Free Rations for Troops: How MOD was bribed:Veteran Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS Retd.

Free Rations for Troops: How MOD was bribed?
Lt Gen Krishnaswami Balaram PVSM (Retd) :A DAUGHTER’S
TRIBUTE.The many stories that are associated with Dad, the
numerous tributes pouring forth from the people who have
known him have made me add my personal very favorite
tribute to him.How did Entitled Rations become Authorized
to the Defence Services?At the time Dad was the Adjutant
General, two of the major issues he handled were- the
Fourth Pay Commission and getting Authorized rations or
Free rations (as it was then called) for the Defence Services.
When the file for the Free rations was ready the General sent
it across to the Ministry for approval and signature. The file
came back with some observations. Duly rectified the General
sent it back. Again the file came back with some fresh
observations. The General made the necessary corrections
and sent it back. When this had occurred a few times the
General got suspicious and sent one of his officers across to
the Ministry to find out exactly what was needed to get the
file through.The officer came back and told him that one of
the officers in the Ministry who was vital for getting the file
signed had a daughter in the Army Medical Corps who was
posted in MH X and he wanted her posted to Delhi. “ Is that
all?” said the General incredulously. Promptly he picked
up the phone and called the DGMS (Army). Giving him the
details of the Lady MO he told him “ issue the posting order
and a copy of the same to be on my table by the afternoon”.
A little later the DGMS (Army) called him back and told him
“ Sir, this lady has been posted to MH X not even three
months back. How can I issue another posting order for
Delhi?”To this the General replied “ To you it is issuing the
posting order of one Lady Medical Officer. To me it is a
question of getting through Free rations for the entire
Defence Forces. Issue the posting order and send me a copy
within this hour.”The posting order was issued. A copy of
the same was with the General within the hour. The file with
the posting order was sent to the Ministry. The file was
processed rapidly. Signed and returned to the General.

Free Rations were then authorized and
issued to the Defence Forces.

Dad often looked at me and with a twinkle in his say “ Lady
Medical Officers………God Bless them!!!!!!!!”

Lt Col (Dr) Radha J Joneja (Retd).
Source:IESM