DSIO elections spark discord

Captain CS Sidhu has even forwarded a letter to the Patron DSOI,complaining against the voting by institutional members. Some excerpts of the letter are,“The governing council of DSOI is elected out of the veterans who are the permanent members of this institute. But some nasty practices are observed during the elections,as young serving officers came in their uniform in organised transport and voted for one person as directed by their senior officer who happened to be from the same regiment to which contesting officers belong.”

Speaking to Newsline,he said,“It amounts to cheating as voting officers never visited this institute before. Moreover,this institute was primarily created for the veterans of Chandigarh,and fair play demands that only veterans should elect the governing council functioning and not the institutional members.”

Another veteran said,“DSOI is meant for veterans,we select our panel and teams. But by sending institutional members for voting,some senior officials have made a mockery of elections.”

Brig Khatri,contestant for the post of vice-chairman,said,“Western Command is supporting the institute financially,so we have nothing against it. But there are minor irritants which are bothering the veterans. Like large number voting by non-users (institutional members) which directly impacts the policies to be implemented for veterans.”

However,in contrast to this,another contestant Brig (retd) Harwant Singh said,“Institutional members are also the members of the institute and have the right to vote. They are authorised by the DSOI to vote,so how can someone take away their right from them?”

Veteran Brig BS Gill,said,“As per the rule of the DSOI club,all members whether institutional or permanent have the right to vote. There is an unfounded fear amongst the veterans who are opposing the voting rights of the young serving officers.”

Results

Brig Harwant Singh has been elected as Vice-Chairman of the DSOI,Chandigarh. Other who will be a part of the management committee includes Gp Capt. (retd) HS Chimni for Sports,entertainment and library sub-committee; Gp Capt (retd) Onkar Singh for head of Finance sub-committee and Col (retd) Dr NK Bhatia for housing,area development and garden sub-committee.