Indian Army News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

A colorful passing out parade that marked the graduation of recruits and their induction as soldiers was held at Bana Singh Parade ground of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Centre.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...from-jammu-and-kashmir-join-the-army-4840350/

Written by Wajahat Shabir | Srinagar | Updated: September 12, 2017 7:23 pm

A colorful passing out parade marked the graduation of recruits. (Representational image)

Over 180 soldiers on Tuesday were inducted into the Army from Jammu and Kashmir after they completed three years of rigorous training. A colorful passing out parade that marked the graduation of recruits and their induction as soldiers was held at Bana Singh Parade ground of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Centre, where their relatives had gathered for the occasion.

Defence spokesman said the parade was reviewed by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Lt Gen Satish Dua, who is also Colonel of the JAKLI Regiment.

“The parade was attended by over 1,000 relatives, including parents of the young soldiers, besides a number of civil and military dignitaries,’’ he said, adding that the sight of the young soldiers marching in precise unison, singing their regimental song ‘Balidanam Veer Lakshnam’, inspired everyone. “Their salute to the tri-colour with national anthem playing inspired patriotic fervor in all present,” he said. The soldiers hail from various regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Dua informed.

Lt General Dua praised their contribution towards encouraging more youths from the state to come forward to join the security forces. “The army always provides a platform for assimilation of the youth of the state into the national mainstream by way of recruitment or engagement,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
14-September, 2017 17:21 IST
Defence Minister felicitates Cantonment Boards on ODF Certification as a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman felicitated 10 Cantonment Boards of Central Command on their achievement of acquiring ‘Open Defecation Free (ODF)’ status, in a function organized at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi (UP), today. Presidents, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and elected members of the Cantonment Boards were awarded the certificate by the Minister during the event.

Smt Sitharaman complimented the Cantonment Boards for their efforts in achieving the ODF target and urged the boards to sustain and further improve the facilities created and drives conducted by them, with more zeal and enthusiasm. She appreciated the efforts of children as Swachhta Doots- the cleanliness ambassadors. She said that this goodwill gesture will make the coming generations emphasize cleanliness in their lives.

The Defence Minister said that the Defence Ministry is working on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in phases. The first phase includes the cleanliness drive of Cantonment Boards and the municipal wards nearby. This phase involves the recycling of wastes as well as segregation of solid and liquid wastes.

Smt Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that the second phase commences from September 15 to October 02, 2017 where the cleanliness drive will be taken to High Altitudes and the cleaning of glaciers will be taken up. She further added that on the 150th Birth celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019, the complete comprehensive Swachhta Abhiyan will be concluded. She emphasized that Abhiyan is a starting and it will take us towards the sustainable development.

Central Command has 25 cantonments of which 14 Cantonments have been declared ODF. 10 Cantonment Boards felicitated by the Defence Minister include Bareilly, Danapur, Dehradun, Jabalpur, Landour, Lansdowne, Meerut, Mathura, Ranikhet and Varanasi. Present at the occasion were Director General Defence Estates Shri Jojneshwar Sharma and Principal Director Defence Estates, Central Command Smt Deepa Bajwa along with other officers of Indian Defence Estate Service (IDES) and the Army.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
15-September, 2017 17:20 IST
Indigenous Development of Trawl System by DRDO

R&DE (Engrs), a premier system engineering laboratory under Armament & Combat Engineering (ACE) cluster of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently undertaken the design and development of Trawl System for the minefield area in the battle zone to meet the operational requirements of Indian Army.

The indigenous developed Trawl System is employed for breaching of land mines and creating a vehicle safe lane, through a minefield for the advancing columns of mechanized forces in combat zone. The equipment consists of Trawl roller, track width mine plough and electro- magnetic device (EMD), which caters to the need of all types of mines usually encountered by the battle tank in such a scenario. The Trawl System developed by DRDO is capable of breaching a variety of land mines including passive and active influence mines.

The Trawl system recently crossed a major milestone with the successful completion of blast trials in collaboration with HEMRL Pune, which demonstrated the survivability of the equipment, when subjected to successive series of blast directly underneath it. The fieldable prototype of the Trawl System is in final stage of realization and would be shortly ready for conduct of User Evaluation Trials by the Army.

The indigenous development of Trawls by DRDO is an important step towards achieving self-reliance in area of critical military equipment under ‘Make in India’ initiative and would result in saving of precious foreign exchange for the country.

Ministry of Defence
15-September, 2017 17:08 IST
Indian Army strives to ensure success of Swachh Bharat Campaign

While ‘Swachhta’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ is being run all over the country, the Indian Army takes pride in environmental conservation being intrinsic to its character, ethos and traditions. Army troops deployed in remote areas of the nation have always taken keen interest in environmental conservation. As part of routine, the long range patrols covering snow bound, high altitude and treacherous areas of Himachal Pradesh, along the borders with China and Tibet make it a drill to clean the areas where they patrol. All expedition to these areas bring back non-biodegradable wastes and clean areas in the process.


The Indian Army covers the conservation drive in various verticals which include serving personnel, ex-serviceman, and initiatives within and outside the cantonments and in operational areas.



‘Shramdaan’ and clean the area in and around the place one works, is intrinsic into the character and routine activities of Indian Army personnel. Daily cleanliness drive is carried out by serving personnel on almost daily basis. The families and children join men in tree plantation, hygiene and sanitation awareness camps and cleanliness drives. Roll calls, Sainik Sammelans and briefings during everyday routine find this aspect being highlighted.


Ex-Servicemen are true ambassadors of such disciplined and holistic initiative. They on their part involve societies and civilian population with them to focus on fundamental issue of overall cleanliness, menace of open defecation and tree plantation. In most of our ESM camps and interactions steps are taken to facilitate them to achieve the same.


Cantonments are one of the cleanest places. All actions possible are taken within the cantonment to keep them clean. Other than the composite conservancy staff, additional manpower and equipment have been bought by stations and cantonments to clean their respective areas. Events like ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’, ‘Cleanliness Drives’, ‘Run for clean environment’, are a regular feature to bring in the awareness. All the schools run by the Army have a special focus on this very important aspect other than tree plantation.


All stations and cantonments have been working very closely with CEOs and Cantonment Boards to arrive at a robust cleanliness mechanism. Huge cantonments like Delhi, Lucknow, Ambala, Pathankot, Kolkata etc today can easily be nominated as the cleanest areas of the country. Biodegradable toilets, neat cubicle toilets have been established in almost all such stations and cantonments. Efforts are on to ensure that there is no open defecation in any of the cantonments of Indian Army.


Even in operational areas while Indian Army is deployed at far flung places in mountains, deserts or in other treacherous areas, the brave soldiers make genuine endeavour to clean the areas wherever it is. They involve local population and enmass create campaign for cleanliness and awareness. The patrols which go out to snow bound high altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh, UP, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and in border areas of Tibet and China clean the areas where they patrol. The Indian Army does not leave any stone unturned to ensure that their areas are clean, hygienic and worthy to live in.



Manoj Tuli

APRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

White Knight Corps Mountaineering expedition team of Indian Army that summited Mount Kang Yatse, atop 21,205 in the Zanskar ranges of Ladakh on 11 September 2017. PTI Photo

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...lligence-wing-destroys-documents-cds-4845517/

The Army’s elite military intelligence wing on Friday destroyed thousands of old documents, sizeable number of CDs, video cassettes and computers as part of government’s ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. Army sources said the military intelligence wing, at its South Block office on Raisina Hills, destroyed around 3,000 CDs (compact disk), 850 video cassettes, 32 computers and large number of documents.

The articles and documents destroyed weighed around 3,500 kg, they said, adding similar exercise is being carried out by all wings of the Army. The sources said the documents destroyed were unclassified.

The Indian Army is carrying out the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ across the country including at its frontline bases guarding borders with China and Pakistan, said a senior Army official.

“The campaign is being carried out in high altitude and treacherous areas along the borders with China and Pakistan. The main objective is to dispose off the non biodegradable waste and prevent environmental degradation,” said the official.

He said daily cleanliness drive is also being carried out by serving personnel.

He said all peace stations and cantonments have also been implementing the initiative.

 

[Hindustani78]

15-September-2017 17:20 IST
Indigenous Development of Trawl System by DRDO



R&DE (Engrs), a premier system engineering laboratory under Armament & Combat Engineering (ACE) cluster of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently undertaken the design and development of Trawl System for the minefield area in the battle zone to meet the operational requirements of Indian Army.

The indigenous developed Trawl System is employed for breaching of land mines and creating a vehicle safe lane, through a minefield for the advancing columns of mechanized forces in combat zone. The equipment consists of Trawl roller, track width mine plough and electro- magnetic device (EMD), which caters to the need of all types of mines usually encountered by the battle tank in such a scenario. The Trawl System developed by DRDO is capable of breaching a variety of land mines including passive and active influence mines.

The Trawl system recently crossed a major milestone with the successful completion of blast trials in collaboration with HEMRL Pune, which demonstrated the survivability of the equipment, when subjected to successive series of blast directly underneath it. The fieldable prototype of the Trawl System is in final stage of realization and would be shortly ready for conduct of User Evaluation Trials by the Army.

The indigenous development of Trawls by DRDO is an important step towards achieving self-reliance in area of critical military equipment under ‘Make in India’ initiative and would result in saving of precious foreign exchange for the country.

MJPS/NAo/NM/RP

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-September, 2017 20:46 IST
Defence Minister Felicitates Eight Cantonment Boards of Western Command with ODF Certificate

Eight Cantonment Boards out of 13 under Western Command have received Open Defecation Free (ODF) certificates, issued by the Quality Council of India, from the Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman during a felicitation ceremony organised at Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, today. Smt Sitharaman who was the Chief Guest, presented ODF certificates to the members of the Cantonment Boards including their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and President Cantonment Boards (PCBs). The eight Cantonment Boards are Kasauli, Dagshai, Subathu, Jutogh, Dalhousie, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ferozepur.

During her speech, the Defence Minister congratulated Defence Estates Department for achieving ODF in eight cantonments. She also expressed her satisfaction that all the Cantonment Boards shall be ODF by December 15, 2017 as per the deadline and promise.

Smt Nirmala Sitharaman also said, she will ensure that the borders are secured. She reiterated that the needs of each and every Jawan & their families are catered to. An amount of Rs 15 crore was announced by her towards making a multi-level parking at Kasauli bus-stand. This was a long felt requirement and shall fetch positive result in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan also.

The ceremony was attended by the Member of Parliament Shri Virender Kashyap, Director General Defence Estates Shri Jojneshwar Sharma, GOC-in-C Western Command Lt Gen Surinder Singh, Principal Director Defence Estate Shri SC Kaushik, Directors of Defence Estates, Western Command and other officials of Indian Defence Estates Service.

The objectives of Swachh Bharat are to reduce or eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster and community toilets. The government is aiming to achieve an ODF India by October 02, 2019, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/633758/mod-approves-cadre-review-jcos.html

Kalyan Ray, DH News Service, New Delhi, Sep 18 2017, 20:14 IST

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. PTI Photo

Within a week of assuming the charges, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved a fresh cadre review for the junior commissioned officers and men, impacting the career of nearly 1.45 lakh soldiers of the Indian Army.

The decision, cleared by the ministry on September 14, is the first rationalisation of the men in the Army after more than three decades, as the last such exercise was carried out in 1984.

As a consequence 479 new posts of Subedar Major; 7,769 Subedars; 13,466 Naik Subedar; 58,493 Havildars and 64,930 Naik would be created in the next five years within the existing ranks.

Once these posts are created, there would be 145,137 less sepoys or lance-naik as they would be promoted in these newly created posts with better pay and perks.

The new minimum assured career progression route among the JCOr and ordinary soldiers (Other Ranks in the Army parlance) may encourage more youngsters to join the Army as a soldier. As on January 1, 2017, the Army was having a shortage of 25,472 JCOs and ORs.

The defence ministry sources said the shortfall was not worrying as the deficiency was being made up gradually. Compared to the situation in 2016, when the deficiency figure stood at 35,174 nearly 10,000 men joined the Army as soldiers within a year.

“The new cadre review would be implemented in a graded manner in the next five years. In this fiscal, 30% of the new posts would be created. In the next three years, 20% of the posts would be created in each year leaving only 10% posts for the final year. The total additional financial outgo would be about Rs 20 crore,” said an official.

Increased education level in the ranks, use of more technologically advanced weapons and long-term commitment for the counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East were the major driving force behind the cadre review.

The first study on the cadre review was done in 2009, based on which the Army moved a proposal in September 2014.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...-honeypreet/story-dRamlT9EFUOc4D9tCAcJiJ.html

The Haryana police have issued a lookout notice against Honeypreet, tipped to be Dera chief’s successor as head of the enormously wealthy seat but central agencies suspect she may have sneaked into Nepal.
Updated: Sep 18, 2017 20:23 IST
Hindustan Times, Patna


The mysterious disappearance of Honeypreet Insaan, adopted ‘[daughter’ of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, since she accompanied him till jail following his conviction and sentencing, has led to an intelligence agencies’ alert on the Indo-Nepal border.

The intelligence agencies are seized with the possibility Honeypreet might have slipped into neighbouring Nepal.

With Bihar sharing a 729 km-long, porous border with Nepal, along Sitamarhi, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, East Champaran and West Champaran districts. the focus has shifted as much to this part of the country as to the Himalayan republic.

In her thirties, Honeypreet had accompanied the Dera head on way to the special CBI court in Panchkula for the pronouncement of the verdict in the 15-year-old rape case. She also travelled along with him in a special chopper which took them to Rohtak from Panchkula after the conviction.

After that, she went missing. The Haryana police have issued a lookout notice against Honeypreet, tipped to be Dera chief’s successor as head of the enormously wealthy seat but central agencies suspect she may have sneaked into Nepal.

SSB IG of Patna Frontier Chanchal Shekhar told HT on Monday that instructions had been issued at all border out posts (BOPs) to keep a strict vigil for women wearing veils or burqas.

“We are constantly in a state of alert, as the porous border is always vulnerable to the activities of criminals and fugitives. Though there is no specific input, we are aware of the sensitive nature of the matter at hand,” he added.

Sources maintained that the Haryana police had enquired from the Nepal Police and also from officers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), deployed on different border out-posts (BOPs) about Honeypreet, but could not get any clue thus far.

Bihar director general of police (DGP) Pramod Kumar Thakur told mediapersons that there was no written communication between Bihar and Haryana police regarding Honeypreet so far.

The police personnel in seven districts of the state bordering Nepal had been put on “maximum alert” to frustrate any attempt by Honeypreet to escape to Nepal, said an official..

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-September, 2017 20:03 IST
Army takes Swachch Bharat Abhiyan to the Highest Battle Field

Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, is a place where everything is ferried from the hinterland. It is a logistics challenge to move all types of waste out of the glacier so that these do not become environmental hazard.

Since October 2014, when Swachch Bharat Abhiyan commenced, Siachen troops have removed and sent back more than 63 tons of garbage to the Base. These loads of garbage include packing material, barrels and perishables. On arrival of the trash to disposal areas, these are buried in deep trenches dug mechanically in areas which are not on run of the rivers and where landmass is not fragile.

A huge amount of garbage has been brought back through man-pack loads, porters, ponies and sometimes returning helicopter ferries. Army continues to take steps to ensure hygiene at the highest battle field as hither to fore.




Col Aman Anand
PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-September, 2017 20:28 IST

Army Inaugurates Doda Kabaddi League

Army inaugurated Doda Kabaddi League: Inter Village Kabaddi Competition at Sports Stadium Doda. Commanding Officer of the local Army Unit welcomed 192 players of 16 participating teams and approx 400 among audience.

For the first time in Chenab Valley, the synthetic mat is being used for Kabaddi in this tournament. Players of 16 teams in bright coloured jersies, from all corners of Doda district, added vibrant colour to the stadium.

Tournament will be played for four days with finals on 20 Sep 17. Participants of age group up to 20 years and weight up-to 65 kg are participating as per Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India rules.

Selected players from the event will represent Doda in upcoming Pir Panjal Kabaddi League at the State level scheduled from 1-5 Oct 17.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
20-September, 2017 20:00 IST
Youth from Jammu & Kashmir Participating in Operation Sadbhavana call on the President

A group of youth from the Gurez Valley of Jammu & Kashmir, participating in Operation Sadbhavana, called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 20, 2017).

Welcoming the youth, the President said that young people are the future of Jammu & Kashmir and it's their responsibility to play a role in the development of the state. He stated that successive Indian governments had worked for the welfare of the people of the State. He asked the youth to learn from the discipline of the Indian Army. He also congratulated the Army on the Sadbhavana initiative and wished the programme all success.

The Sadbhavana tour was organised by the 109 Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army with an aim to develop trust among and reignite the minds of youth towards national integration. As part of this tour, these youth are visiting Srinagar, Delhi, Lansdowne, Rishikesh and Dehradun.

***

 

[Hindustani78]

NEW DELHI, September 19, 2017 22:43 IST
Updated: September 19, 2017 22:43 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...oves-cadre-review-in-army/article19716336.ece

The Union government has approved the long-pending cadre review in the Army for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (OR), which will improve promotion opportunities.

“This is the third cadre review since Independence. It will benefit over 1.45 lakh JCOs and ORs. At present, more and more jawans retire in the same rank,” a Defence Ministry source said.

The first cadre review was done in 1979 and the second in 1984.

While the strength of JCOs and ORs remains the same, at 11,49,754, the review will result in the promotion of over 1.45 lakh men in various ranks.

It will done over five years: 30% in 2018; 20% each in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and 10% in 2022 in each rank, the government notification sated.

Nearly 60,000 soldiers retire from the Army every year, most of them as jawans at a young age of 30.

The arms, bullets and other items recovered by the BSF from the two Pakistani infiltrators who were killed at the India-Pakistan border, some 40 km from Amritsar, on Wednesday.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
21-September, 2017 17:54 IST
Hindustan Swachh Rakhenge Hum

The campaign ‘MaaKasam, Hindusthan Swachh Rakhenge Hum’ started by Hindi daily Hindustan reflects the mood that is underlying the Swacchata Hi Seva campaign that is underway, pan India since 15th September 2017. Swacchata Hi Seva campaign calls all citizens across the country to participate actively through shramdaan or building of twin pit toilets to the cause of swachhata.

Swacchata Hi Seva campaign is witnessing new initiatives being undertaken by the States. In Punjab, Mission Swachh Punjab -a you tube channel was launched with over 100 videos promoting Swachhta. The you tube channel has attracted 13433 views with a total view time of 17406 over the last two days. The campaign is now beginning to also witness positive impact of program outcomes. In Maharasthara, campaign resulted in declaring Navali open defecation free. Media is doing its part to highlight swachhata champions. Andolan showcased a 17 year old boy from Kashmir who has started an andolan to make Wular lake clean. Indian Army carried out cleanliness drive at Siachen- world’s highest battlefield at an altitude of 9500-21000ft. Kargil has also declared itself ODF, becoming the third district in the State to do so.

The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, in his article on Swachhata in a leading daily publication, explicitly argued that Swachh Bharat Mission is becoming a Jan-Andolan. The article highlights how various ministries, parliamentarians, central and state government officials, celebrities, organizations, corporates, local leaders and citizens are coming together and committing to become a part of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign.

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[Hindustani78]

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat in a group photograph with the youth of Gurez Valley (J&K), who are on the Army sponsored ‘National Integration Tour’, in New Delhi on September 21, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
22-September, 2017 18:16 IST
Seminar on Implementation of Ayush in the Armed Forces

The Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services and Headquarters IDS (Medical) in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH are organizing a Seminar on “Implementation of Ayush in The Armed Forces Medical Services: Opportunities and Challenges” on September 26, 2017 at Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi.

The benefits of the Indian indigenous systems of medicine and Yoga are well recognised nationally and globally. The Government of India has taken major initiatives to promote the practice of AYUSH in the country. The integration of AYUSH in the Armed Forces is challenging due to the unique conditions pertinent to the delivery of healthcare in the services.

The heads of the Armed Forces Medical Services, Ministry of AYUSH, Indian Council of Medical Research and senior faculty from institutes of excellence across the country, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences will participate in the deliberations.

The objective of this path breaking seminar on implementation of AYUSH in the Armed Forces is to put various issues related to the topic in perspective and chart the way forward.

**********

Ministry of Defence
22-September, 2017 14:37 IST
Empowering the Soldier by Project Yash Vidya

Empowering the soldiers has always been the endeavour of Indian Army. A MoU was signed by Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar, AG, IHQ of MoD (Army) and Prof. E Vayunandan, Vice Chancellor, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nasik on 21 Sep 2017 at New Delhi.

The Bachelor’s degree Programme designed for the Army Personnel gives special recognition to the in-service training/Army courses completed and by providing exemption from studying certain courses. Apart from the highly subsidised fees charged, the courses offered for study by the university have been carefully selected on the basis of their relevance and overall usefulness.

The University will award Diploma in Self Empowerment and a Bachelors Degree in Arts or Commerce under PROJECT YASH VIDYA enabling them with academic qualifications for better future.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inspecting the Guard of Honour, on his arrival, in Chandigarh on September 22, 2017.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh taking salute of the Guard of Honour on his arrival, in Dumka, Jharkhand on September 22, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

DEHRADUN: Army canteens have been facing a severe stock crunch in the past two months due to a change in the stock procurement system which has drastically reduced the estimated number of customers. This in turn has led to inconvenience for serving and retired personnel, who said there was no need for the new system.

According to Army officials, canteens of the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) earlier would submit estimated stock requirements based on the ‘authorised strength’ of personnel in their area, that is, the exact number of personnel posted in with a unit or Army formation. Under the new system, which became operational from August 1, canteens have to place estimates based on ‘average strength’ of a unit in an area.This does not take into account other personnel who might be in the area during that period. The effect, said officials, is that stock requested, and supplied, has declined considerably, leading to canteens going out of stock very early every month.

”In the past, if 450 personnel were posted in a regiment, then we would register a demand for that number. Now we have to send a request based on the average strength in a month, which is between 200 and 250. The new system doesn’t take into account the floating population, that is, personnel in transit from or to elsewhere, due to which we often face shortage of goods,” said a serving officer in charge of running a unit-run canteen (URC).

“As an example, if previously I could buy goods worth Rs 20 lakh from canteen depots, now I can only buy goods worth Rs 8 lakh, in which case it is only possible to purchase basic items like soaps, oil and so on. Effectively, we are facing not only shortage of stock but also shortage of variety in goods,” the officer added.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that none of the canteens can deny a customer with a ‘smart card’, used for shopping at these establishments. "Now we do not have enough stock, but we can’t turn anyone away if they have a smart card. Since the first priority of a unit or formation is to cater to personnel posted here, veterans and personnel posted elsewhere but present here may not get to buy goods. There are other measures which can be taken to ensure more transparency in canteens,since that appears to be the whole point of this change,” said the officer.

Col (retd) S C Tyagi, based in Dehradun, said, “I went to the local CSD canteen a few times in the last couple of months but they hardly had anything in stock. The whole point of a canteen becomes meaningless if such impractical rules are introduced.”