Online videos minuscule, issues being addressed: MoS Defence

Panaji, June 5 (IANS) Incidents of grievances posted on social media by armed forces personnel are minuscule and jawans are "very happy", said Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre on Monday.

"Even when Parrikar ji was there (Defence Ministry), he was getting all these complaints. They are few in number and those who have aired their grievances are two or three in a 50 lakh population (includes the number of serving, retired military personnel and their families). It is not a big number. Maybe few more. But those are getting addressed. More or less jawans are very happy..." Bhamre said.

Of late, there have been a spate of videos posted by Armymen online, complaining about bad living conditions and mistreatment.

Roy Matthew, a soldier who had slammed the Army's sahayak (buddy) system in a sting video, was found dead in March. Under the sahayak system, two soldiers are paired. Often senior officers are accused of mistreating their partner.

Bhamre also said that the Defence Ministry is concerned about the overall welfare of the jawans and counselling of soldiers also involves yoga and meditation.

The MoS also said that social media is a double-bladed weapon.

"Social media is a double-bladed weapon. It can be used for many good things and unfortunately social media has no control. So, sometimes it is used for rumour mongering and that can create problems. I think you people are more aware of that... As far as Defence Ministry is concerned, everybody else is facing the music, so is the Defence Ministry," Bhamre said.