New Delhi, Dec. 27: Army Chief General V.K. Singh has acknowledged that the recent scams involving some personnel of the force have brought “disrepute” to Services but termed these as “aberrations” which would not have any impact on the morale internally.
He said the officers would need to introspect and match their aspirations with their organisational goals.
“Yes, certain cases in the recent past have brought a degree of disrepute. But these are aberrations. The Army is and will continue to render yeoman’s service to the nation,” Gen Singh told the Purple Beret magazine in an interview.
In the recent past, names of former Army chiefs and some senior serving officers have figured in scams including those related to Adarsh Housing Society of Mumbai and construction near Army base in Sukna in West Bengal.
Gen Singh was asked if the negative stories related to the Army appearing in the media have had any adverse impact on the morale and led to a trust deficit between the leadership and the young officers.
“I do not agree that negative stories pertaining to Army have had any adverse impact on the morale internally, or by any means, led to reduction in trust deficit. Rather, it has instilled a sense of belief in the system,” he responded.
On the steps taken by him to strengthen the “internal health” of his organisation, the Army chief, who took over in March this year, said, “I have taken certain steps that strengthen the existing core values, traditions and systems of the Army. Officers need to introspect and match their aspirations with their organisational goals.”
Soon after assuming office, Gen Singh had said strengthening the internal health of the Army would be one of his top priorities.
He said Army was one of the very few organisations in the country which have “pro-actively sought to bring those indulging in any wrong to book irrespective of rank and status.”
This statement came in the wake of top Army officers being involved in different scams involving corruption and illegal land acquisition cases.