Saturday, July 2, 2011

Pension of Majors and Equivalents- AFT ruling remains on paper

Subject: Appeal for justice for Veteran Majors and Equivalents in Navy & Air Force
Dear Sirs,
I believe in the famous dictim, A bird in hand is worth two in theBush. I suggest, let us get what the AFT has decided to get for us. Therefore I am again sending the attached letter to PM and others.
Best regards,
Sqn Ldr SP Bains (Retd)
Letter to PM

Comments
1. Accepted.
2. wonder if the PM has ever been shown this mail.
3. It would do wonders if we can some how get media Print or TV INFORMED OF OUR plight due to indifferent attitude of MoD and non- implementation of AFTs orders even though it had to be implemented within 90 days.
Thanks,
Major Mehandru (Retd)

I am for it.
Waiting is wasting time.
Let us go ahead.
Sqn Ldr SS Rawat (Retd)

Friday, July 1, 2011

Director General of Resettlement: A thorough clean up job is essential

CBI arrests two officials for graft TNN Jun 3, 2011, 05.42am IST
NEW DELHI: CBI on Thursday arrested two government officials for allegedly demanding bribe from a junior officer for upgrading his Annual Confidential Report. The agency registered a case against Jati Ram Meena, joint director at Directorate General of Resettlement in defence ministry, and S K Gupta, deputy director general, ministry of tribal affairs, under Prevention of Corruption Act, sources said.

"It was alleged in the complaint that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs 60,000 from the complainant for getting his Annual Confidential Report upgraded," CBI said in a statement. Based on the complaint, CBI laid a trap and arrested Meena while accepting the bribe. "Searches are being conducted at the official and residential premises of both the arrested persons," CBI said.
CBI arrests two officials for graft

Thursday, June 30, 2011

11 lakh ex-servicemen pensions held back

11 lakh ex-servicemen pensions held back by Huma Siddiqui Posted: Thursday, Jun 30, 2011 at 0204 hrs IST The Financial Express
New Delhi: An allocation of R2,200 crore made in the 2009-10 Budget is lying unspent as the government has failed to figure out how to calculate and disburse pension to retired defence personnel.

After a sustained demand for more than two years from ex-servicemen, who were seeking “one rank, one pension”, the ministry of defence (MoD) decided in 2009 to enhance the pension of nearly 14 lakh defence personnel retiring before 2006. A new regime of Parity in Pensions was put in place and the same was announced in the 2009-10 Budget. The new system is applicable to JCOs and other ranks.

Talking to FE, Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) treasurer Wg Cdr CK Sharma (retd) said, “The amount has been sanctioned for disbursal. However, each individual bank is expected to do the necessary calculation in each case and then do the needful.”

“All these years, the system had been that any time there was a change in the pension rates, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) would issue an amended Preferred Provider Organisation (PPO) for each individual, which would clearly mention the dues of an individual. The government, after the Sixth Pay Commission, has shirked this responsibility and palmed it off to the Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA), which means the bank,” Sharma explained.

According to government sources, so far only 3 lakh out of the 14 lakh ex-servicemen have managed to get the calculation done and get the enhanced pension.

“In some cases, where an individual is fortunate enough to have a bank with a clued-in staff, the work has been done and the money paid. However, as on today, such banks are very few,” . The huge majority have not got the amount due to them as the banks claim they do not have adequate staff to do these calculations, “ pointed out Sharma.

A new software, called Suwigya, has been introduced where an individual can enter his basic information and the software works out the pension dues. According to a official, the basic fact that needs to be remembered is that “a huge majority of the retired jawans from the Army, Navy and the Air Force live in villages and small towns. While a bank manager in Delhi may be guided by people around on how to go about doing these calculations, it is going to be a grave, uphill task for all the others”.

In July 2009, defence minister A K Antony had informed the Lok Sabha: “The government has accepted the recommendations of the cabinet secretary-led panel on ‘one rank, one pension’ and total financial implications on account of benefits to the personnel would be R2,144 crore.”

The committee had recommended inclusion of a Classification Allowance for the Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) from January 1, 2006 and removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from the same date.
11 lakh ex-servicemen pensions held back

Landmark Decision on Reservists Pension- AFT Implementation

Dear All,
There are eleven IAF Airmen who had gone to court for award of pension after they had completed more than 10 years and few days of service each which included regular, reserve and recalled period of service. They had gone to AFT with a plea that they should be awarded pension for their regular service and additional 6 years reserve, totalling more than 15 years which otherwise qualifies for pension for veterans in normal course. AFT gave decision in favour of all these veterans but it was not being implemented.
Air HQ has now conveyed the sanction of the President of India in terms of GOI, MOD, order No 4684/DIR(PEN)/2001 dated 14 August 2001 & 7 Nov 2001 to implement the court order dated 12 Jan 2011 in this case vide letter No Air HQ /41006/SP/363/PA(CC) dated 09 May 2011 asking PCDA (Pension) to issue corr PPO for arrears including 3 years preceding the date of filing the petition on 22 Jul 2009.This letter also mentions that it is issued with the concurrence of Finance Division of MOD vide U O note dated 13 Apr 2011.
Procedural details have also been circulated by AFRO vide their letter dated 23 May 2011 as a follow up asking each of these airman to submit some of the documents including joint photographs etc.
There are many more cases of reservists which are now required to be decided in their favour by this logic but not implemented. This particular case shows that Service HQ has the powers vested in them for implementation of such AFT orders and direct PCDA(P) to issue corr PPOs after completing other formalities.
I am organising a meet of such other airman who are based at Pune sometimes in third week of July 2011 to brief them on this decision and may be initiate their claims for pension.
I could not find both the letters mentioned by Air HQ as authority from the website of PCDA, Allahabad. I have now asked AFRO, New Delhi to send me copies. Once these are read & understood some further action can be taken.
Regards,
Gp Capt SS Phatak (Retd)
Head Pension Division of IESM, IAF Accounts, 1965-1994
Pune

DGR Perpetuates Corruption in the name of Resettlement

Defence Scam in the name of Resettlement
01 June, 2011 by Anupam Sharma- BUREAUCRACY Today reports...
Kindly link up with the laudable aims and goals of DGR
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    It seems that a Pandora's box is waiting to be opened in the Ministry of Defence. The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence is facing the biggest defence scam. The scam revolves around availing of re-settlement/ rehabilitation facilities in the name of Ex-Servicemen from the DGR by submitting fake documents, clandestine deals, and proxies running the agencies and in many cases, fake officers applying for resettlement schemes. The DGR seems more than hand in glove in these murky deals; allegedly facilitating and orchestrating the whole scam. A report.

    In order to maintain a youthful profile of the Armed Forces, approximately 60,000 Service personnel are retired/ released every year at a comparatively young age. A majority of the Service personnel at the time of retirement are at an age where they have numerous unfinished domestic responsibilities, which necessitate their taking up second occupation. The Central and State Governments have provided a number of concessions to promote the employment of Ex-Servicemen in civil jobs. There are reservations in Government departments, public sector undertakings/ nationalized banks and para-military forces, apart from the creation of the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), an inter-Service organization functioning directly under the Ministry of Defence for resettlement and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen.

    The DGR provides various resettlement and rehabilitation schemes to Ex-Servicemen officers, 'ESM (O)' and Ex-Servicemen 'ESM' (Personnel Below Officers Rank) through the Employment Directorate, Self-Employment Directorate, Training Directorate and Agriculture Directorate. The major schemes are as shown in the box. The eligibility criteria for various schemes can be viewed on DGR website www.dgrindia.com. The main criteria are summarized below:
  • An Ex-Serviceman should not have availed himself/herself of any other
    benefit from the DGR earlier
  • He/she at the time of registration should not be employed with any
    Government/ semi-Government/ private concern and
  • He/she should not have availed himself/ herself of the six months' executive course in an IIM/Business School.
    In order to provide major resettlement and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen, on the request of the Ministry of Defence vide OM No 4(20)/US (Res) 93, the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (Department of Public Enterprises) directed all departments under it to appoint security personnel in PSUs from Ex-Servicemen security agencies sponsored by the DGR vide OM No 6/22/93-DPE (SC/ST) dated 11 Nov, 1994. The Department of Public Enterprises decided to restore the OMs dated 11.11.94 and 18.3.96 with the following modifications:
    (a) In order to ensure that PSEs get cost-effective and efficient security agencies, the DGR will sponsor more than one security agency so that the PSE concerned would have a choice in choosing the suitable outfit keeping in view its specific requirements.
    (b) The service charge chargeable by the agency will be negotiated between the PSE and the agency concerned.
    (c) The contract is for a specific period of two years, generally extendable by two more years vide OM No 6/22/93/GL-15/DPE (SC/ST) dated Feb 1, 1999.

    MODUS OPERANDI
    The DGR promulgated various schemes in such a manner that huge margins are deliberately created for the personnel running a scheme through the DGR. For example, most of the schemes have a minimum margin of 14 percent officially but much more is unofficially being borne by public sector undertakings/ State Government undertakings and in some schemes, the fee is paid directly to institutes through the DGR budget allotted by the Ministry of Defence for the resettlement and rehabilitation of ExServicemen. In order to circumvent Department of Public Enterprises OMs, the DGR promulgated its policy in such a manner that it virtually amounted to single tendering.

    The DGR policy lays that a DGR sponsored agency must quote between 14 percent and 20 percent as service charges. On the contrary, the DGR registered agencies are providing services at 3 to 4 percent service charges. In case all the agencies sponsored by the DGR have quoted the same service charge, the contract must be awarded to the senior most sponsored agency, thereby, vitiating the very spirit of cost effectiveness and choosing the suitable outfit keeping in view the specific requirements of the PSUs. The DGR promulgated wage structure incorporates 28.98 percent as Weekly Off/ National Holiday/ EL/ CL. As per the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, the EL/ CL are only eligible to regular and permanent employees. Therefore, most of the agencies save on this count also. Uniforma fair and transparent manner and has buttressed it with specific allegations against certain officers of the DGR named in the affidavit". Commenting on an additional affidavit, Sharma observed:
    "The appellant has also filed an additional affidavit crystallizing the alleged glaring irregularities, violations, variations and improprieties in the functioning of the office of DGR".

    In a landmark order, the Central Information Commissioner observed: "Needless to say, it is the mandate of the apex administrative authority to keep the organization falling in its domain, clean. The concerned Ministry in this case is the Ministry of Defence. The RTI Act does not confer any vigilance role on this Commission. Even so, the Commission cannot ignore the allegations, howsoever misplaced or frivolous, levelled by a retired Army officer, on affidavit. Hence, in the premises, we deem it expedient to request the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, to have an inquiry caused into the matter and take action as deemed fit". No action has been taken by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, till date on the orders dated October 18, 2010 in spite of repeated requests by the appellant.

    Sometime in 2005, the management of a Toll Plaza was offered by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to the DGR. The Self-Employment Directorate initially sponsored security agencies registered with the DGR, thereafter changed the criteria of sponsorship at whims and fancies from security agencies empanelled with it to officers registered for employment assistance with the private sector. Many officers employed at the Rajya Sainik Board/ Zila Sainik Board, re-employed with the Armed Forces of the Union, employed with the private sector, etc, were sponsored and such officers participated in the tendering process without taking prior approval of the competent authority, where they were employed. For example, Lt Col SK Baidyanada, who was re-employed with the HQ, Southern Command, till July 31, 2007 was sponsored for management of the Panvel Toll Plaza vide DGR letter No 1786/Govt-NHAI/Panvel/NH4B/DGR/Self Emp dated May 28, 2007 and the officer participated in the tendering process. Lt Col SK Baidyanada was again sponsored for the management of the Andewadi Toll Plaza vide letter No 1786/Govt-NHAI/Andewadi Toll/NH-14/Self-Emp dated July 31, 2011. Further, in some cases, the sponsorships for management of Toll Plazas were issued on hotel addresses, C/o BSNL Telephone Exchange, C/o Principals of Schools, C/o SO to AOC-in-C, etc. As per the policy, the officer was to sit for minimum 8 to 10 hours at a Toll Plaza. In some cases, the officers were running more than one Toll Plaza at a time along with a security agency and other resettlement facilities through the DGR.

    For example, the management of a Toll Plaza at Sriperumbudar was in the name of Lt Col C Medhi (Retd), M/s Eagles Eye Securities. The officer was sponsored for the Toll Plaza vide DGR letter No 1786/Govt NHAI/ Chennai/ NH-4/ DGR/Self-Emp dated October 26, 2006. The officer registered his name in the DGR on June 23, 2007; the Toll Plaza was operated by Lt Col C Medhi (Retd) from 1.7.2007 to 5.11.2008. At the same time, Lt Col C Medhi (Retd) was running a security agency in the name of M/s Prove Security and Allied Services in the North Eastern States (For the Toll Plaza, the officer was based in Bangalore and for the security agency at Howrah). Similarly, Lt Col SK Mehta (Retd) was sponsored for the Chennasamudram Toll Plaza vide DGR letter No 1786/Govt NHAI/TN/NH-4/DGR/Self-Emp dated November 7, 2006. The officer registered his name with the DGR on December 29, 2006 and the Toll Plaza was operated from 11. 1.2007 to 30. 9.2009 (For the Toll Plaza, the officer was based at C/o Mrs Sahilini Mohan, Bangalore, and for the security agency at Vellore). Lt Col SK Mehta was also running a CNG station at Mayur Vihar, Delhi, simultaneously and was based at Noida (UP).

    Rajiv Karsolia's sponsorship document for running security agency EATS, which got numerous sponsorships

    The officers in these cases were first sponsored for the management of the Toll Plaza by the DGR and subsequently registered themselves with the DGR. Such blatant irregularities/commission cannot happen without the active participation and connivance of DGR officials. How can the addresses of hotels, C/o BSNL Telephone Exchange, C/o Principals and C/o SO to AOC-in-C be considered authentic correspondence of an Ex-Serviceman officer?
    What were the interests of Principals or AOC-in-C or his SO to allowance is 7 percent of the Basic, including VDA. The amount for six months works out to approximately Rs 2,700 whereas, the uniform costing between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 is provided to the security guard in six months. The minimum rates levied by DGR-sponsored security agencies are about Rs 15, 478 per security guard and Rs 22, 981 per security supervisor for an eight hour shift to PSUs.

    As on December 31, 2005, 110,000 Ex-Servicemen were employed through the DGR for security services to various public sector undertakings/ State Government undertakings/ autonomous bodies throughout the country. The Reserve Bank of India has instructed that the security of the treasury chest of all banks in the country be entrusted to DGR-sponsored ESM security agencies only. Due to the enhanced security requirement, security of Toll Plazas, etc, the approximately 150,000 security guards are deployed through the DGR as on date. Around 2,600 security agencies are registered with the DGR since 1992. Many proprietors have died, many have withdrawn from the scheme and many proprietors have joined together to form Ex-Servicemen private limited companies with the DGR. Thus the effective security agencies registered with the DGR are less than 2,000 as on date. The quota of 300 security guards is laid by the DGR to dissuade the genuine officers running the agencies, as their quota would expire within three to four years, then what? The DGR patronizes subletting to civilians. As a result, officers employed with PSUs/ State Governments/ private sector, etc, at handsome salaries are lured to register for security agencies/ management of Toll Plazas, Coal Transportation, etc, at the DGR to sublet the same to civilians, on a profit sharing basis at the cost of resettlement and rehabilitation of genuine Ex-Servicemen. The DGR officials are also hand in grove in these murky deals; allegedly facilitating and orchestrating the same. As a result, DGR officials have made assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

    The quota is only for Ex-Servicemen running the scheme themselves.For civilians and/ or selected persons, who look after DGR officials; there are no rules, procedures or guidelines (as would be evident from succeeding paras). The DGR promulgated schemes are flouted in connivance with DGR officials to such an extent that the entire resettlement and rehabilitation venture has become a hub of corruption.

    AFFIDAVIT EXPOSES ALL
    Bureaucracy Today urges its readers to share information on corruption around them. On this BT initiative Bureaucracy Today sources volunteered to share the scam details which led to this exclusive story. Original story at http://www.bureaucracytoday.com/cover_story_june_11.html
  • Wednesday, June 29, 2011

    पूर्व सैनिकों और परिवार: शिकायत के निवारण के लिए तंत्र

    पृष्ठभूमि:
    सेना में 15-20 साल बिताने के बाद पूर्व सैनिकों नागरिक पर्यावरण के साथ संपर्क से बाहर हैं और आदी नागरिक समाज में विद्यमान परिस्थितियों को नहीं. व्यक्तिगत अनुभव के साथ, यह महसूस किया है कि पूर्व सैनिकों और विधवाओं सामान्य रूप से अपने सेवानिवृत्त जीवन में समस्याओं के निम्नलिखित प्रकार का सामना करते हुए वे पंजाब में / गांवों और शहरों में निवास: -
    राजस्व मामलों
    भूमि अतिक्रमण
    पुलिस मामलों
    बेटी के बीच ज्यादातर एवं कानूनों व इंटर व्यक्तिगत संबंधों में तनाव वैवाहिक जीवन,
    पैसा उधार
    पति - पत्नी के तनावपूर्ण संबंधों
    तलाक से संबंधित मामले
    और तुच्छ प्रकृति के अन्य सामाजिक समस्याएं
    वापस घर माता पिता, और इस तरह की समस्याओं का सामना कर रहे सैनिकों की सेवा की पत्नियों.
    मकान / नजदीक पूर्व सैनिकों से बाहर किराए की छुट्टी
    हालांकि, ग्राम पंचायतों को उनकी समस्याओं की देखभाल कर रहे हैं लगता है लेकिन अधिकांश मामलों में पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए सेट गांव से पूर्ण न्याय और सामाजिक अपेक्षित समर्थन नहीं मिलता है. इस प्रकार, सम्मोहक उन्हें ऊपर उठाने के लिए पुलिस अधिकारियों के साथ उनके मामलों, विभिन्न विभागों और न्यायपालिका के जिला प्रमुखों. हालांकि, कुछ समस्याओं असली हैं और पूर्व सैनिकों सैनिक कल्याण संगठन से गंभीर समर्थन की आवश्यकता नहीं है.

    शिकायतों पर कार्रवाई: -
    सैनिक कल्याण निदेशालय ने बताया कि कई शिकायतें समय पर करने में भाग लिया नहीं है और इन लंबे समय के लिए लंबित रहते हैं. उन्होंने निर्देश दिया कि निम्नलिखित प्रक्रिया के रूप में अपनाया जाएगा और जब शिकायत जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी द्वारा प्राप्त की है: -

    शिकायत कंप्यूटर में दर्ज हो जाएगा.
    जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी को सभी कार्यों के लिए क्या उसके द्वारा उठाए जा रहे हैं के रूप में कल्याण कार्यकर्ता लेखन में कल्याण कार्यकर्ता निर्देशित करेंगे. कल्याण कार्यकर्ता अपने ही स्तर पर शिकायत में भाग लेने के प्रयास करेंगे. मामले में, यह बाहर नहीं सॉर्ट किया जाता है, वह 15 दिन के भीतर आगे कार्रवाई के लिए एक लिखित रिपोर्ट अपने जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी को दे देंगे.
    जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी एवं जिला स्तर पर संबंधित विभाग के प्रमुख के साथ संपर्क पत्राचार कर देगा. मामले में 15 दिनों के अंदर कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की है, जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी जिला स्तर पर एक बैठक आयोजित करने की शिकायत पर चर्चा और एक समाधान खोजने के लिए एजेंडा बिंदु चिंतित सिर को भेज देंगे.
    मामले में जिला स्तर पर संबंधित प्रधान भी निजी बैठक के बाद आवश्यक कार्रवाई नहीं करता है, शिकायत करने के लिए एक जिला स्तर पर संबंधित प्रधान को निर्देश जारी करने के अनुरोध के साथ उपायुक्त को भेजा जाएगा.
    फिर भी, के मामले में शिकायत बाहर नहीं सॉर्ट किया जाता है, यह चर्चा और / / डीसी राष्ट्रपति जिला सैनिक बोर्ड द्वारा निर्णय दिशाओं के लिए जिला सैनिक बोर्ड की त्रैमासिक बैठक में शामिल किया जाएगा.
    यदि समस्या अभी भी बाहर नहीं सॉर्ट किया जाता है, शिकायत जिला शिकायत संबंधित मंत्री की अध्यक्षता में गठित समिति में शामिल करने के लिए एजेंडा प्वाइंट के रूप में भेजा जाएगा.
    मामले में शिकायत करने के लिए तीन महीने के भीतर उपस्थित नहीं है, जिला सैनिक कल्याण अधिकारी पूरी जानकारी और कार्रवाई के निदेशक सैनिक कल्याण, पंजाब को एक डीओ पत्र के तहत उस पर ले लिया से शिकायत आगे होगा. इसके बाद निदेशक सैनिक कल्याण पंजाब ऊपर चिंतित प्रमुख सचिव / सचिव के साथ मामला ले जाएगा अपने स्तर पर.
    पूर्व सैनिकों और परिवार: शिकाय त के निवारण के लिए तंत्र

    War Veteran passes away

    MHOW (M.P.): War veteran Prithvi Raj, who headed the 12th Infantry division under the command of which the Pokhran nuclear test was conducted in 1974, died here on Tuesday due to old age-related problems.

    The 87-year-old retired Major-General, who commanded an infantry brigade in the Shankargarh sector during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, was cremated with full military honours here in the presence of Army officers and jawans.

    The illustrious officer is survived by son Lt Gen Deepak Raj, commandant of Army War College. — PTI
    War Veteran passes away

    Adarsh housing society is built on Defence land- Revenue Records Reveal

    The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper
    Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011
    Records show Adarsh housing society is built on Defence land Staff Reporter
    Allotment order sent by Revenue Dept. to Mumbai Collector proves this

    Mumbai: According to records available with the government of Maharashtra, the land on which the Adarsh cooperative housing society was built was in the possession of the Defence Ministry. On Tuesday, Sanjay Dhikle, Superintendent Mumbai City Survey & Land Record, Mumbai, told the two-member Adarsh inquiry commission that according to an allotment order dated July 9, 2004, the government of Maharashtra had accepted that the land was in the possession of the Ministry.

    “The allotment order sent by the State Revenue Department to the Collector of Mumbai stated ‘approval is given to give on ownership basis the land measuring about 3758.82 sq. mts. near plot no. 87C in BBR Block VI, which is at present in the possession of the Defence Department, to the Adarsh CHS,” said the commission's senior counsel Dipan Merchant.

    “It is true that the government of Maharashtra has, by this order, accepted the fact of possession of the land in question by the Defence Department,” Mr. Dhikle said in the commission.

    Meanwhile, as earlier published in The Hindu, government counsel told the commission on Tuesday that none of the documents and sheets was missing in the Adarsh matter from the City Survey and Land Records office. Mr. Dhikle was directed by the commission to produce the relevant sheets on Wednesday.

    Earlier, survey sheets no. 10, 13, 772 and 778 were said to be “not available.” These pertained to the land in question in Block VI of Colaba.

    During the proceedings, Mr. Dhikle told the commission: “The Adarsh CHS was given possession of the land in question on 4 October, 2004. It was only paper possession… I cannot say whether the Adarsh CHS was put in actual possession of the land in question at any time thereafter.”

    Meanwhile, the commission on Tuesday granted permission to Major S.K. Lamba to cross-examine Brigadier Deepak Saxena in the Adarsh matter. Major Lamba, now retired, is a part of the Mumbai Citizens' Group.

    He wrote to the commission on June 24 requesting permission to cross-question Brigadier Saxena. The commission on Tuesday granted Major Lamba 15 minutes for it.
    Records show Adarsh housing society is built on Defence land

    Tuesday, June 28, 2011

    Derailing Democracy: Will Lokpal Restore Credibility

    Derailing Lokpal in an Exploitative Democracy By Justice Kamleshwar Nath
    “Devil quotes Scriptures”. Look who says: Civil Society undermines Democracy – Government of India’s Chairman of Lokpal Drafting Committee, Mr Pranab Mukherji!
    Democracy established by Constitution of India is one of the best in the World; but the People of India, who gave the Constitution to themselves, are reeling under Exploitative Democracy where –
  • An elected Lok Sabha of 543 MPs has 154 facing criminal cases of which about 50 are for committing heinous offences; and this number has increased with every succeeding election.
  • Sitting convicted MPs enjoy immunity from Disqualification under Section 8(4) of Representation of People Act 1951, despite peoples’ demand to repeal the Sub-section.
  • Immunity for conduct in matters related with debates in Houses under Article 105(3) of the Constitution extends to criminal acts, like the infamous Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case of bribe given by the Prime Minister Mr P.V.Narasimha Rao.
  • The emoluments of an MP are 100-times more than the per capita income of a Citizen, and the emoluments go on increasing by leaps and bounds through self-serving enactments passed in no time.
  • Launching of prosecution for Corruption (and related crimes) by elected representatives and bureaucrats needs sanction of some executive authority, and the sanction rarely comes.
  • Anti-corruption measures visualised through an effective Lokpal have been studiously diluted by 9 Bills drafted since 1968 but never passed, the last one being the present Government’s Lokpal Bill 2010 which is the last straw on the back of the Nation in various ways, including ban on the Lokpal to take cognizance of any complaint and certainly not suo motu.
  • International perception of corruption (2010) of 126 countries through surveys made by 10 independent Internationally reputed institutions like World Bank & IBRD, Bertelsman Foundation, World Economic Forum, Global Insight and Transparency International Berlin, ranks India at 87 with countries like Albania, Jamaica and Liberia at index of 3.3 (out of 10) – continuously falling from 3.5 in 2007 and 3.4 in 2008 & 2009 – while countries having effective Ombudsman Institution like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, USA are ranked between 9.7 and 7.
  • Series of Scams have topped with CWG Scam and 2G Spectrum Scam of 2010 which involved some Ministers of Govt. of India, confirming the national level of corruption. Black money stashed away in Foreign Banks has risen to 1,546 billion Dollars which far exceeds the aggregate (1056 bn. $) of ‘next four’ countries namely Russia, UK, Ukraine and China (vide Times of India Ahmedabad dt. 8th June 2011).
  • Violence unleashed by Delhi Police over thousands of peaceful Satyagrahis in the dead of night between 4th and 5th of June last, causing serious injuries to many whose only fault was to be on fast in support of Baba Ram Dev’s call on the Government to get black money indicted at (8) while the Police had given permission to Baba Ram Dev only to hold Yoga camp! Another pretext was that Baba Ram Dev had gone back on his promise to give up fast! Well, this is Pranab Mukherji’s Democracy! A shocked Baba ran for his life and in thoughtless reaction to official brutality announced formation of imaginary volunteer force on some unforeseen period of time to take on the police force when necessary. On the one hand Baba lost his balance due to shock, on the other hand Government lost its balance in sheer anger, born of fear of Peoples’ unification on the Issue of corruption, and on finding Baba’s support from RSS and BJP! And as things unravel from the statements of Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, and certain spokespersons of Congress, the Govt. is bent upon using violence not only on Baba but also on Anna Hazare.

    Numerous other examples may be catalogued. If this is not Exploitative Democracy, what is it?
    On the moral plane, Govt of India (indeed almost all Governments) run their own model of secularism which excels in Communalism, Casteism, hate for the opponent coupled with ‘divide and rule’. To Indian National Congress, RSS and BJP are the biggest perpetual enemy, shamelessly linking them with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi despite the fact that they had been cleared by the Court. Religious education in Government educational institutions is prohibited; it is not even substituted by Moral Education of common principles of discipline and good behaviour culled out from all religions in India. The result is growth of generations bereft of morals and ethics – the ever increasing crimes are unfailing signals of that development.

    People have suffered immensely over the last 30 years. It is high time that injustice meted out to the people is remedied of which the first natural step is to eliminate Corruption. The Civil Society is well within its ambitions when it presses upon the Government to enact an effective Lokpal. It has the support of the entire Nation and India-Against-Corruption deserves full-throated praise; Gandhian Seva & Satyagraha Brigade (which floated the concept of Fast), Transparency International India (I believe) and a number of NGOs across the Country have announced their support. Baba Ram Dev too is on the same subject of Corruption; as Anna Hazare said, he is immature added to which is his shocked state due to official violence. He should frankly admit his mistake in being thoughtlessly bold; that will raise his stature in the eyes of people, for acknowledgment of fault is surest atonement of wrong. Even Mahatma Gandhi admitted his “Himalayan Blunder” on Chauri-Chaura episode whereupon he called off his Movement. Government, being what it is, is now linking Hazare and Baba with BJP and RSS, thinking it will justify Government action; but people know better. It is hoped that the crusade against Corruption will go on with added fervour and determination in a non violent, firm and peaceful way. May God be with all crusaders.
    Kamleshwar Nath is a Retd Judge, Allahabad High Court and Chairman, Gandhian Seva & Satyagraha Brigade.
    Derailing Lokpal in an Exploitative Democracy

    Dear Chander
    The article "Corruption in Politics and Politics in Corruption" (click here)is linked. Will be grateful if this can be put out on RMS and Sanjhamorcha blogs.
    Chhikara
    (Brig RS Chhikara, Secy Gen INA Trust)
  • Warriors on the Front- Fifty Golden Years Remembered

    The Chinese aggression was undoubtedly a debacle for the nation and the Indian Army but individual soldiers and officers fought bravely and their course - mates led from the front in many areas, recalls former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

    The earlier Hindi-Chini-Bhai-Bhai phase had ended and ours was the first course with enhanced numbers. We could sense that we would inevitably get involved in active operations sooner than later. This was welcome,as we saw it as an opportunity to prove ourselves. In our hearts of hearts, we did have that nagging suspicion of what we call the ‘fear of the unknown’ in the army, but it was taken in one’s stride.

    Dear Chander,
    Our Course- 18 NDA, 27 IMA, 12 NCC AND 13 TECHNICAL GRADUATES had celebrated the half century of our passing out from IMA from 17 to 19 June, 2011. My article on the event has been published in the Magazine- Power Politics July 2011 Issue.
    Warriors on the front- click here to read the full article.
    Thanks. Warm regards.
    Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
    Former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
    Former Director Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)

    Monday, June 27, 2011

    Law helps the vigilant not those who are asleep

    Many Pay Commission Anomalies created by bureaucracy to cheat the Ex Service Personnel can surely be combined to make a good case for writing an article in the top dailies.
    In courts/ tribunal battles have to be fought issue wise
    "vigilantibus, et non dormientibus, jura subveniunt"
    Law helps the`vigilant' not those who are asleep.

    After 5th pay commission, all pre 1.1.1996 officers had suffered an anomaly whereby they did not get `modified parity' with post 1.1.1996 pensioners. This included even civilians.
    A long drawn court battle was fought, which was joined later by a group of pre 1.1.1996 retiree Major Generals. `Loosing' MOD tried to cajole by stepping up the past Maj Gen.s' pension to equality with that of the present Brigadiers. However, they did not settle at that but demanded class parity with the present Maj Generals. Eventually that was given by the Hon'ble P & H High Court and was upheld (in 2008) by the Apex Court in appeal filed (in 2006) by the govt.
    I doubt if the other (officer) ranks got the same deal as the Maj Gen's did after the case was won, or if anyone went to the court, to seek similar treatment as had to be eventually given to the Maj Gen.s.
    Today after VI CPC, again, there is no class parity, most shockingly past officers get lesser pension than their present feeder post retirees. All against Article 14 of the Constitution, and Supreme Court's clear judgments.
    But hardly any individual or ex service organisations want to go to the court/tribunal. I was amused when someone told me that recently the top office bearers of certain ex-service organisations had issued advisories to the ex-servicemen not to go to courts and not to `fall prey' to the `business solicitations' of `unscrupulous advocates'.
    The result is that a common sufferer has still not got the benefit of Article 14 of the Constitution, land mark `Nakra case' (constitution bench judgment), `Dhanpalan's case' (Well known to the community), `SPS Vains's case' (Maj Gen's case referred above), though each one is in his (common sufferer's) favour. Top ranking guys are least bothered. Why should they be. They have already got exclusive deals for themselves with the government.
    Note: I write this to share the piece of knowledge acquired through bit of practice as an advocate, with the common man (junior/middle level officers) of my own community.
    regards
    Wg Cdr (Retd) AK Aggarwal
    Advocate on record
    Supreme Court of India

    कई वेतन आयोग की नौकरशाही के द्वारा बनाई गई करने के पूर्व सेवा कार्मिक धोखा विसंगतियाँ निश्चित रूप से शीर्ष दैनिक समाचार पत्रों में एक लेख लिखने के लिए एक अच्छा मामला बनाने के लिए संयुक्त किया जा सकता है.

    अदालतों में / न्यायाधिकरण लड़ाई के लिए बुद्धिमान मुद्दा लड़ा जाना है
    कानून में मदद करता है 'जो लोग सो रहे हैं नहीं सतर्क रहें.
    5 वेतन आयोग के बाद, सभी पूर्व 1996/01/01 अफसरों एक विसंगति जिससे वे `पोस्ट 1996/01/01 पेंशनरों के साथ संशोधित 'समता नहीं मिला सामना करना पड़ा था. यह भी नागरिकों के शामिल थे.
    एक लंबी अदालती लड़ाई लड़ी थी, जो बाद में पूर्व 1996/01/01 रिटायर मेजर जनरलों के एक समूह से जुड़े हुए थे. `खोने मौजूद ब्रिगेडियर के साथ समानता के लिए पेंशन 'MOD तक आगे बढ़ अतीत मेजर Gen.s द्वारा फुसलाना कोशिश की है. हालांकि, वे उस पर समझौता नहीं था, लेकिन वर्तमान मेजर जनरलों के साथ वर्ग समता की मांग की. अंततः कि माननीय पी एंड एच उच्च न्यायालय द्वारा दिया गया था और अपील में सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने सरकार द्वारा दायर (2006 में) द्वारा सही ठहराया (2008 में).
    मुझे संदेह है कि अन्य रैंकों (अधिकारी) एक ही सौदा मिल गया के रूप में मेजर जनरल के बाद मामला जीत गया था, या अगर किसी अदालत के पास गया, इसी तरह के इलाज की तलाश के रूप में अंत में मेजर Gen.s. को दिया जाना था
    छठी सीपीसी के बाद आज फिर से, वहाँ कोई वर्ग समता है, सबसे shockingly अतीत अधिकारी अपने वर्तमान फीडर पद सेवानिवृत्त से कम पेंशन मिलता है. संविधान के अनुच्छेद 14 के खिलाफ सभी, और सुप्रीम कोर्ट के स्पष्ट निर्णय.
    लेकिन शायद ही किसी भी व्यक्ति या पूर्व सेवा संगठनों को न्यायालय / न्यायाधिकरण जाना चाहता हूँ. मैं खुश था जब किसी ने मुझसे कहा कि हाल ही में कुछ पूर्व सेवा संगठनों के शीर्ष पदाधिकारियों परामर्श पूर्व सैनिकों को जारी किया था करने के लिए अदालतों के लिए नहीं जाने के लिए और '`व्यापार के लिए करने के लिए अनुनय द्वारा प्राप्त की तलाश' नहीं शिकार` गिरावट `की बेईमान अधिवक्ताओं '.
    नतीजा यह है कि एक आम पीड़ित अभी भी संविधान के अनुच्छेद 14 का लाभ मिला है नहीं, भूमि `Nakra मामला '(संविधान पीठ ने निर्णय),` है Dhanpalan मामला' (खैर समुदाय के लिए जाना जाता है), `एसपीएस है Vains मामला 'चिह्न ( मेजर जनरल मामला है ऊपर कहा गया है), हालांकि हर एक को अपने पक्ष (आम पीड़ित) में है. शीर्ष रैंकिंग में लोग कम से कम परेशान कर रहे हैं. वे क्यों किया जाना चाहिए. वे पहले से ही सरकार के साथ किया है खुद के लिए अनन्य सौदों मिल गया.
    नोट: मैं इस ज्ञान का टुकड़ा एक वकील के रूप में अभ्यास के बिट के माध्यम से अपने खुद के समुदाय के आम आदमी (कनिष्ठ / मध्य स्तर के अधिकारियों के साथ), का अधिग्रहण साझा करने के लिए लिखें.
    का संबंध है
    विंग (सेवानिवृत्त) कमांडर एके अग्रवाल
    रिकॉर्ड पर अधिवक्ता
    भारत के उच्चतम न्यायालय

    एंटनी राज्यों को पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए पूछता है

    रक्षा जून 27 की पीआईबी मंत्रालय, 2011 17:57 IST
    रक्षा मंत्री श्री ए.के. एंटनी ऊपर भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए और अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए बुलाया है. केन्द्रीय सैनिक बोर्ड, केंद्र सरकार और राज्यों / भूतपूर्व सैनिक (ESW) कल्याण, आज यहां केन्द्र शासित प्रदेशों के शीर्ष निकाय की 29 वीं बैठक की अध्यक्षता करते हुए श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि राष्ट्र को अनुशासित कार्यबल असर के इस विशाल जलाशय बर्बादी बर्दाश्त नहीं कर सकता ट्रेडों की एक विस्तृत श्रृंखला में कौशल.

    "कुछ समय पहले मैं सभी राज्यों के मुख्यमंत्रियों को लिखा था कि भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए और अधिक रोजगार के अवसर प्रदान करते हैं. तुम तरीकों और इसका मतलब अप करने के लिए आर्थिक गतिविधि जहां भूतपूर्व सैनिकों की समृद्ध और व्यावहारिक अनुभव सबसे अच्छा उपयोग किया जा सकता से अधिक क्षेत्रों को खोलने के लिए चिंतन करना चाहिए. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मैं भी सभी राज्य सरकारों से आग्रह करता हूं करने के लिए सुनिश्चित करें कि पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए नौकरियों में आरक्षण का प्रावधान पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए जमीन पर मूर्त रोजगार के अवसर उपलब्ध कराने के लिए कदम उठाने. "

    उनका कहना है कि लगभग 50 से साठ हज़ार रक्षा कार्मिकों या तो रिटायर हो रहे हैं या हर साल सेवा से रिहा हुए रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा कि उनमें से सबसे अधिक उत्पादक आयु वर्ग में हैं.

    "वे के बारे में 300 ट्रेडों में काम के अनुभव पर हाथ के अधिकारी और एक युवा, अनुशासित कार्यबल है कि समाज और राष्ट्र के लिए काफी लाभ हो सकता है. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि हम wokforce के इस तरह के एक जवान और बेहद प्रशिक्षित जलाशय बेकार खर्च नहीं उठा सकते. "

    रक्षा मंत्री भी लंबे समय के लिए केन्द्र और राज्य सरकारों में खाली पड़े भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए निर्धारित नौकरियों पर चिंता व्यक्त की.

    "मैं केन्द्रीय सरकार के अंतर्गत सभी मंत्रालयों और विभागों समझाना अपना सर्वश्रेष्ठ करने के लिए सभी मौजूदा भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए निर्धारित की रिक्तियों को भरने के लिए कामना करता हूं. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि देर से मुझे मिल जाए, भरने रिक्तियों की बजाय, बल्कि वे दूर ले जा रहे एक याचिका या अन्य पर रिक्तियां (पूर्व सैनिक). " "यह प्रोत्साहित नहीं किया जाना चाहिए," उन्होंने tersely टिप्पणी की.

    सार्वजनिक और निजी करने के लिए भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिकतम अवसर उपलब्ध कराने के क्षेत्र पर आह्वान करते हुए रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा कि पुनः रोजगार के लाभों को सबसे कम रैंक के लिए नहीं percolating थे.

    'कॉर्पोरेट और औद्योगिक क्षेत्र रोजगार भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए कई प्रदान की गई है. हालांकि, जबकि इन reemployed कर्मियों के अधिकांश अधिकारी स्तर से कर रहे हैं, यह हमारी नोटिस में आया है कि वहाँ PBORs (अधिकारी रैंक से नीचे के कार्मिक) के लिए पर्याप्त काम नहीं कर रहे हैं. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मुझे यकीन है कि कॉर्पोरेट और निजी क्षेत्र के नेताओं को अपनी ऊर्जा को इस पहलू पर भी समर्पित करेंगे रहा हूँ ".

    रक्षा मंत्री ने घोषणा की कि केन्द्र सरकार राज्य और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों के कामकाज के लिए अपने योगदान के अपने हिस्से बढ़ा दिया है.

    "... मैं दृढ़ता मुख्यमंत्रियों से अपील अप करने के लिए राज्य सैनिक बोर्ड और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों में रिक्त पदों को भरने के द्वारा अपने पूर्ण सहयोग का विस्तार. अपनी ही ओर से केन्द्रीय सरकार के कार्यालय और राज्य और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों पर खर्च वेतन के लिए अपने योगदान इजाफा किया है. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि 50:50 के मौजूदा अनुपात से 75:25 दूसरे राज्यों के मामलों में और राज्यों में 60:40 की विशेष श्रेणी के मामले में वृद्धि परिचालन जल्द ही किया जाएगा ".

    दोहराते हैं कि सरकार ने देश भर में एक और 199 पालीक्लिनिक की स्थापना और भी भूतपूर्व सैनिक अंशदायी स्वास्थ्य (ईसीएचएस) योजना, के रूप में केन्द्रीय मंत्रिमंडल द्वारा अनुमोदित के दूसरे चरण के तहत नेपाल में प्रतिबद्ध है, श्री एंटनी राज्यों से आह्वान किया कि प्रदान जल्द से जल्द इस प्रयोजन के लिए भूमि.

    "मनी समस्या नहीं है, भूमि अधिग्रहण और निर्माण की प्रक्रिया के लिए किया जाना चाहिए. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मुझे कोई संदेह नहीं है कि राज्य सरकारें सभी बाधाओं को दूर करने और इन पालीक्लिनिक बहुत जल्द से जल्द कार्यात्मक बनाने में सभी आवश्यक सहायता प्रदान करेगा है. "

    सभा को संबोधित करते हुए रक्षा मंत्री श्री एम एम पल्लम राजू राज्यमंत्री ने घोषणा की कि पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए एक शिकायत आईटी समर्थित निवारण तंत्र स्थापित किया जा रहा करने की प्रक्रिया है कि उनकी समस्याओं को हल करने के प्रयासों का अधिकार जिला स्तर तक करना होगा में है .

    पंजाब के राज्यपाल श्री शिवराज पाटिल, हरियाणा श्री भूपेन्द्र हुड्डा और दिल्ली, श्रीमती के मुख्यमंत्री के मुख्यमंत्री. शीला दीक्षित, वायुसेनाध्यक्ष एयर चीफ मार्शल पीवी नाइक और सेना प्रमुख जनरल वीके सिंह के मुख्यमंत्री के कई मंत्रियों और वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के अलावा मुख्यमंत्री, विचार विमर्श में भाग लिया.
    पीके / / एचएच एनएन (रिलीज आईडी: 72886)
    एंटनी राज्यों को पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए पूछता है

    Antony Asks States to open up more Avenues for Ex-Servicemen

    PIB Ministry of Defence 27 June, 2011 17:57 IST
    Presiding over the 29th Meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board, the apex body of the Central Government and States/UTs for Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), here today, Shri Antony said the nation cannot afford to waste this vast reservoir of disciplined workforce bearing skills in a wide range of trades.

    “Sometime back I had written to Chief Ministers of all states to provide more avenues of employment for Ex-Servicemen. You must devise ways and means to open up more fields of economic activity where the rich and practical experience of Ex-Servicemen can best be utilized. I also urge all the State Governments to take steps to ensure that the provision for reservation in jobs for Ex-Servicemen provide tangible employment opportunities on the ground for Ex-Servicemen,” Shri Antony said.

    Pointing out that about 50 to 60 thousand defence personnel either retire or are released from service every year, the Defence Minister said that most of them are in the productive age group.

    “They possess hands-on work experience in about 300 trades and are a young, disciplined workforce that can be of immense benefit for the society and the nation. We cannot afford to waste such a young and vastly trained reservoir of wokforce,” Shri Antony said.

    The Defence Minister also expressed concern on jobs earmarked for Ex-Servicemen lying vacant for long in the central and state governments.

    “I wish to exhort all the Ministries and Departments under the Central Government to do their best to fill all the existing vacancies earmarked for Ex-Servicemen. Of late I find, instead of filling vacancies, they are rather taking away the (Ex-Servicemen) vacancies on one plea or the other,” Shri Antony said. “This must not be encouraged,” he remarked tersely.

    Calling upon the public and private sector to provide maximum opportunities to the Ex-Servicemen, the Defence Minister observed that the benefits of reemployment were not percolating to the lowest ranks.

    “The corporate and industrial sector has provided employment to several Ex-Servicemen. However, while most of these reemployed personnel are from the Officer level, it has come to our notice that there are not enough jobs for PBORs (Personnel Below Officer Rank). I am sure that the corporate and the private sector leaders will devote their energies to this aspect too,” Shri Antony said.

    The Defence Minister announced that the Central Government has hiked its share of contribution to the functioning of Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards.

    “…I strongly appeal to the Chief Ministers to extend their full cooperation by filling up vacant posts in Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards. On its own part, Central Government has enhanced its contribution for office expenditure and salaries at Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards. The enhancement from the existing ratio of 50:50 to 75:25 in case of special category of states and 60:40 in cases of other states will be operational soon,” Shri Antony said.

    Reiterating that the Government is committed to setting up another 199 polyclinics across the country and also in Nepal under the second phase of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), as approved by the Union Cabinet, Shri Antony called upon the states to provide the land for purpose at the earliest.

    “Money is not the problem; process of land acquisition and construction needs to be done. I have no doubt that the State Governments will provide all the necessary assistance in removing all obstacles and making these polyclinics functional at the very earliest,” Shri Antony said.

    Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju announced that an IT-enabled Grievance Redressal Mechanism for the Ex-Servicemen is in the process of being set up that would make efforts to resolve their problems right up to the district level.

    The Governor of Punjab, Shri Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Hooda and Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal PV Naik and Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh, besides several state ministers and top officials took part in the deliberations. PK/HH/NN (Release ID :72886)
    Antony Asks States to open up more Avenues for Ex-Servicemen

    Take part in movement against corruption, says Kalam

    The Hindu Monday, Jun 27, 2011 Shastry V. Mallady Photo S James
    Announces a new mass mission : ‘What Can I Give?'

    SETTING IDEALS Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam interacting with students at Kalasalingam University in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

    KRISHNANKOIL (TAMIL NADU): The fight against corruption gained further momentum on Sunday with former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam launching a mass movement ‘What Can I Give?', appealing to the youth in particular to participate.

    While the fight against corruption will be the central theme of Dr. Kalam's mission, it will also cover a wide array of social, environmental and ethical issues of urgent importance to India.

    “I want you to participate in this movement and you can write to me with your ideas or visit the website- www.whatcanigive.info- because corruption and moral turpitude are evils that need to be defeated by the goodness of youth,” he appealed.

    The former President was addressing a huge gathering of school and college students after declaring open the new buildings at Kalasalingam University in Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday.

    “Where do the evils like corruption arise from? It comes from never-ending greed. The fight for a corruption-free society will have to be a fight against this greed, which must be replaced with a ‘What Can I Give' spirit. As students, scientists and professionals, we need to ask ourselves one question - what can I give to this nation,” Dr. Kalam said.

    Apart from corruption, the movement focuses on environmental degradation and building a compassionate society.

    “I will be happy to read your ideas and commitments about the mission What Can I Give?

    Dr. Kalam stressed that an integrated action is needed in five areas where there is core competence. Agriculture and food processing, education/healthcare, information and communication technology, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all over the country besides self-reliance in critical technology, are essential for our food, economic and national security, he observed.

    After the inaugural address, Dr. Kalam answered questions from school/college students on various subjects such as safety of nuclear reactors, joint family system, success in competitive examinations and chemical weapons.

    K. Sridharan, Chancellor, Kalasalingam University, has said that this was Dr. Kalam's third visit to the campus and all his visits and interactions were really inspiring.
    Take part in movement against corruption, says Kalam

    Sunday, June 26, 2011

    British Officer of the Indian Army honoured for ESM Welfare Work

    Renovated Earl Haig monument rededicated
    Date 160311 Location Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh photo by Mark Owens Photo Caption: HRH Princess Anne at the re dedication ceremony today. HRH The Princess Royal unveils Earl Haig Statue in New Home
    For almost 90 years, the Earl Haig monument commissioned to honour Field-Marshall Sir Douglas Haig and his welfare work for ex-servicemen
    Douglas Haig, the son of John Haig, the head of the successful whisky distilling company, was born in Edinburgh in 1861. After obtaining a degree at Brasenose College he went to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. After he completed his training Haig was commissioned into the 7th Hussars.

    Haig was sent to India with his regiment in 1886 and while there worked his way through the ranks. Haig experienced active service in the Sudan (1898) and the Boer War (1899-1902), where he served under Major-General Sir John French. Promoted to the rank of colonel, Haig returned to India where he served in a variety of administrative posts under Lord Kitchener. When Haig became major-general he was the youngest officer of that rank in the British Army.
    Read more- click here

    Ex-servicemen throng rally at Ramban

    The NorthernLines 6/20/2011 1:03:34 AM NL Correspondent
    Jammu, June 19: An ex-servicemen rally was conducted by the Army at Maitra, Ramban under the aegis of Headquarters Counter Insugency Force (Delta). The ex-servicemen turned out in huge numbers and were addressed by representatives from State Bank of India, Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Soldier Board and Recruitment Node. Stalls were also established for disseminating information on Defence Salary Package accounts, new bank policies, ECHS policies and employment opportunities. A team of Army Doctors was also employed concurrently for the benefit of ex-servicemen. A Grievance Cell was also established for noting grievances the queries and noted grievances for speedy redressel.
    Speaking on the occasion, Nk (Retd) Akhtar remarked that the ex-servicemen of J&K have been neglected due to militancy and very few facilities are available when compared to other states. Around 60% of the Army personnel retire as early a stage as 35-37 years and can comprehensively contribute to new wave of developmental activites ushering in the state. Hav (Retd) Girdhari pointed out the fact that there is no Sainik Welfare Officer in the newly carved out district of Ramban. Various speakers and participants emphasized the fact that furthering the cause of Ex Servicemen welfare shall ensure greater participation by the locals in the defence of the nation and national integration.
    Ex-servicemen throng rally at Ramban

    Scholarships for ex-servicemen’s children
    Bangalore June 22 DH News Service Sunday 26 June 2011
    The Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement has invited merit scholarship application for the year 2009-10 from domicile ex-servicemen’s wards from the State. Scholarships includes ‘General K S Thimmaiah Cash Award’ for male students and ‘Infosys Cash Award’ for female students, who have secured more than 60 per cent in SSLC and PUC II respectively.
    Eligible candidates can collect the application forms from the office of the Joint Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Field Marshal K M Cariappa Bhavan, Field Marshal K M Cariappa Road, Bangalore- 560 025 and submit before July 10, according to a press release
    Scholarships for ex-servicemen’s children

    12th Anniversay of the Kargil Vijay Divas

    For the Tricity Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula, and Dist Panchkula, it has been resolved to commemorate the 12th Anniversay of the Kargil Vijay Divas on Sunday, July 24 at Panchkula under arrangements of the IESM Panchkula Branch as per programme below:
  • Homage Ceremony 1030 – 1130H Including Tea and Refreshments.
  • Candle Light Vigil 2000 ­– 2045H.
  • Place Major Shankla War Memorial, Sector – 2, Panchkula (Opposite Bella Vista Mall)
    You are all requested to participate in the functions with family and friends. The Ex-Servicemen community must use this occasion to bond together. With Regards,
    Yours Sincerely,
    Brig Kiran Krishan, SM (Retd)
    Convener, IESM Panchkula Branch
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