GOVERNANCE : CASTE RESERVATION

7 CPC & ARMED FORCES :: A TRUST DEFICIT

SOURCE::http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/a-trust-deficit/





Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Express Photo

The public debate over the recommendations of the 

Seventh Pay Commission report has focused on its 

financial implications and likely impact on the 

government’s fiscal deficit target. Little attention has 

been paid to the issues raised by various Central 

government services affected by these 

recommendations. As per procedure, their concerns are 

considered by a committee of secretaries under the 

cabinet secretary, which sends the recommendations to 

the Union cabinet for approval. This method has worked 

well so far, as it doesn’t deal with the substantive 

questions or allege an inherent bias in the deliberations 

of the pay commission. Now, by writing a joint 

memorandum to the defence minister over the pay 

commission recommendations, however, the three 

military chiefs have taken the controversy to a different 

— and disquieting — level.

Not only is it extremely rare for the three chiefs to jointly 

sign a memorandum — the seniormost service chief 

usually signs tri-service letters as the chairman of the 

Chiefs of Staff Committee — but also the issues raised 

by them point to a complete lack of trust in the 

commission’s recommendations. The defence services 

believe that their joint presentations to the pay 

commission, unlike those made by civilian employees, 

have been dismissed without even being included in the 

report. A downgrade of the status of military officers vis-

a-vis their civilian counterparts, fixation of hardship 

allowances at lower rates, and denial of a real non-

functional upgrade have been identified by the service 

headquarters as issues that emanate from the allegedly 

anti-military bias of the pay commission.

The three chiefs have asked the defence minister to 

institute an expert committee, with members from the 

armed forces, to look into these grievances. These 

issues have also been flagged by the three chiefs 

informally to the defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, 

who has asked for a formal presentation this week. It 

will take more than a presentation, however, to bridge 

the widening trust gap between the uniformed 

personnel and the government. The unresolved issue of 

one rank one pension has already created tensions that 

are adversely affecting the military. The political 

leadership needs to actively reach out to the military, 

redress their genuine concerns and restore their trust in 

government. Simultaneously, the top military leadership 

needs to quell the tide of heightened emotions in the 

defence forces to reinforce the well-established balance 

of civil-military relations. India is situated in a tough 

neighbourhood and beset with several internal

security problems. It cannot afford to have a disaffected 

military, least of all over the issue of pay and allowances.

OROP KRANTI :: URGENT PRESS INVITE “NOTICE TO GOVT OF INDIA”

Saturday, 26 December 2015

Press Invite - Col Anil Kaul Vrc

URGENT PRESS INVITE

“NOTICE TO GOVT OF INDIA”

Dear Media Friends,

          As you remember at our rally held on 13 Dec 2015 we had requested the Govt to facilitate mediation within 15 days. In the unlikelihood of no mediation taking place, we would be constrained to place the Govt on a 7 Day notice for direct action.

To convey this notice a press conference is being organized at our media center at Jantar Mantar on 28th Dec 2015 at 12:00 PM. You are requested to depute your Reporter/Cameraman/ TV Channel Team to give vide Coverage for the OROP without Dilution .

With Best Regards

Col Anil Kaul, VRC

TERRORISM ::THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENT EXTREMISM

SOURCE :https://agenda.weforum.org/2015/11/explainer-the-fight-against-violent-extremism/







EXPLAINER : THE FIGHT AGAINST                             VIOLENT EXTREMISM

                             By 

                       Khalid Koser

HIGHLIGHT LINK BELOW  & RIGHT CLICK TO OPEN WITH GOOGLE SEARCH

       https://agenda.weforum.org/topic/global-issues/global-crime-and-anti-corruption/fragility-violence-and-conflict/

The term “countering violent extremism” (CVE) has become common currency this year.

It was the focus for the speech by the US Secretary of State to the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in January. President Obama subsequently hosted two Leaders’ Summits on the subject; the UN will launch its Action Plan on CVE in December; and numerous states are currently developing national CVE strategies. Recent terrorist attacks provide a grim reminder of how pressing this work is.

But fundamental issues remain unclear: what exactly is violent extremism, what causes it, how it is countered, who is responsible for countering it, and how will we know when they’ve succeeded?

What is violent extremism?

There is no single definition. However, broadly speaking, it refers to supporting or committing ideologically motivated violence to further social, economic or political objectives. Definitions in particular differ on whether the violence is intended to further political goals only, or a wider set of objectives. Any definition acknowledges that it is broader than terrorism alone, as it incorporates advocating, preparing and supporting violence, in addition to perpetrating it. Another important distinction is between violent and nonviolent extremists – the former promote violence, the latter may sympathize with extremist beliefs but not enact them.

Source: Global Terrorism Index 2015, Institute for Economics & Peace

What are the causes?

The process by which individuals become extremists is known as radicalization. There is no single answer to what causes radicalization, and the reasons may vary between individuals and communities, and over time. Research indicates that one of the most important reasons is a perception of grievance, which makes some people susceptible to extremist ideas. Importantly, poverty may be associated with these grievances, but it is not thought to be a driver for radicalization in isolation. Just as important is the presence of an extremist narrative that speaks to the grievances and offers a solution. The role of social media is especially important in this regard. Extremist ideas have been found to resonate in particular where they are articulated by a charismatic leader.

How can we counter it?

There is a growing range of programmes and initiatives dedicated to countering violent extremism, which are very broad. One of the conceptual challenges is to distinguish initiatives that are CVE-relevant, for example job creation, education, and women’s empowerment; from those that are CVE-specific, for example countering extremist narratives, and rehabilitating former violent extremists. Whereas counterterrorism pursues violent extremists, countering violent extremism focuses more on preventing people becoming violent extremists in the first place. Indeed the term “preventing and countering violent extremism” (P/CVE) is now commonly used.

Who should lead the charge?

Both security and development organizations are relevant. P/CVE in particular focuses on building resilience at the local community level, placing the emphasis on empowering mothers, religious leaders, school teachers and others to identify and support individuals at risk, and develop community responses to violent extremist agendas and advocates. Many governments are also developing national plans of action, and P/CVE is becoming mainstream across the UN system. There is also a role for the private sector, in particular to support job creation. For sectors such as the extractive industry, there is a clear business case for addressing the causes of violent extremism, which drains talent pools, disrupts supply chains, and heightens the risk on capital investments.

What does success look like?

Measuring impact is by definition difficult. First, prevention is a long-term policy goal. Second, there is a challenge to prove the counter-factual – that something did not take place. Third, while outputs such as more education or jobs may be relatively easy to measure, the intended outcome of reducing radicalization leading to violent extremism is not. Amid the rush to design and implement CVE policies, it will be important to clearly define evaluation and impact assessment methods. Otherwise even the limited resources that have been made available to this promising approach may dry up, and momentum generated during 2015 will quickly dissipate.

Preventing and countering violent extremism are critical aspects of a comprehensive approach to the most pressing policy challenge in the world today.

Have you read?

How economic inclusion can prevent violent extremism

How can we stop young people joining extremist groups?

Why we shouldn’t confuse refugees with terrorists

Author: Khalid Koser, Executive Director, Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF)

Image: Members of the Iraqi military train at the Counter Terrorism Service training location, as observed by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, July 23, 2015. REUTERS/Carolyn Kaster/Pool

Posted by Khalid Koser - 16:19

All opinions expressed are those of the author. The World Economic Forum Blog is an independent and neutral platform dedicated to generating debate around the key topics that shape global, regional and industry agendas.

IND ARMED FORCES-PROCUREMENT ;;2015 for Defence: A Year of OROP, Acquisition Clearances, Rescue Operations

SOURCE:;  

CURTSEY
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/2015-for-defence-a-year-of-orop-acquisition-clearances-rescue-operations/articleshow/50320341.cms

2015 for Defence: A Year of OROP, Acquisition Clearances, Rescue Operations

25 Dec, 2015

NEW DELHI: A series of critical acquisition clearances worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, One Rank One Pension Scheme, Yemen and Nepal operations, changes at the helm of DRDO besides talks of a new defence procurement procedure and breakthrough in Rafale logjam kept the corridors of the Defence Ministry buzzing this year. 

2015 also saw a major ambush in Manipur which left 18 soldiers dead while some senior officers were killed in anti- insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The year started with the controversial Coast Guard operation on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 which left a suspected Pakistani boat in flames.

As the government claimed that occupants of the "suspect" boat had set it on fire, a video surfaced soon after in which the force's DIG B K Loshali claimed that it was he who had ordered it to be shot at.

A surprised Defence Ministry and the Coast Guard were at pains rebutting his claims which finally led to his sacking earlier this month after court martial. 

In January, the government removed Avinash Chander, chief of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), 15 months before his contract was to end. It left everyone surprised and the government took nearly four months before S Christopher was appointed as the new DRDO chief and G Satheesh Reddy took over as the Scientific Advisor to the Minister after the post was split.

The biggest breakthrough in the Defence Ministry in 2015 was the decision to acquire 36 Rafale jets in a fly-away condition under a government to government deal from France.

The original tender was given a quiet burial as the government decided to go in for only 36 Rafales rather than the 126 that was initially envisaged.

In pic: Rafale jet Source: Rueters 

The cost negotiations of the tender had been going in for over three years and had reached a stalemate.

The year also saw work on the new Defence Procurement procedure (DPP). Though it was set to come out by March, the new government found the task rather difficult and the DPP is yet to be out.

The year also saw work on the new Defence Procurement procedure (DPP). Though it was set to come out by March, the new government found the task rather difficult and the DPP is yet to be out.

The one constant buzzword during the entire year in the Defence Ministry was 'Make in India'. Almost every other contract sanctioned had a 'Make in India' push even as the Ministry interacted more with Indian industry associations to come out with a clear policy on the same. 

The one constant buzzword during the entire year in the Defence Ministry was 'Make in India'. Almost every other contract sanctioned had a 'Make in India' push even as the Ministry interacted more with Indian industry associations to come out with a clear policy on the same.

Chinese submarine forays into the Indian ocean under the garb of anti-piracy operations kept the Indian Navy on its toes.

The Army too was on alert in Jammu and Kashmir, where even though the infiltration attempt was low, the casualty on the Army side was up, including the martyrdom of two colonels.

Among the major proposals of capital acquisition cleared in 2015 was the decision to buy 145 BAE's M777 Ultra-Light howitzers at a cost of Rs 2,900 crore, the first such deal since the Bofors scandal. 

 In pic: BAE's M777 Ultra-Light howitzers

To provide punch to the attack capability of the Indian Air Force, a contract was signed in September for procurement of state-of-the-art AH-64E Apache attack helicopters besides Chinook heavy-lift choppers.

I

In pic: Chinook helicopter

The delivery of Apache would commence from July 2019. The attack helicopters are critical combat assets utilised for employment in Anti-Tank Guided Missile role, counter- insurgency operations, suppression of enemy air defences among others.

In pic: Apache helicopter 

Attack helicopters offer unique offensive capability including support to Army Strike Corps and these capabilities are also required at high altitudes in the mountainous terrain on our Northern borders, not available hitherto. 

Chinooks are critically required to support infrastructure build-up in mountainous regions. Heavy bridging and road construction equipment can be airlifted only by this class of helicopters. 

Under Make-in-India initiative, 56 ageing Avro transport aircraft will be replaced by C-295 Transport Carriers for which the lone bid of Airbus-TATA consortium was chosen. The project will cost Rs 11,930 crore. While 40 aircraft would be manufactured in India, 16 would be bought off-the-shelf. 

The Indian Army successfully test fired the advanced version of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile from Car Nicobar Island to operationalise another regiment of the weapon system.

On April 9, Block III variant of BrahMos, with steep dive capability was launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher. 

Akash Weapon System was inducted into the Indian Army on May 5. It is an indigenously developed supersonic short range surface-to-air missile system with the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats like aircraft, helicopters and UAVs up to a maximum range of 25 km and up to an altitude of 20 km. 

The government in November announced the much awaited 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme for the armed forces personnel but a significant section of the veterans have continued with the agitation saying they have been cheated. 

The OROP which will cost around Rs 8,000 crore extra every year is expected to remove the pension anomaly that exists in defence service personnel of the same rank having the same number of years in service. 

On December 14, the government appointed Justice L Narasimha Reddy as the head of the judicial committee to look into the implementation of the OROP scheme. 

Another major achievement of the armed forces was the rescue and relief operations carried out outside the Indian borders. 

On April 25, a severe earthquake of very high intensity jolted the whole of Nepal and adjoining areas of India. 

Acting upon the request of Nepal government, India rushed its armed forces to the quake-stricken areas of Nepal on the next day itself and a joint rescue and relief operation of Indian Army and Air Force called 'Op Maitri' was launched. 

IAF launched its biggest ever disaster relief operation in foreign land to provide relief and support to Nepalese people. 

IAF planes and helicopters undertook 1,636 sorties amounting to a flying effort of 863 hours when they evacuated nearly 780 casualties which includes 121 foreign nationals. 

They also rescued 5,188 people from various forward and quake-hit areas. As part of 'Maitri', 18 medical teams and one Field Hospital were deployed and 10 Engineering Task Forces set up. 

Five ALH and two Cheetah helicopters were pressed into service through which thousands of blankets and tents, drinking water, readymade food and medicines were distributed among the affected population in close coordination with the Nepalese Army. 

Besides the Nepal operation, Indian Navy ships and IAF planes in coordination with the Yemen government and the MEA launched a massive evacuation operation in the civil war torn country in March, where particularly naval ships were given the responsibility of evacuating all Indian nationals stranded at various locations. 

First they were evacuated from Yemenese port cities to Djibouti and then Air India ferried them back from Sanna to Kochi and Mumbai. 

In this operation IAF aircraft facilitated safe evacuation of nearly 2,100 Indian nationals in 11 evacuation trips. 

The year also saw commissioning of INS 'Vajrakosh' - the latest establishment of the Indian Navy at Karwar in Karnataka which will act as a missile hub. 

The first sea trials of indigenously-developed nuclear submarine INS Arihant also took place.

In pic: INS Arihant

The government took the decision of building a National War Memorial to honour defence force personnel who were martyred in wars after Independence in 1947. 

Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the memorial which will be located near India Gate. A war museum will also be constructed. The entire project would be completed in five years.