Sentiments about 'neglect' of servicemen are common discussion points in service circles- messes, bars and social gatherings. We all hope, and PRAY that the Indian National Milieu will some day behave more empathetical with the Defence set up. They would... but for the sibling rivalry ridden 'babus' we feel. Correct? Yes, perhaps. But only just.
Question: Why are MOST of us only content to TALK about it? Why don't we step forward ourselves to contribute our effort to improve matters?
Illustrations:
1. In trying to improve ECHS services, we had requested volunteers to operate as Regional Liaison Cell members and Polyclinic Liaison Cell members. We got volunteers to man (only one or two each ) JUST 7 Regional Liaison Cells. 227 Poly clinics need manning. Just a handful have received attention! Where are the rest? BUSY?
2. Membership of the IESM can do with improvement. Lots of praise about the good work being done is received. So if you like the good work, why not JOIN and refer people to JOIN. When we like food in a restaurant, we refer our friends to that, don't we?
3. We all crib about the 'lack of knowledge of matters military' amongst the citizenry. How about doing something about it? Do you connect well with kids? (Most Grand fathers do). Can you identify schools that would allow you to talk to kids and talk about the '' Making of a Soldier- How does he do the seemingly impossible?' OR ' Positive Attitude as a Battle winning factor - in War and in Life'? Or such like. Remember, Positive strokes only . There is ample negativity going around in media anyway. AND I AM referring to Pan India. NCR is Not India. Sounds familiar? Yes, there are many more states/ parts of this great country.
4. Appreciate IESM work? Can you influence corporate to assist our aims of awareness through CSR activities? Sports matches, marathons, golf tournaments etc to commemorate military history milestones like Kargil Divas 26 July, or Vijay Divas 16 Dec?
5. Fund Raising? Now that we have 80G applicable?
6. A concluding question, if your answer to ANY ONE question above is YES.
Question. What are you waiting for? If the answer to my last question is that you are too busy (with grand children, work, earning money, sickness, family commitments etc), please be informed that the 'indifferent citizenry' is ALSO busy with the same. So let us respect that too.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
Member IESM Steering Committee and ECHS Division Coordinator
Report my Signal
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Caught in camera by Tehelka that the drug and arms mafia had links with Socialite Politicians
TEN YEARS ago, the Indian Navy suffered a disgraceful defeat. The humiliation was inflicted not by any inimical foreign power, but by powers-that-be in New Delhi’s South Block. In December 1998, the then Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, was unceremoniously booted out at the instance of ‘honourable’ defence minister George Fernandes, who could not make him bootlick.
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, a staunch nationalist, expected to be the last person to hurt the country’s honour, had his compulsions to back the Defence Minister. Fernandes was playing a key role in letting the government survive, acting as go-between with Tamilnadu chief minister Jayalalithaa. The Defence Minister’s main job, in fact, was to rush to Chennai to satiate her routinely. Bhagwat’s refusal to have vice admiral Harinder Singh, enjoying Fernandes’ confidence, as his deputy was the ostensible reason for the sack. Actually, the purpose was to teach a lesson to the service chiefs; they were harming entrenched interests doing deals in South Block.
In July that year, defence secretary Ajit Kumar had conveyed Fernandes’ instructions to the service commanders that they should seek prior approval of the ministry before intercepting any vessel suspected to be carrying narcotics and arms. The three service chiefs jointly wrote back that interdiction operations in the Andamans were ’mandated operations’, which did not require the ’prior approval’ of the ministry.
Read the full account:
No honour please, you are Indian Navy Chief
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, a staunch nationalist, expected to be the last person to hurt the country’s honour, had his compulsions to back the Defence Minister. Fernandes was playing a key role in letting the government survive, acting as go-between with Tamilnadu chief minister Jayalalithaa. The Defence Minister’s main job, in fact, was to rush to Chennai to satiate her routinely. Bhagwat’s refusal to have vice admiral Harinder Singh, enjoying Fernandes’ confidence, as his deputy was the ostensible reason for the sack. Actually, the purpose was to teach a lesson to the service chiefs; they were harming entrenched interests doing deals in South Block.
In July that year, defence secretary Ajit Kumar had conveyed Fernandes’ instructions to the service commanders that they should seek prior approval of the ministry before intercepting any vessel suspected to be carrying narcotics and arms. The three service chiefs jointly wrote back that interdiction operations in the Andamans were ’mandated operations’, which did not require the ’prior approval’ of the ministry.
Read the full account:
No honour please, you are Indian Navy Chief
Sunday, November 1, 2009
IESM: Perseverance- The success formula for OROP
It is necessary that we Ex- Servicemen reduce our rhetoric and silence those who so far are attempting disunion within us- by overwhelming their influence; and who at the same time have acted as if they had all the Veterans in their pockets.
Do not be deterred from your intentions by the fact that this or that majority resolution does not suit you. Such resolutions may be altered in the course of time. But the disgrace of separating here without accomplishing any results can never be blotted out; should such happen it would be equal to a crime against our cause which is the cause of the whole ESM Community. But the form can be found in which minor differences of opinion can be resolved in harmony, which the striving for a higher universally acknowledged ideal, common to us all- our legitimate demands.
Now friends, our sense of duty must be stronger than our self- will; our love for the cause must make us forget personal injustices we may have suffered; our entire thinking, feeling, and wishing must be consumed by enthusiasm for the work of rescue which we have to perform in common with the aim of righting the injustices inflicted on ESM, be it Pension Parity or any other in the interests of our ESM brotherhood.
But perhaps one or other among you may say: “These are but words, phrases which cannot stand before the real facts as they exist.” In answer we need only point to the rich experiences in life that nothing comes without hard work to fight injustices- "No pain no gain". The proof is that what has been achieved till now is because of our perseverance. We must march ahead without looking back!
Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)
Blog Moderator
Do not be deterred from your intentions by the fact that this or that majority resolution does not suit you. Such resolutions may be altered in the course of time. But the disgrace of separating here without accomplishing any results can never be blotted out; should such happen it would be equal to a crime against our cause which is the cause of the whole ESM Community. But the form can be found in which minor differences of opinion can be resolved in harmony, which the striving for a higher universally acknowledged ideal, common to us all- our legitimate demands.
Now friends, our sense of duty must be stronger than our self- will; our love for the cause must make us forget personal injustices we may have suffered; our entire thinking, feeling, and wishing must be consumed by enthusiasm for the work of rescue which we have to perform in common with the aim of righting the injustices inflicted on ESM, be it Pension Parity or any other in the interests of our ESM brotherhood.
But perhaps one or other among you may say: “These are but words, phrases which cannot stand before the real facts as they exist.” In answer we need only point to the rich experiences in life that nothing comes without hard work to fight injustices- "No pain no gain". The proof is that what has been achieved till now is because of our perseverance. We must march ahead without looking back!
Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)
Blog Moderator
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Civil- Military Relationship: Does governance impact this ethical compact?
Are military professionals unaware of their own civic and strategic illiteracy?
One of the most significant issues facing any democracy today, is the current state of civil- military relations. Why should the relationship between the military and society be of such concern to us? There are two principal reasons.
First, the military relationship to civilian authorities and to society more generally lies at the very heart of what democracy is all about. Democracy, Harry Truman suggested, is "based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice." By the same token, what defines the state, Max Weber observed, is government's monopoly of the legitimate possession and use of force. The military is the principal embodiment of state-centered and -controlled violence. Thus, in a form of government where the people are supposed to rule, civilian supremacy over the military is essential; it is an ethical imperative. Where this relationship fails or falters, the very end of government--"the common benefit, protection, and security of the people," rights of citizens violated, massive and wide scale corruption and injustice--the Government stands in jeopardy. Further, Terrorism, Naxalism, Maoism and right wing fundamentalists are pointers and indicators of the degree of of failing/ falling governance.
Second, the three parties to the civil- military relationship--the military, its civilian masters, and the people themselves--are bound to one another by social contract. "The first principle of a civilized state," said Walter Lippmann, "is that power is legitimate only when it is under contract." A social contract is a mutually binding, though a tacit, set of expectations, obligations, and rights. Because it depends on the ability--and, more importantly, the willingness--of the parties involved to live up to their end of the unwritten bargain, it is, in every sense, an ethical compact- a bond.
What do civilian authorities and the people more generally expect of the military as part of this compact?
Operational Competence.
What Military Expects from the Civilian authorities?
Genuine welfare measures for the Jawans and Ex- Servicemen.
One of the most significant issues facing any democracy today, is the current state of civil- military relations. Why should the relationship between the military and society be of such concern to us? There are two principal reasons.
First, the military relationship to civilian authorities and to society more generally lies at the very heart of what democracy is all about. Democracy, Harry Truman suggested, is "based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice." By the same token, what defines the state, Max Weber observed, is government's monopoly of the legitimate possession and use of force. The military is the principal embodiment of state-centered and -controlled violence. Thus, in a form of government where the people are supposed to rule, civilian supremacy over the military is essential; it is an ethical imperative. Where this relationship fails or falters, the very end of government--"the common benefit, protection, and security of the people," rights of citizens violated, massive and wide scale corruption and injustice--the Government stands in jeopardy. Further, Terrorism, Naxalism, Maoism and right wing fundamentalists are pointers and indicators of the degree of of failing/ falling governance.
Second, the three parties to the civil- military relationship--the military, its civilian masters, and the people themselves--are bound to one another by social contract. "The first principle of a civilized state," said Walter Lippmann, "is that power is legitimate only when it is under contract." A social contract is a mutually binding, though a tacit, set of expectations, obligations, and rights. Because it depends on the ability--and, more importantly, the willingness--of the parties involved to live up to their end of the unwritten bargain, it is, in every sense, an ethical compact- a bond.
What do civilian authorities and the people more generally expect of the military as part of this compact?
Operational Competence.
What Military Expects from the Civilian authorities?
Genuine welfare measures for the Jawans and Ex- Servicemen.
IESL: Joint Letter to PM to address the Pension Disparity created, muddled and sullied by Cabinet Secretary Committee
Joint Letter to The Prime Minister (click me)
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have received numerous mails from you all appreciating the joint effort put in by all the signatory ESM Orgs in drafting the letter (it was not a single person's effort!) and importantly, being willing to sign it. I regret to say that even though I tried my best to get the Air Force Assn on board with personal calls, mails & SMS's, there was no response. I would like to place on record Brig Gulia's help, despite our differences on many occasions, as he played a major part in this joint effort. It was his initiative to call all organisations for a meeting to discuss the Cabinet Secretary's report on 06 Aug 2009. It was IESL which provided staff support for printing the letters, repeatedly till we got it right. Some suggestions have come to tweak the letter further. Regret they can only be included in the next letter, if any.
I can also report that the letter has reached the COAS and it has been passed down for action. Thanks to Air Cmde Chandershekhar, who was here from Bangalore, we have got a copy of the letter delivered to the RM by hand. Interestingly it had not been put up to him over the last 15 days. We are also exploring ways to see that a copy reaches the PM, Leader of the Opposition and other MPs. After lapse of say 5 weeks we will go to the press. Ways of financing the advertisements are being considered.
Satish
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd) (1st JSW Course)
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have received numerous mails from you all appreciating the joint effort put in by all the signatory ESM Orgs in drafting the letter (it was not a single person's effort!) and importantly, being willing to sign it. I regret to say that even though I tried my best to get the Air Force Assn on board with personal calls, mails & SMS's, there was no response. I would like to place on record Brig Gulia's help, despite our differences on many occasions, as he played a major part in this joint effort. It was his initiative to call all organisations for a meeting to discuss the Cabinet Secretary's report on 06 Aug 2009. It was IESL which provided staff support for printing the letters, repeatedly till we got it right. Some suggestions have come to tweak the letter further. Regret they can only be included in the next letter, if any.
I can also report that the letter has reached the COAS and it has been passed down for action. Thanks to Air Cmde Chandershekhar, who was here from Bangalore, we have got a copy of the letter delivered to the RM by hand. Interestingly it had not been put up to him over the last 15 days. We are also exploring ways to see that a copy reaches the PM, Leader of the Opposition and other MPs. After lapse of say 5 weeks we will go to the press. Ways of financing the advertisements are being considered.
Satish
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd) (1st JSW Course)
Friday, October 30, 2009
IESM: Veterans who have deposited medals with the President seeking Pension Parity
Thu, 29 October, 2009 5:08:06 PM
Subject: MEDAL RETURN LIST NAMES OF ESM
Click here for the latest list of ESM who have deposited their medals with the President of India for safe custody as a mark of protest for NON- GRANT of "One Rank One Pension". The list is upto date till 25 Oct 2009.
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Subject: MEDAL RETURN LIST NAMES OF ESM
Click here for the latest list of ESM who have deposited their medals with the President of India for safe custody as a mark of protest for NON- GRANT of "One Rank One Pension". The list is upto date till 25 Oct 2009.
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
IESM: Reducing the Pension Disparity is not Pension Parity
Dear Colleagues,
The announcement made by the Government in Jun/ Jul this year in the Parliament, on the enhancement in pension of PBOR, still remains a mere announcement. One sincerely hoped for the increased emoluments of pre 10.10.1997 PBOR to be released before Diwali. That did not happen. Nor is there any indication when the emoluments will be finally released. One may assume that these will come latest by 31 Mar 2010 i.e. within this financial year since a provision of Rs 2144 Crores has been made in this year’s budget. What will be the quantum of increase? This too remains a grey area. The expectation of those dealing with the issue is as under:
Rank (service) Likely new pension
Sep (19) Rs 5,800/-
Naik (24) Rs 6,500/-
Hav (26) Rs 6,500/-
Nb Sub (28) Rs 10,675/-
Sub (28) Rs 11,970/-
Sub Maj (28) Rs 12,285/-
It would be relevant to point out that the above figures as of now are only a deduction from what has been already accorded. Secondly, it is not the expected OROP since these figures do not match the post 1.1.2006 scales.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
The announcement made by the Government in Jun/ Jul this year in the Parliament, on the enhancement in pension of PBOR, still remains a mere announcement. One sincerely hoped for the increased emoluments of pre 10.10.1997 PBOR to be released before Diwali. That did not happen. Nor is there any indication when the emoluments will be finally released. One may assume that these will come latest by 31 Mar 2010 i.e. within this financial year since a provision of Rs 2144 Crores has been made in this year’s budget. What will be the quantum of increase? This too remains a grey area. The expectation of those dealing with the issue is as under:
Rank (service) Likely new pension
Sep (19) Rs 5,800/-
Naik (24) Rs 6,500/-
Hav (26) Rs 6,500/-
Nb Sub (28) Rs 10,675/-
Sub (28) Rs 11,970/-
Sub Maj (28) Rs 12,285/-
It would be relevant to point out that the above figures as of now are only a deduction from what has been already accorded. Secondly, it is not the expected OROP since these figures do not match the post 1.1.2006 scales.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
IESM: OROP- A frevent appeal made by Warrant Officer
Dear Brig Kamboj,
The letters written to the President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Director of Pension during the month of October, 2009 by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.) are enclosed as attachment for information of all Ex-Servicemen in the country. The progress thereof is also being monitored on day to day basis by him.
With regards
Yours truly,
Kameshwar
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)
Appeal by Warrant Officer
Submission of letters, memoranda and presentations to various High Dignitaries have been initiated by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.). With his vigorous efforts he has achieved extraordinary rapport on the subject of ONE RANK ONE PENSION with many High Dignitaries icluding all MPs from Kerala, present and past Chief Ministers of Kerala, all Central Ministers from Kerala including Shri AK Antony, Defence Ministers, Private Secretaries of the Hon’ble the President of India and Bureaucrats accessible to him in various Ministries on the above subject.
Click here to read all the Letters addressed to PM and Ministries to quickly resolve the Pension Disparity muddle created by Bureaucrats
The letters written to the President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Director of Pension during the month of October, 2009 by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.) are enclosed as attachment for information of all Ex-Servicemen in the country. The progress thereof is also being monitored on day to day basis by him.
With regards
Yours truly,
Kameshwar
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)
Appeal by Warrant Officer
Submission of letters, memoranda and presentations to various High Dignitaries have been initiated by Warrant Officer P.R. Balathilakan (Retd.). With his vigorous efforts he has achieved extraordinary rapport on the subject of ONE RANK ONE PENSION with many High Dignitaries icluding all MPs from Kerala, present and past Chief Ministers of Kerala, all Central Ministers from Kerala including Shri AK Antony, Defence Ministers, Private Secretaries of the Hon’ble the President of India and Bureaucrats accessible to him in various Ministries on the above subject.
Click here to read all the Letters addressed to PM and Ministries to quickly resolve the Pension Disparity muddle created by Bureaucrats
IESL: Pension Disparity for War Disabled Jawans
Dear Avtar Singh Ji,
My approach has been to bring about parity among on pensioners of all categories based purely on the rank and total qualifying service. Any pensioner is entitled for the same pension if the conditions happen to be the same irrespecitve of the date or retirenment. We must win this first before studying anomalies in the application of the principle. We must concentrate on winning our princile of the demand on pension.
Regards RN Radakrishnan (Veteran)
Dear General,
1.Please refer to your "Analysis of CS Report on OROP" click me. It is an excellent analysis but,sadly,you have omitted to comment on the issue of disparity in Disability Pension(DP) rates of Pre-2006 disabled vetern retirees.
2. The CS & Secys have just brushed aside the demand (refer Para 7.1 ser 4 ) for DP at % basis instead of slab basis for pre2006 disabled veterns by stating that "it is a new dispensation ONLY for those disabled after 1.1.2006".However,mercifully,they go on to state that it "needs further exam with Dept of ESW to assess the financial implications". (What can one interpret from this ?)
3. It is evident that just like in the case of main OROP issue the preconcieved aim of the CS was to somehow deny DP on % basis to
the pre-2006 disabled veterns.
4. Consider the following:-
(a) The 6CPC in its Report/Recommendations(approved by GOI resolution) has not stated/implied anywhere that DP on % basis is "only for those disabled after 1.1.2006" .Infact it accepted the demand vide Para 5.1.68 to correct injustice being done to Armed forces disabled for a
long time vis a vis civilians.
(b) Is'nt Grade pay & MSP also a "New Dispensation" which is taken into calcutating the pension of all pre 2006 retirees?
(c) The CS report repeatedly talks about parity with civilians(paras 2.15,5.4ii,6.4 etc).Then why this disparity in DP rates between Armed forces disabled & similarly placed civilian diabled? All disabled civlians of ALL vintage (including Pre1.1.2006 retirees) have been & are getting DP on % basis.So why have the pre2006 disabled of Armed Forces been discriminated?
(d)It is apparent that the issue was not seriously deliberated by the CS & Secys before arriving at the pre-concieved recommendation at Para7.2(Ser 4).Asking the D o ESW to asses the "financial implications" is redicoulously points to that, as this would/should have been an input for arriving at the recommendation.
5.It is a clear case of anti Armed Forces stance of the top bureuocrats( including,unfortunatly,the Secy MOD) of the Nation.In one go
they have deprived all pre2006 disabled veterns,including those disabled(&still alive) in 1948,1962,1965,1971 Wars & IPKF operations , of their legitimate disability pension dues.
6.Considering that it is a clear case of discrimination we hope you will this resolved as well.
With Regards & Best Wishes
Brig AS Kahlon (Retd)
My approach has been to bring about parity among on pensioners of all categories based purely on the rank and total qualifying service. Any pensioner is entitled for the same pension if the conditions happen to be the same irrespecitve of the date or retirenment. We must win this first before studying anomalies in the application of the principle. We must concentrate on winning our princile of the demand on pension.
Regards RN Radakrishnan (Veteran)
Dear General,
1.Please refer to your "Analysis of CS Report on OROP" click me. It is an excellent analysis but,sadly,you have omitted to comment on the issue of disparity in Disability Pension(DP) rates of Pre-2006 disabled vetern retirees.
2. The CS & Secys have just brushed aside the demand (refer Para 7.1 ser 4 ) for DP at % basis instead of slab basis for pre2006 disabled veterns by stating that "it is a new dispensation ONLY for those disabled after 1.1.2006".However,mercifully,they go on to state that it "needs further exam with Dept of ESW to assess the financial implications". (What can one interpret from this ?)
3. It is evident that just like in the case of main OROP issue the preconcieved aim of the CS was to somehow deny DP on % basis to
the pre-2006 disabled veterns.
4. Consider the following:-
(a) The 6CPC in its Report/Recommendations(approved by GOI resolution) has not stated/implied anywhere that DP on % basis is "only for those disabled after 1.1.2006" .Infact it accepted the demand vide Para 5.1.68 to correct injustice being done to Armed forces disabled for a
long time vis a vis civilians.
(b) Is'nt Grade pay & MSP also a "New Dispensation" which is taken into calcutating the pension of all pre 2006 retirees?
(c) The CS report repeatedly talks about parity with civilians(paras 2.15,5.4ii,6.4 etc).Then why this disparity in DP rates between Armed forces disabled & similarly placed civilian diabled? All disabled civlians of ALL vintage (including Pre1.1.2006 retirees) have been & are getting DP on % basis.So why have the pre2006 disabled of Armed Forces been discriminated?
(d)It is apparent that the issue was not seriously deliberated by the CS & Secys before arriving at the pre-concieved recommendation at Para7.2(Ser 4).Asking the D o ESW to asses the "financial implications" is redicoulously points to that, as this would/should have been an input for arriving at the recommendation.
5.It is a clear case of anti Armed Forces stance of the top bureuocrats( including,unfortunatly,the Secy MOD) of the Nation.In one go
they have deprived all pre2006 disabled veterns,including those disabled(&still alive) in 1948,1962,1965,1971 Wars & IPKF operations , of their legitimate disability pension dues.
6.Considering that it is a clear case of discrimination we hope you will this resolved as well.
With Regards & Best Wishes
Brig AS Kahlon (Retd)
SCPC: Maj Gens- Pre/ Post- 2006 Pension Disparity
My Dear Brig Kamboj,
Letter addressed to all veteran Maj Gens/AVMs/Rear Admirals is given as link below.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Maj Gens' Case Pre & Post 2006 Pension Disparity
Dear Veterans,
1. AVM JK Pathania, a veteran who is also a practising Advocate of Delhi High Court and Supreme Court has taken an initiative to file a court case on behalf of Maj Gens/AVMs/Rear Admirals to ask for removal of disparity in Pension of Pre and Post 2006 retirees.
2. He had issued a legal notice to the Defence Secretary and the three Chiefs on 13 Aug 2009 (copy enclosed).While no reply has been received from the Defence Secretary, he has received reply from Lt Gen V K Chaturvedi, AVSM, SM on behalf of Chairman COSC dated 14 Sep 2009 (copy linked below). He had also sought information under the RTI from PIO, Min of Def vide RTI application dated 13 Aug 09 (copy linked below). The information is yet to be received.
3. AVM JK Pathania has proposed to file the joint case of a group of Maj Gens/ AVMs/ Rear Admirals in High Court/ Supreme Court. For proper preparation of case, he needs to assess the number of veterans who are willing to be part of the group. All veterans of ranks of Maj Gen/ AVM/ Rear Admiral who want to be part of the group may send their particulars to AVM Pathania with copy to me at the earliest.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
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Letter addressed to all veteran Maj Gens/AVMs/Rear Admirals is given as link below.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Maj Gens' Case Pre & Post 2006 Pension Disparity
Dear Veterans,
1. AVM JK Pathania, a veteran who is also a practising Advocate of Delhi High Court and Supreme Court has taken an initiative to file a court case on behalf of Maj Gens/AVMs/Rear Admirals to ask for removal of disparity in Pension of Pre and Post 2006 retirees.
2. He had issued a legal notice to the Defence Secretary and the three Chiefs on 13 Aug 2009 (copy enclosed).While no reply has been received from the Defence Secretary, he has received reply from Lt Gen V K Chaturvedi, AVSM, SM on behalf of Chairman COSC dated 14 Sep 2009 (copy linked below). He had also sought information under the RTI from PIO, Min of Def vide RTI application dated 13 Aug 09 (copy linked below). The information is yet to be received.
3. AVM JK Pathania has proposed to file the joint case of a group of Maj Gens/ AVMs/ Rear Admirals in High Court/ Supreme Court. For proper preparation of case, he needs to assess the number of veterans who are willing to be part of the group. All veterans of ranks of Maj Gen/ AVM/ Rear Admiral who want to be part of the group may send their particulars to AVM Pathania with copy to me at the earliest.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Men in Uniform are they obiligated to the Ex- Servicemen brethern?
Sent: Wed, 28 October, 2009 8:45:39 PM
Dear Colleagues,
On a family visit to Jaipur we stayed the Night 27/28 Oct with a Regimental battalion. It was nice being back to the freshness, warmth, and orderliness of a cantonment life. During the usual PT time walk through the officers' colony, we could see a noticeable improvement in the living standards. Roads are better maintained, lawns better manicured. More ACs than coolers can be seen jutting out of windows. Cars are bigger and better. Smartly dressed children could be seen rushing to catch the school buses – not the modified cagey trucks but proper buses. Odd Sahayaks could be seen walking Pugs and Danes, which fact is always used as a battering rod by the bureaucrats wanting the facility taken away.
A Subedar in his 28th Years of service gets 24-25000 in total. The mess waiter, who turned out to be from my own village (and claimed to have been helped by me in getting enrolled), gets a take- home of between 14000 and 15000 a month, that includes Salary, MSP, Grade Pay and Transport Allowance. Incidentally, every serving person is getting Rs 1600 pm as transport allowance.
One can have different views whether the existing salaries are adequate compensation for the dangers, hazards and difficulties of Service life. However, during my interaction, everyone from a Safaiwala to a Subedar Major appeared happy with what he gets.
I was pleasantly surprised that all the serving personnel are aware of the IESM and the efforts being made by it for betterment of the ESM. There was near unanimity that the Army is doing a lot for the serving but is not doing enough for the ESM and someone needs to focus in that direction.
New Members
We extend a very warm welcome to the following veterans and families who have joined the IESM:
Serial/ Number/ Rank/ Name/ Place
01. JC402013/ SUB/ RAMDHARI/ ROHTAK
02. JC1712850/ H CAPT/ WAZIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
03. JC695711/ SUB/ SURAN BHAN SIWACH/ ROHTAK
04. JC100803/ SUB/ BALWANT SINGH/ ROHTAK
05. JC1059527/ H NB SUB/ MAHABIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
06. JC2868263/ NK/ SAT PAUL/ ROHTAK
07. JC3168755/ NK/ SATBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
08. JC3171050/ HAV/ RAJBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
09. JC3161619/ NK/ DHANPAL SHINGH/ ROHTAK
10. JC1377478/ HAV/ RAJBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
11. JC1260804/ NK/ DHIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
12. JC2878358/ HAV/ SAT NARAIN/ ROHTAK
13. JC3178994/ HAV/ SURESH KUMAR/ ROHTAK
14. JC13610280/ HAV/ DHIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
15. JC4543414/ HAV/ BALRAJ/ ROHTAK
16. JC2867579/HAV/ KARTAR SINGH/ ROHTAK
17. JC14290739/ NK/ RANDHIR SINGH SIWACH/ ROHTAK
18. JC3168520/ HAV/ PREM SINGH/ ROHTAK
19. JC3160923/HAV/ SURAJ BHAN/ ROHTAK
20. JC2858760/ NK/ SUMERA/ ROHTAK
21. JC3157571/ NK/ MAHAVIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
22. JC2851675/ RFN/ JAG PAL/ ROHTAK
23. JC2645327/ NK (LATE)/ MEVI DEVI W/O/ ROHTAK
24. JC6882576/ NK(LATE)/ W/O (LATE) BALWAN SINGH/ ROHTAK
25. JC14290043/ L/NK (LATE)/ JAINO DEVI W/O LATE RAJKUMAR/ ROHTAK
26. JC3132731/ SEP (LATE)/ RUKMANI W/O LATE RISAL SINGH/
27. JC2882240/ NK (LATE)/ MUNI DEVI W/O LATE BHIM SINGH/ ROHTAK
28. JC3168068/ HAV(LATE)/ KALA DEVI W/O LATE JAGDISH CHANDER/ ROHTAK
29. JC3144697/ NK(LATE)/ CHANDRO W/O LATE DHANA RAM/ ROHTAK
30. JC6902556/ NK/ MAHA SINGH/ ROHTAK
31. JC6480199/ SEP/ PARTAP SINGH/ ROHTAK
32. JC1448635/ L/NK/ RAMDHARI/ ROHTAK
33. JC6817776/ SEP/ JAGDISH RAI/ ROHTAK
34. JC1085848/ DHARAM VIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
35. JC16395/ RAM SARUP/ ROHTAK
36. JC036637/ SUB (LATE)/ KRISHNA DEVI W/O SUB NAFE SINGH
37. JC1496422 SEP (LATE)/ CHAMELIDEVI W/O SEP SULTAN SINGH/
38. JC14202589/ L/NK(LATE)/ ROSHNI DEVI W/O RAM KANWAR/ ROHTAK
39. JC95346/ SUB(LATE)/ DHANO DEVI W/O GOPI RAM/ ROHTAK
40. JC15051/ SEP (LATE)/ JEEVO W/O JAGI RAM/ ROHTAK
41. JC2571961/ SUB MAJ/ KAMAN SINGH DIWA/ ROHTAK
42. JC218261/ N/SUB/ RANBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
43. JC1253855/ NK/ UMED SINGH/ ROHTAK
44. JC15177724/ NK/ SUNDER SINGH/ ROHTAK
45. JC36071/ SEP(LATE)/ KASTURI DEVI W/O DIWAN SHINGH/ ROHTAK
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
Dear Colleagues,
On a family visit to Jaipur we stayed the Night 27/28 Oct with a Regimental battalion. It was nice being back to the freshness, warmth, and orderliness of a cantonment life. During the usual PT time walk through the officers' colony, we could see a noticeable improvement in the living standards. Roads are better maintained, lawns better manicured. More ACs than coolers can be seen jutting out of windows. Cars are bigger and better. Smartly dressed children could be seen rushing to catch the school buses – not the modified cagey trucks but proper buses. Odd Sahayaks could be seen walking Pugs and Danes, which fact is always used as a battering rod by the bureaucrats wanting the facility taken away.
A Subedar in his 28th Years of service gets 24-25000 in total. The mess waiter, who turned out to be from my own village (and claimed to have been helped by me in getting enrolled), gets a take- home of between 14000 and 15000 a month, that includes Salary, MSP, Grade Pay and Transport Allowance. Incidentally, every serving person is getting Rs 1600 pm as transport allowance.
One can have different views whether the existing salaries are adequate compensation for the dangers, hazards and difficulties of Service life. However, during my interaction, everyone from a Safaiwala to a Subedar Major appeared happy with what he gets.
I was pleasantly surprised that all the serving personnel are aware of the IESM and the efforts being made by it for betterment of the ESM. There was near unanimity that the Army is doing a lot for the serving but is not doing enough for the ESM and someone needs to focus in that direction.
New Members
We extend a very warm welcome to the following veterans and families who have joined the IESM:
Serial/ Number/ Rank/ Name/ Place
01. JC402013/ SUB/ RAMDHARI/ ROHTAK
02. JC1712850/ H CAPT/ WAZIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
03. JC695711/ SUB/ SURAN BHAN SIWACH/ ROHTAK
04. JC100803/ SUB/ BALWANT SINGH/ ROHTAK
05. JC1059527/ H NB SUB/ MAHABIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
06. JC2868263/ NK/ SAT PAUL/ ROHTAK
07. JC3168755/ NK/ SATBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
08. JC3171050/ HAV/ RAJBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
09. JC3161619/ NK/ DHANPAL SHINGH/ ROHTAK
10. JC1377478/ HAV/ RAJBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
11. JC1260804/ NK/ DHIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
12. JC2878358/ HAV/ SAT NARAIN/ ROHTAK
13. JC3178994/ HAV/ SURESH KUMAR/ ROHTAK
14. JC13610280/ HAV/ DHIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
15. JC4543414/ HAV/ BALRAJ/ ROHTAK
16. JC2867579/HAV/ KARTAR SINGH/ ROHTAK
17. JC14290739/ NK/ RANDHIR SINGH SIWACH/ ROHTAK
18. JC3168520/ HAV/ PREM SINGH/ ROHTAK
19. JC3160923/HAV/ SURAJ BHAN/ ROHTAK
20. JC2858760/ NK/ SUMERA/ ROHTAK
21. JC3157571/ NK/ MAHAVIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
22. JC2851675/ RFN/ JAG PAL/ ROHTAK
23. JC2645327/ NK (LATE)/ MEVI DEVI W/O/ ROHTAK
24. JC6882576/ NK(LATE)/ W/O (LATE) BALWAN SINGH/ ROHTAK
25. JC14290043/ L/NK (LATE)/ JAINO DEVI W/O LATE RAJKUMAR/ ROHTAK
26. JC3132731/ SEP (LATE)/ RUKMANI W/O LATE RISAL SINGH/
27. JC2882240/ NK (LATE)/ MUNI DEVI W/O LATE BHIM SINGH/ ROHTAK
28. JC3168068/ HAV(LATE)/ KALA DEVI W/O LATE JAGDISH CHANDER/ ROHTAK
29. JC3144697/ NK(LATE)/ CHANDRO W/O LATE DHANA RAM/ ROHTAK
30. JC6902556/ NK/ MAHA SINGH/ ROHTAK
31. JC6480199/ SEP/ PARTAP SINGH/ ROHTAK
32. JC1448635/ L/NK/ RAMDHARI/ ROHTAK
33. JC6817776/ SEP/ JAGDISH RAI/ ROHTAK
34. JC1085848/ DHARAM VIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
35. JC16395/ RAM SARUP/ ROHTAK
36. JC036637/ SUB (LATE)/ KRISHNA DEVI W/O SUB NAFE SINGH
37. JC1496422 SEP (LATE)/ CHAMELIDEVI W/O SEP SULTAN SINGH/
38. JC14202589/ L/NK(LATE)/ ROSHNI DEVI W/O RAM KANWAR/ ROHTAK
39. JC95346/ SUB(LATE)/ DHANO DEVI W/O GOPI RAM/ ROHTAK
40. JC15051/ SEP (LATE)/ JEEVO W/O JAGI RAM/ ROHTAK
41. JC2571961/ SUB MAJ/ KAMAN SINGH DIWA/ ROHTAK
42. JC218261/ N/SUB/ RANBIR SINGH/ ROHTAK
43. JC1253855/ NK/ UMED SINGH/ ROHTAK
44. JC15177724/ NK/ SUNDER SINGH/ ROHTAK
45. JC36071/ SEP(LATE)/ KASTURI DEVI W/O DIWAN SHINGH/ ROHTAK
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
Damage inflicted on Ex Servicemen due to Rank Upgradation by the Serving Chiefs'
Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
Thanks for the information.
I would like to say that the concept of OROP needs a wee bit modification. The Armed Forces do a great harm to the retirees by upgrading their rank structure e.g. a company, which was commanded by a major, is now being commanded by a Lt Col. While the serving officers may feel elated, see the plight of the old majors who, having put in over 26 years of service, are now being given pension equal to that of a platoon commander (Now Majs). In the revised scheme of things, no one remains major on putting in 14 years of service, and save for those who die in service, no one would be retiring as a major (SL commission officers included). My own battalion lost a number of majors in 1965 and 71 wars; why should their widows get the pension due to deceased platoon commanders as today?
I feel that there is a case for modifying the concept of OROP which should include equal pension for equal work; after all this is the principle being applied all over in the civil.
There is also a case for requesting the Three Chiefs not to upgrade the ranks arbitrarily as it hits the pensioners badly; they should have simply got the Majors in PB4 and saved the older lot, a lot of discomfort.
With best Regards,
Col MMP Kala, Retd
Dear Brig Kamboj,
This letter (click me) so painstakingly drafted by the indomitable Gen Bahri is, without doubt, the best paper produced by the veterans so far. It is simple, cogent and in fact compelling. I think the rest of us should simply stick to the logic of this communication, without complicating it with any more figures and tables. Perhaps one single example which reveals the imbalance of the current dispensation is in the following relativity:
"A Col (TS) with 26 years service who may have commanded no more than a company has been granted a pension which is just Rs 100 less than a Brigade Commander who had put in 36 years service."
Legal eagles tell me that we have a weak case, in the court of law. But I think that the present dispensation fouls with "natural justice" and I think we will be able to find a competent lawyer who will be able to take on the might of legal cell of the Govt of India.
We also need to continuously remind the serving generals to keep knocking at the doors of those who have the power to act.
The Pay Cell has all but wound up. Before leaving their office, they sent me some tables which I am attaching, for what they are worth.
(Note: The tables mentioned here require some processing before these can be mass emailed. Will be forwarded to all members soon – Chander Kamboj)
With best wishes,
Surjit
Maj Gen Surjit Singh, EME, Veteran, Member IESM Steering Committee
Dear All,
Thanks for circulating the JOINT LETTER, which is very well written. Hopefully it should bring results.
I had read in the blog of Maj Navdeep about 'disparity' in compensation given to a CADET and RECRUIT, when they are boarded out- while undergoing training. There would be some more such issues, which though do not form part of OROP yet have a great bearing on those unfortunate ones, who are affected.
Does our community of ESMs like to bring out such cases to the notice of people, who are still in uniform? These issues, once noticed by our friends in UNIFORM, should form part of normal 'CORRECTIVE DRILL'. At least we should be able to set our own house in order.
Warm regards,
Lt Col Inderjit Singh Gill, Veteran
Thanks for the information.
I would like to say that the concept of OROP needs a wee bit modification. The Armed Forces do a great harm to the retirees by upgrading their rank structure e.g. a company, which was commanded by a major, is now being commanded by a Lt Col. While the serving officers may feel elated, see the plight of the old majors who, having put in over 26 years of service, are now being given pension equal to that of a platoon commander (Now Majs). In the revised scheme of things, no one remains major on putting in 14 years of service, and save for those who die in service, no one would be retiring as a major (SL commission officers included). My own battalion lost a number of majors in 1965 and 71 wars; why should their widows get the pension due to deceased platoon commanders as today?
I feel that there is a case for modifying the concept of OROP which should include equal pension for equal work; after all this is the principle being applied all over in the civil.
There is also a case for requesting the Three Chiefs not to upgrade the ranks arbitrarily as it hits the pensioners badly; they should have simply got the Majors in PB4 and saved the older lot, a lot of discomfort.
With best Regards,
Col MMP Kala, Retd
Dear Brig Kamboj,
This letter (click me) so painstakingly drafted by the indomitable Gen Bahri is, without doubt, the best paper produced by the veterans so far. It is simple, cogent and in fact compelling. I think the rest of us should simply stick to the logic of this communication, without complicating it with any more figures and tables. Perhaps one single example which reveals the imbalance of the current dispensation is in the following relativity:
"A Col (TS) with 26 years service who may have commanded no more than a company has been granted a pension which is just Rs 100 less than a Brigade Commander who had put in 36 years service."
Legal eagles tell me that we have a weak case, in the court of law. But I think that the present dispensation fouls with "natural justice" and I think we will be able to find a competent lawyer who will be able to take on the might of legal cell of the Govt of India.
We also need to continuously remind the serving generals to keep knocking at the doors of those who have the power to act.
The Pay Cell has all but wound up. Before leaving their office, they sent me some tables which I am attaching, for what they are worth.
(Note: The tables mentioned here require some processing before these can be mass emailed. Will be forwarded to all members soon – Chander Kamboj)
With best wishes,
Surjit
Maj Gen Surjit Singh, EME, Veteran, Member IESM Steering Committee
Dear All,
Thanks for circulating the JOINT LETTER, which is very well written. Hopefully it should bring results.
I had read in the blog of Maj Navdeep about 'disparity' in compensation given to a CADET and RECRUIT, when they are boarded out- while undergoing training. There would be some more such issues, which though do not form part of OROP yet have a great bearing on those unfortunate ones, who are affected.
Does our community of ESMs like to bring out such cases to the notice of people, who are still in uniform? These issues, once noticed by our friends in UNIFORM, should form part of normal 'CORRECTIVE DRILL'. At least we should be able to set our own house in order.
Warm regards,
Lt Col Inderjit Singh Gill, Veteran
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