Chandigarh, January 9
The Army has ordered administrative action against a lieutenant-general, besides several others, for alleged irregularities in the procurement of frozen meat meant for troops posted in Ladakh.

A court of inquiry, headed by a former Deputy Chief of Army Staff. Lt-Gen G.D. Singh, had indicted Lt-Gen S K Dahiya, at present posted as Commandant Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre, Bangalore, for his role in the matter. The procurement was done when General Dahiya was heading the ASC branch at Headquarters Northern Command in the rank of major-general.

Administrative action entails that he would be served a show cause notice as to why action should not be initiated against him. Following his reply, the Army would decide what action to be taken, which could range from awarding a censure to termination of service.

According to information released earlier, the Army was contemplating disciplinary proceedings against him, which entails possible trial by a general court martial, the military’s equivalent of a sessions court.

General Dahiya is the third lieutenant-general to face action in recent months. A few months ago, the Army removed the Director-General Military Intelligence, Lt-Gen D.H. Summanwar, for alleged professional impropriety and posted him elsewhere. Disciplinary action was initiated against another ASC lieutenant-general, Lt-Gen S K Sahni, fro alleged irregularities in the procurement of dry rations. He has moved court and the matter is pending.

It is unprecedented in the history of the Indian Army for action to be initiated against officers of the rank of lieutenant-generals. In the past, there have been instances where some errant lieutenant-generals have been simply asked to put in their papers and go home quietly. According to sources, a contract for the supply of frozen meat meant for troops posted in Ladakh was concluded in 2003 by the then Major-General Army Service Corps, Northern Command. The contract, applicable for the period 2003-06, was approved by the Quarter Master General at Army Headquarters and was worth several crores of rupees.

Due to various reasons, the contract could not be executed smoothly and the matter was taken up by the then Additional Director-General, Supply and Transport, at Army Headquarters. An inquiry, thereafter, was initiated into the matter.

The post of Director-General Supplies and Transport at Army Headquarters, who heads the ASC, has been lying vacant for the past few months as some top officers of the ASC have been embroiled in controversies over procurement.