** Non Stop Scandals **

There was an article in 'Times of India' yesterday (Aug/04) on stale rations being issued to Army soldiers - and about existing cartels in the Army Supply Corps. It went on to quote CAG reports on the wrong practices that exist in the Ration procurement and distribution.

Army is responsible for the ration procurement and distribution for all the three services in India. Rs.1440 Crore is the annual business. If I had been an outsider, I would only be surprised if there is no evidence of any such malpractices. I have seen these things happen from close quarters - and was not at all surprised nor shocked at the news. (Just was wondering as to why it took decades for the CAG to find this out!!!). Everyone serving in Indian Defence forces would know how the supply of meat comes with heavily injected water (so as to increase weight), how only the left overs are pushed to the forces in the name of "vegetables", how rice and wheat are adulterated to pathetic levels, how the "atta" supplied is so stale and unusable - these are just open secrets. (PS: The best of the worst that is supplied goes to Officers' mess and you can imagine what the poor soldiers are always left with!!).

Having said that - I skimmed through today's newspaper with great interest to see if there were any follow ups on the scandal that was published the previous day !! Not a word !! Well, such things do not get out in open - even if it does - the powers that be knows how to sweep everything under the carpet !! This is not the first time that this is happening nor the last !! Jai Hind !!