CM honours ex-servicemen Tribune News Service Dehradun, May 22, 2011
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today reiterated his commitment to work for the welfare of ex-servicemen in Uttarakhand.
Addressing an ex-servicemen’s convention in Dehradun, Nishank said his government had taken a number of measures for the welfare of ex-servicemen. He said a one-time grant for decorated Army personnel had been increased substantially and was the highest in the country. Nishank said even pension of the Second World War veterans had been doubled by his government.
He said six new companies of the Eco Task Force had been constituted to provide employment to the ex-serivicemen. He said Uttarakhand had a large population of ex-servicemen and the government too had allotted free land for the construction of accommodations in Dehradun, Haldwani and the Kotdwar areas.
He said he had launched Antoyodaya Vikas Yatra to get first-hand information of the problems of the people. He said the Atal Khadhyan Yojana had been implemented in the state as relief to the people from rising prices.
The Chief Minister also honoured 102-year-old Dula Devi Gusain, a widow of an ex-serviceman. Another ex-serviceman widow Archana Negi, ex-servicemen Kedar Singh Bhandari and Bachchan Singh Bhandari were also honoured.
Uttarakhand Youth Welfare Board’s vice-president Subhash Barathwal, vice-chairman, Sainik Welfare, Col PD Kuriyal (retd), Capt Digambar Prasad Baloni, vice-president, Twenty Point Programme Implementation Committee, Jitendra Negi, district panchayat member Subhash Bhatt were among those present on the occasion.
CM honours ex-servicemen
Admission for wards of ex-servicemen
Published: May 24, 2011 00:00 IST | Updated: May 24, 2011 04:04 IST CHENNAI, May 24, 2011
A release from the District Collector's office said admission has been reserved for wards of ex-servicemen in B.E. (General) and B.E. (Anna University) and B.E. (Anna University) (lateral entry), besides medicine, arts and science colleges.
Wards of ex-servicemen who are registered in Chennai District may approach the office of the Director of District Ex-servicemen Welfare Assistance in Saidapet. click here
Chib hands over scooters keys to disabled ex-servicemen
Written by Newspoint Bureau Wednesday, 27 April 2011 23:12 Jammu tawi, April 27
Minister for Medical Education R S Chib today said that the government was committed to provide every help to the Rajya Sainik Welfare Board, which he observed is doing excellent job for the welfare of ex-servicemen in the state. He hoped that the Board would achieve new heights in its functioning under the capable patronage of the Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Minister was speaking at a function, organized by Rajya Sainik Welfare Board in connection with distribution of modified scooters to disabled ex-servicemen here today. These scooters have been provided by the Kendriya Sainik Board, Ministry of Defence. Chib said the Rajya Sainik Welfare Board and Kendriya Sainik Board remain at the forefront in extending help to the ex-servicemen. He said the modified scooters provided to the disabled ex-servicemen are a part of series of the welfare measures to extend succor to the former army personnel and their families. He said the Union Government from time to time formulates welfare schemes for ex-servicemen with provisions for housing, scholarship and financial assistance to the wards and widows of army personnel. Referring to his recent meeting with Union Defence Minister, the Minister said that he took up various outstanding issues of ex-servicemen of the state with him. These included exemption of VAT on CSD item, construction of housing colonies and Sainik Bhawan in the state. He said that the Defence Minister assured early redressal of issues projected by him. Giving brief resume of the achievements of the board, Director Sainik Welfare Board Brig (Retd) R S Langeh said the Kendriya Sainik Board provided seven modified scooters for the disabled ex-servicemen of the state last year, adding 17 more such scooters would be provided to the disabled ex-servicemen shortly. Earlier, the Minister handed over keys to the disabled Ex-servicemen Puran Chand and Balak Ram. Among others, Chairman, Ex-services League Maj. Gen. (Retd) G S Jamwal, Zila Sainik Welfare Officer Lt. Col. R L Gangal, besides a number of retired army personnel were present on the occasion.click here
11 per cent Armymen are from Bihar
March 31, 2011 Patna. Army personnel have reasons to feel proud of their Bihari roots as Bihar accounts for about 11 percent of the total Army personnel strength.
Talking to TOI, Bihar Ex-Servicemen League president Col (retd) V.K. Singh said that Bihar had lost a large size of cantonment after its bifurcation from West Bengal and later due to creation of Jharkhand. While about 20,000 troops went to the Barrackpore Cantonment in West Bengal, it lost two training centres located at Ramgargh to Jharkhand. About 7,500 troops went to the Ramgargh Cantonment after creation of Jharkhand, he said, adding even the main canteen service is still located in Jharkhand.
Col (retd) Singh said that the Army from Bihar has to go to Jharkhand to purchase two or four wheelers. Besides, the League members have been paying state tax on each item of defence being transported to Danapur Cantonment from Jharkhand. He said that about 1.5 lakh personnel are in defence service from Bihar. click here
Punjab committed for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen- Capt Balbir Singh Bath
The Minister said that Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) on its part must get the Union Government to resolve the long outstanding issue of 'One Rank One Pension' and further the case of lateral absorption of Soldiers into the Para Military Forces and State police. He said that in Punjab we were in the process of recruiting 1600 Ex-servicemen for taking over the security related duties from the State Police. He said that there was also a need for the KSB to look at the various Central Schemes that benefit the ESM.
Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Secretary Punjab Sainik Welfare Mr. Jagjit Puri, Director Punjab Sainik Welfare Brig. (Retd.) Inderjit Singh Gakhal, Secretary K.S.B Brig. Sudhir Uppal, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) V.K. Jain Director Punjab Sainik Welfare Uttar Pradesh, Brig. (Retd.) R.S. Langeh Director Punjab Sainik Welfare J&K, Brig. (Retd.) J.S. Dulal, Secretary R.S.B Haryana, G.P Capt. (Retd.) R.K. Sharma Secretary R.S.B Delhi, Lt. Col. (Retd.) R.K. Singh District Sainik Board Chandigarh (UT), Maj. (Retd) J.S Puria Deputy Director RSB Himachal Pradesh, Maj. (Retd.) B.S. Negi, Deputy Director RSB Uttrakhand. click here
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tall Promises for the Welfare of Ex Service Personnel
Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju on Sunday 06 feb 2011 at Tadepalligudem said pensions, resettlement and the healthcare of ex-servicemen and widows were on the top of the Defence Ministry's agenda.
Speaking at an Army Mela here, he informed that the government had streamlined the pension payment system. A software was introduced in the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) office to check errors in effecting hikes in pensions in line with the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations. Similar software would be introduced in the State Sainik Board and District Sainik Board Offices across the country, he added.
Polyclinics
Mr. Raju said the government had recently sanctioned an additional 300 polyclinics as part of the endeavour to provide better health care to the ex-servicemen. Efforts were also underway to help the ex-servicemen have an access to the corporate hospitals. Resettlement courses for the ex-servicemen were getting fine-tuned in a bid to promote skill upgradation among them. The idea was aimed at preparing the ex-servicemen, who were used to do the conventional jobs associated with the refilling stations, toll plazas on the highways and security agencies, to take up the emerging and new generation employments like software as their second career. The Minister said the Centre had decided to increase its share of funds from 50 to 75 per cent for running the State Sainik Boards in a bid to provide more focus on the welfare of ex-servicemen and widows. The State-level boards are funded by the State and Central governments in a 50:50 ratio till now.
Welfare of ex-servicemen priority of Defence Ministry
Tall promises on paper- mission blunted by bureaucrats
Welfare of Ex-Servicemen and Their Resettlement by Sangeeta Agarwal
1. Introduction
Having given the best years of their lives to the country, it becomes a national obligation to resettle and rehabilitate the ex-servicemen.
An ex-serviceman is a person who has served in any rank, whether as a combatant or as non-combatant, in the Armed Forces of the Union of India, including the Armed forces of former Indian States, but excluding the Assam Rifles, Defence Security Corps, General Reserve Engineer?ing Force, Lok Sahayak Sena and Territorial Army, for a continuous period of not less than 6 months after attes?tation and has been released, otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inef?ficiency or has been transferred to the reserve pending such release or has to serve for not more than 6 months for completing the period of service requisite for becoming entitled to be released or transferred to the reserve.
2. Administrative Responsibility and Organisation
The Central and states/UTs are jointly responsible for the resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen. The Kendriya Sainik Board, whose designation was introduced in 1951 for the earlier organization i.e. the District Soldiers' Sailors' and Airmen's Board, is the apex body at the Central Government level.
At the state level, the subject of resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen is allocated to one of the ministers in the state governments and Secretary of the Department concerned oversees the work of the Rajya Sainik Board.
The welfare funds administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board are: Flag Day Fund, Armed Forces Benevolent Fund, Armed Forces Reconstruction Fund, Special Fund for Re?construction and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen, War Bereaved and Disabled Servicemen Special Relief Fund, India Solders', Sailors' and Airmen's Board Fund, Services Welfare Fund and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund.
3. Necessity of Resettlement Assistance
The releases from Armed Forces create a reservoir of trained manpower which can profitably be made use of in various skills; are a national asset and should be utilized as such. They should be merged in the mainstream of national life so that they continue to contribute their skills for national advantage. It is felt that any delay in resettling them will only cause dissatisfaction and frustration amongst them.
Resettlement on Land
The bulk of our Jawans come from rural areas with agricultural backgrounds. Resettlement on land, however, on a major scale is no longer feasible as land is increasingly becoming scarce. Effort is, however, made to persuade state governments to accord high priority to ex-servicemen for the allocation of surplus land.
Self-Employment
A large number of ex-servicemen have found avenues of self-employment by securing agencies of public sector undertakings in tea, fertilizers, cement, steel, salt, machine- tools, cloth, bakery products, petroleum items, photo-ma?terial, papers, transportation of scooters, milk-booths, elec?tronic goods etc.
In the field of transport, ex-servicemen are helped through provision of tractors, discarded vehicles, and bus, taxi and truck routes including allocation of national permits for transportation of goods. For those interested in starting small scale units, consultancy services are provided in preparing project reports. Assistance is given in securing finances from banks and in marketing of products.
Dissemination of Information
Dissemination of information in regard to benefits and concessions available to ex-servicemen and their families is of paramount importance. Apart from projection of resettlement and welfare activities pertaining to ex-service- men through different media of publicity, the Directorate General Resettlement, Ministry of Defense, has brought out a comprehensive guide to Resettlement of Ex-servicemen both in English and Hindi.
Comment. Very laudable goals. The welfare funds administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board are the Flag Day Fund, Armed Forces Benevolent Fund, Armed Forces Reconstruction Fund, Special Fund for Re?construction and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen, War Bereaved and Disabled Servicemen Special Relief Fund, India Solders', Sailors' and Airmen's Board Fund, Services Welfare Fund and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund. The utilisation of these funds are questionable and really not audited to ensure they benefit the deserving Ex Service Personnel. Only a small percent of the funds reaches the beneficiaries!
Speaking at an Army Mela here, he informed that the government had streamlined the pension payment system. A software was introduced in the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) office to check errors in effecting hikes in pensions in line with the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations. Similar software would be introduced in the State Sainik Board and District Sainik Board Offices across the country, he added.
Polyclinics
Mr. Raju said the government had recently sanctioned an additional 300 polyclinics as part of the endeavour to provide better health care to the ex-servicemen. Efforts were also underway to help the ex-servicemen have an access to the corporate hospitals. Resettlement courses for the ex-servicemen were getting fine-tuned in a bid to promote skill upgradation among them. The idea was aimed at preparing the ex-servicemen, who were used to do the conventional jobs associated with the refilling stations, toll plazas on the highways and security agencies, to take up the emerging and new generation employments like software as their second career. The Minister said the Centre had decided to increase its share of funds from 50 to 75 per cent for running the State Sainik Boards in a bid to provide more focus on the welfare of ex-servicemen and widows. The State-level boards are funded by the State and Central governments in a 50:50 ratio till now.
Welfare of ex-servicemen priority of Defence Ministry
Tall promises on paper- mission blunted by bureaucrats
Welfare of Ex-Servicemen and Their Resettlement by Sangeeta Agarwal
1. Introduction
Having given the best years of their lives to the country, it becomes a national obligation to resettle and rehabilitate the ex-servicemen.
An ex-serviceman is a person who has served in any rank, whether as a combatant or as non-combatant, in the Armed Forces of the Union of India, including the Armed forces of former Indian States, but excluding the Assam Rifles, Defence Security Corps, General Reserve Engineer?ing Force, Lok Sahayak Sena and Territorial Army, for a continuous period of not less than 6 months after attes?tation and has been released, otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inef?ficiency or has been transferred to the reserve pending such release or has to serve for not more than 6 months for completing the period of service requisite for becoming entitled to be released or transferred to the reserve.
2. Administrative Responsibility and Organisation
The Central and states/UTs are jointly responsible for the resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen. The Kendriya Sainik Board, whose designation was introduced in 1951 for the earlier organization i.e. the District Soldiers' Sailors' and Airmen's Board, is the apex body at the Central Government level.
At the state level, the subject of resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen is allocated to one of the ministers in the state governments and Secretary of the Department concerned oversees the work of the Rajya Sainik Board.
The welfare funds administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board are: Flag Day Fund, Armed Forces Benevolent Fund, Armed Forces Reconstruction Fund, Special Fund for Re?construction and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen, War Bereaved and Disabled Servicemen Special Relief Fund, India Solders', Sailors' and Airmen's Board Fund, Services Welfare Fund and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund.
3. Necessity of Resettlement Assistance
The releases from Armed Forces create a reservoir of trained manpower which can profitably be made use of in various skills; are a national asset and should be utilized as such. They should be merged in the mainstream of national life so that they continue to contribute their skills for national advantage. It is felt that any delay in resettling them will only cause dissatisfaction and frustration amongst them.
Resettlement on Land
The bulk of our Jawans come from rural areas with agricultural backgrounds. Resettlement on land, however, on a major scale is no longer feasible as land is increasingly becoming scarce. Effort is, however, made to persuade state governments to accord high priority to ex-servicemen for the allocation of surplus land.
Self-Employment
A large number of ex-servicemen have found avenues of self-employment by securing agencies of public sector undertakings in tea, fertilizers, cement, steel, salt, machine- tools, cloth, bakery products, petroleum items, photo-ma?terial, papers, transportation of scooters, milk-booths, elec?tronic goods etc.
In the field of transport, ex-servicemen are helped through provision of tractors, discarded vehicles, and bus, taxi and truck routes including allocation of national permits for transportation of goods. For those interested in starting small scale units, consultancy services are provided in preparing project reports. Assistance is given in securing finances from banks and in marketing of products.
Dissemination of Information
Dissemination of information in regard to benefits and concessions available to ex-servicemen and their families is of paramount importance. Apart from projection of resettlement and welfare activities pertaining to ex-service- men through different media of publicity, the Directorate General Resettlement, Ministry of Defense, has brought out a comprehensive guide to Resettlement of Ex-servicemen both in English and Hindi.
Comment. Very laudable goals. The welfare funds administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board are the Flag Day Fund, Armed Forces Benevolent Fund, Armed Forces Reconstruction Fund, Special Fund for Re?construction and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen, War Bereaved and Disabled Servicemen Special Relief Fund, India Solders', Sailors' and Airmen's Board Fund, Services Welfare Fund and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund. The utilisation of these funds are questionable and really not audited to ensure they benefit the deserving Ex Service Personnel. Only a small percent of the funds reaches the beneficiaries!
Manipulation in the 6th CPC implementation
MANIPULATION IN THE WELL INTENTIONED RECOMMENDATION OF THE 6TH CPC
The Govt approved recommendation the 6th CPC states “The fixation of pension will be subject to the provision that the revised pensions, in no case, shall be lower than fifty percent of the sum of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and grade pay thereon corresponding to the pre-revised scale from which the pensioner had retired”.
However, above provisions having been duly approved by the Union Govt, were tweaked / tinkered / modified / manipulated as under to entirely change the essence of the govt resolution “The pension calculated at 50 percent of the minimum pay in pay band plus grade pay would be calculated (i) At minimum of pay band (irrespective of the pre-revised scale of pay ) plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale”.
Kindly note- The wording “Minimum of Pay in the Pay Band” has been replaced by inserting words “At minimum of Pay Band (irrespective of the pre-revised scale of pay)”
Further the word “and” has been replaced by word “plus” thereby bringing about complete change to determent of the defence services. It may be noted that “the words “sum of” and “thereon” used by the 6th CPC have been omitted and the word “and” has been replaced by word “plus”. This mischievous insertion (of plus) side tracks/de-links wording “corresponding to the pre-revised scale from which the pensioner had retired” from the grade pay and relates ONLY to the “Grade Pay” of the rank, thereby de-linking the same from the words “Pay in the Pay Band”. The entire effect of the 'well- intentioned' Government resolution has been wiped out by this unauthorised and mischievous substitution.
Defence pensioners can only be benefited from the recommendation of the 6th CPC if Minimum of pay in the pre-revised scale of pay of the rank from which such pensioners retired, is taken into account for revision of pension of pre 2006 pensioners.
Consequent to above, not only are we nowhere near to the genuine demand of OROP but even the modified parity recommended by the 6th CPC and accepted by the Government has been mischievously and maliciously denied to defence personnel due to bureaucratic intrigue.
Extracted
Above is from the Memorandum submitted by IESM in response to public inputs sought with reference to petition praying for grant of OROP to the Armed Forces Personnel.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM.
Extracted
Above is from the Memorandum submitted by IESM in response to public inputs sought with reference to petition praying for grant of OROP to the Armed Forces Personnel.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
SCPC screws up Military Pensions
Dear veterans,Pension Ex-Servicemen
1. We had taken up, a case with secretary Ex-Servicemen, Ministry of Defence that as per 6th Pay commission recommendation, that pension so fixed will be equivalent to 50% of the minimum pay of that particular rank, which is not implemented, instead it was fixed at the minimum of applicable pay band.
2. As a result of this, the pension fixed for:
(a) Capt at Rs 13,850/- for Rs 15350/-.
(b) Maj at Rs 14,100/- for Rs 18,205/-.
(c) Lt Col at Rs 25,700/- for Rs 26,265/-.
(d) Col at Rs 26,050/- for Rs 27,795/-.
(e) Brig at Rs 26,150/- for Rs 29,145/-.
4. Reply so received from Dy Dir AG/PS-5 is attached for your information.
5. I am always at your call.
With kind regards,
Jai Hind.
Dr TC Rao, Veteran
Chairman
Ex-Servicemen Deptt, DPCC
Dear Dr TC Rao,
I am happy that at least some one like you belonging to the ruling party has shown courage to take up cudgels on behalf of the ESM community. Otherwise even Manish Tiwari who articulates party's view points so meticulously- has done virtually nothing to redeem his election promises on the OROP. I too had written on similar lines but was told that pension has been fixed at the lowest edge of the PB? These people have made total mockery of the Band.
There are some people in the ESM cell of your party who are making efforts to damage the cause of ESM welfare & instead of bridging the gap are bent upon widening the gulf. Not to speak of OROP- even legitimate dues arising out of fixing us lower by deducting rank pay during fourth CPC some quarter of century ago has been going in endless appeals- showing not only apathy but animosity. The least you can do is to revamp your party's ESM cell to realign it to the aspirations of the ESM's etc. Old soldiers coming on roads or one armed soldier fighting single handed fight for his pension only show all of us in poor light.
I am witness to the importance and place of pride given to Memorial Day in the US where I have come on a short visit these days. I wonder why we don't have similar national holiday to commemorate immense sacrifices made by our soldiers to keep our democracy alive in spite of foreign aggressions & internal disintegrating forces- be it 1947 J&K, 1962 shame, 1965 aggression, 1971 Bangla liberation, 1999 Kargil and of course fighting terrorists on the prowl on 24x7 basis.
Air Cmde Raghubir Singh (Retd)
CAG's googly on golf- Army stakes land use for the Club
Forces want golf made 'valid' sporting activity
Rajat Pandit, May 9, 2011, 01.44am IST
NEW DELHI: The armed forces want to have their golf and play it too. Senior officers want to tee off in the lush greens of their sprawling golf courses, without having to constantly look over their shoulders for audit watchdogs.
Stung by scathing reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, which year after year punches more holes into their golf courses than the 18 required, the armed forces have petitioned the defence ministry to include golf as "a valid sporting activity" on military land.
That golf is big in the military, almost becoming synonymous with having OLQs (officer-like qualities), can be gauged from the fact that over half of the around 180 golf courses in India are either owned or run by the armed forces.
The Army Zone Golf, for instance, runs 97 golf courses. And the military is loath to part with this "physical activity", which as senior officers put it, teaches " discipline, dedication and unwavering commitment in reaching one's goals".
"The armed forces want golf to be included as a legitimate sport on A-1 defence land (basically land in active occupation of military). The proposal is being examined, though it has got in-principle approval," said an MoD source.
This comes after a series of CAG reports pulled up the armed forces for unauthorized use of defence land for golfing purposes, with even some instances of "misuse of special financial powers" meant for operational requirements to purchase golf carts or construct buildings on courses being recorded.
CAG officials, on their part, say they are not against golf per se. "But 'Scales of Accommodation' for defence services do not include golf as an authorized activity on military recreation grounds," said an official.
"MoD has not framed any policy or set of rules to govern the running of these golf courses on prime defence land, as also the treatment of the revenue generated from these activities. So, as things stand now, these golf courses are unauthorized. The government can regularize them by changing the laws," he added.
The armed forces, however, feel CAG "needlessly picks on" their golf courses. In 2004, the then Army chief Gen N C Vij had declared golf as "a sports activity" and not just "a recreational activity", with golf courses even being named as "Army environmental park and training areas".
But CAG remains unimpressed. In the backdrop of scams like Sukna, Adarsh and Kandivali-Malad dogging defence land, MoD (the country's largest landowner, with 17.3 lakh acres under its control) needs to lay down clear-cut rules whether golf is legitimate or not. Otherwise, the audit watchdog and armed forces will remain at daggers drawn.
Forces want golf made 'valid' sporting activity
Comment: If Golf is a sports activity in the Army then Golf should be declared a troops game in which all ranks are permitted to play.
Army wants own empowered police force
Defence ministry launches land audit to curb scams
Rajat Pandit, May 9, 2011, 01.44am IST
NEW DELHI: The armed forces want to have their golf and play it too. Senior officers want to tee off in the lush greens of their sprawling golf courses, without having to constantly look over their shoulders for audit watchdogs.
Stung by scathing reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, which year after year punches more holes into their golf courses than the 18 required, the armed forces have petitioned the defence ministry to include golf as "a valid sporting activity" on military land.
That golf is big in the military, almost becoming synonymous with having OLQs (officer-like qualities), can be gauged from the fact that over half of the around 180 golf courses in India are either owned or run by the armed forces.
The Army Zone Golf, for instance, runs 97 golf courses. And the military is loath to part with this "physical activity", which as senior officers put it, teaches " discipline, dedication and unwavering commitment in reaching one's goals".
"The armed forces want golf to be included as a legitimate sport on A-1 defence land (basically land in active occupation of military). The proposal is being examined, though it has got in-principle approval," said an MoD source.
This comes after a series of CAG reports pulled up the armed forces for unauthorized use of defence land for golfing purposes, with even some instances of "misuse of special financial powers" meant for operational requirements to purchase golf carts or construct buildings on courses being recorded.
CAG officials, on their part, say they are not against golf per se. "But 'Scales of Accommodation' for defence services do not include golf as an authorized activity on military recreation grounds," said an official.
"MoD has not framed any policy or set of rules to govern the running of these golf courses on prime defence land, as also the treatment of the revenue generated from these activities. So, as things stand now, these golf courses are unauthorized. The government can regularize them by changing the laws," he added.
The armed forces, however, feel CAG "needlessly picks on" their golf courses. In 2004, the then Army chief Gen N C Vij had declared golf as "a sports activity" and not just "a recreational activity", with golf courses even being named as "Army environmental park and training areas".
But CAG remains unimpressed. In the backdrop of scams like Sukna, Adarsh and Kandivali-Malad dogging defence land, MoD (the country's largest landowner, with 17.3 lakh acres under its control) needs to lay down clear-cut rules whether golf is legitimate or not. Otherwise, the audit watchdog and armed forces will remain at daggers drawn.
Forces want golf made 'valid' sporting activity
Comment: If Golf is a sports activity in the Army then Golf should be declared a troops game in which all ranks are permitted to play.
Army wants own empowered police force
Defence ministry launches land audit to curb scams
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Armed Forces Tribunal circuit bench inaugurated
TNN May 17, 2011, 05.14am IST
The second circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated at the Section Health Organization Building Complex near Military Hospital in Jodhpur on Monday by Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra.
Chairperson of the AFT and former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Mathur was present on the occasion. Justice Bhanwaru Khan and Lt Gen Sushil Gupta (retd) have been appointed as the judicial members of this tribunal. The bench will sit once or twice a month, said Justice Mathur. He said that in the past one-and-a-half months, over 5000 cases have been disposed all over the country and another 5000 are still pending, which will shortly be disposed off.
Armed Forces Tribunal circuit bench inaugurated
HimVani 08 May 2011
Shimla: Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated today in the High Court of H.P. by the Chief Justice Kurian Joseph.
In his inaugural address, Kurian Joseph said that everybody has the right to justice and he should not have to beg for justice, which is included in his right to live with dignity. The Chief Justice praised the role of armed personnel in defending the country and said that all this while they have been taking care of us and now it is our turn to take care of them.
He called upon to set up circuit benches in various places of the region so as to provide speedy and accessible justice to all. He also called upon the judges to evolve methods within the system to provide relief to the needy people. The programme was also addressed by Judge (Retd.) of the Supreme Court of India and the Chairperson, Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi Justice A.K. Mathur, and Chairman, AFT, Regional Bench, Chandigarh Justice Ghanshyam Prasad. Judges of the High Court Justices R.B. Misra, Surjeet Singh, D.D. Sud, V.K. Ahuja, Kuldip Singh and Rajiv Sharma along with Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu, Advocate General R.K. Bawa and a number of Army Officers were also present on the occasion.
The first circuit bench of Armed Forces Tribunal at Shimla will be held in the premises of the High Court from May 09, 2011 to May 11, 2011. The service matters, pension matters and appeals against Court martial shall be taken up in the Armed Forces Tribunal.
Shimla Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal inaugurated
Job Opporunities
Armed Forces Tribunal Recruitment 2011- Lucknow Bench click here
Armed Forces Tribunal Current Vacancy for Recruitment- Kochi Bench
The second circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated at the Section Health Organization Building Complex near Military Hospital in Jodhpur on Monday by Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra.
Chairperson of the AFT and former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Mathur was present on the occasion. Justice Bhanwaru Khan and Lt Gen Sushil Gupta (retd) have been appointed as the judicial members of this tribunal. The bench will sit once or twice a month, said Justice Mathur. He said that in the past one-and-a-half months, over 5000 cases have been disposed all over the country and another 5000 are still pending, which will shortly be disposed off.
Armed Forces Tribunal circuit bench inaugurated
HimVani 08 May 2011
Shimla: Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated today in the High Court of H.P. by the Chief Justice Kurian Joseph.
In his inaugural address, Kurian Joseph said that everybody has the right to justice and he should not have to beg for justice, which is included in his right to live with dignity. The Chief Justice praised the role of armed personnel in defending the country and said that all this while they have been taking care of us and now it is our turn to take care of them.
He called upon to set up circuit benches in various places of the region so as to provide speedy and accessible justice to all. He also called upon the judges to evolve methods within the system to provide relief to the needy people. The programme was also addressed by Judge (Retd.) of the Supreme Court of India and the Chairperson, Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi Justice A.K. Mathur, and Chairman, AFT, Regional Bench, Chandigarh Justice Ghanshyam Prasad. Judges of the High Court Justices R.B. Misra, Surjeet Singh, D.D. Sud, V.K. Ahuja, Kuldip Singh and Rajiv Sharma along with Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu, Advocate General R.K. Bawa and a number of Army Officers were also present on the occasion.
The first circuit bench of Armed Forces Tribunal at Shimla will be held in the premises of the High Court from May 09, 2011 to May 11, 2011. The service matters, pension matters and appeals against Court martial shall be taken up in the Armed Forces Tribunal.
Shimla Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal inaugurated
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Big bucks in sale of CSD items to civilians
'Big scam in sale of CSD items to civilians' May 18, 2011, 04.06am IST TNN
CHANDIGARH: Acting on a petition on the alleged sale of canteen sales department (CSD) items to unauthorised people with the connivance of defence authorities, the Punjab and Haryana high court, on Tuesday, issued notice to the secretary, ministry of defence (MoD), and a Sector-22 dealer, asking them to respond to the contentions raised.
Justice Nawab Singh of the high court sent the notice after hearing a plea filed by Arun Gupta, a local resident, regarding alleged forging/ fabrication of documents to sell items exempted from excise/ VAT to the general public. The case would come up for hearing on May 28.
The petitioner has also sought directions to Chandigarh office of CBI to register a case against the proprietor of Sector 22-based Modern Sales, in charge of Ambala CSD, regional manager and MD of LG Electronics, and a major general-rank officer posted as general manager of CSD, Mumbai, for forgery, cheating and corruption charges.
Gupta stated that a big scam is being perpetrated by some greedy persons who are acting against the interests of serving and retired military personnel.
Giving details of the modus operandi used in the alleged scam, involving dealers and military officials, the petitioner said the Modern Sales received some articles from LG Electronics under CSD billing on concessional rates, but these were neither sold to the defence personnel nor returned to the company.
Giving an example of such transactions, the petitioner informed the HC that in 2003-04, LG sold items totalling Rs 4 crore to the dealer under the CSD category. ''The latter has only shown sale of CSD goods amounting to Rs 13.5 lakh, while the balance stock was shown to be sold to the fictitious defence persons. This has led to misappropriation of goods worth crores of rupees in collusion with military officers,'' the petitioner alleged.
He had also informed the court that a representation was filed before the CBI office, but the agency is yet to take any action on the issue.
'Big scam in sale of CSD items to civilians'
CAG bares it all!
CSD(I) Demystified
Ex-serviceman held for selling defence liquor
Comment: Bartering of CSD items with civilians is commonplace and trading liquor for services as well as substitute for wages is predominant in all the Cantonments, Peace Stations and Military Colleges (Staff College being the trend setter) throughtout the length and breadth of the country and not confined to the State of Punjab alone!
CHANDIGARH: Acting on a petition on the alleged sale of canteen sales department (CSD) items to unauthorised people with the connivance of defence authorities, the Punjab and Haryana high court, on Tuesday, issued notice to the secretary, ministry of defence (MoD), and a Sector-22 dealer, asking them to respond to the contentions raised.
Justice Nawab Singh of the high court sent the notice after hearing a plea filed by Arun Gupta, a local resident, regarding alleged forging/ fabrication of documents to sell items exempted from excise/ VAT to the general public. The case would come up for hearing on May 28.
The petitioner has also sought directions to Chandigarh office of CBI to register a case against the proprietor of Sector 22-based Modern Sales, in charge of Ambala CSD, regional manager and MD of LG Electronics, and a major general-rank officer posted as general manager of CSD, Mumbai, for forgery, cheating and corruption charges.
Gupta stated that a big scam is being perpetrated by some greedy persons who are acting against the interests of serving and retired military personnel.
Giving details of the modus operandi used in the alleged scam, involving dealers and military officials, the petitioner said the Modern Sales received some articles from LG Electronics under CSD billing on concessional rates, but these were neither sold to the defence personnel nor returned to the company.
Giving an example of such transactions, the petitioner informed the HC that in 2003-04, LG sold items totalling Rs 4 crore to the dealer under the CSD category. ''The latter has only shown sale of CSD goods amounting to Rs 13.5 lakh, while the balance stock was shown to be sold to the fictitious defence persons. This has led to misappropriation of goods worth crores of rupees in collusion with military officers,'' the petitioner alleged.
He had also informed the court that a representation was filed before the CBI office, but the agency is yet to take any action on the issue.
'Big scam in sale of CSD items to civilians'
CAG bares it all!
CSD(I) Demystified
Ex-serviceman held for selling defence liquor
Comment: Bartering of CSD items with civilians is commonplace and trading liquor for services as well as substitute for wages is predominant in all the Cantonments, Peace Stations and Military Colleges (Staff College being the trend setter) throughtout the length and breadth of the country and not confined to the State of Punjab alone!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Army College of Medical Sciences: Admission Procedure Violates Equality
“Private non-minority colleges can't have 100% reservation” The Hindu New Delhi, May 15, 2011
Private non-minority unaided veteran educational institutions can't have 100 per cent share or a right to acknowledge students of their choice from usually a sold amicable group, incompatible all other students from being deliberate for admission, a Supreme Court has held.
A Bench of Justices B. Sudershan Reddy and S.S. Nijjar was environment aside a process of a Army College of Medical Sciences (ACMS), New Delhi, to distribute all seats to wards of stream and late Army crew and widows of Army personnel, supposing they compete in a Common Entrance Test controlled by suitable authorities for acknowledgment to medical colleges in a National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Bench hold that a grant postulated by a Delhi supervision permitting a ACMS to fill 100 per cent seats with wards of Army crew “violates a simple beliefs of approved governance.”
Justice Reddy, essay a judgment, said: “It is now a well-settled component of a inherent jurisprudence that Article 14 does not merely aspires to yield for a adults small grave equality, though also equivalence of standing and of opportunity. The goals of a nation-state are a securing for all adults a companionship assuring a grace of a sold and a togetherness of a nation. If a publicly offering use follows a sold order that achieves a same or identical consequences as a restricted discrimination, and tends to continue a effects of such discrimination, afterwards it would violate a component of concrete equality.”
The Bench said:
“In a box of admissions to colleges, it is an concurred fact that a basement of supposed comprehensive abilities, we would finish adult selecting some-more students from improved amicable and educational backgrounds, thereby foreclosing or almost truncating a probability of people in such disadvantaged groups from being means to benefit entrance to a critical component of complicated life that grants grace to a individuals, and thereby to a organisation as a whole, both in this generation, and in destiny generations.
“If a immeasurable infancy of a youngsters, generally those belonging to disadvantaged groups, is denied entrance in a aloft educational institutions in a private sector, it would meant that a immeasurable infancy of youngsters, notwithstanding a naturally equal placement of talent and ability, belonging to disadvantaged groups, would be left but entrance to aloft preparation during all. That would consecrate a state of amicable puncture with a intensity for flame that would be on an unthinkable scale. The fact that non-minority unaided educational institutions insist on ‘social disadvantages blind’ acknowledgment policies is explanation that they are not recognising a loyal purpose of preparation as an occupation.”
‘Illegal, ultra vires’
The Supreme Court said: “The acknowledgment procedures devised by a Army College of Medical Sciences, Delhi Cantonment, for revelation students to a initial year MBBS march from a pre-defined source, forged out by itself and a primogenitor society, are bootleg and ultra vires a Delhi Act 80 of 2007.”
It destined a authorities to acknowledge a command petitioners to a initial year of MBBS march in ACMS “if a command petitioners still so desire, for they have been deprived of their legitimate right of acknowledgment to a march for no error of theirs, notwithstanding a arrange cumulative by them in a CET by formulating supernumerary seats. However, we make it transparent that a admissions already done by a Army College of Medical Sciences are saved and shall not be influenced in any demeanour whatsoever.”
The Indian Medical Association and some students challenged a acknowledgment process of a ACMS. After a Delhi High Court inspected a policy, appeals and command petitions were filed in a Supreme Court doubt a policy.
“Private non-minority colleges cannot have 100% reservation”
Read comments by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh
Private non-minority unaided veteran educational institutions can't have 100 per cent share or a right to acknowledge students of their choice from usually a sold amicable group, incompatible all other students from being deliberate for admission, a Supreme Court has held.
A Bench of Justices B. Sudershan Reddy and S.S. Nijjar was environment aside a process of a Army College of Medical Sciences (ACMS), New Delhi, to distribute all seats to wards of stream and late Army crew and widows of Army personnel, supposing they compete in a Common Entrance Test controlled by suitable authorities for acknowledgment to medical colleges in a National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Bench hold that a grant postulated by a Delhi supervision permitting a ACMS to fill 100 per cent seats with wards of Army crew “violates a simple beliefs of approved governance.”
Justice Reddy, essay a judgment, said: “It is now a well-settled component of a inherent jurisprudence that Article 14 does not merely aspires to yield for a adults small grave equality, though also equivalence of standing and of opportunity. The goals of a nation-state are a securing for all adults a companionship assuring a grace of a sold and a togetherness of a nation. If a publicly offering use follows a sold order that achieves a same or identical consequences as a restricted discrimination, and tends to continue a effects of such discrimination, afterwards it would violate a component of concrete equality.”
The Bench said:
“In a box of admissions to colleges, it is an concurred fact that a basement of supposed comprehensive abilities, we would finish adult selecting some-more students from improved amicable and educational backgrounds, thereby foreclosing or almost truncating a probability of people in such disadvantaged groups from being means to benefit entrance to a critical component of complicated life that grants grace to a individuals, and thereby to a organisation as a whole, both in this generation, and in destiny generations.
“If a immeasurable infancy of a youngsters, generally those belonging to disadvantaged groups, is denied entrance in a aloft educational institutions in a private sector, it would meant that a immeasurable infancy of youngsters, notwithstanding a naturally equal placement of talent and ability, belonging to disadvantaged groups, would be left but entrance to aloft preparation during all. That would consecrate a state of amicable puncture with a intensity for flame that would be on an unthinkable scale. The fact that non-minority unaided educational institutions insist on ‘social disadvantages blind’ acknowledgment policies is explanation that they are not recognising a loyal purpose of preparation as an occupation.”
‘Illegal, ultra vires’
The Supreme Court said: “The acknowledgment procedures devised by a Army College of Medical Sciences, Delhi Cantonment, for revelation students to a initial year MBBS march from a pre-defined source, forged out by itself and a primogenitor society, are bootleg and ultra vires a Delhi Act 80 of 2007.”
It destined a authorities to acknowledge a command petitioners to a initial year of MBBS march in ACMS “if a command petitioners still so desire, for they have been deprived of their legitimate right of acknowledgment to a march for no error of theirs, notwithstanding a arrange cumulative by them in a CET by formulating supernumerary seats. However, we make it transparent that a admissions already done by a Army College of Medical Sciences are saved and shall not be influenced in any demeanour whatsoever.”
The Indian Medical Association and some students challenged a acknowledgment process of a ACMS. After a Delhi High Court inspected a policy, appeals and command petitions were filed in a Supreme Court doubt a policy.
“Private non-minority colleges cannot have 100% reservation”
Read comments by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh
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