Is Army really sensitive to the needs of ex-servicemen?

Jaipur, Oct 28 (PTI) Army Chief General Bikram Singh today said the Army is sensitive to the needs of ex-servicemen and will ensure that their issues are addressed.
Gen Singh, addressing a rally of ex-servicemen in Rajasthan''s Jhunjhunu district, said the Army would take all steps to ensure that ex-servicemen and their families are cared for.
This was his first major interaction with ex-servicemen in the state during which approximately 15,000 ex-servicemen were present, according to defence spokesperson S D Goswami.
The Army Chief said a military school would be opened in Jhunjhunu and he would pursue it from Delhi, sources present in the function said.
He said whenever he visits the prime minister, he reminds him about canteen, medical and health problems and one-rank- one-pension for ex-servicemen, the sources said. On the occasion, the Army Chief recollected the glorious history of courage and sacrifices made by the people of the state and motivated youth to join the Armed forces.
He exhorted the gathering to continue their selfless service towards society and nation building by encouraging the youth to join this noble profession. The event was marked by distribution of Mobility Scooters to disabled soldiers, financial grant for education and daughter''s marriage and felicitation of Veer Naris and elderly ex-servicemen.
Different agencies from the Army, state government and private sector established stalls to render assistance and spread awareness on pension, health, education, banking, insurance, agriculture, placement, rehabilitation and recruitment to resolve concerns of ex-servicemen.
Singh''s wife and president of AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association), Bubbles Singh, inaugurated a medical camp with doctors, including specialists, carrying out medical checkups, rendering advice and distributing medicines to large number of veterans on the occasion.
In Jhunjhunu, the Army Chief and the AWWA president were received by Army Commander Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan.
Army sensitive to ex-servicemen needs: Gen Singh
Army Chief Visits Yole and Addresses Ex-Servicemen Rally at Pathankot
Is the Chief really batting for the ESM? KRA for veterans remains only on paper
KRA- ESM Welfare- What it really means

Treating the ESM and defence force communities with courtesy, respect and sensitivity to their individual circumstances

Responding promptly to feedback, inquiries and correspondence

Demonstrating personal commitment to delivering quality service- like ECHS, CSD facilities and displaying correct and up to date Pension Entitlements

Improving the range, accessibility, quality, timeliness, consistency and coordination of services

Keeping the ESM and defence force communities informed of their full entitlements and available services- re employment and rehabilitation

Explaining welfare decisions clearly and facilitating interacion

Gallant Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naris Felicitated

'Know Your Army' draws crowd
TNN | Oct 22, 2012, 12.09PM IST
ALLAHABAD: Know Your Army, the fair to make civil population more acquainted with the Indian Army was inaugurated at the Polo Ground of the city on Saturday. The mela was inaugurated by chief justice (designate) Shiva Kirti Sinha of Allahabad High Court in presence of Major General GS Chandel, Yudh Seva Medal and General Officer Commanding of Red Eagle Division.
Know Your Army Mela, showcased the rich heritage, customs, traditions and professionalism of the Indian Army. An array of latest weaponry, guns, tanks, radars and sophisticated communication equipment were put on display for the common public. Valuable information stalls regarding various schemes initiated by the Army with respect to career opportunities and welfare of ex-servicemen were put up by the event organisers.
Detailing on the fair, the Public Relation Officer of defence, Group Captain Amit Mahajan said that the thrilling air show by helicopters, stunning equestrian and Malkhamb show, melodious band display, daring para gliding & joyous tank rides drew the crowds by the hundreds. The weapon, tanks, guns and equipment display saw the inquisitive masses trying to get a glimpse and feel about the difficult tasks that the men in uniform perform. The recruitment stall received inquires for the young who wish to join the defence services including Territorial Army.
The felicitations of gallantry Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naris made one and all nostalgic about their army tenure and daring also interacted with the ECHS staff for their medical benefits and the CDA (Pensions) for redressal of pension related issues.
The PRO further informed that the event has become the talk of the town and the number of visitors at the equipment display is likely to multiply on the concluding day on October 21, 2012.
'Know Your Army' draws crowd
State of Bihar ESM
Col Singh said the condition of ex-servicemen in Bihar is pathetic even after 50 years of Sino-India war. "Welfare work for these brave-hearts is still being denied by the Bihar government.
Plea to hand over Sainik Rest House in Danapur to Army

ESM Welfare Thiruvananthapuram

State would favourably consider issues concerning ex-servicemen and service personnel:CM
Thiruvananthapuram 05-10-2012: Inaugurating the Civil-Military Liaison Conference, CM said that the State would favourably consider issues concerning ex-servicemen and service personnel.
He added that exemption in age criterion, weightage mark, and reservation for ex-servicemen would be considered in select posts apart from strengthening the functioning of ex-servicemen’s grievance redressal cells.
The Sainik Welfare Board should take up recruitment of kin of war heroes and those incapacitated during action to civilian posts in Defence establishments including the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) said the CM.
The State would ensure land for expansion activities of Army units stationed here, including handing over of 10 acres at Muttathara or Vithura for rehabilitation of ex-servicemen.
There are no hassles in handing over 70.40 acres near the Cochin international airport at Nedumbassery for the Coast Guard Air Enclave. The Army could prepare a consolidated list of land issues it faces, to be discussed in a separate meeting led by the Chief Secretary and the Collectors concerned, the CM said.
Civil Military liaison Conference

Indian Army: Shortage of Officers proves costly

Shortage of officers is the root-cause
By Major General Mrinal Suman
Independent India is 65 years old. If the nation remains united today, the credit goes entirely to the armed forces. They continue to be the sole source of hope for this beleaguered country. They are the last bastion against the fissiparous forces that are inimical to its existence. Therefore, every issue that affects the well-being of the armed forces must be taken seriously.
The recent incident at Sambha is a cause of grave concern. Without sounding alarmist, there are three developments that do not portend well for the health of the army – increasing cases of suicides and fratricide; growing tendency to approach courts for justice; and recent cases of collective indiscipline. Such occurrences were extremely rare earlier.
Indian soldiers are reputed for their mental and physical robustness. They fought a war in sub-zero temperatures in lofty Himalayas without proper winter clothing in 1962 without a word of protest. Have there been any disquieting changes that are compelling them to resort to desperate acts? Why have the soldiers become so restless? Where have the things gone wrong?

Cases of Suicide and Fratricide
On 08 August 2012, the Defence Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 1,028 soldiers from the army had committed suicide since 2003. During the same period lives of 80 soldiers were lost due to fratricide. There were 102 cases of suicide in 2011 and 62 soldiers had taken their lives till July this year. According to the studies conducted by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research, stress is one of the key factors that drive soldiers to take the extreme step.
Although stress is a biological term, it is commonly used in a metaphorical sense. It has also come to be accepted as a euphemism for describing difficulties faced by an individual. Failure to adapt to challenges results in perceiving them as threats, which in turn generates pressures. Extreme pressures become stress. When stress surpasses ability to handle, it becomes a threat to both physical and emotional well-being.
Challenges in military life are different from those faced by civilians, both in terms of emotional security, psychological equilibrium and physical well-being. Resultant stresses generate the “fight-or-flight” response in many soldiers.
Rapport, which is a function of inter-personal communication between a commander and his troops, is the best protection against stress related break-downs. Therefore, suicides and fratricides are entirely due to the lack of necessary interaction between officers and their men.

Court Cases
There has been an exponential increase in the number of court cases being filed by service personnel to seek justice. Over one lakh cases pertaining to the armed forces personnel are pending in various courts and the trend has acquired alarming dimensions. The most important reason for the surfeit of court cases is loss of confidence in the fairness of the system. Soldiers feel aggrieved when they feel deprived of their rightful due, leading to dissentions and litigations.
The army has an institutionalised arrangement for an effective internal complaint-redressal mechanism. While the commanders keep the troops informed of the latest issues through ‘sainik sammelans’, soldiers can seek audience with their commanders (‘arzi report’) to apprise them of their complaint and seek redressal. If not satisfied, they can submit written appeals to the Chief (non-statutory complaints) and the Government (statutory complaints).
Unfortunately, the above mechanism has become defunct and lost its credibility. Interview or ‘Arzi Report’ has degenerated into a worthless ritual. Most non-statutory and statutory complaints keep shuttling up and down on technicalities, without the complainants getting any response.
As officers are hardly available to attend to troops’ grievances, soldiers feel neglected and are forced to knock at the doors of the courts. Once again, the reason is lack of regular interaction between the officers and the troops.

Collective Indiscipline
Collective indiscipline in a unit is highly ominous. Indian soldiers are too disciplined to resort to insubordination unless driven to it. They are inherently very strong mentally and have a very high threshold of endurance.
Such incidents do not occur as a result of impulsive outburst but are a manifestation of simmering discontentment over a long period. Unconfirmed reports, conjectures and even rumours can give rise to antagonism against the organisation.
A large number of grievances are due to lack of information and are misplaced. A minor misconception or misunderstanding can take the form of major dissent if not noticed and addressed in time. As per press reports, false news of the death of a soldier in the hospital acted as a trigger for collective indiscipline in an artillery unit in Leh. Had the leaders been in regular communication with the troops, they could have scotched the rumour and prevented the events from taking an ugly turn.
Through regular interaction, vigilant commanders can learn about issues of disconcert and take necessary steps to put the soldiers at ease. It is certainly a failure of command, purely due to lack of required communication with troops.

Shortage of Officers is Proving Perilous
Management of stress faced by troops and redressal of their grievances are command functions. Regular interaction acts as a safety valve – perceptive leaders can discern warning signals and take steps to prevent acts of desperation by some over-stressed soldiers.
The current worrisome developments show that the existing bond of camaraderie between the officers and the men is becoming tenuous due to a dilution of communication between commanders and the soldiers.
Acute shortage of officers is the primary cause for the increasing gulf between the officers and the men.
All units are being asked to make do with ‘hard scale’ of officers’ strength. With normal commitment of courses, temporary duties, annual leave and attachments, some units have to function with 7 to 9 officers. Resultantly, a company which should have 4-5 officers is being manned by a single officer. It is well nigh impossible for him either to know all soldiers in his company or to look after their welfare adequately.
Quite unfairly, a commanding officer is expected to train and administer his unit with a handful of officers – a most daunting task. Command of a unit has become an unenviable challenge.
The army is facing a shortage of a whopping 26 percent – carrying a deficiency of over 12,000 officers against the sanctioned strength of 46,500. Authorities are rightly seized of the matter and the intake is being increased. But it will take decades for the deficiencies to be made up fully.
There is a need to take immediate action to mitigate the problem to the extent possible. Some recommendations are as follows:

Presently, all staff appointments are fully subscribed and units are kept under-posted. It should be the other way around. It is better to carry deficiencies on staff.

A fresh look should be taken at all courses being run and their utility – is the value of the course worth depriving the unit of the officer’s services. Courses should not be run purely to sustain training establishments.

Every single young officer should be recalled from ERE duties. No young officer should be detailed as ADC to the President, Governors and the formation commanders. It is a most undesirable sight to see young officers being wasted on ceremonial clap-trap while the units are deprived of their presence.
There should be a total ban on the attachment of unit officers to formation headquarters. Most station duties should be performed by staff officers. To many, the above suggestions may appear to be too radical. But drastic problems need drastic cures. It must be appreciated that units are the real punch of the army and allowing the current drift to continue can prove perilous.

Declining standards of medical treatment for Veterans

Ex-servicemen’s families in Ahmedabad share their problems
Published: Monday, Apr 2, 2012, 15:50 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
A seminar was held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel memorial, Shahibaug, in the city on Sunday to address the issues of ex-army officials and their families. The seminar, titled 'Ex-servicemen welfare seminar' discussed issues and problems faced by families of defence personnel. National convenor of Defence cell, General NS Malik who was the chief guest at the seminar, heard and addressed the issues of several army families present at the event.
Speaking to DNA, General Malik said that protection of the nation is a burning issue presently, which needs to be handled at the earliest. "For this, every citizen is equally responsible and needs to be informed about country's defense." He further said that awareness programmes have been planned for the country's youth as part of which activities like talks, lectures will be held.
Various issues and problems of defence personnel were discussed at length during the session. Stating their problems, Mann Singh Tomar, a resident of the city, said, "My father was in army. After his death, my mother and I had to struggle a lot to receive the pension." He further complained to Malik that to start receiving pension one has to submit documents at the regiment office to which the deceased belongs. "In our case, my father belonged to Kumaon regiment and we had to go to Uttarakhand thrice for pension," added Tomar.
Tomar suggested that every state should have an office of the regiments, so that army families after transfer in different states do not have to face much problem for pensions. Malik replied that such an office is being planned in every state.
Others complained about issues of land allotment by the government and irregular medical treatment.
Ex-servicemen’s families in Ahmedabad share their problems

Young officers cheer General V K Singh

Young officers cheer General V K Singh while seniors give guarded response: The writer has posted comments on this article TNN | Jan 18, 2012, 05.21AM IST
New Delhi: Even as many young officers support General V K Singh's apparent challenge of the civilian establishment, senior officers are deeply divided over the Army chief's decision to move the Supreme Court against the government.

Many young officers look at the entire issue as a general's courage to take on the civilian bureaucracy, which usually manipulate and suppress the military. "He is showing courage in taking on the civilian administration. Please do not misinterpret it as a challenge to the political leadership," said a young officer, who believes Gen Singh will win his battle.

Another young officer pointed out that successive civilian bureaucrats sitting in the defence ministry had refused to deal with the military with respect and accommodation, and the age issue was reflective of that larger malaise. "See the way they have treated his demand, sending it for legal opinion, and passing on those AG opinions without any respect for the chief's office," he added.

Such sentiments are palpable across the junior ranks of the military, while at the senior levels, there are much more carefully crafted words when it comes to discussing the chief's move.

A senior Army officer, who has served with Gen Singh for many years, said he didn't feel very comfortable with his move.

"It was a matter in the Army headquarters and that was settled there. Now to drag the entire government into the issue is not a very comfortable thing," he said. The officer pointed out that Gen Singh did not get "justice from his Army superiors and not bureaucrats".

"Once he was appointed as the chief, there was no question of age, isn't it? He should retire on the day the government wants him to retire," said another senior officer.

While some retired senior officers are vocally supporting Gen Singh, many are upset that his effort was also meant to scuttle the possible appointment of Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the next Army chief. Many others shy away from commenting on the issue. Some of the former military chiefs did not want to discuss the issue.

Vice-Admiral (retired) S C S Bangara said the issue was reflective of what was wrong with the civilian-military relations in India.

"If they stop keeping away military chiefs from decision making and carry out the MoD integration as recommended, then such things are not likely to happen. Political leadership will have to learn to deal with military leadership and military problems without depending solely on the bureaucracy," Bangara said.

Another retired general said government needed to make "age irrelevant" for senior level appointments. "You go by merit, and drop these seniority-based appointment of chiefs," he said.
Young officers cheer General V K Singh
Related
The Hindu: Centre files Caveat, explores option to end age row

Why UOI wants Gen VK to retire?
The main issue is corruption at high levels. UOI wants to scuttle and go slow on CBI cases against senior serving and retired army officers involved in corrupt practices. Gen VK singh wants swift action against these officers to improve morale and discipline in the armed forces. Sadly the corrupt, it seems for now, is all- powerful. Adarsh Scam is a sample where it is linked with powerful political figures. Home Minister knows it all- one cannot be punished sans the other- this is the dilemma for UOI. The age controvery is a smoke screen to camouflage the can of worms the UOI is entwined itself with!

How UOI browbeats legitimate entitlements of Soldiers.
Two cases show its face:
1. One Rank One Pension
2. Rank Pay cheated and denied for 20 years and still spinning in the court with litany of lame excuses with intent to defraud.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Govt Prepares Draft Bill on Citizens’ Right to Grievance Redress; Seeks Inputs from Stakeholders
A draft Citizens Right to Grievance Redress Bill 2011 has been prepared and put up in the public domain for suggestions/inputs from the stakeholders. This was informed by the MoS, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and PMO, Shri Narayanasamy in New Delhi today. The Draft aims at creating institutionalize mechanism to ensure delivery of public services in a time bound manner and redressal of public grievances.
Key recommendations in the Draft Bill are:
1. There will be a Citizens Charter, and a protocol will be put in place.
2. Bill can be enacted as a central legislation under the concurrent list Item 8 (actionable wrongs) and can cover:
a. Central Schemes and Central Government Departments
b. Provide a Platform to States to make this a Grievance Redressal Mechanism for State Schemes and Departments
3. Bill will incorporate the institution of Information and Facilitation Centre in all public authorities to ensure that Citizens can be facilitated and grievances are systematically recorded and tracked using telephone, sms, web etc.
4. First level Redress should be within concerned department as proposed. This should be done through a Grievance Redress Officer in each department
5. The second level redress/ appeal will be at the level of Head of the Department of the public authority.
6. State Grievance Commissions should be set up as second level appellate authorities.
The Draft Bill can be accessed at the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances website www.darpg.gov.in All those interested can send their suggestions/comments/inputs within 21 days. *** RS/SR (Release ID :76965)

Resolve Ex-Servicemen Pension Grievances Quickly

Antony’s Message to Defence Accounts on Annual Day
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today asked senior Defence Finance officials of his Ministry to consider the satisfaction level of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) pensioners as the benchmark of their performance. Addressing the 264th Annual Day Celebration of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) here today, Shri Antony pointed out that his office still continues to receive several pension settlement related grievances.
“True, most of these cases were a baggage from the past as a consequence of Pay Commission recommendations and Cabinet decision on pay and pension hike, yet these needed to be addressed at the shortest possible time,” Shri Antony said. “Ultimately, the taste of the pudding lies in its eating,” he quipped adding that “the veterans deserved their due as they had sacrificed the prime of their life safeguarding our borders.”
The Defence Minister hoped that the two IT projects ‘Sangam’, for pension payment, and ‘Dolphin’ related to monthly pay system for the Other Ranks (OR) in Army, will facilitate quick disbursal of dues to the serving ORs and ESM. “You must strive to provide enhanced customer satisfaction through hassle-free service and prompt and accurate payment of dues to the soldiers and their dependents.” Project ‘Sangham’ has fulfilled a long-pending demand of our ESM.
Commending the DAD for launching of its two IT projects – ‘Vishwak’ and ‘Bhawan’, Shri Antony said, “You should strive to utilise this advantage to assist the Services in achieving their goals.” Underlining the need for transparency in accounting procedures, the Defence Minister observed, “In today’s era of globalisation, accountability has acquired new connotations. Accountability is no longer restricted to quantitative techniques and financial inputs and outputs. It has become an integral part of good governance, with several aspects like integrity, transparency, responsiveness and sustainability becoming a part and parcel.”
On the occasion, the Shri Antony also presented the Raksha Mantri’s Awards for Excellence for the year 2011. The Excellence Award for Software Development was bagged by CGDA (IT Wing Team) headed by Shri S Murali Krishnan, which has developed Project ‘Suvigya’ (Pension inquiry system), Project ‘Aashraya (pension disbursement system) and Project ‘Darpan’ (Defence Accounts Receipts and Payments Analyses). CDA Secunderabad, Secunderabad team headed by Shri Y Rajareddy was awarded the Excellence Award for Project ‘Dophin’, an online PBOR Monthly Pay System. PCDA (Central Command) team headed by Shri HH Mishra also bagged the Excellence Award for launching of Monthly Pay System and its implementation on all Pay Accounts Offices.
Secretary, Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Shrimati Neelam Nath, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Shri Nand Kishore and Additional CGDA Ms UG Antony were among the dignitaries present at the function.
Resolve Ex-Servicemen Pension Grievances Quickly

IESM Combating Corruption alongside 'India Against Corruption' Crusaders

Dated: 23 Aug 2011
IESM STRONGLY SUPPORTS: INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION
Dear Veterans,
1. IESM once against requests all ESM Organizations and ESM across the country to strongly support India Against Corruption Campaign and enactment of strong and effective legislation.
2. Martin Luther King Jr when imprisoned said “Injustice Anywhere is Threat to Justice Everywhere”. Fundamental rights to protest was unjustly thwarted by the Govt. It was a grave Injustice.
3. A strong and effective Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Legislation is not only a universal phenomena but deserves to become a Universal Institution which will help reform democracies of the Free World all over to rediscover their pristine spirit of Liberty under care of universally accepted good ethics, morals and values to deliver Good Governance and Justice to Mankind. This alone can usher in Peace and Tranquility through Non Violence.
4. On 11 Sep 1893, in Parliament of Religions at Chicago Swami Vivekananda had said. “No One cane ask Sun its authenticity to Shine”. No one can question Anna’s intentions to uphold and deliver Justice.
5. Friends, PM’s statement that the Govt wants strong and effective Lokpal Bill; while his intentions may not be in question but we the people of India have the right to ask him as to how will he bring strong Lokpal legislation when the seed of the Tree (in the form of Govt Draft Lokpal Bill) is not only weak but lacks potency. Standing Committee behind which the Govt is taking shelter cannot substantially alter the bill. The Govt has an option to withdraw the Govt Lokpal Bill and introduce a very strong and effective Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Bill incorporating the best of all suggestions.
6. Let us all join the Movement in large numbers across the country and strongly speak in favour of enactment of a strong and effective legislations. Moral courage in every veteran should be demonstrated by speaking out for JUSTICE. PLEASE REACH IN LARGE NUMBERS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS AT RAM LILA GROUND ON 24 AUG 2011 AT 11 AM TO BE PART OF ANNA’S MOVEMENT and EVERYDAY THEREAFTER.
God Bless God Speed
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM
Comment: Vested Politicians (especially the hardcore lawyer turned politicians- they can subvert the law) should not be in the Lokpal Drafting Committee. The Government is making an ass of the citizens! Politicians are making Indian Parliament Democracy a Mockery. Citizens sentiments are taken for granted by bureaucrats to conjure them into a coma...!
Dr Manmohan seems to be honest but his Lokpal drafting team a suspect
Click here: Prime Minister writes to Shri Anna Hazare

Why OROP for Senior Ranks?

Dear Veterans,
1. History has repeated itself again where the seniors have not put their foot down for the welfare of their junior officers. The point two percent of the senior officers have taken the booty of OROP home along with the hundred percent of the JCOs and other ranks leaving the rest of the junior block of officers in lurch. Selfish……? Self centered……!!
Then why to hit the time with an iron rod and bleed it to get the OROP? The high and the mighty are not pleased with the loyalty, sincerity and service of the juniors rendered for the reasons of their own. They have ignored the officers block by sitting the reason that the problem is very complex to decide the deal. Then why the same rule does not apply for the point two percent? why they did not deny the benefits for the sake of their junior officers? And why the punishment is matted out to those who are not guilty at any count?
2. The rotten rats sitting on the higher posts are stinking and lowering the prestige of the armed forces. Don’t blame the babus for their crafty tactics to deny the benefits coming to the soldiers but curse those who are sitting on the top of the pyramid and ruling the roost in their own favor. And there is no point to hit the wall hard and draw the blood out for the sake of OROP ! Don’t press the bubble to burst! Don’t ask any body to submit. Rather gently prey and gradually succumb! Tell them to see beyond the mentality of the babus and the bosses who have played the trick on the soldiers.
3. Who fights less or more in the battlefield is a totally guess work of those who have never seen the face of the battlefield and do not know that ‘fight’ is a totally team work. Also they do not know that soldiers don’t beg. Soldiers don’t care and crawl for the things like OROP. They game it like a war and face the consequences squarely. The time is the only factor and its a great healer! Let the time come the same babus and the same seniors would prey, pamper and please them with many more OROPs because the soldiers are supreme!!
Maj Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

‘SANGAM’ for Defence Pensioners Launched

Project ‘SANGAM’ for Defence Pensioners Launched- An Automated Software Tool for Pension Payment Orders.
Controller General of Defenc Accounts (CGDA) Shri Nand Kishore recently launched a software project ‘SANGAM’ for defence pensioners in a function at its headquarters at Delhi Cantonment. Speaking on this occasion, Controller General of Defence Accounts mentioned that the project ‘SANGAM’ will provide useful Management Information System (MIS) to the financial planners in the Ministry of Defence.

Project ‘SANGAM’ is a software which will facilitate issuance of corrigendum pension payment orders. This will address the demand from the ex-servicemen for issue of individual corrigendum pension payment order consequent to implementation of recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission (6th CPC).

This software project is one step forward from the project ‘SUVIGYA’ which was launched in October last year on the occasion of Defence Account Department Day and is very popular among defence pensioners.

The pension payment orders to be issued using ‘SANGAM’ software will be a special corrigendum pension payment system which will contain all the basic details of original pension payment order. It will also have details of family pension, disability pension and any other type of pension available to a pensioner. The new corrigendum pension payment order is unique in the sense that it gives new ID to each pensioner which will be helpful in readily accessing all data relating to a pensioner.

There are about 18 lakh defence pensioners who will be benefitted with the launch of project ‘SANGAM’ in the long run. It will also help in grievance redressal of pensioners with regard to the correctness of payment of pension.

The software has been developed in house by a team of officers from IT wing of Controller General of Defence Accounts, headed by Shri Murli Krishnan, Sr ACGDA (IT). DM/NN (Release ID :73367)

Project ‘SANGAM’ for Defence Pensioners Launched

New software to handle defence pensions by Huma Siddiqui Posted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 0257 hrs IST

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

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

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

Collector distributes farm inputs to Retired Defence personnel

Collector distributes farm inputs
The Hindu VELLORE, June 14, 2011
Welfare assistance worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed at public grievances day meet

S. Nagarajan, Vellore Collector, distributing a power sprayer to a farmer at the Collectorate in Vellore on Monday.— Photo: D.Gopalakrishnan
Distribution of agricultural inputs worth Rs.30,000 to 16 farmers and sports incentives worth Rs.69,500 to 13 best sportspersons in schools and colleges were among the welfare aids worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed by S. Nagarajan, Collector of Vellore to 45 beneficiaries at the weekly public grievances day meeting at the Collectorate here on Monday.

Quality agricultural inputs including power sprayers, certified seeds and bio-fertilizers are being distributed to farmers in all the 20 blocks in Vellore district at a subsidised cost from May 30 to June 15 to enable them to take up cultivation during the current kharif season. Agricultural extension staff members are visiting one village in each of the 20 blocks in the district every day, and distributing inputs directly to the farmers. The Agriculture Department aims to cover 300 villages during the kharif campaign lasting 15 days. At the public grievances redressal day meeting held on Monday, the Collector distributed agricultural inputs on behalf of the Agriculture Department to farmers in Vellore, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi, Anaicut and Sholinghur blocks.

On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of India, the Collector distributed cheques of Rs.5000 each to 10 school students and Rs.6500 each to three college students. Other aids distributed by the Collector include marriage assistance of Rs.8000 each to three persons on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare, cheques for Rs.1.35 lakh by way of marriage assistance to six inter-caste couple, sewing machines worth Rs.3000 each to two persons and Rs.50,000 by way of accident relief to one person on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and wheel-chairs worth Rs.3250 each to three persons and a tricycle worth Rs.3500 to one person on behalf of the Department of Differently-Abled.

The Collector received 723 petitions from the public on the occasion. The petitions were forwarded to the departments concerned. After proper scrutiny, aids would be given to the eligible petitioners.

Ettiyappan, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Santha, District Supply Officer, Gomathi, District Social Welfare Officer, K. Madhimaran, District Sports Officer, Manivannan, Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare and K. Thamizhchelvan, Joint Director of Agriculture-in-charge, participated.
Collector distributes farm inputs

High Court ruling can make the Armed Forces Tribunal infructuous

The Delhi High Court has recently ruled that High Courts are constitutionally empowered to review decisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal, even though the Armed Forces Tribunal Act stipulates that such appeals lie directly with the Supreme Court. The Tribunal was set up for quick redressal of grievances and judicial review of court martial orders, relieving the High Courts of a huge backlog. The ruling defeats this very purpose and takes us back to square one.
High Court ruling can make the Armed Forces Tribunal infructuous by Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)
THE defence services had been clamouring for an Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) for decades, essentially because the civilian courts took years and even decades to decide their cases. These inordinate delays had an adverse impact on discipline, morale and functioning of the military. Take just two cases. The Sixth Pay Commission gave Brigadiers more pension than Major Generals. It took the Punjab and Haryana High Court three long years to address this simple anomaly. Some five years later the case is still doing the rounds of the Supreme Court. Air Vice Marshal Masand, with outstanding service record and a pilot of great repute with the Vir Chakra to his credit, was superseded for promotion to the rank of Air Marshal. Long after he retired, he is still fighting his case in the civilian courts. Perhaps his children will have to continue the fight after he has left the scene.

Since the AFT has come into existence, its benches spread across the country have done a commendable job and have been deciding cases, not only with great scrutiny and application of mind, but with equal promptitude. They are moving quicker that the fast track courts, reinforcing the maxim that justice delayed is justice denied.They have been able to decide cases that have been hanging fire in civilian courts for as long as half a century. Though the AFT is established on the lines of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), they differ in one essential aspect in that the AFT reviews cases of defence services which have separate laws and courts of their own. These courts have full judicial powers. The AFT was set up after long prevarication, dithering and delay, recommendations of the law commission and innumerable articles in the national press pressing for its dire need.

The composition of the AFT was worked out with a view to relate it to the composition of the courts whose verdict, besides other service issues, it would also be called upon to review. This was so because civilian courts are generally not conversant with the military's working, systems, ethos, environment, and the circumstances under which it is required to operate and discharge its duties in peace and war. These special conditions require a rigorous law, quite apart from the general civilian laws. There was a time that for this obvious reason, civilian courts were somewhat reluctant to take on the military's cases. However civilian courts, for no apparent reason, now seem to adopt an altogether different approach.

As per the AFT Act, rulings and verdicts of the AFT can be reviewed only by the Supreme Court. The very purpose of setting up the AFT was to provide a dedicated forum for quick redressal of grievances and judicial review of court martial orders with the provision for just a one-stage review (Supreme Court in this case) for armed forces personnel, as disposal of cases in civilian courts took a long time and this inordinate delay impinged on the discipline and good order in the defence services.

The Delhi High Court, in its recent ruling noted that High Courts are constitutionally empowered to review decisions of the AFT, not withstanding the fact that the Armed Forces Tribunal Act of 2007 stipulated that appeals against AFT's orders would rest directly with the Apex Court. A Division Bench comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Suresh Kait further ruled, "AFT, being manned by personnel appointed by the executive, albeit in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, cannot be said to be truly a judicious review forum as a substitute to High Courts that are constitutional courts and the power of judicial review, being a basic feature of the Constitution, under Article 226 and Article 227 of the Constitution is unaffected by the constitution of the AFT." Further, tribunals can perform a "supplemental as opposed to a substitutional" role vis-a-vis the high courts, the bench held.

The AFT was set up to exercise appellate jurisdiction with respect to orders, findings or sentences of court martial and exercise original jurisdiction with respect to service disputes. This ruling puts the very purpose of having an AFT somewhat infructuous and takes us back to square one. It is in fact, a leap forward into the past. It will bring about the same painful and frustrating delays and their impact on the military's discipline and functioning as they existed before the promulgation of the AFT Act. The Delhi High Court, in its infinite wisdom, deep understanding of the Constitution and legal acumen, has turned the very idea and rationale of setting up the AFT on its head.

Now article 227(4) of the Constitution, on which the Delhi High Court has relied in passing the above noted order, provides superintendence of High Court over all courts/tribunals falling in its jurisdiction but it specifically excludes court martial cases. Therefore and quite simply and logically, it cannot have power of superintedence over the Armed Forces Tribunal that has appellate jurisdiction over verdicts of court martial cases. Further when there is specific provision for appeal against verdicts/orders of the Tribunal under sections 30/31 of the Act to only the Supreme Court, then how could a writ petition be entertained by a high court.

High Courts are already overloaded with work and the backlog runs into a million cases and it is to bypass this legal quagmire and the necessity for quick disposal of defence services cases that the AFT Act of 2007 was promulgated by the government as an act of Parliament and as such became a law, where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was in the consultative loop. In case the rulings of the AFT are to be subjected to review by the high courts and later by the Supreme Court then the purpose of establishing the AFT is defeated.

On an earlier occasion, a High Court gave a ruling that court martial should record a "speaking order". Now the composition and working of a court martial is akin to the jury system, which for too obvious a reason does not record a "speaking order". Unfortunately, defence services did not contest this ruling in the Supreme Court and court martial proceedings are now required to be accompanied by a speaking order. The judge advocate, who is on the court martial merely to render advice to the members on purely technical legal issues and has no voting right, is the only one who is qualified to write a speaking order. Consequently the judge advocate has come to exercise undue influence over the court, which in reality and practice has altered the very character and working of the court martial.

To avoid inevitable delays in the finalisation of defence services cases dealt by the AFT, in case these are subjected to review by the High Courts as well, the order of the Delhi High Court must be contested in the Supreme Court by the service headquarters. The need for early disposal of defence services cases hardly needs any emphasis.
The writer is a former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff

Fact File
The Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated on August 8, 2009. It came into being after the Armed Forces Tribunal Act was passed by Parliament in 2007.
The Act provides for adjudication by the tribunal of disputes and complaints about commission, appointments, enrolment and service conditions in respect of those covered by the Army, Air Force and Navy Acts, respectively, and hearing of appeals arising out of orders, findings or sentences of court martial. The Tribunal has original jurisdiction in service matters and appellate jurisdiction in court martial matters.
In addition to the Principal Bench located at New Delhi, it has eight regional benches comprising one or more courts at Kochi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati and Chandigarh.
Each court is held by a two-member bench comprisng the judicial member, a retired High Court judge and an administrative member, a retired service officer of the rank of Major General or above. This enables the court to draw upon legal as well as service expertise while deciding cases. Most cases pertaining to armed forces personnel that were earlier pending before various High Courts have been transferred to the AFT.

Quote — unquote
"The Sixth Pay Commission gave Brigadiers more pension than Major Generals. It took the Punjab and Haryana High Court three long years to address this simple anomaly.
The Tribunal is moving quicker than the fast track courts and it has been able to decide cases that have been hanging fire in civilian courts for as long as half a century.
The judge advocate has come to exercise undue influence over the court, which in reality and practice has altered the very character and working of the court martial."
High Court ruling can make the Armed Forces Tribunal infructuous

Suggestions for Streamlining functioning of ECHS Polyclinics

I am forwarding this shocking mail for knowledge of the ESM community about the devil within. Pls share this with maximum people so it can perhaps reach the villains in this story through their friends. Names in this mail should identify who is who; and who did what.
For some of us the Sarkari Custodian attitude never goes away. We LIKE to sit on what is actually entrusted to us for others to benefit from. It is little wonder that origin of most of our problems lies in internecine rivalries/ perceived rankings/ priorities etc, forgetting that at the end of the game, the King and the Pawn go back to the same box. And the 'box' IS indeed the future destination of even the chess pieces in play.

From: rajeeve lochan
Date: Thu, May 12, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Subject: ECHS
Cc: Col RP Chaturvedi

Dear Brigadier,
As I am proceeding to USA to be with my son on the night of 19th May, yesterday (11.05.11) I visited ECHS Polyclinic Meerut and approached the seniormost medical officer (Maj Ambuj Goel) and requested for 90 days medicines, he informed that though the orders have been received but they have not been implemented and I should contact the O I/C polyclinic (Col D V Singh). He informed me that medicines for the purpose of going abroad are not authorised/permitted.
He mentioned that medicines for 90 days can only be given to patients of T B, Hypertension and Diabetes and that it has to be approved by the Commandant.
The medical officer made out a prescription and I went to the Commandant (Brig Pareek), I sent the prescription through his P A for counter signatures, first he called for the book and after that he called me and explained to me his financial difficulties and then he informed me that since I was residing locally why I need medicines for 90 days, I informed him that I was proceeding to USA for 6 monthe but I am requesting medicines only for 90 days which is permitted under the rules. Of course he did not take a minute and signed the prescription.
I request confirmation if for proceeding abroad the medicines are authorised or not.
We keep criticising babus and the bureaucracy but I think we in the Armed Forces have more bureaucracy than any where else.
May I have your reply pl. With warm regards.
Wg Cdr Rajeeve Lochan (Retd)

Payment of Medical Allowance
Dear sir,
I ex mwo holding ECHS card face lot of problems as the nearest ECHS centre is aproximately 110km from my native and the nearest city Ajamgarh which is hardly 30km has good hospitals where i can have the benefit of medical services privately. But to avail the facility from ECHS Faizabad i have to spend rupees 150 as a bus fare and minimum Rs.100 for lodging and boarding. Also, I have to waste two days for my normal treatments at the age of 65 this all becomes problem some to me. Hence, i am compelled to take the treatment from local doctors. I request you sir that my medical allowance may please be paid to me.
Thanking you,
RA Shukla.

Streamlining of functioning of ECHS Polyclinics
Some Suggestions

There is a need for officers and staff in ECHS Polyclinics to further improve the delivery of service to ESM beneficiaries. There should be a constant and conscious effort to redress most of the grievances and problems of these beneficiaries at the Polyclinic level so that there is no inconvenience caused to them forcing them to approach higher authorities for redressal of their grievances. The entire staff at the dispensary level have to ensure a polite, positive and responsible attitude to make the service delivery better. The Officer In-charge must make every effort to ensure this user friendly environment. Complaints of rude/ impolite behavior need to be checked and stern action taken by OIC.

It is well established that ECHS ESM beneficiaries need to be provided better service. Senior Veterans among the beneficiaries deserve special attention and response. It is re-iterated that senior pensioners need to be given out of queue treatment and service at each activity level. This system is generally not being enforced at the Polyclinic level. OIC's must ensure compliance of these instructions. All seniors of above 60 years need to be given this special privilege.

OIC's should personally make rounds of the dispensary particularly during peak hours to ensure that there is proper environment and ESM beneficiaries particularly seniors are being treated promptly.

The Station HQ responsible should convene the meetings of ESM Associations/ Organisations once in two months along with OIC Polyclinic for feedback and initiating remedial measures without fail.

A complaint/suggestion/feedback Box with details like number of complaints received and disposed etc. under a seal and lock will be kept at each Polyclinic and will be opened by the Officer In-charge in the presence of at least two members of the Advisory Committee when the Advisory Committee meeting is being held and necessary action taken by the Advisory Committee with regard to complaints/ suggestions/ feedback thus received and, wherever required, the matter will be referred to higher authorities for necessary action.

Stn HQ staff/ duty officers should conduct at least five surprise inspections of the Polyclinics in cities in a month and report the outcome of the inspection indicating the areas such as punctuality, availability and behavior of officers/ staff, special care for ESM/ Seniors, deficit areas/ complaints and also the good work done in each of the dispensaries inspected, by way of a confidential monthly d.o. letter to DG ECHS without fail on or before 10th of the succeeding month;

It is seen that a large number of beneficiaries go to the Polyclinics for taking repeat medicines. Authorization of repeat medicines should be done by any of the Medical Officers, apart from the Officer In-charge. Preferably the OIC must be the senior most Medical Officer. Non medical officers must be designated as Administrative Officers.

Stn Cdr should personally monitor and ensure that the empanelled hospitals etc. do adhere to the terms & conditions. They should also supervise the services, if any, being provided by the private parties in their zones such as dialysis, dental services etc.

Militry Hospitals must be requisitioned for all assistance and services for treatment of ESM by the respective Polyclinics before seeking civilian assistance.

Vishal Rally Press Release by IESM

Dear Veterans,
1. Press Release on the Rally held at Jantar Mantar New Delhi is enclosed.
2. Please circulate the same to the maximum ESM across the globe. Those who have contacts with the media are requested to kindly get the same covered in both print and electronic media.
3. It is time now for to us to be recognized as a force to be reckoned with- UNITE AND DELIVER OR SUFFER.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Press Release 07 Mar 2011
Peeved by continous neglect by the government, Defence veterans held Vishal Rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 6th March 2011
Dear Members of the Media,
1. Peeved by the continuous neglect, apathy, and non acceptance of their demands, the main being the One Rank One Pension (OROP) ,the defence veterans including widows of the martyrs held a Vishal Rally at Jantar-Mantar New Delhi on 06th Mar 2011. Not only, they were anguished and angry but were deeply hurt on the negative attitude of the Govt towards the affairs of the Defence Personnel. How long the Government wants us to be on the streets sitting on dharanas? They resolved to continue their struggle PAN India till the Govt sees the reason and accepts their demands.
2. The Vishal Rally was attended by over 6500 Defence Veterans, and their family members including 105 widows of the martyrs who had come from 16 states of the country ie Punjab, Haryana, UP, HP, Uttarkhand, J & K, Rajasthan, MP, Jharkhand, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, AP, TN, Karnataka, Kerla. 3800 medals were voluntarily deposited by the veterans and 3000 voluntarily signed memorandum to the President in their blood. The veterans marched in threes for approx 3 Kms in Connaught Place area in a most disciplined manner. The placards carried by them and slogans ranting the area demonstrated all for which they had gathered. The police witnessed entirely different conduct than they were generally exposed to in various other Protest Rallies.
3. A large number of veteran representatives from various States expressed their views on their demands of OROP, non enhancement of widows pensions, serious anomalies in their pensions, non implementation of over 3600 judgements which went in their favour out of the 4000 cases filed in toothless Armed Forces Tribunals in the last one year, the Govt not even honouring the Supreme Court ruling to establish Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commissions, non enhancements of Hony Rank pensions, reservists pensions, large unacceptable gap in pensions of over Rs 14000 in Maj and Lt Col and over Rs 9800 gap in Maj Gen and Lt Gen, the list of injustices was never ending. They were rather surprised as to why the Govt is not listening to their tale of woes?. They expressed that they felt cheated by the Govt.
4. The following important resolutions were unnamaniously passed by raising hands by all attendees with words “Jai Hind” and – Yes, ranting the air:

They will continue with their struggle till their demands are met.

They will not only not take back the medals already deposited with the president but will continue to deposit the same in future.

They will bring back medals if President did not receive these herself.

The parties in power in the States would be requested to support their demand of OROP and have a resolution passed in their State Assemblies. If they did not do so, the Party in power in the State will have no right to ask for their ‘Votes’ in any future elections.

The party in power at the Centre if it does not accept the demand of OROP will
have no right to ask for their votes in any future election.
5. The above resolutions will be given wide publicity throughout the country to unite all Defence Personnel, their members of the family and their supporters to demonstrate the power of their Votes if Govt understands this criteria of acceptance of their genuine demands.
6. You are requested to carry this important news in your esteemed paper/magazine.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement