IESM: RTI a formidable tool to fight pension injustices

SEEKING INFORMATION THROUGH RTI ACT FOR INJUSTICES TO THE DEFENCE PERSONNEL: RATIONALE FOR PENSION
Dear Friends,
1. The Central Govt has not only adopted negative and apathetic attitude towards the genuine demands of Defence Forces, it has crossed all limits of injustice wherein, it has appealed against the Judgement of Supreme Court in the Rank Pay Case. The judgement has long term implications and it should have been accepted and implemented by the Govt, specially when the similar judgement has already been implemented in the case of Major Dhanapalan.
2. There are other serious and glaring anomalies in Pay and Pensions of all ranks. While the efforts are being made to take up cases with the Govt, contact all political parties, other organizations and segments and society, file cases in various courts, carryout protest rallies across the country, deposit medals with the President, send memorandum to the President signed in Blood, raise the issues in both houses if Parliament, write articles ,discussions on TV Channels, hold seminars makes presentation to the All Party Standing Committee on Defence, it is felt that officers, JCOs and Jawans should start RTI campaign to seek information about the rational and logic of decisions taken by the Govt which have caused these serious anomalies. Through this letter, we request all RTI activists, ESM organizations, ESM to raise RTI applications seeking such information. Let us flood the Govt with our RTI applications. Copy of the information received from the Govt may please be sent to IESM HQ for collation and further action. Please forward names of volunteers to form part of the RTI Cell of IESM.
3. Relevant to the subject, I have received a copy of a letter written by Maj Gen Prince Jit Singh Sandhu to Mrs Neelam Nath, IAS Secretary Department of ESM Welfare. The same is attacvhed below.
4. Please give widest publicity to this issue. ESM who are already active in seeking information through the RTI may guide others to write RTI applications. Leaflet in English, Hindi and Punjabi indicating a few of the Injustices being heaped on the Defence Forces are attached. Conveners are requested to organize the RTI Campaign in their areas of jurisdiction. “LET THOUSANDS PETALS BLOOM”
5. Please light a candle on the Main Gate of your houses at 8 PM on 26 Jul 2010 to commemorate valour of Kargil War Heroes. After saying a prayer for those brave hearts who never returned, place a marigold (Genda) flower next to it as a silent Tribute.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Letter to Secretary Department of ESM Welfare
To: Mrs Neelam Nath, IAS
The Secretary
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Govt of India , Ministry of Defence
Room No.100, South Block
NEW DELHI-110 011

SUBJECT : RATIONALE FOR PENSION
Madam,
1. I have the honour to state that I retired from the Army in the rank of Major General after 37 years of service on 31 Jul 2003. My pension was fixed at Rs.11,450/, which included the benefit of one stagnation increment earned in the rank of Major General.
2. Consequent to the Sixth Central Pay Commission, the pension of Major Generals (pre-2006 retirees) has been fixed at Rs.26,700/-. There is no benefit of the stagnation increments earned in that rank.
3. The difference in the pensions of a Major General and a Lieutenant General (pre-2006 retirees) is Rs.9800/- (36,500 - 26,700), while the difference in their pay at the highest of the scale was Rs.2100/-(24,500 - 22,400). Considering that the pension is 50 per cent of the last pay drawn, this difference ought to have been around Rs.1,050/-and not Rs.9,800/- as is the case now. Similarly, the difference in the pension of a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major General which is three ranks higher is Rs.1,000/- only. This seems highly illogical.
4. I do not seek enhancement of the pension through this application as the same is not within your purview. I wish to know the logic and reasoning for the following :-
(a) The differential in the pension of a Major General and a Lieutenant
General (both pre-2006 retirees) amounting to Rs.9,800/-, while the difference in pay of these ranks at the highest of the respective scales was Rs.2,100/- only.
(b) The logic for depriving the benefit of stagnation increments earned for service in the last rank held, especially since the same had been granted at the time of retirement.
5. I reckon that the above in no way jeopardises national security; hence there should be no difficulty in providing this information. An early response is requested.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Prince Jit Singh Sandhu (Retd)
Copy to –
Shri AK Antony
Hon’ble Minister of Defence
Govt of India
South Block
NEW DELHI-110 011