George blasts Army for talking to media on defence lapses

George blasts Army for talking to media on defence lapses
ASHWANI SHARMA

CHAIL (SOLAN), OCT 2: Union Defence Minister George Fernandes has criticised Army officers for briefing the media on problems relating to the defence sector. He said such officers are not serving the country's interests by resorting to mud-slinging in the press.

Talking to newsmen, Fernandes said: "Inquiries and other measures initiated against some officers in the post-Kargil period were necessary to enforce discipline in the services. Those going to the media and feeding stories are not serving the country's interests."

Though he did not name anybody, his obvious reference was to Brigadier Surinder Singh who has been in the thick of a controversy since the Kargil conflict over alleged leakage of some official letters. Fernandes said even after a court-martial, an aggrieved officer had the right to go in appeal to the Raksha Mantri and it was not that he would not be heard.

Answering questions on reports about senior Army officers being rewarded and juniors facing inquiries after Kargil, the Minister said this stipulation was designed to create discontent among the ranks.

On the situation in Kashmir, the Defence Minister said that the Army and the security forces had launched a major offensive in the Valley. In the past two weeks, heavy casualties had been inflicted on the militants and the situation was being tackled effectively. The casualties among militants and on those coming from across the border was a record in itself, he said.

Recruitment to the defence was voluntary and could not be forced down on people, he said, ruling out the possibility of making it mandatory. However, he agreed that some measures were needed to motivate the youth to join the Army. He also admitted the need for making military schools more objective-oriented.

On defence purchases, Fernandes said he had made defence deals transparent and the CVC had been sent about 12 boxes of files for scrutiny. On other complaints reaching his ministry, he said many of these were motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image of officers about to be promoted. But genuine complaints were dealt with and action taken, he said.

Fernandes also answered questions on the conditions in the Chail military school and claimed that he had noticed that cadets were not getting adequate meals. Shortage of teachers, the dilapidated condition of the building also attracted his attention.