FREE RATIONS FOR OFFICERS: AN AFFLICTION IN DISGUISE

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  Every organisation has its strengths and its weaknesses. The Indian military is no exception. Whereas it is undoubtedly a highly disciplined, motivated and well-trained force, it suffers from a major affliction – key decisions with far reaching consequences are taken without adequate consideration of long term effects. Authorisation of free rations to officers is a case in point.

• Prior to 1983, free rations were allowed to officers only when posted to field areas. The government had to supply rations over long distances to feed men and officers. Officers were not authorised free rations in peace areas. However, demand for free rations or ration money in peace areas had been under discussion for long. At one stage, the government appeared more amenable to the grant of ration money. The services kept insisting on getting rations in kind rather than an allowance. It was reasoned that rations in kind would insure officers against inflation. Proponents of rations argued that ration money, even if linked to cost of living index, would never be able to keep pace with price rise. After much persuasion, the government gave in and sanctioned rations for officers in peace areas as well. Needless to say, it was considered a coup of sorts and much mutual back-patting followed.

The Fall-out

• Nearly two decades have passed since the sanction of free rations. It has triggered a cultural change in the ethos of the service officers and their wives. Despite considerable pay hikes, free rations continue to be an issue of extreme importance. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the mindset has become ration-centric.

• Impact on the Psyche

• Grant of free rations has done immense damage to the psyche of the service officers and their wives. A proud community has been rendered so ration-minded that it has become totally immune to the resultant loss of self-respect. It is an ignoble sight to see officers’ wives standing in a queue, along with servants and helpers, in front of a ration delivery vehicle and arguing with a Naik/Havildar regarding poor quality of bread and/or under-issue of lentils. Free rations have demolished the wall of formal deference that earlier existed between officers, their wives and NCOs.

• It is sad to see officers lugging milk packets, breads and other sundry ration items. The service officers never get tired of considering themselves superior to the IAS and the IPS. How many IAS/IPS officers haul rations home? Free rations have made the service officers forget their own status.

• Collapse of the Officers’ Messes

• An officers’ mess is an institution that helps in character building, moulds personality of its members and fosters social etiquettes. It is a microcosm of the customs, traditions and values cherished by a unit, and a reflection of unit standards. Sadly, free rations have delivered a crippling blow to the functioning and standing of the officers’ messes. From the lofty heights of regimental showcase they have degenerated into dining canteens/cafeterias. Social graces have totally disappeared.

• Officers question and demand their share of free rations. In case an officer does not eat eggs on a Tuesday, he demands four eggs the next day. In messes where service and non-service officers dine, free rations have become an issue of discord and bitterness. Messes of the Border Roads Organisation often face awkward situations as the ration scales of GREF officers are different than those of the service officers.

• Prior to the issue of free rations, messes used to buy vegetables and groceries from the market as per the requirements of their daily menu. Dinner/Mess/Guest Nights were held at regular periodicity to inculcate a sense of mess decorum and customs. With the grant of free rations, messes cook what they receive from the supplies. Continental food has virtually vanished – cutlets and Russian salad cannot be made with brinjal and gourd received in free rations. Banquets and Mess Nights would soon become alien to the service officers and their wives, as free rations do not lend themselves to such formal procedures. 

• Impetus to Corrupt Practices 

• A number of unfair practices have also crept in. As the officers prefer to eat better quality of rice, rice received in ration is often passed on to maid servants in lieu of wages. Free rations have also spawned a flourishing business in barter trade. All ‘kirana’ shops in close proximity of officers living accommodation accept items like cheese tins in exchange for other items. A Colonel’s wife has been selling cheese, jelly and such items to her co-teachers in a reputed school in Dwarka, New Delhi , inviting snide remarks and bringing disrepute to the services. Such cases get cited to defame the services.

• One of the serious fallouts of free rations has been an enormous increase in corruption in the services, both at the procurement and consumer levels. Contracts worth hundreds of crores of rupees are signed every year. Free rations have opened floodgates for the misuse of the facility by unscrupulous senior officers. They demand what they need and no supply functionary can dare to quote their entitlement to them. To keep such commanders in good humour even local purchases are resorted to. Difference in the quality of rations issued to senior officers has also become a sore point with many. 

• Waste of Manpower

• While initiating the proposal, the services had given an undertaking that they would manage free rations with their existing manpower. They had failed to appreciate manpower-intensiveness of the facility. The Supply Corps is hard pressed to manage procurement, storage and distribution with authorised manpower. They had to be authorised additional civilian labourers. Worse, all formation headquarters and units have to spare uniformed manpower and vehicles for collection, accounting and delivery of rations. Though easily discernible, this criminal waste of scarce manpower cannot be quantified.

• Therefore:

• It is agreed that the service officers deserve better pay and allowances. Even if issuance of free rations in kind is considered to be a more remunerative option, its adverse effects on the environment must not be ignored. Financial benefits cannot override matters impacting self-respect and status of the service officers and their wives.

• A review of the policy is certainly warranted. Grant of ration money is certainly a better alternative. Quantum could be revised annually by a suitably constituted committee under MoD, based on the inputs obtained from all India contract rates, thus providing assured safeguard against inflation. Ration money will not only release huge manpower, it will restore the dignity of the officer cadre and put an end to unhealthy practices.