Ex Servicemen fighting to debug the skewed Pension Policy

Date: Friday, 7 August, 2009, 8:29 PM
Gentlemen,
Further to our meeting of 9 Jul 09 at IESL HQ, we had another meeting at IESL HQ on 06 Aug 09 through the kind courtesy of Brig RKS Gulia, President IESL. Aim was to discuss the rather obstinate attitude of the Government to deny OROP to officers, JCO/ Warrant officers and OR, despite having been announced by the President of India and the FM in the Parliament.

The following attended the meeting:
a) Brig RKS Gulia, IESL
b) R Adm S Ramsay
c) AVM RP Misra
d) Maj Gen Satbir Singh, IESM
e) Maj Gen P Renjen, IESM
f) Gp Capt Sethi, Air Force Assn
g) AVM JK Pathania
h) Maj Gen RKN Radhakrishnan
i) Yours truly was asked to take the chair

The members discussed firstly, the question of preparing tables of pension entitlement of all ranks and secondly, govt letter dated 15 Jul 09 regarding the implementation of Supreme Court judgement regarding fixation of pension of pre 1996 Maj Gens and the report dated 16 Jul 09 of the Cabinet Secretary on the issue of OROP.

It was decided that pension tables need not be prepared till the govt issues a letter on pension entitlements as per the Cabinet Secretary's report. It was however decided that the Cabinet Secretary's recommendations for not granting OROP be challenged and the fact that despite the SC ruling in favour of pre 1996 Maj Gens, the govt has extended their revised pension only till 1997 and not beyond to 1 Jan 06, be questioned. After discussion it was decided that the following points be covered in a letter to the PM, Defence Minister and the Finance Minister.

a) The definition of OROP stated by the Cabinet Secretary (as defined by a number of ESM orgs to him) in his report be reinforced ie pension should be based on the number of qualifying years of service and rank. Also special terms and conditions in which defence service pers serve should be highlighted and reiterated.
b) No senior rank should draw less pension than a rank junior to him.
c) Three assured career progressions must be assured to PBOR.
d) Fitment should be done at the max of a scale of a rank plus three stagnation increments for superannuating offrs.
e) MSP should be entitled to all ranks from Sepoy to Chief.. No artificial barrier of a salary limit of Addl Secy, Secy or Cab Secy should be laid down to deny senior officers MSP.

Maj Gen Radhakrishnan was requested to draft the letter, which will be circulated to all representative ESM orgs for their views before it is issued. It was also decided that the letter will be signed by Heads of IESL, IESM, Naval Foundation and Air Force Association. As the last IAF CAS is the head of AFA, he should be requested to sign at the head of other signatories.

I would like to put on record that Brig Gulia volunteered to provide staff and logistic support for the above. It must also be appreciated that all Orgs consented to provide full cooperation in making this ESM endeavour a success.
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd)

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e- Governance, IT, PCDA and ESM Welfare Department
1. Initiate training programs, modules and tools for MOD and PCDA staff to ensure quality and consistency of pension benefits delivery system. The present pension adalats are merely an extension of bureaucratic control lacking feedback and communication with the ESM.
2. A 24 hour Customer service- toll free line for Widows, disabled and pensioners.
3. Central agency for PBORs Pension Rolls updated online from various paying authorities.
4. Information and technology investments- Delivery Network- should be made mandatory and those planned for the future should enable new technologies to be used to facilitate processing of PBORs claims and for providing the vast number of benefits to them and their families. The majority of development in new technology should include the enhancement of the compensation components, development of the Virtual VA imaging solution for compensation and pension, and operation of the program integrity and data management program. Thus ensuring delivery and peaking the Pension Mechanism down to the Treasuries and Bankers. This will facilitate and ensure monthly credit of entitled pensions, into individual accounts, are seamless and routine.
5. IT Support for Education Opportunities, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Housing, and Insurance program be provided to eligible PBORs and their dependents. These programs should rely on supporting IT systems to ensure benefits and services are provided timely and consistently by the support staff at MOD/ Ex Servicemen Welfare Department.
Note: Funds required for toll free line and "ESM Pension Delivery Network" and related IT architecture can be met from Welfare Funds accrued from Flag Day collections and CSD(I) profits which annually runs to over Rs 1000 crores, hence no dearth of funds.