NEW DELHI: Even an AMID jawans taking the social media route to voice their anger against the attitude of senior officers and poor working conditions in the force, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has launched a WhatsApp number through which any soldier can post his/her grievances.
The WhatsApp number announced to register the complaint is — +91 9643300008. Officials said there is an existing system of grievance redressal within the Army which is prompt. “But in case a soldier has exhausted all grievance redressal forums and is still not happy, he may contact the Army chief’s office through the new number,” an official said.
However, many in the Army were apprehensive about the move claiming it will be impossible to keep out any unwarranted messages that can come through WhatsApp. Since it is a common WhatsApp number, it will not be just the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army personnel who can send messages to the number but anyone in the world. And, there will be no check on what kind of text, video or link will be sent to the number.
The move came after BSF, CRPF and other jawans from various regiments expressed outrage on social media with regard to the poor quality of food provided to them and the general conditions of work.
Tej Bahadur, a BSF jawan, highlighted the food problems faced by troopers with images of burnt chappatis and runny daal that they are served during mealtime. In the video, which went viral, Tej claimed that there were times when the soldiers have to go to sleep on an empty stomach. Following the jawan’s post, CRPF jawan Jeet Singh raised the issues being faced by them.
Army jawan Y P Singh also raised a similar issue on social media against the Army’s buddy tradition.
Perturbed over the series of videos by jawans going viral on social media, Rawat had in December last set up a suggestion box in his office, where any soldier can directly write to him, skipping protocol. Assuring complete confidentiality, the Army chief had announced that anyone, regardless of rank or service, can use the mechanism and write letters to him so that their grievances can reach him directly.
Rawat had said the soldiers should write to him including their names, and he will ensure that their names are removed before any action is initiated on their complaints.