes emi teesukoledu anukuntunnava.don't ask for proofs.

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Emc2:

veedu col to army chief ayina history motam thavvite telusthundi asalu manodu ekkadina bribe teesukunnada leka chala honest ani..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:31 am:

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Tilak:

but you are deciding as though you are judging in SC

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:26 am:

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Emc2:

you are asking questions as if i am working in IB..

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Gandhiguevara:

Daridram ante idhe...VP Singh statement tho BJP kudaa vulikki padindhi...motham godavantha letter leak chesinolla meeda ne gaani actual corruption meeda kaadu

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:20 am:

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Tilak:

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 11:05 am:

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Emc2:

akkadiki manodu chala amayakudu annattu,something is fishy with him..

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Emc2:

idemari kitha kitha lu ante,incedent eppudu ayindi ani kadu, ippudu aa letter bayataki ravadaniki karanam enti ,

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 10:59 am:

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Tilak:

bribe ivvalani chusindi Aug 2010 lo .. while he was appointed in July 2010 .. retirement issue vachindi Nov 2011 lo .. so mee bodi gundu .. mokaali link .. pani cheyyadu ..

The Gen cant do time travel and go back !!!

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 10:49 am:

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Emc2:

apudu indian govt baaga aadukundi,manodi ki baga kalinattu undi..

i think anduke ee gola antha

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 09:47 am:

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Muddamandaram:

if the contents of the letter are true Goddd save my country.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 09:45 am:

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Emc2:

unnadu babu,general K V krishna rao J&K governor ga unnadu chala rojulu,baaga control chesadu..

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 09:41 am:

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Muddamandaram:

what is more alarming is not the leaks for me but if the contents of the letter are true Goddd save my country.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 09:10 am:

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Emc2:

unnadu babu,general K V krishna rao J&K governor ga unnadu chala rojulu,baaga control chesadu..

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quote:

Anna is fraud, Ramdev is thug, Swamy is maverick, CAG is publicity hungry, COAS is frustrated. What is common in them- they oppose Congress.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 08:44 am:

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Jupiter:

oka governor gani

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 08:41 am:

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Jupiter:

asala manaki army background ninchi .. oka governor gani .. oka president kani ledu .. attanti nominate posts anni .. politics lo retire ayi .. v'lu jari ... kallu kuda kanpadani .. politicians kosam vechi untayi .. thu deenemma system ni d'ka

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 05:47 am:

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quote:

Laloo says Gen VKSingh wants to contest election.People will be happy that such persons will join politics. What laloo is afraid of?

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 04:47 am:

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Muddamandaram:

Personally I like both AK Anthony and VK.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 04:22 am:

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quote:

NEW DELHI: Army Chief General VK Singh had raised the sorry state of infrastructure in the armed forces in the country in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dated March 12. General Singh had written that the Army's tank regiments lack ammunition to defeat the enemy, the air defence is almost obsolete and the infantry is falling short of critical weapons.

He underlined that the country's security might be at stake due to the critical shortage of ammunition. The letter, sent to the Prime Minister's Office, had asked Manmohan Singh to 'pass suitable directions to enhance the preparedness of the Army'. The explosive letter comes amidst claims made by the Army Chief that he was offered bribe to clear a deal for sub-standard vehicles in the Army.

General Singh wrote that the Army's entire tank fleet was devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks. He also added that the air defence was '97 per cent obsolete and it doesn't give the deemed confidence to protect from the air', the infantry had 'deficiencies of crew served weapon' and lacks 'night fighting' capabilities and that the Elite Special Forces were 'woefully short of essential weapons'.

General Singh also pointed out that the 'hollowness' in the system is a manifestation of the procedures and processing time for procurements as well as legal impediments by vendors.

General Singh also mentioned that the work quality was poor and there was a 'lack of urgency at all levels' on matters of national security.

This is a worry for General Singh as he was entrusted with preparing a comprehensive transformation study to modernise the Army some years ago. As the GOC-in-C (Eastern Command), Singh, then a lieutenant general, had prepared a detailed report on modernising the force.

General Singh feels such shortcomings erode the Army's preparedness considering two "inimical neighbours" and the "reality of large land borders".

Demanding explanation from the government on the letter, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader Balbir Punj said, "The government must clarify about this letter. The government must convince the people of this country that they have sufficient ammunition."

Speaking on the letter in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "Regarding the letter written by the Army Chief to the Prime Minister, I am aware of that letter. The government will respond to it at an appropriate time."

Meanwhile, raising questions on the Army Chief's conduct, JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said, "It's a matter of concern. The fact that he has written to the PM shows he is trying to clarify his position. The Army Chief's conduct is now doubtful. It seems that he is lying. Now that he has got involved in the controversy he is trying to pass the buck."

Government sources said the letter can be seen as a breach of protocol. "As the Army Chief he should have kept it limited to the Defence Minister, there was no need to drag it to the PMO. This can be seen as breach of protocol," sources said.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun its investigations into the bribery allegations. The agency is expected to meet General Singh when he returns from an official tour in Srinagar on Friday. A tape of the alleged incident whose veracity is to be determined is currently with the agency.

The CBI as part of its probe is also expected to look into all aspects of the Tatra Vectra deal as part of the investigation including its complex shareholding pattern. The MoD is expected to hand over documents in this regard later this week.

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Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 04:22 am:

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quote:

NEW DELHI: Army Chief General VK Singh had raised the sorry state of infrastructure in the armed forces in the country in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dated March 12. General Singh had written that the Army's tank regiments lack ammunition to defeat the enemy, the air defence is almost obsolete and the infantry is falling short of critical weapons.

He underlined that the country's security might be at stake due to the critical shortage of ammunition. The letter, sent to the Prime Minister's Office, had asked Manmohan Singh to 'pass suitable directions to enhance the preparedness of the Army'. The explosive letter comes amidst claims made by the Army Chief that he was offered bribe to clear a deal for sub-standard vehicles in the Army.

General Singh wrote that the Army's entire tank fleet was devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks. He also added that the air defence was '97 per cent obsolete and it doesn't give the deemed confidence to protect from the air', the infantry had 'deficiencies of crew served weapon' and lacks 'night fighting' capabilities and that the Elite Special Forces were 'woefully short of essential weapons'.

General Singh also pointed out that the 'hollowness' in the system is a manifestation of the procedures and processing time for procurements as well as legal impediments by vendors.

General Singh also mentioned that the work quality was poor and there was a 'lack of urgency at all levels' on matters of national security.

This is a worry for General Singh as he was entrusted with preparing a comprehensive transformation study to modernise the Army some years ago. As the GOC-in-C (Eastern Command), Singh, then a lieutenant general, had prepared a detailed report on modernising the force.

General Singh feels such shortcomings erode the Army's preparedness considering two "inimical neighbours" and the "reality of large land borders".

Demanding explanation from the government on the letter, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader Balbir Punj said, "The government must clarify about this letter. The government must convince the people of this country that they have sufficient ammunition."

Speaking on the letter in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "Regarding the letter written by the Army Chief to the Prime Minister, I am aware of that letter. The government will respond to it at an appropriate time."

Meanwhile, raising questions on the Army Chief's conduct, JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said, "It's a matter of concern. The fact that he has written to the PM shows he is trying to clarify his position. The Army Chief's conduct is now doubtful. It seems that he is lying. Now that he has got involved in the controversy he is trying to pass the buck."

Government sources said the letter can be seen as a breach of protocol. "As the Army Chief he should have kept it limited to the Defence Minister, there was no need to drag it to the PMO. This can be seen as breach of protocol," sources said.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun its investigations into the bribery allegations. The agency is expected to meet General Singh when he returns from an official tour in Srinagar on Friday. A tape of the alleged incident whose veracity is to be determined is currently with the agency.

The CBI as part of its probe is also expected to look into all aspects of the Tatra Vectra deal as part of the investigation including its complex shareholding pattern. The MoD is expected to hand over documents in this regard later this week.

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