Colonel alleges coercion to retract complaint

The Hindu: New Delhi: Sunday, 24 August 2014.            

An Army Colonel, whose petition pertaining to alleged corruption and irregularities at the Hisar Military Station is being examined by the authorities, has alleged that “coercive tactics” were being employed to force him to retract the complaint.

The petition to the Defence Ministry suggests that the officer’s name and contents of his complaint were leaked, following which attempts were made to persuade him to take back the allegations of corruption in construction/renovation works and installation of mobile phone signal towers at the station by a private service provider.

Described as “cell-on-wheels,” the base transceiver stations installed about three years ago on the chassis of heavy vehicles on a “temporary basis” and as an “essential welfare measure” were removed following reports in The Hindu in January.

Apart from the alleged photographic “evidence” pertaining to the construction activities, along with the petition, the officer has also forwarded some recorded conversations to the Ministry alleging that “coercive tactics” were being used.

While the Army has refuted the allegations, the officer alleged that the force had not given a complete reply to the RTI applications he filed seeking details of the expenses incurred on the said constructions and renovations.

The officer has also asked why “well maintained” houses meant for married Army men at the station were recently vacated and the occupants shifted “en-masse” to newly constructed houses under the Married Accommodation Project.

In the RTI reply, the Army said the new accommodation was completed in March/April 2009 and “the same was preferred by officers due to newer construction, superior design and quality.”

On the question of a structure alleged to be a war memorial, the RTI reply denied its existence.

An Army spokesperson said: “Hisar is the second biggest military station, yet it did not have a site to practise ceremonials. An authorised work for a ceremonial guard post and a band stand was done under low-budget work. This site is utilised to practise and conduct ceremonies. In an area where the mortal remains of a large number of martyrs come, it is only natural that soldiers practise their procedures to pay proper respect to martyrs.”