PM to resign on Sunday, new Govt formation in two days

PM Manmohan Singh with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at latter's residence in New Delhi
Posted: Saturday , May 16, 2009 at 1723 hrs IST
New Delhi: Indian Express
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will resign on Sunday and the process for formation of a new government headed by him is expected to be completed by Monday.
Singh and rest of the Cabinet will resign on Sunday, informed Congress sources after the Prime Minister met party chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence.
Subsequently, a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Board will be called which will be followed by a meeting of UPA, they said.
The entire process will be completed in a couple of days, the sources said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said he would try to persuade Rahul Gandhi to join the Cabinet.
Soon after it became clear that Congress had emerged as the single largest party, a stream of senior leaders reached 10-Janpath residence of Sonia Gandhi. A large number of party supporters had gathered outside her residence to celebrate Congres's victory.
PM to resign on Sunday, new Govt formation in two days

BJP virtually concedes defeat

New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Virtually conceding defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP today said the trends were "disappointing" and not on expected lines.
"Trends are not on expected lines. It is little disappointing....We concede UPA is ahead," BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said as trends indicated that the UPA was racing ahead.

He said the party's parliamentary board will meet to analyse what went wrong.

Punj said the trends were also not expected lines in the states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for Third Front.

Admitting that Congress "seems to have the upper hand", another BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said "as of now UPA is leading. We are lagging behind." Asked what went wrong, Naidu said "that has to be analysed. It is disappointing, I do agree". PTI
BJP virtually concedes defeat

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Friday, 15 May, 2009, 11:49 PM
Dear Colleagues,
In a few hours from now the election results will start coming in. The nail- biting will end. The poll predictions and speculations will all be put to test. In the coming days, when the political climate clears, we will also know what direction to follow for pursuit of OROP.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Mandate 2009
2009 elections started off with a thump– impatience with the status quo and need for change- political parties and politicians to start behaving more responsibly, differently, patriotically and honestly! It is clear that status quo has continued– lower turnout, criminals participation, tickets to renowned corrupt ministers and gender bias– no change at all! And so friends, its likely that we will be presented with more of the same on 16th May– deal making in various corridors of Delhi and issues like change, democratic mandate, election manifesto, all likely to be forgotten and ignored! If that happens hope we don’t just sit around silently and allow it to happen! Citizens need to be proactive to safeguard the security of the nation. Who else is more suited for this leading role than the Ex- Servicemen?

Welfare of ex-servicemen takes a backseat

Hindustan Times, Delhi, May 15, 2009, Noida Live
IN UTTAR Pradesh, about 75 per cent posts of the Zila Sainik Adhikari have been lying vacant for the last five years. Hence there are no jobs for ex-servicemen. As a result no welfare activities could be carried out in the state for them. This was stated by Col (retd) Prakash Bhatt of Noida Veterans Forum, at a meeting organised at Arun Vihar Community Centre last Sunday.
Noida Veterans Forum is a newly formed body of retired Army officers working for the betterment of the ex-servicemen. It is also in the process of setting up a helpline for veterans, war-widows and their dependents in distress.
Addressing the gathering of exservicemen, Bhatt held the Directorate General of Recruitment (DGR) responsible for having failed to do its job.
“Only 10 per cent of the retiring personnel could be trained by the DGR in 2005, while only 30 per cent could be given jobs,” he remarked.
“Creation of Army, Air Force and Navy placement cells substantiate the fact that DGR has been ineffective. But since all of these are not working in synergy, much is left to be desired,” he added.
Col Bhatt also spoke about the discriminatory rules that exist for Noida ECHS beneficiaries,wherein a Noida resident is not entitled for treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
He also stressed that annuity for gallantry award winners should be made uniform in all states.
Allaying the fears of the retired soldiers, Brig (retd) K.P.Singh Deo, former Defence Minister,who is also the secretary, Ex-servicemen Department, All India Congress Committee, stated that the Central government has approved the formation of a separate pay commission for defence services. Besides an ex-servicemen commission will also be formed.
Agreeing that the state of most Sainik Boards is appalling, Deo said that the ex-servicemen commission is being formed precisely to improve the condition of Sainik Boards at central, state and district level.
Welfare of ex-servicemen takes a backseat

Comment: The Tamilnadu Ex- Servicemen Corporation (TEXCO) solely run for benefit of ESM is grossly misused by bureaucrats heading the organisation. Personnel concocted as ESM relatives are employed by the corporation. The DGR should investigate and blacklist TEXCO. The MOD is a silent spectator when ESM are cheated by bureaucracy!

ECHS: Meerut rated efficient

Date: Wednesday, 13 May, 2009, 7:13 PM
On the blog Report My Signal I read couple of reports on functioning of ECHS, I have following comments to offer regarding Meerut:
ECHS at Meerut has been functioning very efficiently, there are sufficient no. of doctors and specialist available, all good nursing homes and hospitals are on panel including diagonostic centres. Local Specialists are also on the panel. Polyclinic doctors would ask you to whom you would like to be referred to, they are polite and courteous.
The only bottleneck point is issue of medicines. There are long lines for receiving medicines specially PBORs. As far as Corruption is concerned, we are bound to be falling prey, because that element is in built in our character, but officers must be watchful while dealing with empanneled nursing homes/ hospitals.
Link to earlier posts
ECHS is a dud: Revisited
ECHS: Chandigarh
ECHS: Tirunelveli rated exemplary

ECHS: Tirunelveli rated exemplary

Thanks to the well organized ex-servicemen welfare association named ‘Tirunelveli District Ex-servicemen Welfare Association’, which played a vital role in creating awareness among the ex-servicemen. The Association immediately conducted meetings and released a guide book on ECHS in Tamil and also arranged to publish the scheme in a leading Tamil daily for one month.

The Station HQ. Thiruvananthapuram, arranged monthly visit to this place for enrolling members in the scheme. The Association helped a lot in filling up the ECHS application and enabled them to join the scheme without delay.

The arrival of Col S Victor (Retd) as the first O i/c Polyclinic enabled the formation of the ECHS clinic smoothly. The dedication and hard work put in by Col S Victor can always be remembered and rewarded. An exemplary leadership and initiative taken by this well disciplined & self contended Colonel during initial days enabled the blue print of the ECHS scheme into a reality.

Lot many criticisms are being aired about the scheme here and there. As a social activist, and as a well wisher of the veteran community, I feel it is my moral duty to express my opinion about the functioning of this ECHS Polyclinic at this centre, at this juncture. The success or failure of any scheme is mainly in the hands of the men who manage it. The amount of hard work, dedication & honesty put in towards any organization will always be rewarded if not immediately, but definitely one day. In that context, the o i/c Polyclinic of Tirunelveli ECHS had proved that it is the man behind who matters than anything else for the success or otherwise.

The ECHS Polyclinic at Tirunelveli is functioning efficiently. This is a ‘C’ type Polyclinic raised on 01.04.2004 with 70 members initially. As on 01.05.2009, the membership had increased to 3050 with 5924 dependents thus making a total of 8974.

The average OPD cases attended about 105 by two Medical Officers only. The Post of a Specialist Medical Officer is vacant.(MD) for some time. In the event of the non-availability of MD, additional Medical Officers may be posted.

About 300 referals are made in a month to ‘Shifa Clinic’ which is the only empanelled hospital locally for the past 5 years. Recently one more hospital named ‘Galaxy’ has been empanelled. Major referral cases are made to Chennai and Nagercoil. So far around 35 major heart surgeries, two knee replacement surgeries have been done through this clinic. Emergency dialysis cases are attended locally. Regular dialysis cases are attended at Nagercoil with 2 sessions per week for one month at a time. Seven hearing aids have been purchased at a cost of Rs.55,600 and given to the members. As the membership grows, so the payment to the empanelled hospitals also increases. The payment to the empanelled hospitals in the year 2005-06 was Rs 11 lakhs, this has increased to 46 lakhs now. By and large the patients are satisfied and they are really proud of having such a good clinic at this centre. Procurement of medicine through DGLP is sufficient and members are satisfied. The Station HQ Thiruvananthapuram is giving all help to this clinic.

On behalf of the ex-servicemen and their families I thank the o i/c ECHS Polyclinic Tirunelveli and its staff (including the Medical Officers) and the Station HQ Thiruvananthapuram for providing good service to the ex-servicemen community and I request them to continue the same.
--Posted By Muthukrishnan to indianexserviceman at 5/16/2009 06:20:00 AM
Links to original Posts
ECHS: Chandigarh
ECHS is a dud: Revisited

Congress AWOL for long, ex-servicemen stay with BJP

Thu, May 14 05:15 AM
As the last phase of polls approached, the Congress made a last ditch effort to woo ex-servicemen in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh— which have a sizeable chunk of this section of the electorate— assuring higher pension for retired personnel and announcing an increase in compensation for war casualties.

However, despite the last minute 'decision' to set up a committee for the One Rank One Pension (OROP) demand of retired soldiers, the large ex-servicemen community in these states is expected to vote in favour of the BJP, largely due to an influential organisation that started the countrywide protest against an 'unfair deal' in the Sixth Pay Commission.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), which mobilised thousands of soldiers to return their medals to the President as a form of protest earlier this year, is leaving no stone unturned to campaign for the BJP, which has included the touchy OROP issue in its manifesto.

"The only national party that has taken up the issue of the OROP is the BJP. That is why we have decided to support the cause. We are united in our demand for the same pension to all retirees," says Lt Gen (retd) Raj Kadiyan, chairperson of the IESM.

This demand has emerged as the unifying factor for several ex-servicemen organisations that have come together under the IESM umbrella.

Incidentally, this is the first time ever in the history of the Armed Forces that an organised movement has declared its support for a political party. In the past, while smaller organisations would pledge support to a particular party, the community at large was perceived as being politically neutral.

From public meetings in Uttarakhand and Punjab by senior retired officers to mass e-mails, the IESM has managed, for the first time, to get the message through to ex-soldiers — to pledge 'issue-based' support to the BJP.

"We have been moving around meeting ex-servicemen in states across the country. We are telling former soldiers that a lot of wrong has been done to us in the Pay Commission and that our main demand for One Rank One Pension has only been taken up by the BJP," says Lt Gen Kadiyan.

While public meetings and press statements are the preferred medium of reaching out to soldiers in villages, the movement is using the Internet extensively to remain in touch with retired officers and their families.

The movement even has a website (www.iesm.org) which is updated on a daily basis. Lt Gen Kadiyan also maintains a regular blog as well as a mailing list that is subscribed to by a large section of ex-servicemen.

But with military prudence, the movement is also distancing itself from any ideology by making it clear that it is offering "one-time support" to the BJP for its commitment to the OROP cause. "There is very strong suspicion that the Congress will never take up the matter. We do not support the ideology of the BJP but are giving it support only for the cause of ex-servicemen," Kadiyan clarifies.
Manu Pubby
Congress AWOL for long, ex-servicemen stay with BJP

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Thursday, 14 May, 2009, 10:35 PM
Dear Colleagues,
The whole country is in the grip of political speculation. We the ESM remain firm in our resolve to keep OROP in cross-hairs. We will not rest till we get what is our right.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

extract from Maj Navdeeps weblog
Are we reading correctly ???
Times of India reports here that faced with a query from the Election Commission, cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar has now denied that the government has constituted any special committee for the purpose of examining ‘parity in pensions’ of defence personnel. TOI further adds that the government obviously has backtracked in face of the danger of being pulled up for violating the model code of conduct by announcing the decision bang in the middle of elections.

But here is a Congress Advertisement issued by the party on Page 12 of Punjab Kesari today and as we can all see here, it clearly talks of setting up of the ibid committee. Kindly also note that the said advertisement also directly talks not of any vague concept of ‘parity in pensions’ but unambiguously of ‘One Rank – One Pension’ in no uncertain terms.

TOI and Congress, please reconcile. Is there a catch somewhere, or is there something we are missing here ??? :-)
Brig Kiran Krishan, Convener IESM

UPA GOVT MISLEADS DEFENCE PERSONNEL FOR ELECTORAL GAINS: CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE TO GRANT OROP
Dear Members of the Media,
1. The UPA Govt announced the constitution of high powered committee to review grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and address anomalies of 6th Pay Commission. This was announced on 4th May 2009, three days prior to the Elections in Northern states of Haryana, Part Punjab, UP and Bihar where there is a large concentration of Defence Personnel both serving and retired. This was a deliberate attempt by the Government to mislead the Defence Personnel to gain their sympathy for electoral gain to counter an Advisory issued by Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) to Vote for the Political party who had promised in writing in their manifesto to implement OROP (BJP).

2. We at the core group of IESM are not that naïve not to see through the mischievous game of the UPA Govt knowing fully well that this action of the Government would be struck down by the Election Commission being violative of the Election Code. Therefore, it clearly emerges that the Govt was intentionally trying to cause wrongful electoral gains to themselves. The Election Commission very rightly asked the Govt to confirm the constitution of the committee. It is surprising the Govt has now on 12 May 2009 denied having constituted the committee.

3. The UPA Government has been playing a cat and mouse game with the Defence Forces and this action reveals blatant violation of all democratic norms. The grave injustice to the Defence Forces has reached an unacceptable limit and would lead to further demoralization of Defence Personnel. In all fairness the elections held on 7th May 2009 in Northern States be countermanded.
With regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

SCPC: Ex-servicemen demands to place Havildars in pay band PB 2

GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
PATIALA: Indian Ex-Services League Punjab & Chandigarh, the oldest and a non-political body of ex-servicemen has asked the committee formed by Centre Govt. under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Affair) S.M. Acharya to place Havildars and equivalent in pay-band, PB-2.

The league said that these non-commissioned officers form the real backbone of the Armed Forces and enjoy the same position as their counter parts, Lt. Cols. and equivalent, in the cadre of commissioned officers.

Sgt. Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS Retd., President, Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh said in a press release Tuesday that It was a pity that none of the senior officers, who spearheaded the demand of placing Lt. Cols. in PB-4, spoke even a single word when they found these senior non-commissioned officers having been placed in PB-1 along with class IV employees which caused a tremendous frustration among the PBORs. The league has, further stressed upon the committee to re-allocate Sub. Major to pay-band, PB-3 if it really intends to arrest the heart burning among the PBORs caused by the recommendations / implementation of Sixth Pay Commission, He added.

The League has reiterated its demand of raising minimum pension (applicable to reservist only) to Rs. 4600/= PM (Basic Pay 5200 + Gr.Pay 2000+ MSP 2000 divided by 2) on the same analogy as it has fixed Rs. 3500/= PM (Basic Pay 5200+Gr.Pay 1800 divided by 2) for the civilian employees Sixth Pay Commission has separated soldiers from civilian by granting MSP (Military Service Pay) to the former at the rate of Rs. 2000/= for PBORs and Rs. 6000/= for officers. As such, granting of Rs. 3500/= PM as minimum pension to service personnel is not justified by any stretch of law.

The League has further demanded a pension of Rs. 6000/=PM for Sepoy, Rs. 7000/= for Nk. Rs. 9000/= for Havildar Rs. 10,000/= PM for Nb. Sub. Rs. 11,000/= for Sub. and Rs. 13,000/=PM for Sub. Majors and equivalents till the committee is in a position to grant ONE RANK ONE PENSION to the soldiers.

League has sought the support of all likeminded organizations of ex-servicemen (both PBORs and officers) and also the senior officers in IESM if they sincerely wish to stand by the PBORs as many of them apparently claim to do so in this respect.

The league has reminded the committee that PBORs count for 96% of the total strength in the Armed forces and they have been crushed by the partial recommendation and faltered implementation of pay commission report. In the Armend Forces, Havildars and below, who retire before the age of 40 years, count for 85% where as J.C.O. form a chunk of 11% and the strength of officers is only 4%. A gross injustice has been done to middle ranking PBORs, Hav. and equivalent which needs to be corrected at the earliest.

In case nothing is done to assuage the feeling of PBORs, situation is likely to explode to an uncontrollable extent for which the govt. in power at the center will be, solely, held responsible.
Ex-servicemen demands to place Havildars in pay band PB 2

HINDI Version
GAGANDEEP आहूजा
मंगलवार, 12 मई 2009
पटियाला: भारतीय पूर्व सर्विसेज लीग पंजाब और चंडीगढ़, और एक गैर प्राचीनतम-पूर्व सैनिकों ने केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा गठित समिति ने कहा है की राजनीतिक शरीर. की अध्यक्षता में सचिव के (पूर्व सैनिक चक्कर) SM अंतर्गत आचार्य Havildars और वेतन में बराबर-बैंड, PB-2 जगह पर.

इस लीग कि इन गैर कमीशन अधिकारियों ने कहा कि सशस्त्र बलों के वास्तविक रीढ़ फार्म और उनके काउंटर भागों, जैसे एक ही स्थिति का आनंद लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल और समकक्ष, कमीशन अधिकारियों के काडर में.

सार्जेंट. Prabhjot सिंह Chhatwal PLS सेवानिवृत्त. अध्यक्ष, भारतीय पूर्व सर्विसेज लीग, पंजाब और चंडीगढ़ एक प्रेस विज्ञप्ति में मंगलवार को कहा कि यह दुख की बात यह है कि वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों की जो PB में लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल रखने की मांग-4 अपनाई कोई नहीं, बात की थी एक भी शब्द जब वे PB में रखा गया इन वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों गैर कमीशन मिला-1 जो PBORs के बीच में एक जबर्दस्त कुंठा का कारण चतुर्थ श्रेणी के कर्मचारियों के साथ. इस लीग, और पुन: करने के लिए समिति-उप आवंटित पर जोर दिया है. मेजर का भुगतान करने के बैंड, PB-3 अगर यह सच में PBORs सिफारिशों के कारण लोगों के दिल को जला को गिरफ्तार करने के लिए / छठे वेतन आयोग को लागू करने का इरादा रखता है, वह है.

न्यूनतम पेंशन बढ़ाने की अपनी मांग को दोहराया गया है इस लीग (रु केवल) को अलग करने के लिए लागू. 4600 / = प्रति माह (मूल वेतन 5200 + Gr.Pay 2000 + एमएसपी 2000 2 से विभाजित) एक ही समानता पर के रूप में यह तय हो गया है रु. 3500 / = प्रति माह (मूल वेतन 5200 + Gr.Pay 1800 2 से विभाजित) छठे वेतन आयोग नागरिक (मिलिट्री सर्विस पे) के पूर्व करने के लिए रुपए की दर से एमएसपी देने से सैनिकों से अलग किया है कि असैनिक कर्मचारियों के लिए. 2000 / PBORs और रु = के लिए. 6000 अधिकारियों / = के लिए. इस प्रकार, रुपए की देने. 3500 / = प्रति माह के रूप में न्यूनतम पेंशन कानून के किसी भी खिंचाव से न्यायोचित नहीं है सेवा कर्मियों के लिए.

इस लीग के आगे रुपये की पेंशन की मांग की है. 6000 / = महीना भारतीय सिपाही, रु प्रति. 7000 / = नायक के लिए. रु. 9000 / = हवलदार रुपये के लिए. 10000 / = महीना नायब के लिए प्रति. उप. रु. 11000 / = उप के लिए. और रु. 13000 / = महीना उप के लिए प्रति. बड़ी और समिति तक समकक्ष एक रैंक के सैनिकों के लिए एक पेंशन प्रदान करने की स्थिति में है.

यदि वे ईमानदारी से इनमें से कई के रूप में PBORs ने जाहिरा तौर पर तो इस संबंध में दावा करने के लिए खड़े करने के लिए इच्छा लीग पूर्व सैनिकों (दोनों PBORs और अधिकारी) और भी IESM में वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के संगठनों दिमाग सभी तरह की सहायता की मांग की है.

इस लीग ने समिति को याद दिलाया है कि सशस्त्र बलों में कुल संख्या का 96% के लिए PBORs गिनती और वे आंशिक सिफारिश से कुचल दिया गया है और वेतन आयोग की रिपोर्ट को लागू करने में विफल रहा है. सशस्त्र सेनाओं में, Havildars और नीचे है, जो 40 वर्ष की आयु, गिनती से पहले 85% के लिए रिटायर जहां जूनियर कमीशन अफसर के रूप में और अधिकारियों की शक्ति 11% का एक हिस्सा फार्म केवल 4% है. एक घोर अन्याय मध्यम क्रम PBORs, हवलदार के लिए किया गया है. और बराबर की जरूरत है, जो जल्द से जल्द ठीक किया जाना है.

मामले में कुछ भी नहीं PBORs की भावना को दूर करने के लिए, स्थिति एक अनियन्त्रणीय हद तक विस्फोट होने की संभावना है किया है जो सरकार के लिए. सत्ता के केंद्र में है, केवल, जिम्मेदार आयोजित किया जाएगा.
मांगों वेतन बैंड PB 2 में Havildars जगह पर

भारत के पूर्व सर्विसेज लीग प्रगट

1. शासी निकाय
(i) ब्रिगेडियर आर के एस गुलिया: राष्ट्रपति चेयर () में
(ii) कर्नल एन एल वर्मा से: Sr उपराष्ट्रपति
(iii) कर्नल वी के सिंह: उपराष्ट्रपति
(iv) लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल बी एस Ghumman: उपराष्ट्रपति
(v) कर्नल वी पी सिंह: मानद कोषाध्यक्ष

2. कुछ रूपात्मकता भी चर्चा की गई और यह है कि निम्नलिखित इस प्रयोजन के लिए कोर ग्रुप का गठन किया जाएगा निर्णय लिया गया था:
(एक) मेजर जनरल आर एन राधाकृष्णन
(ख) ब्रिगेडियर Kartar सिंह
(ग) कर्नल एन एल वर्मा
(घ) कर्नल Bhag सिंह, VSM

3. जनरल सचिव, वित्तीय नियंत्रण, चार्टर्ड एकाउंटेंट अंकेक्षण, बिजली कॉरिडोर, वित्तीय सहायता और कार्रवाई की योजना के साथ बढ़ी हुई बातचीत के बारे में विस्तार से बताया गया लीग और आंतरिक अर्थव्यवस्था जैसे महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों की वार्षिक रिपोर्ट पढ़ी. मिनटों में 200. कार्यकारी समिति ने भी बजट, के साथ और एक ही बाहर पढ़ रहे थे बैठक के लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल मुंशी राम द्वारा प्रस्तावित किया गया और कर्नल Bhag सिंह, VSM द्वारा मंजूरी दे दी है.

4. यह समय हमारी सदस्यता) 2.8 लाख (विवरण के सदस्यों को सौंप दिया राज्यानुसार approx पहुँचा था कि वहाँ के सदस्यों की है जिसके लिए राज्य में एक ठोस ड्राइव / जिला स्तर पर आवश्यक था संख्या, बढ़ाने का एक अति आवश्यक आवश्यकता थी डाला गया था.

5. राष्ट्रपति ने जरूरी और अनिवार्य आंतरिक अर्थव्यवस्था हमारे द्वारा किए गए उपायों के सभी सदस्यों को अवगत कराया. के लिए चार दशकों के जटिल नियंत्रण उपायों अपनी हालत के क्रमिक गिरावट में विशेष रूप से लकड़ी काम परिणामस्वरूप कीट के अधीन नहीं किया गया था. एक एएमसी कीट नियंत्रण के लिए, कीट आदि किया गया है और इस कार्य को पूरा कर लिया गया है दीमक, कीड़े, कीड़े को शामिल करने के लिए. विस्तृत बाजार विश्लेषण और काम की नियमित निगरानी बोर्ड के अधिकारियों के द्वारा किया गया था इस प्रयोजन के लिए गठन किया गया था. कुछ प्रमुख परियोजनाओं इन सुधारों और मरम्मत के दौरान किए परिधि तलवारबाजी, एक नया द्वार, ने परिसर की सुरक्षा में सुधार साइन बोर्ड, दीवार सरफेसिंग / चित्र / लकड़ी घर्षण, विरोधी रिसाव / टपका उपायों के उपभवन, पारगमन के आवास में सुधार किया गया कमरे, अतिरिक्त धो कमरे, काम स्टेशनों की परियोजनाएं शुरू की आदि व्यय विवरण भी बाहर खर्च किए गए थे. के व्यय की पासिंग कर्नल Bhag सिंह, VSM और हवलदार SN शाही द्वारा अनुमोदित द्वारा प्रस्तावित था.

6. महासचिव मंत्रालय कार्मिक, वेतन और शिकायत की उम्र के अंतर्गत हमारे मुख्यालय में सदस्यों ने पेंशनरों पोर्टल की स्थापना पर मौजूद जानकारी दी. यह ई के एक भाग के माननीय प्रधानमंत्री के शासन पहल थी और एक अत्यंत सभी पेंशनरों के लिए फायदेमंद साबित होगा. ऐसा लगता है कि हमारी गतिविधियों के लिए भारत सरकार और हम इस प्रतिष्ठित परियोजना के लिए निर्धारित किया गया था कि हमारे द्वारा मान्यता कारण डाला था. सह सब राज्य लीग के आपरेशन इस योजना को सफल बनाने का अनुरोध किया गया था. शिकायतों का निवारण और आवश्यकताओं उसमें सभी राज्य लीग और उत्तर के लिए भेजा गया था करने के लिए स्वरूप की प्रतीक्षा कर रहे थे. यह भी निर्णय लिया गया कि भविष्य की सभी सदस्यों के लिए, पत्रिका और RCEL लाभार्थियों इन आदानों के साथ आवेदन प्रस्तुत किया जाएगा के लिए ग्राहकों. का प्रस्ताव लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल मुंशी राम द्वारा प्रस्तावित था और कमांडर इंदर सिंह, VrC द्वारा मंजूरी दे दी है.

7. इस विषय पर एक संक्षिप्त पृष्ठभूमि देते हुए राष्ट्रपति ने संविधान के लिए आवश्यक संशोधनों को शामिल करने के लिए आवश्यकता के बारे में विस्तार से बताया. बोर्ड के एक अधिकारी ब्रिगेडियर KN सिंह द्वारा ब्रिगेडियर मोहिन्दर सिंह जैसे अनुभवी सदस्यों के साथ अध्यक्षता की, (पंजाब) ब्रिगेडियर Kartar सिंह, (राजस्थान) कर्नल आर.पी. सरीन, (दिल्ली) और कर्नल कर्ण सिंह, VSM (कानूनी पृष्ठभूमि) किया गया था कि पहले ही में गठित 2008 की आधी और बैठकों की श्रृंखला की थी जिसके बाद वे 16 सितम्बर 2008 पर कार्रवाई प्रस्तुत की. सभी 25 संशोधनों की सिफारिश / हटाने विस्तार से राष्ट्रपति और हाउस ले जाया के विचारों से समझाया गया. यह केवल 2 से आगे विचार के लिए और शेष 23 खारिज कर रहे थे अनुमोदित की गई. जानकारी के लिए कृपया परिशिष्ट संलग्न करने के लिए, जिसमें विवरण दिया जाता है देखें. इन 23 संशोधनों में सर्वसम्मति से अनुमोदन के लिए गवर्निंग काउंसिल के प्रक्षेपण के लिए अनुमोदित किया गया.

8. राष्ट्रपति ने एक "वेतन गठन की आवश्यकता के घर अवगत बोर्ड" IESL के स्थायी कर्मचारियों की उपलब्धियों के लिए. बोर्ड की गई थी की अंतिम वेतन 2004 में सिफारिशें लागू wef 01 जनवरी 2005 के साथ, और 5 साल का गठन संशोधन की अवधि के बाद 01 जनवरी 2010 से प्रभावी आवश्यक हो गया था. का प्रस्ताव सर्वसम्मति से सभा द्वारा स्वीकार किया गया था.

9. उपस्थित सदस्यों ने नवंबर 2008 में हमारे लिए कर्नल पॉल डेविस, CBE महासचिव RCEL साथ श्रीमती जेसिका डेविस की यात्रा के बारे में बताया गया. यह यात्रा बेहद सफल रही थी और उसके साथ हमारे प्रबंधन समिति द्वारा बाद चर्चाओं का ब्यौरा भी बताए थे. वैश्विक मंदी को ध्यान में रखते हुए, कुछ अनुदान में कटौती की संभावना है, हम फिर भी किए गए प्रमुख परियोजनाओं के RCEL चिकित्सा अनुदान चालू वर्ष के दौरान शुरू होने की संभावना है, खासकर के लिए था. इस संबंधित राज्य लीग के माध्यम से RCEL चेक का प्रेषण पर एक चर्चा थी, लेकिन यह है कि यथास्थिति बनाए रखा जाएगा और चेक के राज्यों लीग के लिए प्रेषण केवल राज्य के राष्ट्रपति के विशेष अनुरोध पर विशेष अवसरों के लिए का सहारा होगा निर्णय लिया गया. राज्य लीग हालांकि उनके संबंधित राज्यों में लाभार्थियों की संख्या के बारे में दो बार इस वर्ष के दौरान अनुदान के दो किश्तों का वितरण () को सूचित किया जाएगा. यह एजेंडा कर्नल आर.पी. सरीन ने प्रस्ताव रखा था और Dfr Animesh घोष द्वारा मंजूरी दे दी है.

10. इस बैठक में तो मेजर जनरल ए श्रीवास्तव, प्रबंध निदेशक ई सी एच एस द्वारा एक प्रस्तुति के लिए जिसमें सभी प्रतिनिधियों और गवर्निंग काउंसिल के सदस्य है जो स्थान में थे भी शामिल करने का अनुरोध किया गया स्थगित कर दी. इस सत्र के नीचे के रूप में आयोजित किया गया:
(हमारे लीग, ब्रिगेडियर RKS गुलिया, राष्ट्रपति द्वारा देश भर में गतिविधियों सहित की गतिविधियों पर एक) जानकारी.
(ख) प्रस्तुति एमडी ई सी एच एस उपस्थिति में सदस्यों के साथ एक सवाल का जवाब सत्र (QAS सहित) के द्वारा.
एक उसके साथ हमारे संबंध की निशानी के रूप में दौरा कर अधिकारी और प्रस्तुति हमारी स्मृति चिन्ह के लिए अपनी कृतज्ञता का (ग) अभिव्यक्ति.

विस्तृत रिपोर्ट: अंग्रेजी संस्करण
IESL के कार्यकारी 201ST समिति की बैठक के मिनट, पर 26 मार्च 2009 (गुरुवार) में LEAGUE कार्यालय, नई दिल्ली पर 1030 HOURS आयोजित किया. मैन्युअल सदस्यता अद्यतन: 2.8 लाख
IESL 1965 में स्थापित - 44 साल पहले

टिप्पणी: सबसे महत्वपूर्ण लेखापरीक्षित रिपोर्ट "वित्तीय विवरण" जो सोसायटी अधिनियम के अनुसार 1860 के रूप में सार्वजनिक की जानकारी के लिए है जो सामान्य निकाय की बैठक मिनट में मिल नहीं रहा था.

IESL demystified

1. Office Bearers
(i) Brig R K S Gulia: President (in Chair)
(ii) Col N L Verma: Sr Vice President
(iii) Col V K Singh: Vice President
(iv) Lt Col B S Ghumman: Vice President
(v) Col V P Singh: Hony Treasurer

2. Some modalities were also discussed and it was decided that the following Core Group would be constituted for the purpose:
(a) Maj Gen R N Radhakrishnan
(b) Brig Kartar Singh
(c) Col N L Verma
(d) Col Bhag Singh, VSM

3. The General Secretary read out the Annual Report of the League and significant issues like interior economy, fiscal control, chartered accountants audit, enhanced interaction with Power Corridors, financial assistance and action plans were amplified. Minutes of the 200th Executive Committee Meeting were also read out, along with the budget and the same was proposed by Lt Col Munshi Ram and seconded by Col Bhag Singh, VSM.

4. It was highlighted that whilst our membership had reached approx 2.8 lakhs (details statewise handed over to attendees) there was an urgent requirement of increasing the number of members, for which a concerted drive at State/Distt level was required.

5. The President apprised all members of the urgent and inescapable interior economy measures undertaken by us. For over four decades the complex had not been subjected to pest control measures resulting in gradual deterioration of its condition especially the wood work. An AMC for pest control to include termites, bugs, insects, cockroaches etc was undertaken and the tasks have been completed. Detailed market analysis was done and regular monitoring of the work was done by the Board of Officers constituted for the purpose. Some key projects undertaken during these renovations and repairs were improvement in the security of the complex by perimeter fencing, a new gate, signage, whitewashing/painting/varnishing, anti leakage/seepage measures, improvement in accommodation of the annexe, transit rooms, additional wash rooms, work stations etc. Expenditure details of the projects undertaken were also spent out. Passing of the expenditure was proposed by Col Bhag Singh, VSM and seconded by Hav S N Shahi.

6. General Secretary briefed the attendees on the establishment of the Pensioners Portal at our HQs under the ages of Ministry of Personnel, Pay and Grievances. This was a part of the E-Governance initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and would prove to be a extremely beneficial for all pensioners. It was highlighted that due to our activities and our recognition by GOI that we had been earmarked for this prestigious project. Co-operation of all State Leagues was requested to make the scheme a success. Format for redressal of grievances and the requirements therein had been sent to all State Leagues and replies awaited. It was also decided that for all future members, subscribers for the Magazine and RCEL beneficiaries these inputs would be submitted alongwith application forms. The motion was proposed by Lt Col Munshi Ram and seconded by Cdr Inder Singh, VrC.

7. Giving a brief background on the subject, the President explained the necessity for incorporating essential amendments to the constitution. A Board of Officers headed by Brig K N Singh with experienced members like Brig Mohinder Singh, (Punjab) Brig Kartar Singh, (Rajasthan) Col R P Sarin, (Delhi) and Col Karan Singh, VSM (Legal Background) had been constituted in the earlier half of 2008 and had a series of meetings, after which they submitted the proceedings on 16 Sep 2008. All the 25 recommended amendments/deletions were explained in detail by the President and views of the House taken. Of these only 2 were pended for further consideration and the remaining 23 were approved. For details please refer to Appx attached wherein the details are given. These 23 amendments were unanimously approved for projection to the Governing Council for approval.

8. The President apprised the house of the requirement of constituting a “Wage Board” for the emoluments of the permanent staff of IESL. The last Wage Board had been constituted in 2004 with the recommendations applicable w.e.f 01 Jan 2005, and as a period of 5 years has elapsed revision was necessitated w.e.f 01 Jan 2010. The motion was unanimously accepted by the House.

9. The attendees were briefed on the visit of Col Paul Davis, CBE Secretary General RCEL alongwith Mrs Jessica Davis to us in Nov 2008. The visit was extremely successful and details of subsequent discussions by our management committee with him were also spelt out. In view of the global recession, there was likelihood of reduction in some grants, especially for major projects we were however, likely to have the RCEL Medical Grant resumed during the current year. There was a discussion on despatch of RCEL cheques through the respective State Leagues, but it was decided that status quo would be maintained and despatch of cheques to states leagues would only be resorted to for special occasions on the specific request of the State President. State Leagues would however, be informed about the number of beneficiaries in their respective States twice during the year (on distribution of the two installments of the grants). The Agenda was proposed by Col R P Sarin and seconded by Dfr Animesh Ghosh.

10. The meeting then adjourned for a presentation by Maj Gen A Shrivastava, MD ECHS wherein all the delegates and Governing Council members who were in location were also requested to attend. The session was conducted as under:
(a) Briefing on activities of our League, including activities throughout the country by Brig R K S Gulia, President.
(b) Presentation by MD ECHS including a Question Answer Session (QAS) with the attendees.
(c) Expression of our gratitude to the visiting officer and presentation of our memento as a token of our regard to him.

Detailed Report
MINUTES OF 201ST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF IESL, HELD AT 1030 HOURS ON 26 MAR 2009 (THURSDAY) AT THE LEAGUE OFFICE, NEW DELHI. Manually updated Membership: 2.8 lakhs
IESL formed in 1965- 44 years ago

Comment: The most important audited report "financial statement" which is for public information as per Society Act of 1860 was not traceable in the minutes of the General Body Meeting.

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Thursday, 14 May, 2009, 12:13 AM
Dear Colleagues,
The last phase of elections is over. India awaits the outcome of polls. So do the ESM. Irrespective of who forms the next government, we will continue with our efforts to get OROP.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Mandate 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
UPA, NDA neck and neck in exit poll projections
SOURCE/ BJP/ CONG/ LEFT/ OTHERS
Times Now/ 142/ 154/ 38/ 209
CNN-IBN/ 135-150/ 145-160/ 110-130(TF)/ 70-100
Star News/ 196/ 199/ 100(TF)/ 36
Headlines Today/ 180/ 191/ 38/ 134
India TV/ 194/ 195/ 108/ 46
News X/ 191/ 199/ 104/ 48
*TF stands for Third Front
UPA, NDA neck and neck in exit poll projections

IESM: Press Release

Dated: 13 May 2009
UPA GOVT MISLEADS DEFENCE PERSONNEL FOR ELECTORAL GAINS: CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE TO GRANT OROP

Dear Friends
1. Press Release already forwarded to the Press is circulated herewith. May I request Veteran Organisations and IESM convenors through out the country to get this Press Release printed in local News papers and also publicize through local electronic media.
2. Friends, the time has come to "Unite as One Strong Segment of Society" and exert ourselves following democratic norms and discipline to get justice to the Defence personnel.
3. All Defence veteran organizations and individual ESM must become members of the IESM to make it a Vibrant, Functional & Potent Umbrella Organization of All ESM of India to:

Bring all Ex Servicemen of India of all the three services under one umbrella through spirit of camaraderie and fraternity to make them a strong and influential segment of the country.

Play a constructive role in nation building activities.

Promote intellectual and knowledge based growth of ESM fraternity.

Actively promote and support welfare and interest of ESM to ensure that they get a just and fair place in the country.

Provide a unified voice to all ESM of India on issues of national interest.

Act as a forum of discussions of problems and vital needs of ESM which may arise from time to time.
“Ex Akela Thak Jai Ga.
Mil Ke Boj Uthana,
Sathi “Hath” Barhana
With regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Musharraf and our national shame

2009-05-12 11:35:11
Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD, commanded an Engineer Regiment on the Siachen Glacier, the most hostile battlefield in the world. A highly qualified officer (B Tech, MA (Public Administration), MSc (Defence Studies) and a Doctorate in Public Administration), General Suman was also the Task Force Commander at Pokhran and was responsible for designing and sinking shafts for the nuclear tests of May 1998.

One of the most disgusting sights seen in recent times was media coverage of General Pervez Musharraf's visit to India. A leading magazine had invited him as a distinguished speaker.

It was repugnant to see media personnel attempting to outdo each other in fawning over him. He was treated as a peace loving and moderate leader who is a well wisher of India. One TV personality went to the extent of eulogizing him as a beacon of peace for the sub-continent. Another correspondent had no hesitation in calling him as the most erudite Pakistani leader who is held in high esteem in India.

Not one media personality questioned him for initiating Kargil aggression, lest he be offended. No one cared to ask him about numerous Indian prisoners of war rotting in Pakistani jails. Nor was he asked to explain reasons for his failure to stop terrorist training camps and infiltration of jehadis into India. Worst, he was never castigated for the most barbaric and inhuman treatment meted out to Lt Saurabh Kalia and his patrol.

One wonders what thoughts must have passed through the minds of the parents of the late Lt Saurabh Kalia when they saw Indian media going overboard in lauding Musharraf as a sagacious leader and a man whom India can trust. Lt Saurabh Kalia of 4 JAT Regiment was just 22 years old when he was captured by the Pakistani Army on 15 May 1999 along with five other Indian soldiers. Saurabh's patrol was on the Indian side of Line of Control and was the first to detect Pak intrusions in the Kargil area. The patrol was kept in captivity for three weeks and their bodies were handed over to India on 9 June 1999. The state of their bodies bore testimony to the brutal torture which they had been subjected to.

The Pakistanis had indulged in dastardly acts of inflicting burn injuries on them with cigarettes, piercing their ears with hot rods, removing their eyes before puncturing them and breaking most of the bones and teeth. They even chopped off various limbs and private organs of the hapless Indian soldiers besides inflicting unimaginable physical and mental torture. After 22 days of torture, the brave soldiers were ultimately shot dead. A detailed post-mortem report is with the Indian Army.

Pakistan is a signatory to Geneva Convention that governs treatment of Prisoners of War. Article 13 mandates - "Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest." Article 17 further stipulates that no physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever.

Musharaf was never asked by the media to explain as to why the perpetrators of such heinous acts have not been brought to book to date. But, why blame media alone? Shockingly, inhuman and dastardly ill-treatment of gallant Indian soldiers has not stirred the conscious of India as a self-respecting country. The Government's response has been totally muted and apathetic. No political party has considered it worthwhile to pressurise the Government to demand explanation from Pakistan or take up the issue with international bodies for crimes against humanity. Although Indian human rights activists and bodies never tire themselves of crying hoarse over trivial and even concocted allegations against the Indian security forces, they did not find the abominable conduct of Pakistani soldiers worth condemning. As regards the Indian public, initial anger, indignation and revulsion have given way to indifference.

Instead of hauling Musharraf before international law commissions for crimes against humanity, India allows him to roam free in India to propagate his anti-Indian views. Even in the recent conclave, he humiliated India by calling terrorists as freedom fighters. It was nauseating, to say the least, to watch the media grovel before a vicious and remorseless enemy. Worse, the media scrupulously avoided asking him any discomfiting question, lest he be embarrassed.

Great nations are distinguished by their self-confidence and self-respect. India fares miserably on both counts. Had such treatment been meted out to Israeli soldiers, Israel would have made Pakistan pay dearly for it. In case US soldiers were brutalized in this manner, the US would have obtained custody of the guilty and tried them in the US for war crimes.

Our response to a matter of national shame has been indifferent and apathetic. It is only a soft state like India that utters a few protesting murmurs and thereafter receives the main perpetrator as a guest of India. It is inconceivable how Indian media could honour a man who dishonoured its soldiers.

Inviting Musharraf to participate in conclave of statesmen and thereafter giving him prime time coverage should make every Indian hang his head in shame.

A soldier is always prepared for the supreme sacrifice. Despite the immense pain of losing a son/husband/father, the family members of every martyr draw consolation from the belief that dying for the country is the ultimate honour for a soldier. However, they expect countrymen to remember and value their contribution to nation's security. Soldiers draw strength from the recognition received from their countrymen.

Major General Mrinal Suman, (retd) AVSM, VSM, PhD directs the Defence Acquisition Management Course for Confederation of Indian Industry and heads its Defence Technical Assessment and Advisory Service. A prolific writer, he is often consulted by policy makers and the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, and is regularly invited to address various industrial chambers in India and abroad. The views expressed here are his own.
Musharraf and our national shame
Related Reading
Captain Saurabh Kalia
Capt S Kalia: Kargil War Hero

Mumbai Mayhem: India fumbles on black-money trail, Swiss cry foul

RED ALERT: According to cops, stud-farm owner Hasan Ali Khan is allegedly worth $8-9 bn. Courtesy CNN-IBN
CNN-IBN Mon, May 11, 2009 at 21:12, Updated on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 17:55
New Delhi: The Central Government seems to have goofed up in its efforts to trace unaccounted Indian wealth in Swiss banks.

The case in point being that of notorious stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, accused of stashing away nearly $6 billion in Swiss banks – this according to the Finance Ministry that had mentioned his name to the Supreme Court as one of three Indians who has billions abroad.

Spokesperson of Ministry of Justice, Switzerland, Falco Galli, told CNN-IBN that documents submitted by the government in 2007 in connection with the case were forged. Galli says the Swiss government had asked India to provide the right documents and a confirmation that the case against Khan is a criminal one.

In March 2007, the Indian embassy did submit more documents but the Swiss government says even they did not meet the necessary 'specifications'. In the last two years, there has been no communication from the Indian government, says the Swiss government spokesperson.

Stud-farm owner Hasan Ali Khan is allegedly worth $8-9 billion, according to the police in India. He has parked most of his money in banks in Switzerland through money-laundering. Khan, a resident of Pune, has been in hiding for about a year now. The BJP has jumped at the Swiss government's accusation and is now demanding an explanation from the UPA.

BJP Spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh said, "This issue had been raised by L K Advani earlier. These are very serious allegations and the government needs to come out clean on the issue. Galli has proof and Congress needs to tell the country if Galli is right or wrong, but the Congress in incapable of getting back any of the money stashed away in foreign banks."

The story first appeared in Hardnews magazine and was followed up by CNN-IBN.
India fumbles on black-money trail, Swiss cry foul

Comments: If wings of all money launderers, hawala operators, smugglers and black money generators are clipped, terrorism will be obliterated from Indian soil. Terrorism must be fought from all angles most importantly drying up money channelling and resources. Jawans will not bleed to death daily fighting the terrorists.

Follow NRN, Singapore Minister tells Indian leaders

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Singapore
Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has exhorted Indian political leaders to follow the ideals cherished by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy in order to set the country on a rapid trajectory of high growth and development.

Describing Narayana Murthy as an "exceptional" entrepreneur, Lee hailed his contribution to the phenomenal success of the information technology sector in India, extolling his humility, social awareness and simple living habits as qualities to be emulated.

"If all Indian ministers and top bureaucrats were like him- hard-working, tough taskmasters, hard negotiators, but always forward-looking- India will be one of the fastest growing countries in the world, and in one generation, will become a First World country," Lee exhorted Monday.

Lee, the founder of modern Singapore and the man behind the city-state's phenomenal success story, was speaking at the launch of Narayana Murthy's recent book, "A Better India: A Better World," at a function at the Global Indian International School campus here.

But well aware of the scale of the task ahead in India, Lee said "no single person can change India's system of governance to become as efficient as Infosys." He also referred to the limitations in India's political process, which he said stop it from "going at high speed." "Whatever the political leadership wants to do, it must go through a very complex system at the centre, and then an even more complex system in the various states," he said.
Follow NRN, Singapore Minister tells Indian leaders

IESM: Chairman's Desk- Bureaucratic buckling and bungling

Date: Tuesday, 12 May, 2009, 8:43 PM
Dear Colleagues,
Some news reports have hinted that when cornered by the EC on the moral propriety of constituting a Committee for defence pensions, the government have now denied that any such committee has been constituted. This revelation, might cause a shock, but should not come as a surprise. The government of late have been acting insincerely on the subject of pensions. Another report suggests that while canvassing in Uttar Khand, Congress has promised to implement OROP if voted back to power. Such are the shenanigans forced on a political party during elections in a democracy. One fervently hopes the ESM will vote in favour of OROP in the last phase of elections on 13 May 2009.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
One Rank- One Pension– For the guardians of security and integrity of India By Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan

MoD: bureaucratic buckling and bungling
‘No panel on ex-servicemen’s pay anomalies’
High-level committees to look at ex-servicemen’s ‘One Rank, One Pension’ demand

ECHS: Chandigarh

The experience in Chandigarh is that the ECHS is working very well. May be those looking after the Polyclinic here are more efficient and empathize with the Veterans!! The famous saying THERE ARE NO GOOD OR BAD UNITS BUT ONLY GOOD OR BAD OFFICERS, holds good for Polyclinics also!!

There are many cases of wrong and inflated billing as also unethical actions by some empaneled hospitals, including the best in the area!! Officers who approve these bills have found many glaring anomalies.

There are also many cases where the Hospitals concerned have delayed submission of bills by 2-3 months!! In such cases delays will take place. Some of these hospitals have hired Army Medical Corps/ other retired officers and tasked them to get the bills passed expeditiously. By and large, bills are being cleared in time.

While we must try and get the best possible medical aid thru ECHS, we should also look at the positive side of the Scheme. There are cases where Rs 20 Lakhs or so have been spent on treatment of a single patient!!

We have to watch out and guard against unethical actions by the empaneled hospitals like, unnecessary tests, doing a procedure/ operations which are not required/ necessary, not treating ECHS patients at par with other patients etc. We should bring such cases to the notice of the ECHS authorities.

Let us have more views and specific cases which can be brought to the notice of ECHS authorities in order to improve the functioning of the scheme. Report My Signal Blog will endeavor to collate these.

Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

Brig Sukhwindar writes...
To my mind, the ECHS needs some changes. We should answer the following:
1. Why should ECHS empanelled Hospitals be given a 'free budget' to treat patients? We need to lay down expenses per patient in the days of technology when 'all parts of the body can be replaced'. No one wants to leave this world healthy.
2. Once a patient has exhausted his 'limit', he should take treatment from Military Hospitals incl R & R.
3. Our Military Hospitals can treat dependants of the Serving Personnel, but NOT the ESMs. 'Use and throw' attitude does not go very well in any management philosophy. I can't understand this logic either.
4. AGI could consider mediclaim policies for personnel after they have exhausted their limits set for ECHS, with 50% paid by the ESMs. We could prevail on the insurance companies for this, and invest with them if not already being done.

Unless we set financial limits per ESM patient, and ask ESMs to share part bills once this limit is exhausted or make AGI intervene by way of mediclaim insurance, the budget allocated would never be sufficient for ECHS. And malpractices will continue- most in the chain would want to 'gain'.
Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
Svipja- Partners in Progress

Forces' pension: Govt U-turn after EC heat

12 May 2009, 0354 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: The UPA government has tied itself in knots over the long-standing demand for one rank-one pension (OROP) for the armed forces, which ex-servicemen hold has been used by all political parties to garner votes but has never been implemented.

First, on May 4, the defence ministry declared before the crucial fourth phase of polling on May 7 that a high-level committee headed by the cabinet secretary had been constituted to "reduce the gap in the pensionary benefits to officers and jawans, bringing it as close to OROP as possible".

But faced with a query from the Election Commission, cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar has now denied that the government has constituted any special committee for the purpose.

The government obviously has backtracked in face of the danger of being pulled up for violating the model code of conduct by announcing the decision bang in the middle of elections. Similar is the case with the other sop announced about the hike in disability pension for soldiers.

As earlier reported by TOI, the timing of the defence ministry's announcements was quite suspect since areas with major ex-servicemen populations like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and western UP were slated to go to polls during the fourth and fifth phases on May 7 and May 13.

With BJP's singing the 'Jai Jawan' tune in its manifesto, the UPA is clearly on the backfoot as far as the simmering anger among ex-servicemen over the non-implementation of OROP is concerned.

Capitalising on the discontent in armed forces over pay and pension issues, the BJP has pledged tax-free salaries and perks to them, full OROP implementation, a separate pay commission, a 10-fold hike in monthly honorariums for gallantry award winners, incentives to state governments to ensure "honourable settlement'' of retired personnel and the like in its manifesto.

The intention obviously is to woo the defence community of 14 lakh serving and 23 lakh retired military personnel, which expands into a sizable votebank of around 1.5 crore people if family members are taken into account.
Forces' pension: Govt U-turn after EC heat
No panel on ex-servicemen’s pay anomalies

Former Naval chief Admiral S M Nanda passes away

12 May 2009, 0605 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Former Naval chief Admiral S M Nanda, a veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, died on Monday evening in the national capital.

93-year-old Nanda, a Padma Vibhushan award winner, was admitted to a city-based hospital on Monday morning and breathed his last around 11 pm. He is survived by his two sons and wife besides grandchildren, family sources said.

Nanda was admitted to Fortis, Vasant Kunj with complaints of fever and breathlessness, Navneet Singh, a physician of the hospital who treated the former Navy chief, said.

Nanda, who was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) for his distinguished service, was appointed the Chief of Naval Staff on March 1, 1970. He retired in 1973.

His legendary command of the Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and his success in steering it to a resounding victory is the high-water mark of the modern Indian Navy.

The funeral will take place on Saturday with full military honours at Brar Square Crematorium here at 1600 hrs.
Former Naval chief Admiral S M Nanda passes away
Read More:
Adm SM Nanda
bharat rakshak: Adm SM Nanda
The man who bombed Karachi
Photo Courtesy PIB
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta laying the wreath as a mark of respect to Admiral S.M. Nanda, at Brar Square, in New Delhi on May 12, 2009
Readers of Report My Signal Forum and Veterans offer their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of Adm SM Nanda.

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Monday, 11 May, 2009, 10:08 PM
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware the government has recently announced certain enhancement in disability pension. There have been some emails on the subject. Some affected colleagues have complained against the inadequacy of the new benefits. Some have even lamented that the IESM is not pursuing the case that is adversely affecting them. In some cases I have responded to individual members. However, I wish to use this forum to assure our ESM colleagues in receipt of disability pension that their cases, as also of those in receipt of family pension, gallantry award grants etc, are very much in the IESM charter, and will be pursued with all possible vigour at an appropriate time. As of now we are concentrating on OROP, which affects almost 100%, ESM population. Taking up too many issues simultaneously would diffuse the focus.
New Members
We heartfully welcome the following new members into the IESM family (Grateful thanks to the motivator, Comdr Sharan Ahuja):
Navy
1. Ex CPO Jainarayan Jakhar , Hisar , Haryana
2. Ex PO CD-I Kasmiri Lal, Hamirpur, HP
3. Ex LS CD II Purushotam Singh, Hoshiarpur, Punjab
4. Ex PO CD I Umed Singh, Sonepat, Haryana
5. Ex POR (TAC) Barhamanand, Bhiwani, Haryana
6. Ex POMA Jai Parkash, Hisar, Haryana
7. Vice Adm OP Chawla, Noida
Air Force
1. Ex JWO NB Banik, Noida
2. Wg Cdr NK Dube, Noida
3. MWO JN Prasad. Noida
4. Wg Cdr AK Handa , Noida
5. Air Cmde RK Pal , Noida
6. Wg Cdr Avtar Singh , Mohali
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Date: Monday, 11 May, 2009, 3:08 PM
Dear Gen Raj Kadyan, all Office Bearers and Members of the Core Group, and Brig Kamboj,
Kind courtesy "Report My Signals", I have been following with interest the work carried out and progress achieved by the IESM from the very initial stage, not withstanding the hurdles on the way. Summarising my thoughts in two sentences, I have to say that:
1. You have all put in tremendous hard work for the common cause, and achieved remarkable progress in such a short time.
2. At each step on the way, you have taken the most appropriate decision, keeping in view the best interest of veterans (in one word, OROP).
May God bless your efforts and grant you success, so that the entire veteran community benefits.
Regards,
Lt Gen (Retd) Deepak Ajwani

IESM: Dehra Dun Meet

A mammoth meeting of the ex-servicemen was held at Dehra Dun on 11th May 2009. Gen S K Sinha, PVSM, AVSM - ex Governor of J&K, Assam, ambassador to Nepal, VCOAS and Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Vice President of IESM were the Chief Guest & Guest of Honour respectively.
Gen Sinha spoke at length about his experience as Governor of the most sensitive states where National Security was diluted under the UPA government.
Prior to that, Gen Satbir set the mood of the audience with his par excellence oratory skills, wherein he exhorted the ex-servicemen to come forward in large numbers to vote for the party who cared to look after their interests. He stated that the BJP has assured us in their manifesto that they would grant OROP to the defence personnel within 100 days of coming to power, which was earlier rejected by the present UPA government. Therefore, in fitness of things we should support the BJP party which has cared to listen to us.

Both Gen Sinha and Satbir were applauded throughout their talk with standing ovation. The audience included ‘who-is-who’ of the veterans settled at Dehra Dun. The prominent figures amongst the audience were Air Marshal Sen and Gens HB Kala, Shamsher Singh, Anand Swaroop, KK Khanna to name a few. The entire event was covered by a very large number of correspondents of the print and electronic media. A few pictures taken on the occasion are shown above.
Maj Gen Chander Nandwani, VSM (Veteran)



DEHRADUN EX-SERVICEMAN WELFARE MEET was held on 11 MAY 09 at Dehradun where Lt Gen(Retd) S K Sinha,PVSM Ex VCOAS, Ex-Governor J & K and Assam and Maj Gen(Retd) Satbir Singh SM,Vice Chairman IESM addressed the large gathering of ESM of Doon Valley on 6 CPC, welfare activities of ESM and on National Security. Meeting was very sucessful as all agreed to support the Govt who is helping ESM ie BJP. Meeting was attended by many senior veterans and families. Meeting was attended by Lt Gen Anand Swarup,Lt Gen H B Kala, Lt Gen K K Khanna,Maj Gen Nandwani,Maj Gen Shamsher Singh, Brig K G Behl, President DESL, Col K L Dewan, Col T S Payal, Lt Col B M Thapa, Gen Secy DESL and many others.
Brij
Lt Col B M Thapa, Retd
Gen Secy DESL
IESM Member

ECHS is a dud: Revisited

Thu, May 08, 2008
New Delhi: With the Sixth Pay Commission grouse still fresh, here is another grim reminder of the an initiative meant for the welfare of ex-servicemen virtually on the brink of a collapse.

Meet Col Jitendar Singh. He served the country with pride for decades, wearing his beloved olive greens, secure in the belief that he would be taken care of in his older days. But today, the critically ill Colonel is among India's two million ex-servicemen and their families have nowhere to go. With the ambitious Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme on the brink of collapse, their only hope is shattered.

“Gangrene had not set in then. It set after the delay from Apollo hospital’s end. And when we said we are ECHS members, they said we are now cut off from ECHS,” he said.

The reason for his agony is that leading hospitals have pulled out of the ECHS because of enormous outstanding payments. “Bills take ages to get cleared. This scheme will die its natural death,” says VP Operations, Fortis Hospital, Jasbir Grewal.

The Army itself admits that the health scheme needs life support. It acknowledges that routine bills take two to three months for clearance. Bills over Rs 5 lakh require Defence Ministry’s approval, which takes a minimum of 6 months. Only six lakh out of 20 lakh ex-servicemen have enlisted reflecting lack of confidence in the scheme.

The abysmally low payment rates of Central Government Health Scheme to which the scheme is tied rule out quality medical care. “Hospitals have always been loathe to accept these rates. I can’t understand why army cant have its own rates,” says former MD, ECHS, Maj. Gen. Kuldip Sindhu.

It's a "crying emergency" situation for ECHS. After 5 years of completion it was expected of the scheme to have over come the difficulties in its implementation but the disharmony between the hands holding the scheme together has only become more conspicuous over these years.
Special: Govt health scheme for ex-servicemen a dud

Comment: Has ECHS moved forward resolving the teething problems in the last one year? Certainly a big "NO". In fact the constraints are growing greater and efficiency and ESM satisfaction on rapid downslide. ECHS will ulitimately collapse under its own bureaucratic hurdles and cobweb of rules and regulations. The Polyclinic's notice boards are filled with chunk of Letters in English which is hardly read by any sane ESM and those not conversant with English are saved the agony of understanding them!

ECHS:Only 30% of total ESM have opted for Membership

.

Link: ECHS March 2008 Update

Apolitical Military Fundamental to Democracy

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 23, 2008 – The idea that the military is an apolitical organization is fundamental to democracy, Navy Adm Mike Mullen told students at the Australian Defense College here yesterday. During a question and answer session, one of the students asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff how he “manages the expectations of politicians.”

The chairman quickly told the students that it is not a process of managing expectations, but of education. The basics of national security transcend party, he said. In December, Australia changed administrations. But the support for the military remained strong, he said, and the transition was seamless. “I credit the military leadership with a significant part of that,” he said.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s job is to provide his “best military advice” to the president, defense secretary, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. Best military advice is not contingent on party, he said, and he, of course, will carry out the lawful orders of the president no matter what party he or she is from.

“Clearly one of my goals is to educate... anybody who is in a position of responsibility politically and provide my best advice to every one of them about from the military’s perspective and what we should be doing, where we should be investing, where we should be operating,” he said.

“Early engagement” with politicians is important, the chairman said. He does not want to first speak with a political leader when there is a crisis. “Sometimes that happens, just because there are a lot of crises,” he said.

Speaking constantly with political leaders builds trust and confidence, Mullen said.
“I would put it in terms of trying to create an understanding of the reality of the military and security environment that we are operating in, the capabilities that we bring, the relationships that we have and what is the best way to apply them to the challenges that we have,” he said.

Apolitical Military Fundamental to Democracy, Chairman US Navy Adm Mike Mullen Says

Pertinent Questions
Comment: Does our Military have the freedom to advice Politicians on National Security aspects? Do our Politicians in power make Military a dumb force? Do our Politicians understand National Security? Politicians depend and seek advice from Bureaucrats- a great many of whom are unpatriotic and corrupt! Outcome GIGO...

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Sunday, 10 May, 2009, 9:55 PM
Dear Colleagues,
The BJP had a massive rally in Ludhiana (Punjab) today. Though I personally did not watch the news on TV, some ESM who called up to say the Party big wigs have reiterated their resolve to implement OROP. Not that we ever had doubts on what Mr Advani had said, its re-confirmation is highly encouraging.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Dear Friends,
As a Member of the IESM Core Gp & Steering Committee, I, along with Col RL Goel, Member IESM, had the proud privilege on behalf of the IESM to Chair a Press Conference at BAREILLY on 8th May. We were there to announce, express & disseminate the support of IESM to the BJP candidate, of Bareilly Constituency.

Shri Santosh Gangwar- BJP, a SEVENTH time experienced politician & Ex Petroleum Minister, is the candidate whom we are supporting. He is a SURE SHOT WINNER from Bareilly.

A VERY LARGE gathering of both Print & Visual Media reps attended. Most heartening is the fact that representatives of ALL leading Media Houses of UP were present. During the Conference, our IESM stand was explained.

During the Q/A Session, some pressmen queried whether the Defence personnel had become 'Naitik'- meaning 'Political'. The Q was welcomed & clarified as follows:

IESM CONTINUES to be 'APOLITICAL', & any impressions to the contrary would be incorrect.

Being 'Politically Wise' was NOT being 'Political'.

Being 'Politically Aware' was NOT being 'Political'.

ESM have now realised the POWER of their VOTE.

IESM is only being ' Politically Correct '

ESM WILL vote for the Party which assures & promises to take care of ESM WELFARE, as THAT is the MAIN AIM of our 'Movement'.

The Media applauded our practical approach & view. Our logical 'Stand' was very well received & much appreciated by them, as could be clearly discerned from their TOTAL AGREEMENT to the Decision taken by IESM.

Since we had the time & opportunity, we had asked the BJP workers at Bareilly to also collect as many ESM from nearby areas, as possible . A large gathering had collected at the venue. They were separately addressed & explained the happenings/ progress of the 'Movement'. It was most heartening to see their sense of satisfaction in the expression of their TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.

Despite the Stifling Heat of the day - further heated up due to the Political Temperature!, the Press Conference was a 'Great' SUCCESS.
Maj Gen AJB Jaini, AVSM, (Veteran)
Member Core Gp of IESM

Mumbai Mayhem: Taliban Insurgency Worrisome

Globe and Mail Update, May 10, 2009 at 3:06 PM EDT
OTTAWA — Canada's Chief of Defence Staff says the confrontation between Pakistan and its Taliban insurgency is “worrisome” but Pakistani forces have both motivation and might – and a victory could help the government in neighbouring Afghanistan.

General Walter Natynczyk, who recently returned from Afghanistan which shares both a border and the Taliban problem with Pakistan, told CTV's Question Period on Sunday that defence officials inside Pakistan are beginning to understand the problems they are facing.

“The situation in Pakistan is very worrisome. It has been for a while. The Taliban are in the western frontier area, in the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) and in the Swat (Valley). And they have been operating from those areas into Afghanistan for some time,” said Gen. Natynczyk.
Taliban's insurgency in Pakistan 'worrisome,' says Canada's top soldier

Are fighters religious zealots, thugs or revolutionaries? The perceptions of the public, leaders and U.S. are at odds, but the overriding sentiment in Pakistan is that 'America created this problem.'
By Mark Magnier
May 10, 2009
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan -- Islamic militants who burn schools and threaten women in the name of religious purity. A righteous force battling corrupt and venal officials. Or gun-waving gangsters who conceal their crimes under a banner of spiritual renewal.

Weeks of turmoil have made it appear as though a unified Taliban is on the march out of the wild northwest, staking out strategic ground for an assault on Pakistan's heartland. But who exactly the Taliban is may rest in the eye of the beholder.

Many Pakistanis don't see the Taliban as much of a threat and are not eager for a confrontation. On the other hand, oversimplification may lead policymakers toward a one-size-fits-all solution that is ineffective -- or even counterproductive.
Confusion over Taliban muddies the issues in Pakistan

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Scanned copy of Garhwal Post
Date: Saturday, 9 May, 2009, 9:51 PM
Dear Colleagues,
Our intention to stick to our main aim of seeking full OROP has been endorsed by many ESM who called up. Now that the pressure of months of effort has started to tell on the government, there should be no question of any dilution of this aim.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Letters from Readers
Date: Saturday, 9 May, 2009, 12:31 PM
Dear Gen Satbir,
A press meeting was held at Dehra Dun on 8th May 2009. Nearly 100 reporters of news papers and TV channels were present. Maj Gen (Retd) Chander Nandwani briefed the correspondents on aspects relating to the IESM movement and our best bet to vote for BJP/NDA, who have assured the ex-servicemen of implementing OROP within 100 days of coming to power. The voting in Uttarakhand is due to be held on 13 May 2009. The media (Dailies & TV Channels) has adequately covered the deliberations and carried the message of IESM to all corners of Uttarakhand.
Maj Gen Chander Nandwani,VSM (Veteran)

Friday, May 08, 2009 6:37 PM
I fully endorse your views. Indian politics is totally driven by pressure groups, to witness all the political parties running around to build groups where numbers only count. 273 the magic number. We in the services have allowed ourselves to be ill treated BECAUSE we never acted as a group. We also thought loyalty to the State means subservience to the politicians & they took us for granted. For the first time ESM community has stood up for their genuine rights as a united group: results are there for all to see.
Unity is the Mantra.
regards, dharam sood
Wg Cdr DP Sood, (Retd)

Date: Tuesday, 5 May, 2009, 3:51 PM
So, a couple of high level committees have been nominated, eh?
A wit once said that that decision making in India is akin to mating of two elephants. Action takes place at a high level, lot of noise is made and lot of dust is kicked up, a very long time elapses before any results are out!
Yet another wit has the following to say..
A meeting is where they waste hours and keep minutes. A committee consists of people who individually can do nothing and collectively decide that nothing can be done!!
I wonder what is the real intention behind nominating these committees at this juncture.
Regards........................Cdr K K Punchhi (Veteran)

Commissions: Will it make a dent? Already more than 30 Commissions are in vogue, click link for listing: List of Committees and Commissions