Money paid to J&K politicians wasn't bribe, but for events to promote amity: General VK Singh

Gurgaon: Former Army chief General VK Singh clarifies the 'J&K ministers paid' remark. Here are the highlights:

• J&K Ministers were given money but not to be pocketed by them.
• When I say ministers were paid, I don't mean bribes were paid.
• Money was not given for personal use.
• Wrong to say Army paid bribes to ministers.
• Money not used for personal or political persons.
  
• The secret unit was not my private army.
• The Army can win people over for its anti-terror operations with the work it does under the umbrella of Sadbhavana.
• These initiatives are useful in the youth not being motivated by separatists and militants.
• Since such work can't be done in uniform, so this intelligence unit did it.
• The money wasn't for their personal use or political reasons. It was because may be they were invited to events. It was not a bribe.
• Condemn reports appearing in the media and how they have been leaked must be investigated.
• People who leaked these reports should be investigated - this is treason.
• Maybe because of this report, other burning issues were put on the backburner - so perhaps the leak was motivated.
• Payoffs for harmony, not bribes. Ministers were paid for stability events.
• The money was solely used for events under the overall umbrella of Sadbhavana to get people away from separatist propaganda.
• The money was meant for social schemes and infrastructure - which also assisted the army in operations.
• All the money was accounted for, all accounts tabled as per procedures in every quarter.
• Government must act on Admiral Ramdas' letter.
• It is sad that it has come into public domain. People who leaked the Defence report should be tried as treason.
• These reports were leaked as a smokescreen to cover far more important events.
• I have only thought about the welfare of the country.
• Ask those people who want me to reveal names, do we talk about intelligence activities?
• I did not start speaking about this, the people who leaked this report should be investigated
  
• I will not say anything that is not in the country's interests.
• The events that have been occurring along the border wouldn't have happened if this unit hadn't been disbanded.