ANNA HAZARE A DECORATED SOLDIER OF INDIAN ARMY AGAINST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT

'Anna a decorated soldier, didn't desert Army'

LUCKNOW: Indian Army response to an RTI query has laid to rest all rumours related to Anna Hazare's stint in the force. "Anna never deserted the Army and has no record of punishment. He was honourably discharged from the Army on completion of service," the Indian Army said in response to the query.  Delhi-based activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal had moved an RTI application seeking details of Anna's service. In response, Army's public information officer (ASC records, South, Bangalore) LT Col Arun Kumar said: "As per records held with this office, he (Anna) had never deserted the Indian Army. Yes, he was honourably discharged from the Indian Army on completion of service."  "Anna enrolled with the Army on April 14,1963. No.13822764A ex-sepoy Kisan Hazare had completed his training at Aurangabad. His designation, when he joined the service, was Recruit. He was attested as soldier on November 16, 1963. He was holding the rank of sepoy at the time of leaving the service," the PIO letter stated.  It added, "No punishment was accorded to Anna as per service records. Following medals were notified to him: Sainya Seva Medal, 9 Years Long Service Medal, Sangram Medal, 25th Independent Anniversary Medal and Paschimi Star."  Agrawal had sought a six-point information on Anna on April 13, 2011 from the defence ministry. He wanted to know if Kisan Baburao Hazare started his career in the Indian Army in 1963 with education upto seventh standard.  "I heard several people raising questions on Anna's stint in the Army. I only wanted the truth to be out," said Agrawal. Since the Army has praised his role as sepoy, my purpose has been served, he added.  On certain points, Agrawal said, he was still awaiting information. "I am still to get any information on rules in Indian Army, especially about educational qualification for recruitment of drivers in 1963 and at present and jobs in Indian Army (including about supportive staff like cooks etc.) which do not require any minimum educational qualification."  Incidentally, before responding to Agarwal's application, the CPIO had on May 27, 2011, invited objections from Anna under Section 11 of the RTI Act. Explaining the procedure, former UP information commissioner Gyanendra Sharma said: "In cases where information is sought about the third party, a PIO may or may not seek an NOC from the third party. And if the third party does not respond, PIO is free to provide the information if he thinks it is for public good."  But what has baffled the activist is the leaking of the letter to the third party (read Congress spokesperson) who mentioned it at a press conference in New Delhi on August 14 and questioned why Anna did not respond to the CPIO letter asking if information about him be provided under RTI or not. "I was shocked when spokesperson of the ruling party referred to the letter at a press conference in a bid to defame Kisan Baburao Hazare," he said. Agrawal has now sought a probe into the alleged leak of the said correspondence and has written to the appellate authority of the Army.