IESM: Pension Parity- Responses from Readers

Date: Saturday, 8 August, 2009, 11:48 PM
Dear Brig Kamboj,
When I reviewed list of defence pensioners drawing pension at bank of Maharashtra, Shankarshet Road Branch,Pune. I came across two widows, Mrs Sushila Bhagwat, w/o late Lt Col S Y Bhagwat(MR-00511) and Mrs Leela P Rege, w/o late Lt Col P Rege,Vr C ,Dogra Regt who were being given pension as per Vth Pay Commission. Mrs Bhagwat is born on 13 Mar 1920 and Mrs Rege is born on 8 Jan 1925. Mrs Bhagwat has not moved out of her house for last few years and was drawing pension as given through her maid. I visited both ladies and got all details necessary for revision of pension.After my interaction with the Branch manager and later with BOM HO that my worksheets were accepted and both have received not only arrears but revised pension including additional pension due to their advanced age.I have completed similar exercise at 4 branches of BOM and in few cases at SBI, Syndicate Bank and Canara Bank.This is my contribution to vetarans and colleagues.
As per my information SBI has formed Central Pension Processing Cell(CPPC)at Navi Mumbai covering Maharashtra, Gujrat and Goa states and they have huge cases to be dealt with.I have managed to establish contact with Chief Manager, CPPC, and cleared few cases.SBI had outsourced this job and could not achieve the result.
This is for your information.
regards,
Gp Capt SS Phatak (Retd)

Date: Sunday, 9 August, 2009, 9:51 PM
Dear Friends ,
The all India Radio will now re-broadcast programme on ESM Helpline at 9 PM (2100 hrs) IST at FM 103.1 MHz on Monday (10 Aug) and NOT in the morning as intimated earlier. You may like to inform other friends also
With Warm Regards,
Brig Harwant Singh (Retd)

To: Gen Satish Kumar Bahri
Date: Saturday, 8 August, 2009, 10:22 PM
Dear General,
1. It was indeed so very heartening to read & learn that the efforts of "Consensus cum Unity" are proceeding along so very successfully & am sure that each ESM's heart is yearning for the day when total UNITY will be achieved. Also that every ESM silently sends U all his very best wishes.

2. There was an article in the TOI of 07 Aug which I thought would be of relevence to us while preparing the paper to the Govt. The heading is "Govt okays pay hike for IIT,IIM staff". In the text it says"The Govardhan Mehta Pay Review Committee had suggested the pay scale of assistant professors in these institutions will be in the pay band of Rs 15,600-39,100 with academic grade pay of Rs 8,000/-. While the committee recommended the salary of Associate Professor in the band of 37,400-67,000 with Academic Grade Pay of 10,000/-, the pay for Professors was suggested as Rs 37,400/- - 67,000/- with AGP of 11,000/-".

3. The above pattern is also followed for IAS & IPS, about the latter I am sure but for the former it can be cross checked(Dirs & Jt Secy vis-a-vis DGP & IGP). The counter to our points will be that the pattern is being followed for all Services hence its applicability to the Defence Services & MSP is being given in addition taking into account the special conditions of service. However, the facet of SAI /NAI/AFAI will need to be highlighted for reasoning that the pay band of PB4 should not be applied for 4 ranks, Lt Cols to Maj Gens. Am sure Gen Radhakrishnan must have considered this point too while debating the overall issue of the OROP, but thought would mention it having come accross it y'day.
Wishing the "Consensus Committee" all the very best in its efforts.
With Regards,
Sincerely,
Col Inderjit Kashyap (Retd)

Date: Sunday, 9 August, 2009, 6:43 PM
Dear Friends & Sirs,
1. Last year, we compromised with Politicians (Def Min) that our OROP will be accepted if IESM/ we do not press on for other 3 demands, for the time being. Govt promised & announced it too, but gradually fading away from OROP too. God knows, where 2140 crores are going, now??

2. We have noticed that Govt is basically complying with Court's orders mainly (ie 1997 PBOR & Maj Gen's cases) and providing some relief (OTI) to pre 1997 Jawans only. Which comes to fulfilling less than 10% of our/ IESM demand. Govt may keep on bargaining & keep testing our metal time to time.

3. Therefore, we should not now reduce our 28 demands & press on for 4 basic demands imdly like:
a. OROP for all, (PBORs & Offrs) and not leave scope for Govt to devide & rule.
b. Job up to 60 yrs of age or 85% Pension of last pay drawn. OR Side stepping to Govt Civil jobs only (not to para mil Forces) as misguided by Bureaucrats
c. ESM Commission with statutory powers, so that we can fight for justice like minority communities, with dignity & gracefully.
d. ESM rep in all decision making bodies, like: from Panchayat to Parliament.

4. Public & most ESM like Maj Jallo (of Mohali- see Tribune letters dt 9/8/09) feel that Govt have heaped colossal monetary benefits to ESM. To clear the doubts and project the true and correct picture, I have prepared a small poster, which may help us, as under:
One Rank One Pension or JOKE? OTI for some
a. Jawan's Pension after 10 Yrs is stepped up from Rs 3700 to 5500/- ie Rs 1800 only. Jawans are still unskilled workers, hence get lower wagwes in spite of 24 Hrs, tough duty & risks and no resettlement?
b. NCOs (Nk & Hav) are not class 4 employees, hence they deserve to be put in PB-2, like Civ.
c. Sepoy to Major (99% forces) are not benefitted at all by 6th CPC (of Civ), hence we need imdt formation of Separate Pay Commn for & of Def Forces to settle out 107 existing anomalies. Civ are ignorant of rank structure???
d. Sub Maj (Hony Capt) JCO & Offr Capt are getting the same Pension ie Rs 13850 for Offrs & JCOs. AHQ civ staff replies, that its no anomaly??
e. Lt Col get Pension Rs 25700, Col 26050, Brig 26150 and Maj Gen get 26700 (Lt Col to Maj Gen are closed up in just Rs 1000. Where as Lt Gen gets Rs 36500, ie a gap of 10,000+??
f. Too much gap also exists between Pensions of Major (Rs 14100) to Lt col, ie 11,600 and between Maj Gen & Lt Gen. It happens in India only!
g. ESM Commission with statutory powers is also needed imdtly, because Civ Babus often turn down our most legitimate points/ demands.
h. There is no ESM Rep in decision making bodies & our voice reaches nowhere.
All ESM, Org/ NGOs are requested to join IESM Seminar in Delhi (NOIDA) Sector 37, on 30/8/09. Please contact for more details & to coord move. Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement is born to Struggle for Justice to ESM Community.
Col SS Sohi (Retd)