Strange case of ‘Goyee’

Raj Kadyan

DRIVING back from a veterans’ gathering, my wife suddenly asked about ‘Goyee’. She must have overheard our animated conversation. ‘Not Goyee,’ I said, it is GoI, Government of India.’ She lost interest, but it set me thinking.

 Who or what is GoI? As a Brigadier, I was attached to the Army Headquarters, on way to Paris as Military Attaché. With days to go, my predecessor called and dropped a bombshell. His apartment’s lease was expiring and in the existing rent ceiling, I won’t get a place in Paris. His proposal for enhancing the rent had been sent eight months earlier, but in vain. Swinging into action, I located the file in the Quarter Master General’s branch — the uniformed part of the GoI. I  took it to the MEA, but they turned it down. ‘Since the Naval Attaché, holding an equivalent rank of Commodore, has the same ceiling, there was no case for increase for a Brigadier.’ Asked if the Paris embassy had a compound large enough to pitch a tent, the Joint Secretary’s aspect turned uraemic. Humour is alien to the GoI.  

I then visited my parent ministry, the MoD. The number of staff sitting behind rickety tables in a large hall inspired scant confidence. I approached the largest desk. Explaining my predicament, I showed the MEA missive. ‘Let me see, Sir,’ the GoI said friendlily. Opening a wooden cupboard, heavy on creek, he retrieved a thick file, dusted it and began turning the yellowed pages with delicate tenderness. Then, without a word, he began writing. Having finished, he pushed the file back to me. ‘The Naval Attaché is a Commodore WHA (while holding appointment) and cannot be compared with a Brigadier. Rent enhancement is approved as recommended.’ He had signed as Section Officer. Looking at it unbelievingly, I asked about the MoD endorsement. ‘I am the MoD, Sir.’   

With my Paris stay extended, I was three years behind my peer Major-Generals when I returned. I got my seniority but my pay was fixed lower than my juniors. I filed a statutory complaint for rectification. The GoI response, in part,   was: ‘Whereas the officer was posted as Military Attaché.... Though the tenure of foreign posting was three years, it got extended for reasons beyond the control of the officer.... Whereas after his promotion his pay was fixed lower compared to his batchmates and juniors...And now whereas after consideration of all aspects....there are no provisions in the relevant Army Instructions for....The statutory complaint is, therefore, rejected.’

The GoI failed to grasp that my complaint was in challenge to the very same Army Instructions issued by them. But  it admits being shackled by its own orders. The response had another hallmark of the GoI. My complaint dated August 17, 2000, was attended on August 4, 2014.       

In fairness, the GoI has a humane face. One recalls when it reportedly wrote a heart-warming letter of condolence: ‘Dear Major XYZ, whereas we are grieved to learn that you have passed away. We wish you a happy after-life.... Whereas in consequence we are stopping your pension.... Whereas should there be a change in your circumstances, please feel free to approach us by sending form ABC, duly filled in quadruplicate.’