Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 25: GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen K T Parnaik has ordered a court of inquiry against a top officer of the rank of Major General, heading Army Supplies in the entire Northern Command, who is facing serious graft charges.
Defence sources said that Major General V K Sharma, who is in-charge Army Supply Corps (ASC) in the Northern Command (Udhampur) including Siachen Glacier and other parts of J&K, bordering China, is facing graft charges from the contractors ensuring supplies to the Army Corps. The top ASC officer who is posted at Udhampur Command headquarters for nearly two years now, has been accused of demanding favours for awarding contracts to the contractors.
Defence PRO, Northern Command Lt Col Rajesh Kalia said , “there were certain complaints from the contractors against the senior ASC officer pertaining to favours. A court of inquiry has been ordered by the Army authorities against the officer facing charges. A board of senior Army officers has been constituted and given the task to probe the allegations and submit a report”.
Replying to another question, Defence spokesman said that Major Gen Sharma, as reported by a newspaper was not in detention or arrested. The report of his being caught red handed accepting bribe from a contractor or any sort of sting operation involving the officer was also incorrect. He said on the basis of a report published in one of the newspapers, the Northern Army Commander ordered inquiry today.
Sources in the Northern Command further revealed that possibility of sting operation involving top officer of the rank of Major General is very bleak as entry of any such equipment inside the Defence installations or important units is allowed only after proper screening and prior permission. The officer was heading the Army Supplies Corps for the last about two years.
It further disclosed that the people in contract business with the Army try their best to develop relations with the senior officers for getting favour and manage contacts and also give officer. He said this ASC unit of the Northern Command procured ration and other items worth crores for soldiers posted in Siachen, China border and others parts of the Command including Rashtriya Rifles units involved in counter insurgency operations. Quoting example of recently exposed Tatra Trucks deal where the officer none less than the tank of Army Chief was offered money by a another senior officer on behalf of dealer, he said this ailment has also made inroads in Army and it is very difficult to clean the system.
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