I always dreaded a posting to Army Headquarters. After having commanded three units, as a colonel I was posted to the dreaded place. My job involved procurement of engineering equipment. Most of the cases were either turned down or drastically curtailed by the financial advisors. They thought they new better as to what forces require. Consequently lot of allotted budget remained un utilised beside the deficiency of the equipment in the hands of fighting troops kept increasing. The month of March is very active in the ministry, lots of queries regarding unspent funds are asked for the information of the minister. Now starts the race to spend funds. The easiest way the joint secretaries find is the parking of funds. It means ,that PSUs are given money in advance to book against the purchase of raw material for the items demanded , for the next year. It was 25 March of a particular year. The Civilian Officer responsible for calculating the equipment requirements, came to me with a noting sheet. The close scrutiny revealed that it was request from my office suggesting that Rs 138 Crore unspent money should be given to PSUs for purchase of raw materials for the next year. As a Colonel I could not recommend such a huge amount . At that particular day I was the senior most officer, because the Brigadier above me had retired and the Major General was a causality of TEHELKA DOT COM. I refused to initiate the noting. The civ officer having tried his level best to convince me, left the office. After half an hour I got a ring from the Joint Seceratary. He wanted me to sign the noting.I showed my inability to do the same. It was 31 Mar. I again got a call from the same Joint Seceretary. This time he was talking tough and wanted me explain the reason for my reluctance. I explained that last year also similar exercise was done . The auditors found that instead of purchasing raw material , the PSUs had spent the amount on purchasing SAFETY BONDS. They earned interest on the amount given to them for raw materials. I left office sharp at 5 PM. On 10 Apr I received a nasty letter from a very senior officer to explain as to why noting was not initiated,as it amounted to dereliction of duties. I replied the letter and wrote what I had verbally told the Joint Secretary. There was no action taken against me. My promotion board was held and I was found fit to be a Brigadier. Next week I received my posting order to Leh- Ladakh . It was a minor punishment if they thought they were punishing me.
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 19:07:20 +0000
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