BSF jawan’s corruption allegations bring back memories of these major scams in defence forces

Several scams in the past hinted at mishandling that often takes place in the ranks of the defence forces

By: News Desk |
January 11, 2017 2:45 pm

Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav posted a few videos on his Facebook page to highlight the hardships that the security forces face while living in border areas. We have heard of the problems the soldiers have to endure while protecting the borders or while they are stationed at dangerous posts. But how discouraging is it to know that the hardships are being not just due to inept conditions but also due to corruption in the ranks of the forces.

Yes, that is the allegation that Yadav has levelled. According to him, there is corruption in the forces which hampers the rights that they are entitled to as a jawan.

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This is not the first time that graft allegations have hit the armed forces. Several scams in the past hinted at mishandling that often takes place in the ranks of security forces.

Do you remember these scams that pertaining to the Indian security forces?

# 1) CAG report on Siachen: Siachen is the world’s highest, coldest and most unforgiving battlefield. As per a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2008, there were deficiencies recorded in the procurement of jackets, trousers, sleeping bags, multi-purpose boots and woolen socks. The CAG said in a report tabled in Parliament, “Problems related to procurement of special clothing in respect of poor quality and insufficient availability persists…though the Army has been making procurements for over two decades. No satisfactory solution has emerged to mitigate the suffering…”

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#2) Mumbai’s Adarsh Housing Society scam: Over 7 years after the scam came to light in 2010, a case in still on over the allotment of flats to Kargil war widows in the 31-storied Adarsh Society building. The project meant to disburse flats meant for war videos to them were given away to politicians, bureaucrats and army personnel.

#3) Sukna land scam: A 71-acre civilian land adjacent to the military cantonment in Sukna in West Bengal got in focus after two military officers were named in transferring the land to a private real estate developer for building an educational institute. Though the land did not belong to the Army, its proximity to the military station made it mandatory to obtain a no-objection certificate from the authorities. The deal surfaced in mid-2008.

Also Read: BSF rejects Jawan’s viral video claim, says he was ‘alcoholic’ & ‘habitual offender’

#4) Siachen ration scam: The case came to light in July 2007 when special rations meant for soldiers in Siachen were seized from shops in Leh market by the police. In 2001, retired Army Service Corps chief Lt Gen SK Sahni was found guilty and was court-martialled and cashiered from service.

#5) Frozen meat scam: In early 2007, irregularities were found in procuring meat for personnel in Ladakh. Lt Gen SK Dahiya faced administrative action after being indicted by an Army court of inquiry in the case.