Facing criticism over the way he has been handling the Defence Ministry, especially after Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi’s resignation last week following a mishap in submarine INS Sindhuratna, Defence Ministry AK Antony on Wednesday came out with a list of his achievements in the last seven-and-a-half years seeking to project himself as one who acted tough against corruption.
However, what he did not list was that he acted only after the media reported about the scams and irregularities. A 25-page official Press release tried to dispel the general perception that under his stewardship modernisation of the armed forces came to a halt and despite tough measures corruption scandals in Defence deals took place.
He maintained he promptly ordered a CBI probe into scams and but did not spell out his take on recent mishaps involving warships against the backdrop of Defence Ministry not releasing funds for modernisation despite repeated reminders by the Navy.
Claiming that he “came down heavily” when irregularities were detected in deals, the statement said six firms were debarred in 2012 and the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland contract for 12 VVIP helicopters was cancelled in January this year.
A CBI probe was ordered into allegations of bribery in supply of Tatra trucks for the Army in 2012 and most recently the investigating agency was asked to look into allegations of commissions paid by Rolls Royce to bag contracts from Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAl), it said.
The ministry claimed that Antony was “ruthless” with all cases relating to Defence land and ordered CBI probes into various cases, the most prominent one being the alleged irregularity in providing Defence land for construction of the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, Mumbai.
The statement, however, failed to mention that Antony was forced to take action only when these scams were brought out by the media like the case where then Army Chief General VK Singh informed him that a retired officer had tried to bribe him for clearing a tranche of Tatra trucks in 2012.
Antony faced fire in Parliament on all these issues, including the VVIP helicopter scam, last year which also came to light when the
Italian authorities started investigations into allegations of commissions paid to bag the contract.
As regards modernisation of the Navy, the Ministry said 28 ships were inducted during the last seven years but did not touch upon the subject of delay in providing funds due to interference by bureaucrats on some pretext or the other.
Reports in the recent past said the Navy had warned the Ministry over the past two years that several critical parts of submarines, including batteries, had outlived their life and sought financial sanctions but it was delayed.
Antony tried to take credit for induction of much delayed aircraft carrier Vikramaditya and clearance for raising a Mountain Strike Corps to counter China but silent on the Army yet to procure a long range artillery gun for the last 25 years besides howitzers. These two guns are a must for the Strike Corps or else it will be a toothless unit.