“A substantial part of these funds were given to an NGO named “YES Kashmir” that had filed a petition in court against Gen Bikram Singh”
SRINAGAR: The Army has raised the red flag on spendings by a secretive military intelligence (MI) unit that was set up by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh, particularly Rs 8 crore for “operations in Kashmir”.
In a report on the functioning of the controversial Technical Support Division (TSD) that has been accused of conducting secret spying missions on government functionaries in the past, the Army HQ has informed the defence ministry that several discrepancies have come to light, the Indian Express newspaper writes.
Sources have told the newspaper that the detailed report has been submitted to the defence ministry, but the Army has not yet taken action as it is awaiting a nod before proceeding with framing of charges and fixing of accountability for losses incurred.
The special unit, which spent over Rs 20 crore in the two years that it was functional, has not been able to account for as much as Rs 8 crore. During investigations, it has come to light that the money was marked for operations in Kashmir but no record has been maintained.
The newspaper further writes that a substantial part of these funds were given to an NGO named “YES Kashmir” that had filed a petition in court against Gen Bikram Singh, the present Army Chief who was then the Eastern Army Commander and was in line to take charge after the retirement of Gen V K Singh.
It has been alleged that the TSD was functioning as a “special task force” of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Secretariat.
While the report has been submitted to the defence ministry, sources said no move has been taken to expedite action against those who need to be held accountable. When contacted, the defence ministry refused to comment.
