NEW DELHI – The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS) has recently issued aseries of directives to root out corruption, ostentatious practices, misuseof privileges, nepotism and lackadaisical approach, among other things.

Various Army Chiefs before him had issued such directives, which were soonforgotten. For instance, General VK Singh had vowed to do away with thecolonial practice of allocating ‘orderlies’ to officers and juniorcommissioned officers, but the practice continues, and even some seniorretired officers enjoy the privilege, DNA has reported.

Let us consider a few recent examples of corruption in the Armed Forces. Anofficer posted at the Army headquarters was arrested for allegedly runninga racket of illegal transfer and postings in exchange for money;

Two senior officers were subjected to a CBI probe for involvement incorrupt practices and recruitment scams;

Two former Army Chiefs and seven generals were castigated for taking flatsin Adarsh housing society meant for war widows.

Unfortunately, the military’s top brass has made it a practice to brushsuch issues under the carpet. Whenever there is an allegation ofcorruption, the military first denies it, then issues a statement that itwas an isolated incident, and finally declares that a court of inquiry hasbeen ordered. The proceedings, findings and recommendations of the inquiryare never made public.

Not known to many even in the military, the Regulations for the Armycontain an important provision on reporting corruption. Paragraph 317 ofthe Regulations provides, “It is the obligatory duty of every person inmilitary employ to bring at once to the notice of his immediate superior,or the next superior where the immediate superior officer is involved, anycase of dishonesty, fraud or infringement of orders that may come to hisknowledge.”

However, despite this obligation, very few corrupt and illegal practicesare reported because Section 52(a) of the Army Act acts as a deterrent. Itstates that any military person who makes a false accusation against anyonesubject to the Act, shall be court-martialled and awarded a punishment ofup to five years’ imprisonment.

Even if the military takes up investigation of an allegation of corruption,the court is assembled by the commanding officer and his trustedsubordinates. Careerism and personal gain usually prompt inquiry officersto give reports that suit the commander. In the end, it is the person whoreports a case of corruption who faces the wrath of the military hierarchy.

In a society in which corruption is rampant and ethics are disregarded withimpunity in the political, judicial and bureaucratic systems, there hasbeen a concurrent erosion of values within the armed forces.

This has seriously affected the functioning of the armed forces. Corruptionundermines the fairness of institutions and processes and distorts policiesand priorities, leading to disillusionment. The growing number of clashesbetween officers and jawans and the protests against the orderly systemcould be the result of such disillusionment.

The Indian armed forces have been looked upon as a nationalist institution.The COAS must discard the existing paradigm that corruption is aninevitable part of our system and we have to live with it. The change mustcome from top.

The government must also play its part to reform the law, evolve aneffective system to investigate cases of corruption and fix accountabilityfor those responsible. The guilty must be punished in an exemplary mannerand inquiry documents made public. The grievance redressal system must beadministered fairly, effectively and promptly to dispel the perception thatthe decisions of the military chain of command, even if arbitrary, cannotbe questioned.

The Indian soldier is perhaps the most neglected person today. Thejudiciary fails to understand the difficult circumstances under which hehas to use lethal force; politicians fail to appreciate his work inprotecting the nation and pay lip service in times of crisis. The moraleand discipline of the Armed Forces are enhanced when the troops feel thatthey are being treated with dignity, fairness and equality under the law.

We must not forget Kautilya’s advice to the king of Magadh: “The Mauryansoldier does not himself the Royal treasuries enrich nor does he the Royalgranaries fill…While the Magadha citizenry endeavours to make the Stateprosper and flourish, the Mauryan soldier guarantees that the Statecontinues to EXIST! He is thus the very basis and silent, barely visiblecornerstone of our fame, culture, physical well-being and prosperity; inshort, of the entire nation building activity. To this man, O Rajadhiraja,you owe a debt for that very guarantee which is the vital key-stone of ournationhood arch.

Please, therefore, see to it, that you are constantly alive and sensitiveto the soldier’s legitimate dues in every form and respect, be those hisneeds or his wants, including his place in the social order.”