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‘Examining 5-year cooling-off period’
A day after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence recommended a cooling-off period of five years from the present one year before retired Service officers take up a job, the Government said on Wednesday it was “seriously” examining the proposal.
Expressing concern over some retired officers acting as middlemen after retirement, the Parliamentary panel gave this recommendation and said officers above the rank of Brigadiers should be refrained from getting a job in the private sector for five years after retirement.
Expressing concern over officers of the rank of Lt Generals acting as lobbyists, Ravi Shankar Prasad(BJP) said in the Rajya Sabha, “It is disturbing trend. Is the Government revisiting its decision of one year cooling-off period to ensure that the officers are not lured as lobbyists?” In his reply, Defence Minister AK Antony said the Government was examining the recommendation made by the panel.
On the issue of controversial Tatra truck deal, Antony said the CBI was investigating the matter and stated action will be taken if any wrongdoing is found adding “his hands are clean and there is nothing to fear.”
Fielding questions on allegations of corruption in defence deals, Antony said, “We have nothing to hide. However, there is a misconception about procurement of Tatra trucks. These trucks since 1986 were procured as per general staff qualitative requirements laid down by the Army and the Government did not impose anything.”
On delay in procurement of weapons, the minister said “we are facing a very difficult situation. On the one hand, we are criticised for delay and on the other pulled up for not taking action against any malpractices.”
He also said the Ministry has asked the CVC and the law Ministry to look into the ongoing defence projects to prevent any malpractice. The Government will take action after getting report from these two departments, he maintained.
A day after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence recommended a cooling-off period of five years from the present one year before retired Service officers take up a job, the Government said on Wednesday it was “seriously” examining the proposal.
Expressing concern over some retired officers acting as middlemen after retirement, the Parliamentary panel gave this recommendation and said officers above the rank of Brigadiers should be refrained from getting a job in the private sector for five years after retirement.
Expressing concern over officers of the rank of Lt Generals acting as lobbyists, Ravi Shankar Prasad(BJP) said in the Rajya Sabha, “It is disturbing trend. Is the Government revisiting its decision of one year cooling-off period to ensure that the officers are not lured as lobbyists?” In his reply, Defence Minister AK Antony said the Government was examining the recommendation made by the panel.
On the issue of controversial Tatra truck deal, Antony said the CBI was investigating the matter and stated action will be taken if any wrongdoing is found adding “his hands are clean and there is nothing to fear.”
Fielding questions on allegations of corruption in defence deals, Antony said, “We have nothing to hide. However, there is a misconception about procurement of Tatra trucks. These trucks since 1986 were procured as per general staff qualitative requirements laid down by the Army and the Government did not impose anything.”
On delay in procurement of weapons, the minister said “we are facing a very difficult situation. On the one hand, we are criticised for delay and on the other pulled up for not taking action against any malpractices.”
He also said the Ministry has asked the CVC and the law Ministry to look into the ongoing defence projects to prevent any malpractice. The Government will take action after getting report from these two departments, he maintained.
