ECHS: Helpline- हेल्पलाइन

ECHS Helpline
1. In our continuous efforts to make ECHS services more efficient, transparent and responsive for our veterans we have implemented a 24 x 7 helpline supported by a dedicated call centre.
2. This exclusive helpline has two numbers toll number is 080-4300-4300 and toll free is 1800-103-8666. The call centre provided solutions to our Ex-servicemen on all types ECHS queries like enrollment/ empanelled hospital/ treatment procedure/ claim/ policy etc. The helpline is acting as a single point contact to answer the ECHS queries of ESM effectively.
3. In addition, ECHS Helpline is also welcoming ESM queries through SMS on their dedicated number 09741494300, wherein ex-servicemen can ask their query through normal text and send a SMS to get a response on the same through SMS.
4. We are enhancing the spectrum of our ECHS Helpline by introducing the Ambulance and Bed Boarding Services in the immediate future. With introduction of ambulance service the Helpline will be able to provide Ambulance to the ex-servicemen in case of an emergency. The provisioning of ambulance will be payable by the veteran utilizing it. To call the ambulance ESM has to register his demand at 080-4300-4300.
5. With the introduction of Bed Boarding System, the Ex-servicemen would be able to get the updated information on available beds in the empanelled hospitals of ECHS.
6. All these facilities would now be available throughout India through a single number support i.e. 080-4300-4300.
7. You are requested to give these facilities and telephone numbers wide publicity amongst your members.
(Gulshan Chadha)
Lt Col
Jt Dir (Est)
For MD ECHS

पूर्व सैनिक अंशदायी स्वास्थ्य योजना हेल्पलाइन
1. हमारे दिग्गजों के लिए ईसीएचएस सेवाओं को और अधिक कुशल, पारदर्शी और उत्तरदायी बनाने के लिए हमारे सतत प्रयासों में हम 24 x 7 एक समर्पित कॉल सेंटर द्वारा समर्थित हेल्पलाइन लागू किया है.
2. यह विशेष हेल्पलाइन दो संख्याओं टोल नंबर 080-4300-4300 है और टोल फ्री 1800-103-8666 है. कॉल सेंटर के सभी प्रकार पर हमारे भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए समाधान / नामांकन पैनल अस्पताल में इलाज / / प्रक्रिया / दावा नीति हेल्पलाइन आदि की तरह ईसीएचएस प्रश्नों एक एकल बिंदु संपर्क के रूप में काम कर रहा है ईएसएम के ईसीएचएस प्रश्नों का जवाब प्रभावी ढंग से प्रदान की.
3. इसके अलावा, ईसीएचएस हेल्पलाइन भी उनके समर्पित नंबर 09741494300 पर एसएमएस के माध्यम से ईएसएम प्रश्नों का स्वागत करते हुए, जिसमें पूर्व सैनिकों के सामान्य पाठ के माध्यम से अपनी क्वेरी पूछने के लिए और एक एसएमएस भेजने के लिए उसी पर एसएमएस के माध्यम से एक प्रतिक्रिया प्राप्त कर सकते हैं.
4. हम निकट भविष्य में एम्बुलेंस और बिस्तर बोर्डिंग सेवा शुरू करने से हमारे ईसीएचएस हेल्पलाइन के स्पेक्ट्रम में वृद्धि कर रहे हैं. हेल्पलाइन एम्बुलेंस सेवा की शुरूआत के साथ एक आपात स्थिति के मामले में पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए एम्बुलेंस प्रदान करने में सक्षम हो जाएगा. एम्बुलेंस का प्रावधान यह उपयोग के दिग्गज द्वारा देय होगा. एम्बुलेंस ईएसएम कॉल 080-4300-4300 पर उसकी मांग रजिस्टर है.
5. बिस्तर बोर्डिंग प्रणाली की शुरूआत के साथ पूर्व सैनिकों को ईसीएचएस के पैनल में शामिल अस्पतालों में उपलब्ध बेड पर अद्यतन जानकारी प्राप्त करने में सक्षम हो जाएगा.
6. इन सभी सुविधाओं को अब एक ही नंबर समर्थन यानी 080-4300-4300 के माध्यम से पूरे भारत में उपलब्ध होगा.
7. आप अपने सदस्यों के बीच इन सुविधाओं और टेलीफोन संख्या व्यापक प्रचार देने का अनुरोध कर रहे हैं.
(गुलशन चड्ढा)
लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल
संयुक्त दीर (स्था.)
एमडी ईसीएचएस के लिए

National Military Memorial Bangalore

KIND PRESENCE OF VETERANS REQUESTED AT BANGALORE ON 16 & 17 DEC 2011 INAUGURATION OF NATIONAL MILITARY MEMORIAL AT BANGALORE ON FRIDAY, 16 DEC 2011 AND SEMINAR ON MATTERS RELATING TO MILITARY VETERANS ON SATURDAY, 17 DEC 2011
Respected Mentors, Seniors & Peers,
Jai Hind & my salute to you all. It is thanks to the stupendous efforts of Veteran Air Cmde MK Chandrasekhar, VM, VSM and his noble son- Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and kind courtesy, Govt of Karnataka, that a grand National Military Memorial is under construction at Bangalore, that would be a cynosure of all eyes and envy of other States in the Country. The foundation stone for the National Military Memorial at Bangalore was laid on 9 Feb 2009, by Shri TN Chaturvedi, the then Governor of Karntaka; and two service chiefs, viz. the CAS & the CNS and the Adjt Gen, representing the COAS, attended the Foundation laying ceremony. God willing & with the best wishes of one & all, the National Military Memorial at Bangalore would be ready by 30 Nov 2011; and shall be inaugurated with due solemnity & decorum, with Military Bands playing martial tunes, on Vijay Diwas, Friday, 16 Dec 2011.
In order to make the event a truly memorable one; the Military Veterans of Bangalore shall feel honored & privileged if you could please grace the occasion; if need be, by rescheduling your engagements & appointments during that period; and, book your tickets now itself.
On Saturday, 17 Dec 2011, a Seminar on matters relating to Military Veterans, viz. Military Pensions and Meaningful resettlement of Ex-Servicemen, is scheduled from 9 AM to 5 PM; and we the Military Veterans of Bangalore shall feel honored & privileged if you could please make it convenient to attend the Seminar. A Musical Nite is also being planned to be held either in the evening of Friday, 16 Dec or on Saturday, 17 Dec 2011. I am now eagerly looking forward to a positive response from you all.
Regards,
Col SS Rajan (Retd)

Majors reduced to Minors: More Inputs

Hi! Buddies,
With due regards to your feelings, literature writing and part analysis of the whole problem. I would still say that there is a reuirement of re-appreciation of the actual wrong done to our catagory of officers.
In fact late risers are always wiser. I had already represented against the wrong done to our our catagory of officers in no uncertain terms; and pettitioned before PM, The President, RM, FM, Service Chief, and others in June 2008 and continue doing so from time to time. The genesis of the wrong done to pre 1996 retiree Majors and equivalent by VI CPC are:
1. We are placed in pay band 3, with employees of different identity group (JCOs) and have been delinked from our own identity group i.e. Indian Commission Officers. It can be termed as socio-economic deprivation.
2. Presuming, if govt grants us the parity as you all wise people are trying, in our rank only. Then, post 2006 retirees Majors are those with less than 13 years of commission service and with qualification of pre 1996 Captains/Flt Lt/Sub Lt. Parity with them in any case would be parity among unequals. Our, passing of promotional exams and service rendered as substantive field officers (Major) qualifies us for parity with post 21 Dec 2004 or post 2006 retiree Lt Cols or their equivalent in navy and air force. Now:
(a) I would like to ask you all, where is the doubt in this distinct wrong done to us?
(b) Do you not all find that this VI CPC has harmed only pre 1996 and partly pre 21 Dec 2004 but post 1996 retiree Majors or their equivalents in every respects? Then why are you all shying to put the main problem accross?
(c) Though, an appreciable move at the outset yet, do you think by your modesty in presentation of 2ndary wrongs will make any impact on the people with deaf ears and impaired social sights? Has this Govt any time left for us; while facing the blames of national and international scams and fighting the anti corruption movements.
(d) Do you find that your all, but own, Captains of the ships pre and post retirement, have identified your grievances in toto? No, surely not because, we ourselves are not very clear about the wrongs done to us. We all got this rank as a fourth promotion and now post 21 Dec 2004 promotee Lt Col are getting this as their fourth promotion. Earlier Major (Sub Unit Cdrs)used to be the minimum non select rank for retirement and now Lt Col (Sub Unit Cdrs) is minimum non select rank for retirement. By setting this wrong-done alright, of pre 1996 retirees Majors; the other wrongs will automatically be resolved. Therefore, let us have a canine approach than felline one. This is our right and we are not asking for any alms. We have already waisted our precious time in beating about the bushes but to no avail. I think, it would not be wise to stop our parallel actions merely on gentlemanly hopes risen after writing such letters that at the most, may be preserved as literal piece of presentation and nothing else. Because, the decision rests with only one person of UPA in the Centre and she has negatively charged bodies around. Nonetheless; my heartfelt gratitude to Mr rajiv Chandra sekhar, MP; who had been taking up veterans case in general with the Govt. He, if explained our main issue correctly, can do miracles for our catagory of officers also.
It is for everybody's information that I, along with my co-petitioners, am filing petition for the above mentioned parity, no sooner I recover from my ailment.
Regards.
Onkar Negi

Respected All,
I am perfect agreement with Major Onkar, however, at the same time we must go on to wrestle with the regime for the execution of AFTs orders. If it can be of any help in our case, I am attaching AFT Kolkata order passed in favor of petitioner who retired after 21 December 2004 (On 31 December 2006 and RCO, just after completion of 12 years of commissioned service), to grant him rank of Lt Col with all pensioneri benefit of his notional rank i. e. Lt Col.
Regards.
Yours Truly,
Major D S Kundu (Retd)
AFT Kolkata Judicial Ruling: click here

Dear Major,
Thanks for recognising my logic. I am a prematured retiree of May 1990 and have been worst affected by IV, V and VI CPC.
I know about Maj Ravinder's case, he is an RCO or now SCO who, claimed the rank of Lt Col because he had completed 14 years by default; and that has rightly been allowed to him by AFT Kolkata.
There is a lot of pressure on the UPA Govt from all quarters; but they have turned white eyes to all our representations and judicial winnings. They are busy in saving their predicament from ongoing scams and scandals under their governance.
Wrestling is not in the procedural process of judiciary but we will have to invoke our appellate rights and file formal reports or contempt of the court against UOI. Any way that can be seen simultaneously.
I would now be filing petition against the specific wrong done to us by VI CPCR and felonious implementation by the Govt machinery.
Regards
Onkar Negi

Provide more jobs to retired defence personnel, says Antony

“Even though ‘one rank-one pension’ is a dream, we are nearer to that. Our approach is step-by-step increase. We have substantially increased it twice in the last seven years. But it not final. Whenever we get another opportunity, we will try to help them.”
Submitted by Newsleaks on June 28, 2011 – 12:15
Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday asked the central and state government departments, including the paramilitary forces, to explore possibilities for recuriting armed forces personnel who hang up their boots in their mid-thirties.

With over 50,000 personnel of the 1.13 million armed forces retiring or being released every year, mainly to keep the young profile of its fighting units, Antony said they are a pool of “trained, disciplined and fully committed to the cause” workforce.

Antony, who spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Kendriya Sainik Board meeting here, said one of the suggestions that came out of the day-long meeting was to ask the paramilitary forces to recruit ex-servicemen and provide them lateral entry.

“But this needs to be seriously discussed by the government and there are some discussions already going on on this,” he said.

“The meeting has decided to appeal to the central government and state government departments and the private sector to take ex-servicemen into their workforce. We are also going to request the state governments to fully recruit ex-servicemen to slots meant for them,” he added.

Earlier, at the meeting, Antony said implementation of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen was “a bit slow” and that the administrative machinery at all levels — centre, states and districts — must “show sensitivity and imagination” in finding solutions to the problems faced by families of ex-servicemen and serving personnel, who stay away from their families for long periods.

Pointing out to the tourism ministry’s pilot project to enroll ex-servicemen as tourist wardens, first in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Sikkim, Antony said: “Keeping in mind the security scenario prevalent today, the experience and services of ex-servicemen will go a long way in helping us to further strengthen the overall security scenario.”

He also appealed to the chief ministers of all states to “devise ways and means to open up more fields of economic activity where the rich and practical experience of ex-servicemen can be best utilised”.

The central government, Antony said, has enhanced its contribution for office expenditure and salaries at Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards from the existing 50 percent to 75 percent in special category states and to 60 percent in other states.

On the demand for equal pension for officers and men retiring with equal number of service and same rank, Antony said: “Even though ‘one rank-one pension’ is a dream, we are nearer to that. Our approach is step-by-step increase. We have substantially increased it twice in the last seven years. But it not final. Whenever we get another opportunity, we will try to help them.”
Provide more jobs to retired defence personnel, says Antony
Comment: What about Rank Pay, Majors Pay and other Judical Rulings in respect of Retired Military Personnel not implemented by the MOD?

IESM Welfare Mission Saves a Veteran

Dear Colleagues,
During Night 05/06 July 2011, an ESM Hav Dayal, residing in his village 25 km from Rewari (Haryana), suffered a heart attack. Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Vice Chairman IESM was informed telephonically at 0030 hours. He immediately swung into action, called up various hospitals and finally rushed him to Artemis Hospital Gurgaon. He also woke up Lt Col (Retd) Anil Dhall, SM a renowned cardiologist who is working as a Heart Surgeon at Artemis. Angioplasty was performed at 0345 hours by Anil and his team and the patient’s condition was stabilized.
This is another chapter in the welfare activities of the IESM and Gen Satbir deserves full praise for his energetic actions. Since the patient’s ECHS card was not available till much later in the morning, Satbir also gave an undertaking that the cost would be underwritten if the card was not produced.
IESM takes pride in announcing that a precious life has been saved through its intervention.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Black money: Can Supreme Court do what Govt didn't?

Uploaded by ndtv on Jul 4, 2011
The Supreme Court has not been shy about expressing its opinion of the government's attempts to trace and recover crores of black money. Today, the court set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to first find and then bring back undeclared money stashed abroad by Indians. Effectively, the government is no longer in charge of the operation.
2G Scam update
2G scam: Evidence against Dayanidhi Maran, Essar, says CBI in court

Majors reduced to Minuscules by Bureaucrats

Dear Sqn Ldr Srinivasan,
I am extremely grateful to you for the e-mail you have sent out for our cause.

Today every aspect of Indian bureaucracy, including the once pristine armed forces, is in complete shambles due to personal greed, selfishness and lack of leadership. The prime minister is not someone like Winston Churchill of Napoleon Bonaparte whom you quote but a weakling acting like the Regent at the imperial court of the uncrowned Queen of India, an unworthy import of the notorious "BOFORS CHOR" from the land of mafia.

On top of all this is the alarming political VACUUM at the top due to total lack of direction and patriotism. Individually, a BILLION of us are aware of all this, but collectively, we cannot even match the punch delivered by one closed fist.

From top to bottom, we have the "baboos & banyas" ruling the roost showing little personal initiative and zero power of discretion, who cling to jobs by either being silent to the uproar around them or just giving response under the dark cloud of FEAR that translates into "If he is given an inch a million more will demand it!" And so NONE gets what is even legally due. Each of us will have a different story to tell- all full of bitter disappointments and despair.

I can only speak for myself. My own experience has been so disappointing and frustrating that I have lost all hope of getting a pie for pension any more. In short, I used to send Pension Bills to my bank in New Delhi. They in turn would misplace, lose or not receive them! I would send the same again, and finally by registered post. In June and November last year and in April this year I sent my pension claim through the Military Attache of Indian HC in London but received neither a reply nor pension money. CDA has gone silent if not dead. Finally on Christmas Day, 2010, I sent a letter to Defense Minister himself by air mail. It, too, brought NO result.

What I suggested to RM (Raksha Mantri) was that my pension should be credited by CDA every month without fail to my bank account in New Delhi and I would send LIFE CERTIFICATE to them once a year. This is the system in all civilized countries while India still seems to be stuck to her colonial past and, perhaps, waiting for a revolution to bring about a complete clean up.

Now I am thinking of addressing the Supreme Commander, a lady who seems as loyal to any Major, Air Commodore or ex serviceman as Nehru was to LAHORE in 1947 and Mrs. Feroze Khan (so-called Indira Gandhi!) was to East Bengal that was duly returned to the ENEMY after inflicting a crushing defeat on Pakistan when she could have even recovered North Kashmir, hands down.

So I have come to the conclusion that "Raksha Mantri" or the "Rashtrapatni", they are all stuck to glue like a flapping fly. After decades of observation one can identify the nature of this glue. But that is another story that has to do with the illegitimate and ignominious birth of the "Partitioned Indian Secular State" in 1947 rather than just the "majors to minuscules".
Fortunately I am living in the United Kingdom where I shall not face starvation or poverty like my former 'comrades in arms' in Bharat right now. I feel sorry for the charities that I used to support in the land of my birth (India).
Regards
Rajinder Singh Rajput

Majors reduced to Minors- MOD and AHQ silent on AFT Judgement

Dear Gurpreet,
My name is Sqn Ldr H Srinivasan (Retd) from Bangalore. I retired after 20 years of service in 1983.
I am taking the liberty of addressing you by your first name, even if i have not met you personally. It is the spirit of the letter, conveying the deep bonding for the Majors and equivalents you have drafted regarding the plight of majors, that has prompted me to take the liberty of addressing you so. Hope you dont mind.
It was a with a sense of deep appreciation that i went through the representations you have forwarded to various dignitaries. Being familiar with the contents and being in the same category, undergoing the mental trauma you and so many of us similarly placed are going through i endorse your feelings fully... Your representation is loaded with facts, justification, logical appeal and emotion. I am sure you would have put in considerable time and effort, and i want to thank you for your help in the common cause you have taken up.
In February this year, i had sent a representation to Mr.Rajiv Chandrasekhar, M.P., who is the son of an illustrious veteran, Air Commodore Chandrasekhar. Mr Rajiv Chandrasekhar is very sympathetic to our cause and has openly taken up our case with the higher authorities, in print and in visual media.
I dont know if any of the elite star officers have taken up our case. Except for one or two references, i have not seen any in the Indian veterans or Military veterans group regarding our plight. Well, each man is for himself. I for one have attended fasting rally, and group protests held in Bangalore with the group, dutifully, for OROP.
I am hopeful that our case will come through successfully. My only submission is that we all speak in one voice, and keep knocking at as many doors as possible.
I request your permission to forward a copy of your representation to Mr. Rajiv Chandrashekar M.P., if you feel so.
A copy of my earlier submission to him is pasted below.
With warm regards
Srinivasan

Dear Sri Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Member of the Parliament)
Napoleon...
"The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people,
But because of the silence of good people!"
This famous quote seems so apt to the state of affairs of the country, and the disappointing silence of the "good people" at the top in the Government. A number of us veterans feel so, with the cold response to our genuine grievances.
I seek your permission to highlight the plight of about 900 veterans. They are majors and equivalent ranks who are pre 1996 retirees. All of them, have served for 20 years or more with distinction. With the deep selection policy in vogue in the 1980s, and non availability of "vacancies" a number of officers (Majors and equivalents) opted out for early retirement.
Most of the affected veterans, now in their late 60s and early 70s, have sent out a number of appeals seeking justice for their grievances in anomalies of pension. Recently, AFT Chandigarh, gave a land mark judgment in favour of the affected veterans. Still there has been no response from the authorities for implementation. With the passage of time, a number of affected old veterans are laid to rest, and within a short period, they may be extinct.
We gratefully acknowledge your efforts in support for the cause of the veterans. May we kindly approach you to take up the case on our behalf with the Government, an act for which we shall be grateful to you.
One of us, Veteran Major GN Misra has sent appeals to the Supreme commander of the Armed forces,Her excellency, the president of india, the Prime Minister, and and all the concerned high officials explaining the details of our grievance. I am attaching a copy of the same for your kind perusal and all of us hope that you will use your good offices to help us.
Thanking you Sir,
(H.Srinivasan)
Sqn.Ldr.(Retd)

Majors made Minors- Military Pension Skewed Up

Dear Brig Harwant Singh,
Request to use your influence to give wide pubilicity to all retired veterans through Report My Signal blog. Letter to PM is as linked below.
Regards
YS NIJJAR
Veteran
Letter to PMO- Major made Minor- Military Pensions skewed up by 6th CPC

One Rank One Pension and Diminishing Returns of the Rank

Dear Colleagues,
ESM from different corners of the country keep enquiring about OROP progress. Hopefully the Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee will submit its report within this month and the government would take a decision on this within the duration of the Monsoon Parliamentary session (01 Aug – 08 Sep). Although there is cause for apprehension if one goes by the reported statement of the Defence Minister in his media interaction in the last week of June 2011. He has been quoted as saying “Though ‘one rank, one pension’ is a dream, we are nearing it. Our approach is... that step by step increase it at least to the nearest pole. We are in the process and whenever we get an opportunity, we try to increase it”. We have to wait and watch. As the environment would know, Punjab and HP have already passed resolutions in their State Assemblies supporting grant of OROP to Defence pensioners. A letter has been written by me to Chief Ministers of 12 other States (UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bihar, WB, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, MP, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, J&K) requesting for similar action. It will help if pressure is also mounted through the local MsLA. The letter is reproduced below:

Dear Hon’ble Chief Minister,
I am approaching you in connection with an important aspect of welfare affecting the Ex Servicemen. You may be aware that for over three years, the Ex Servicemen have been struggling for their legitimate right of ‘one rank one pension’ (OROP). It implies equal pension for all personnel that retired from the same rank after equal number of years of service, irrespective of their date of retirement. As per the existing provisions, whenever the pensions are enhanced by successive Central Pay Commissions (CPC), the enhancement is only applied prospectively and old pensioners are left out. The gap between the old and new pensioners keeps widening with each successive CPC. Interaction with top government leaders has revealed that their apprehension possibly arises from the fact that granting OROP to defence pensioners might generate a similar demand from civilian government employees thus increasing the financial liability that may be difficult to sustain. The civilian employees are our own kith and kin and not our adversaries. However, denial of a legitimate due to the Ex Servicemen on this ground is unfair considering the vastly different service conditions under which our military persons serve. Apart from risks, dangers, separation, dislocation, hard life etc, let me highlight some other major and not easily discernible differences:
1. Early Retirement. Over 85% military personnel retire in their mid/late Thirties whereas all civil employees serve up to their age of superannuation i.e. 60 years. The military persons thus lose out on the benefits of two/ three CPCs that the civilian employees enjoy. Early retirement also is at a lower pay and consequently lower pension. There is no compensation for the relative differential in their salaries and pensions.
2. Limited Promotions. The Defence Forces are structured around a very steep pyramidal rank structure. For example, at Independence, when the Army’s strength was barely 2, 50,000 they had one officer holding the rank of General. Today, even though the strength has gone up by over five times, the Army still has only one General. In contrast the proliferation of senior posts in the civil and police forces is too well known to be recounted. It may be of interest to know that an Army officer has a 0.022% chance of reaching the topmost rank.
3. Very Slow Promotions. The Defence Forces suffer a double whammy in the field of promotions. Not only are the avenues on top severely limited, even attainment of those limited senior ranks comes very late. For example, while an IAS officer becomes a Joint Secretary in about 14/20 years of service (States/Centre), its equivalent rank of Major General that comes to less than 3% of Army officers, is attained only after 33 years of commissioning.
Keeping the above realities in mind, denial of their legitimate entitlement of OROP to the Defence Forces, on the apprehension that it might evoke a similar demand among the civilian employees, is patently unjust. In fact if the OROP issue had been of equal interest to the civilian employees, they would have agitated long ago. OROP demand by Ex Servicemen that had been simmering for nearly 30 years, gathered steam after the 6th CPC report came out. It has become a very emotive issue in the entire population of the Ex Servicemen. Seen in the larger context, this can have an adverse effect on the overall security scenario in the country. It is with this background that I solicit your kind support. ........ has a very large population of Ex Servicemen and meeting their legitimate demand is in everyone’s interest. In fact Punjab and HP have already passed a resolution in the State Assemblies unanimously supporting the demand of OROP. I will request you to consider if a similar resolution can be moved in your State. I further implore you to kindly use your influence with the Centre in getting OROP sanctioned. I will be happy to meet you and make a presentation at your convenience.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Greek crisis is a warning signal for India?

London | July 04, 2011 12:01:13 AM IST
It is now for well over a year and some dozen interventions by the Reserve Bank of India, the Government has failed to control the demon of inflation. It is now running at over nine percent. The areas that are being hit hard by this inflation are food prices and prices of other essentials. Why is it that a country with an economist as the Prime Minister, and surrounded by an array of other brilliant economists, is failing to control this demon?

The answer is loud and clear. The copy book measures that India's economists and its Central Bank are adopting is really meant for developed countries where economies are run in a transparent and clean manner.

The parallel economy that runs on black money can never be impacted by such measures. Thus you cannot fight price rise or inflation.

In almost five decades, the government has failed to deal with food storage problems. Why? There is big money in not creating storage silos. In the absence of storage facilities, let the government sell the grains to households at prices at which it buys it from the farmer. That by itself, would control food price at least of grains and solve the storage problem.

It is a fact of life today that India's political system is run by the cash that its political parties claim to receive as donations from the people at large! Do they? The reality is that barring the Left Front, India's political parties by and large have shunned electoral reforms which may make them accountable for the money they receive and spend?

India's highly competitive and enlightened media scene lacks in reporting on international affairs. How many people in India are really aware of the economic crisis in Greece? That crisis could well undermine even the powerful Euro. What led to the crisis in Greece?

Greece competes with India in having a parallel black economy. Just as in the India of today where the black economy is as big, if not larger than the white economy, in Greece, it is said that the black economy is bigger than the white.

Visiting the hotels, restaurants and resorts of Greece, you cannot believe that the country is in the grip of a economic crisis. Black money accounts for big spending.

If you visit the five star hotels of India or its clubs, where the rich and famous relax, you cannot see if there is any impact of high prices in those areas. You see people enjoying themselves not just there, but even in the 'dhabas' and the shacks of Goa. Cash is King here.

Like in India, it is the electoral politics of Greece that led to the political parties in power squandering vast sums of money on populist programmes that Greece could ill afford. If the coalition dharma has led to high scale scams and scandals in India, it is similar story in Greece. Visit any government office in Greece and you may find more than half the staff being absent? It is something like what was found recently at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi where several thousand absentee employees were shown on the roster.

It is time that the people of India take a close look at Greece and what is happening there. There are clear lessons in it if India is to avoid a similar disaster.

Let us not forget the past-India was forced to mortgage part of its gold reserves only a little over two decades ago. If we are not careful we could face a huge crisis again...

India has a great future ahead of itself. Its people are determined and hard working. They are honest. They are no less than the best in the world. They deserve a better administration than they have been given. They need to be given a level playing field, free of corruption and bribery. By Prem Prakash ...

Kargil Divas

COMMEMORATION OF THE 12TH ANNIVERASRY OF KARGIL VIJAY DIVAS I have great pleasure to share the following mail from Veteran Ajit Odhekar. May his tribe increase. Will other Veterans please popularize this event? Thanks. Ajit. I wish you would add on the Candle Light Tribute too.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi

Dear Sir,
In our Dhule district we have five Kargil war Martyrs. Out of them three are from Dhule taluka only. With the initiative of IESL Dhule, without any government support we have erected two grand memorials in their village with local public contribution. Out of which one was inaugurated by Late Lt Gen A.S. Parmar,AVSM,PVSM ADC with lots of fan fare. And last 10 years we are celiberating Kargil Vijay Diwas at 2400hrs at war memorial erected in center of Dhule city. Attended by people from all walks of life.Even if it is raining people listen to us at ut most attention and we also allow to any body who wish to express his view on the subject. Local colleges also arrange workshop on the National Security and invite us for delivering lecture.It gets lots of publicity on local level and occasion to put across our problems as veterans.
CAPT AJIT ODHEKAR
CEO & GM Admin,
Jairam Hospitals & Research Centre Pvt Ltd Nashik

Hello, Veterans of Karnataka!
I am no good at writing, please tolerate lack of fluency, readability, etc. Dear All,
What are we planning to do to Commemorate Kargil Divas?
Sure, some self interested high profile NGO is lurking around to highjack the event. Then we will all be there for the wreath/ flowers to be handed over to be laid as per the protocol and there on get marshaled to decorated Shamiana and so on.
Why, we the greats of Army, Air Force or Navy Veterans have so far not attempted to re-establish a strong and vibrant IESM fraternity including all ranks?
Is it that the Veterans of Karnataka, a state that boasts of venturing to create first ever National Mil Memorial, a state that produced Great Generals etc, etc, have become suddenly deficient of pride of being a Veteran? Was one & the only Col Rajan a phenomenon could achieve a lot but who finally/ unfortunately preferred to stay out?
Dearest Veterans, I am confused at the present state of affairs, please pardon me for all the above lamentations and accusations, but I do beg for some solution so am looking for some kind of meeting of minds. Getting engaged our self in any form of road show, sit-in demonstrations and not the least in badakhanas is not being suggested. We might as well make a restart by just assembling around Unknown Soldier to commemorate The Kargil Day. Would it be OK? For, if we now make a beginning, we may do better things on Vijay Divas!
Certainly we do not want the presence of any shade of Politics or show of magnanimity by vested interests, we carry a wreath or a flower each and lay it as an act of Homage, exchange pleasantries and thin out gracefully. One last point, all or any are welcome to task me for what ever to be done in this regard, but wish me better health and strength to push ahead so that Civilians shall follow Military Men instead of them pushing us in this matter of Great Militarily Solemn Function.
With Fondest Regards.
Veteran Sreedhar.

Dear Col Sreedhar,
Thanks very much for your timely and clarion call for organizing the Kargil Vijay Divas. I wish more and more ESM think similarly and organize this event at their towns/ settlements(and gradually and repeatedly also include the other historic milestone- Vijay Divas 16 Dec, until both become ritualistically included in the citizenry's calender of important dates).We in NCR are organizing following functions, aside from lectures in willing schools by veterans, on intrinsic qulalities like valor, camaraderie etc (not many have been marshalled so far unfortunately due to some reasons).Homage to Martyrs. Shaheed Smaarak Noida. Sunday 24 July. 1100-1300. Citizen's function. No chief guest. No politics. No speeches. A very quiet homage. Followed by a cup of tea. Plan to have Blood Donation and Organ Pledging organized for volunteeers. This was done in 2009 and inspired many. That year we had 80 odd units of blood donated and 68 people pledged organs. Kargil Divas is 26th but by experience,we find a Week end draws better crowd.Candle Lighting Homage. At 8 PM 26 July, homes- both military and civilinans, across India-er- world, light one candle at their entrance, and lay a marigold by its side after saying a silent prayer for those who did not come back. This poignant ceremony has been widely accepted Pan India.Sponsors are encouraged, and their banners/ tributes can be displayed at site, suitably. In Bangalore, as you rightly point out, Col Rajan had been organizing it well, and single handedly I am told. Last Year, I understand, 'Flags of Honor - perhaps the NGO you hint, did it, as per some mails that came out on this. Whichever way, I believe the EVENT must carry on, irrespective of WHO does it. May I urge you to take the lead?
Therefore go forth companion, when you find,
No Highway more, No track, all being blind,
The way to go, shall glimmer in the mind.
Though you have conquered Earth, and charted Sea,
And planned the courses of all Stars that be,
Adventure on, more wonders are in Thee.
Adventure on, for from the littlest clue,
Has come whatever worth man ever knew,
The next to lighten all me, may be you. (John Masefield) -With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi

Commemoration of the 12th Anniverasry of Kargil Vijay Divas at Panchkula on Sunday, July 24, 2011
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 & Refreshments
Candle Light Vigil 2000 ­– 2045 H
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

DA from July 2011

Expected DA from July 2011 is almost confirmed…
Nearly 7% percent increase is expected to be available for all central government employees from 1.7.2011, the existing rate of dearness allowance is 51%.
The total DA may change to 58% (51% + 7% = 58%).
AICPIN for the month of May – 2011 Labour Bureau, Government of India
Press Release
Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers on Base 2001=100 CPI(IW) Base 2001=100 Monthly Index Letter – MAY 2011. APRIL 2011 – 186, MAY 2011 – 187
ALL INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS ON BASE 2001= 100 FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2011
1. All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of May, 2011 increased by 1 point and stood at 187 (one hundred & eighty seven).
2. During May, 2011, the index recorded increase of 8 points in Ludhiana centre, 6 points in Nasik centre, 5 points each in Giridih, Mundakkayam and Sholapur centres, 4 points in 3 centres, 3 points in 4 centres, 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 18 centres. The index decreased by 4 points in Rangapara Tezpur centre, 3 points in Ghaziabad centre, 2 points in Guwahati centre, 1 point in 10 centres, while in the remaining 21 centres the index remained stationary.
3. The maximum increase of 8 points in Ludhiana centre is mainly on account of increase in the prices of Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Mustard Oil, Vanaspati Ghee, Milk, Chillies Dry, Electricity Charges, Toilet Soap, Washing Soap, etc. The increase of 6 points in Nasik centre is due to increase in the prices of Wheat, Bajra, Chillies Dry, Vegetable & Fruit items, Petrol, etc. The increase of 5 points in Giridih, Mundakkayam and Sholapur centres is due to increase in the prices of Rice, Jowar, Vegetable & Fruit items, Tea (Readymade), Firewood, Soft Coke, Hair Oil, Washing Soap, etc. The decrease of 4 points in Rangapara Tezpur centre is the outcome of decrease in the prices of Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Turmeric Powder, Garlic, Vegetable & Fruit items, Pan Leaf, etc. The decrease of 3 points in Ghaziabad centre is due to decrease in the prices of Wheat Atta, Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, etc. The decrease of 2 points in Guwahati centre is due to decrease in the prices of Wheat Atta, Vegetable & Fruit items, Pan Leaf, etc.
4. The indices in respect of the six major centres are as follows:

Ahmedabad – 180

Bangalore – 192

Chennai – 166

Delhi – 172

Kolkata – 181

Mumbai – 186
5. The All-India (General) point to point rate of inflation for the month of May, 2011 is 8.72% as compared to 9.41% in April, 2011. Inflation based on Food Index is 7.61% in May, 2011 as compared to 8.24% in April, 2011.
6. The CPI-IW for June, 2011 will be released on the last working day of the next month, i.e. 29th July, 2011.
Source: Expected DA from July 2011 is almost confirmed
Increase in Allowances
Consequent upon revision of rates of DA, w.e.f. 01 Jan 11, to 51%, the rates of the following Allowances / Grants will be enhanced by 25% as mentioned at extant orders on the subject... click here

Summary of all Scams

01 July 2011 22:46
Subject: SUMMARY OF ALL SCAMS IN INDIA This is hilarious! What else can one do but to laugh at our fate! Look at what the politicians that we elect do to the nation!
Vijay Raheja
Brig Vijay Raheja (Retd)

Saluting our Heros

2 July 2011
Dear Friends,
I’m delighted to announce that my compilation of posts featuring Param Vir Chakra awardees is finally complete. The series started with a simple idea on a lazy summer afternoon of 2009 – and soon became a labour of love…I pored over numerous articles and web pages to do my research while writing this series…but not for a moment did I feel that the effort was in vain. Writing about these brave men – and their exploits – was perhaps the most inspiring and motivating thing I have done in a very long time. The “book” is now ready. I intend to formally release it on 26th July, on the occasion of “Kargil Vijay Diwas” which marks the most remarkable week of “Operation Vijay” that ended with the award of four Param Vir Chakras.

Needless to add, writing this series has been an extraordinary and extremely fulfilling experience. Each post reminded me of how fortunate and blessed we are to have people like these defend our borders and our freedoms…Sadly the stories of these “Param Veers” are not widely known. This is a humble effort to change that…

The “book” will be available to purchase online. And you can also download a pdf version for a small modest charge. Details to follow shortly.

All the funds raised from the sale of this book will be channeled into my various activities. I will be seeking donations to help me publish large quantities that can be printed/ distributed locally in schools in various cities across India. If you can help with this (even in terms of just managing logistics etc), pl leave a comment below or email me. I would also like to hear from anyone who can help translate this into Indian languages.

This effort would not have come to fruition without the unstinted support of my wife and daughter – who sacrificed countless hours of their time – so that I could work on these blog posts and help spread awareness about these heroes. This is our very humble tribute to the ones who did not come back. They died so that we can live – in peace. Let us ensure that these men are not forgotten. Let us ensure that the stories of their valour are told and re-told. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Shantanu
“Saluting our Heroes” and a labour of love