Hyderabad: The Army Headquarters has taken serious note of the service personnels’ wives investing in non-authorised business ventures as it is found to infringe on security.
Army HQ has warned its officers and their spouses that they will be given ‘poor conduct’ certificate and face withdrawal of certain benefits if they violate the orders.
Sources said the Army Headquarters through its intelligence agency had learned that wives of mid-rank and junior officers had invested in the US-based chain-building company Amway that deals with domestic and beauty products and Bikebot, a two-wheeler hiring app.
The business model of the two network-building companies is that they reward the investor for selling a service, product or an idea, and for enrolling two or more people.
Military security officials found that when the Army wives were signing up as members, they were giving out details along with personal and official data, contact numbers and addresses. These details are easily accessible from the distributor, a civilian, and could lead to a breach of security.
Sources said the involvement of military personnel’s wives in business had led to civilians intruding into restricted military quarters under the pretext of business meetings.
This could result in the disclosure of secured locations. Hyderabad is home to many weapon-manufacturing units. Personnel are trained in military units here before being sent for their posting.
A senior serving officer told this newspaper that cases of misconduct from Telangana and other states had been reported to the Army Headquarters.
“It was found that an officer’s wife, a native of Telangana state, got in touch with an Amway distributor. She invited two other Army wives to join and the chain grew. The wives disclosed the nature of the officers’ job. This apart, the whereabouts of officers were being disclosed to the group. More civilians began entering the restricted military quarters,” the officer said.
“After the news reached the Army Headquarters, a fresh set of guidelines were issued for officers and their spouses. Wives who fail to follow norms will be sent home and the quarter facilities will be withdrawn,” the officer said. The Army would issue a poor conduct certificate which will stay with them till retirement. The officer said that every morning a briefing is held explaining the do’s and don’ts.
