The book blows whistle on several cases of corruption, indiscipline, lack of leadership and negligence, where the names of the persons involved have been mentioned.
Key among them are:
• The SPG purchased communication equipment of doubtful security from a foreign company, without obtaining clearance from the Systems Analysis Group. Why has no action been initiated against the officers involved?
• The Telecom Division of RAW purchased VHF/UHF antenna from a foreign company at prices much higher that what was paid by other agencies, such as signal intelligence and electronic warfare units of the Army. Why has no action been initiated against the officers involved?
• RAW has a CSD canteen which sells items that are authorized only for defence personnel. Why have the Sales Tax and Excise departments not taken cognizance of this?
• The present chief of RAW did not attend office for eight months when he was superceded for promotion from additional secretary to special secretary. Why has no action been initiated against the officers involved?
• Mr. Amar Bhushan continued to occupy his office in RAW even after he was posted out. Why did this happen? Why has no action been initiated against the officers involved?
• Rabinder Singh's escape to USA was facilitated by several senior officers in RAW. Why has no action been initiated against them?
Its is not just Major General (retired) V K Singh, B. Raman's book "Kaoboy's of the RAW" laments of the bad apples in the organisation. He writes about RAW officials amassing illegitimate wealth, not returning back from the country of posting and other such incidents. However, he has not named anyone.
The Indian Government has charged Vivek Garg, owner of Manas Publication, the publisher of the book, on the ground's that book reveals secrets that can harm national security.
Vivek Garg has raised several valid points,"this is not the only book about intelligence agencies in India. Several other authors such as Ashok Raina and B. Raman, have written about RAW. Books have also been written about the IB. Why has only my book been targeted?"
On the question of equipment purchase by RAW Vivek Garg say's, "equipment whose details have been given in the book was purchased from foreign countries. These details are known not only to the country from which the equipment was bought but to several others to whom tenders inquiries were sent. If the details are known to foreigners, how can their disclosure to the Indian public be considered harmful to national security?"
On the issue of names of several officers have been mentioned in the book, the publisher say's "They were all posted in India, and not in cover appointments abroad. How can the disclosure of their names affect national security?"
In addition the publisher said, " the charter of RAW is external intelligence. Any secrets it has pertain to foreign countries. RAW does not possess any information regarding India's defence capability, war plans, nuclear potential, space facilities, missile technology etc. Disclosure of information held by RAW can harm the national security of foreign countries, not India. In addition the details of RAW and ARC are available on the Internet. The Wikipedia even gives a photograph of RAW headquarters and its map coordinates (latitude and longitude). It also gives the location of ARC bases, with map coordinates, and the type of aircraft held."
In 2006, the second Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended that the Official Secrets Act, 1923, be repealed.
Declassification of past records has started becoming an issue in India. With the advent of RTI Act, the government is under increasing pressure to declassify past records. Past records of US and Russia have been declassified, there is nothing new about it.
Another issue is RAW's accountability to parliament. B. Raman's book shows that barring South Asia, RAW has very few successes to show.
A lot of intelligence books have been written all over the world with startling disclosures. Major General (retired) V K Singh's book is nowhere near it.
On 26 September, the CBI failed to move forward in the case against Major General (retired) V K Singh, as the agency told a local court it was yet to ascertain whether there was any violation of the Official Secrets Act.
V K Singh's counsel, Kunal Khullar, argued for his client, and provided a copy of the book in the court and claimed that Singh had not violated any provisions of the Official Secrets Act(OSA).
http://frontierindia.net/a-raw-book/
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On the other hand..govt is trying to put restrictions on the present employees ..they asked them not to write to such books after retirement..if they write..their pensions and all will be stopped...
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- Is it fair for the GOVT to restrict the people's basic rights?
- Is it a good democratic practice to restrict people from voicing against injustice,corruption?
- Is it fair on the part of the officers or people from these important services to write or say against GOVT after retirement?
- Is it fair to reveal the secrets in this manner..does'nt it degrade our system or our Nation?
Should these secret agents remain secret agent forever...😕
Regards,
Mythili
Sports
Kumkum Bhagya
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