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Stalled promotions have army in a tizzy

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Political interference and internal rivalries have resulted in several crucial command posts lying vacant in the Indian Army.

The defence ministry has been sitting on a list of major generals recommended for promotion as lieutenant generals for over two months, leading to an unusual stalemate, which could have a serious impact on the army's professionalism.

According to sources, the army's promotion board, headed by chief General Ved Prakash Malik, had recommended nine major generals for promotion.

The defence ministry objected to at least one name, Major General Arjun Ray, sources said. Maj Gen Ray, who is now with the Army Training Command, is supposed to be a favourite of Gen Malik. The defence ministry claims that there is an inquiry, which is technically against him, in the home ministry. Apparently, a book by him on Kashmir contains some remarks critical of the government.

General Malik had brought Maj Gen Ray to Delhi to handle the media during the Kargil crisis.

There are more controversial issues in the file. With Defence Minister George Fernandes apparently in no hurry to take action, it has resulted in vacancies at the helm of at least two crucial corps and several other posts.

Among other controversial names is that of Maj Gen T S Shergill, a former military attache in Washington. He is the son of Rajinder Singh Bhairon, a veteran of the Kashmir operations, who went on to become president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Sources say Maj Gen Shergill was rejected because his reputation in the army is 'bad'. But Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is reportedly backing him.

There is at least one more officer reportedly getting political support for his promotion.

This has led to a piquant situation. Posts of two corps commanders and that of deputy chief of army staff are lying vacant. Lt Gen Krishan Pal, who is commanding 15 Corps at Srinagar, who was supposed to join Army Headquarters as director general of military intelligence, has been asked to stay on for some time as the army does not have anybody to replace him.

Fourteenth Corps, which looks after the Line of Control in the crucial Kargil sector, has been headless for some time now, after Lt Gen A B Maseeh was forced to resign for allegedly stealing the affections of a brother officer's wife [an euphemism for an adulterous liaison].

Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen S K Jetley retired last Wednesday, but Lt Gen R K Sawhney, the present DGMI, who was to replace him, has not yet taken over.

At Siliguri, 33 Corps, which Lt Gen Maseeh was commanding till he was called over to 14 Corps, is also headless.

Traditionally, the defence minister accepts the promotion board's recommendations, which are then approved by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments.

The stalemate could also lead to some of the candidates dragging the army to civil courts. There are more than 1,900 cases pending against the armed forces, most of them against the army. A vast majority of these are regarding promotion.

Added to this is the traditional rivalry between the infantry and other services that has been rekindled by Gen V P Malik. He had suggested that 60 per cent of all senior posts be reserved for the infantry, which is the army's biggest arm. He is also accused of favouring infantry officers over others, and placing his favourites in crucial posts.

The army at present has some 600 brigadiers, 210 major generals and 62 lieutenant generals.

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