OROP: The viral mutates to a damp squib

80th Raising Day of IMA and OROP
MONDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2012 00:17 BRIGADIER (RETD) CS THAPA
The news regarding one-rank-one-pension first emerged on the ticker around 7.30 and by 8.30 pm it went viral, thanks to mobiles.
There is a trust deficit between the veterans and the Government and none was keen to pour out the bubbly even though a neutral press was saying so, every one wanted to see the fine print. The veterans are further divided into the haves and the have-nots, or the ‘we’ and ‘they’ between those that retired before or after the sixth pay commission. The pre-veterans refused to believe it and sure enough they were proved right the moment the fine print was out. The fiasco regarding the one-rank-one pension clearly shows the misleading tendencies both of the Government and a Press which does not verify before broadcasting -- all this shows the establishment in a poor light. This is at best a gap removal exercise -- the OROP is miles away. A jawan has got a paltry increase of four hundred rupees, is that what costs the exchequer Rs 2,300 crores? The farmers got Rs 42,000 crores from UPA-I as loan waiver and the State Government electricity boards got a waiver from UPA-I for transmission losses (means stealing electricity) and the soldier for all his sacrifices gets peanuts. All this clearly shows that the veterans have a long way to go -- as long as there is babudom, we all need to read the fine print. The Tehri area has a large number of ex-servicemen one has not heard the issue of OROP being thumped on the table by any of the Tehri Parliamentary bye poll candidates- wonder if it matters to them.
Closer home, the Indian Military Academy gets ready to celebrate its 80th Raising Day, and it’s been a long journey for the Academy. The Academy has seen a passage that has been eventful and is getting ready to be dressed for the occasion. The event is likely to be a two-day event, needless to say most of us are looking forward to a good round of golf and the celebrations the next day on October 1. Such occasions normally start with a solemn ceremony wreath laying at the war memorial in honour of those who sacrificed their today for our tomorrow, and other events such as the sound and light display in front of the Chetwode building followed by dinner. One has learnt that the CM is attending the sound and light display -- wonder how he finds the time in the middle of electioneering?
The last time one attended the sound and light display it was when my friend Raj Sujlana was the Commandant. Raj is busy now recruiting people in Punjab but the sound and light legacy that he left behind is going to be seen all over again.
Forty years ago when one passed out of the Academy it was producing officers for a victorious army. The mood was different and the Academy was the connoisseur as far as officers’ training was concerned. The Americans were licking their wounds of Vietnam andPakistan was a dismembered state. The seventies and early eighties were iconic years as far as operational thought and plains warfare in the army was concerned
Then came the rebound, by Pakistan burning the Kashmir flame and starting the strategy of death by a thousand cuts, the academy had to modify its curriculum. Counter Insurgency (CI) operations and small unit operations took center stage due to a proactive media, during that stage one was a battalion commander at IMA. The academy responded well with a CI operation capsule and other changes. Suddenly Kargil dawned and the blood and guts story of the academy was highlighted. Its tough physical training had stood the test of high altitude and high endurance, some of the bravest of the brave were just out of the academy our cadets of yesterday are national heroes of today, and the academy had delivered again.
Today in its 80th year the academy again stands at crossroads. The road ahead is difficult and full of challenges. The current requirement is of a soldier scholar whom the academy is trying to nurture and bridge the intellectual gap. There are many challenges that the academy faces, needless to say it can be a separate topic of discussion but the nature of warfare is changing and the academy has done well to take measures to address this change. It becomes difficult to make changes in established mindsets and set norms therefore; one does not grudge the commandant, but he is up to doing the needful.
There is an air of expectancy as a lot of changes have been carried out to the curriculum. The bulk of the Academy has shifted to South Campus and Gentleman Cadets go scurrying about their training. The academy still attracts good material because the academy is over subscribed and there is a marked difference in the body language of a third term GC about to pass out to that of a first termer, but language skills are definitely on the decline.
The challenges for the academy not withstanding most intend to line up our stomach with butter as we wait to see the sound and light display. I know for a fact that all events done on the drill square ground in front of the Chetwode are always nostalgic and memorable; it’s the ambience of the surrounding. No wonder how many passing out parades one may witness, the last one is always the best so also will be the sound and light display. As my wife and I walk down for dinner to the new South campus mess we always miss the old mess, it was so cramped that we met one another out of sheer lack of space.
80th Raising Day of IMA and OROP

OROP: Crying like babies will not help

1. I heartily congratulate Shailesh Ranade on the Action he suggested to Get our Right Dues than crying like babies.
2. The present UPA - II Government only understands Vote Bank and desperately needs to culitivate it. We the veterans form big vote bank. If Sri Aravind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan can form a political party why can not we follow suit. Our voice can only be heard if we can go to Parliament as MPs and not kneel before these corrupt politicians pleading for toffees. When we have such large veteran population in State like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Uttarkhand, Rajasthan and UP what prevents us from sweeping the polls. The Aam Admi is fed up with corruption in every walk of life. He wants clean people to govern him. Who is cleaner than the Fauji? When Rs 60,000 crores was doled out to help out farmers in 2011-12 (did not prevent large number of farmers to commit suicide inspite of loan waiver), the babus in IAS must have taken their calculators to know how much of it can be looted.
3. Look at the gross diversion of funds from all Government schemes which are meant to help out the poor. How much does a poor man get from this? Most of it goes into pockets of these politicians and civil servants at all levels.
4. There is an urgent need for the veteran community to get out of their cozy homes and do something which Anna Hazare and others are doing to mobilise the voters. We, the veteran community can do a better job.
5. Thanks Shailesh for waking me up from my deep slumber.
Brig (Retd) CS Vidyasagar
Bombay Sappers

On Sunday, July 15, 2012 6:50:30 PM UTC+5:30, Sailesh Ranade wrote:
Dear Veterans,
1. I have been closely following the situation with regard to OROP. I feel disgusted that veterans are crying like spoilt children for some fancy toy. This Tamasha has been going on for a few years now with no end in sight. In fact, we have brought this upon ourselves.
2. Now let us come to the main point. Veterans are not children. So stop behaving like children. If you think that the government (politicians and bureaucrats) is going to listen to you, forget it. Have you noticed that the government will notice you only if you do dharnas, hunger strikes, rallies and resort to things like rasta/ rail roko. See how every other department is holding the government to ransom.
3. So what needs to be done? Get your butts off the ground and pull your finger out. Following points come to my mind readily.

Bring in a Tall and Clean Leader. Only one relevant present day ICON comes to my mind. Gen VK Singh. He has no financial historical baggage.

If you cannot muster VKS, bring in Anna Hazare.

Join Forces. Today we have all sorts of Brigadiers, Major Gen, Lt Gen and even a Major who run different types of organisation. Come together, but keep the tainted out. I used to see a lot of Generals on TV in the last 6 months. Dump them. Also dump all the military Governors and High Commissioners. They were all corrupt.

Form a Political Party. Call it the “Patriotic Front“. I guarantee, at least 100 seats in Parliament if there are clean candidates. The number of ex-servicemen and servicemen is easily close to 4 million. There is no bigger homogeneous force in the world. If you include the paramilitary, it will easily touch 10 million. When in Parliament, make your own laws. Pass any bill in favour of the veterans.

The statement that “we will play by the rules” needs to be discarded. When your future is being decided by corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and judiciary, there is simply no future. Hold rallies, strikes, rasta roko etc. I am sure Delhi and surrounding areas can easily muster more people than what Anna Hazare and Ramdev could organise. And these two gentlemen brought the government on its knees.

As military veterans, we should consider all means. All is fair in love and war. The result will be quick and the lesson will sink in once and for all.
We don’t need cry babies on TV. Act now. The mood is against the government. India desperately needs a revolution. A minor storm by military veterans will be enough.
Please pass this to all.
Regards,
S Ranade

OROP: White lies and Half truths

Why ex-servicemen are angry?
COL NK BALAKRISHNAN | 02/10/2012 05:17 PM
In a mail to fellow veterans, Col Balakrishnan says the men in uniform, due to constraints of discipline, can't come out with truths against the government. And, the ex-servicemen are spread thinly all over the country, without any central organisation to speak of. So, the government is having a field day with half truths and white lies over “one rank one pension”. This mail was written on 25th September
Hi All,
This mail is mainly addressed to my friends in the civil street. You must have seen in all the TV channels last night and read in today’s newspapers as to how the government has “ANNOUNCED A BONANZA OF Rs2,300 CRORE TO THE FAUJI BHAIES” by granting them the long pending demands of OROP (One Rank, One Pension). Nothing can be further from the truth. I shall just high light a few points, since typing with five thumbs is a problem for me...
Click here
Related Reading
Issue small, fallout fearsome! KARAN KHARB | 02/10/2012 12:52 PM
A military veteran laments the government’s apathy towards the Indian armed forces with respect to pension and the lack of leadership could turn out to be disastrous
Click here for the original post

Pune Ex-servicemen urge Centre to Enhance Pensions

Ex-servicemen urge Centre to address pension issues
TNN | Oct 4, 2012, 05.57AM IST
PUNE: The Pune chapter of the All India Federation of Military Veterans' Organisation on Wednesday alleged that the Union government was not serious about implementing one rank one pension scheme for all three defence wings.
The other pending issues such as help to widows and enhancement of pension were also not addressed, the organization said.
Addressing a news conference, Ravindra Pathak, coordinator of Pune chapter, said, "Issues relating to ex-servicemen, pension and related problems were being ignored by the Union government. Besides one rank one pension, enhancement of family pension, dual family pension and family pension to mentally or physically-challenged children of servicemen are not properly addressed."
Recently, the Union government had claimed that one rank one pension scheme would benefit families of ex-servicemen. Pathak claimed it was nothing but correction of anomalies that crept in as a result of wrong implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
Enhanced family pension is only a correction of the Union government's error. In many situations, the family does not benefit from improvements in the scheme and for many it is also not possible to pursue the matter, he added.
All ex-servicemen are going to approach the Centre to pursue their demands and improvements in various policies that are currently affecting the ex-servicemen, said Pathak.
Click here for the original post

IESM in perspective

Dear Veterans,
Sanjha Morcha formation on 02 Dec 2009, was the outcome of all ESM organisation/ Individuals who disassociated themselves from IESM in 2009, formed a common umbrella to continue struggle for OROP.
IESM is now a fragmented Organisation. Veterans like Col Rajan who played pivot role in formation of IESM was shown the door, Veteran Col Bharwaj again a stalwart also dissociated himself due to mishandling of funds and went to court and now asking for elections. Veteran Major SS Dhillon, Col Ranjit Bopari, Col SS Sohi and many others who generated heat in Punjab also dissociated themselves as IESM deviated toward BJP, Leader like Mr LK Advani to meet their own ambitions. In the bargain Gen Satbir Got security contract for his security company and Gen Kadiyan as one of the organisor during Asian games. Again they are up, to degrading the ESM community to meet their own ends and collection of funds. Now asking ESM to be present in uniform to degrade the same like medals. click here to read more
The Views expressed above by Veterans/ ESM organisation are appreciated and Sanjha Morcha agrees with them. Even today IESM has not approached any organisation/ Individuals who have left the IESM in 2009. We don't believe in collection of funds, nor there is need for the same, the funds held in large amount with IESM belong to all ESM hence let individuals organisation look after themselves.
Major SS Dhillon Chairman
Col R S Boparai President
Sanjha Morcha
Moderator Comment
The multi- branded ESM's need to cement their differences and ideas to fight for the rights and welfare of Veterans especially the Jawans who retire early after 17 to 20 years service. Senior retired Officers who govern the ESM Bodies need to be service oriented and not confine to generating funds and enriching the banks. Ideally the Bank Balance should be zero before asking for more... (ref to rules and guidelines incorporated in the Indian Society Act of 1860).

Enhancement of Pension for all Pre 2006 Military Personnel

PIB 25 Sep 2012
Rs.2300 crore approved to meet the demands of Ex-servicemen pensioners
The Union Cabinet has approved the recommendations of the Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary for benefits to ex-servicemen on four issues. The financial implications of the improvements made as per the Cabinet decision on the four items are broadly estimated at Rs.2300 crore per annum. The details are as follows:
I. One Rank One Pension: On One Rank One Pension, the demand of the Defence Forces and Ex-Servicemen Associations is that uniform pension be paid to the Defence Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.
The difference in the pension of present and past pensioners in the same rank occurs on account of the number of increments earned by the defence personnel in that rank. There is also a difference between the pension of pre 1.1.06 and post 1.1.06 retirees belonging to a particular rank. The UPA Government on two previous occasions has taken decisions to narrow the gap between the present and past pensioners, particularly those belonging to the ranks of JCOs and Other Ranks.
On the issue of One Rank One Pension, the following have been approved by the Cabinet:

Bridging of the gap in the pension of pre 1.1.06 and post 1.1.06 JCO/OR retirees by determining the pension of pre 1.1.06 retirees on the basis of notional maximum for ranks and groups across the three Services as in the case of post 1.1.06 retirees. In addition, the weightage of qualifying service in the ranks of Sepoys, Naik and Havaldar would be increased by two years for both pre and post 1.1.06 retirees.

The pension of pre 1.1.06 Commissioned Officer pensioners would be stepped up with reference to the minimum of fitment table for the ranks instead of the minimum of pay band. These are expected to largely meet the demands of the defence pensioners on one rank one pension.
II. Enhancement of Family Pension:

The pension of pre - 1.1.2006 family pensioners(Commissioned Officers, Honorary Commissioned Officers, JCOs/ORs ) be stepped up based on the minimum of the fitment table instead of the minimum of the Pay Band;

Establishing linkage of the family pension with the pension of JCOs/ORs, in those cases where the death takes place after the retirement of the JCO/OR since such a JCO/OR drew a pension based on the maximum of the pay scales, 60% of the pension applicable to JCO/OR pensioners would be granted to the family pensioner in case of normal family pension calculated a 30% of last pay drawn. Accordingly, based on the rank, group and length of service of the deceased JCO/OR pensioner, his pension would first be determined on notional basis. In cases where death of JCO/OR took place after retirement, the family pensioners in receipt of normal family pension would become entitled to 60% of the said pension determined on notional basis and those in receipt of enhanced family pension will be entitled to 100% of this pension. Similar entitlements would be determined in the case of Special Family Pension; and

The family pensioner of the JCO/OR would be granted pension arrived at on the basis of the family pension worked out as per the formulation indicated above or the pension on the basis of stepping up with reference to the minimum of the fitment table, whichever is beneficial. Further, the linkage of family pension with retiring pension be applied in the case of post 1.1.2006 family pensioners of JCOs/ORs also.
III. Dual Family Pension:
Dual family pension would be allowed in the present and future cases where the pensioner drew, is drawing or may draw pension for military service as well as for civil employment.
IV. Family pension to mentally / physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage:
Grant of family pension to mentally/physically challenged children who drew, are drawing or may draw family pension would continue even after their marriage. The above recommendations made by the Committee on pension issues of Ex-Servicemen may be implemented from a prospective date and payment made accordingly.*** SH/SKS
Rs.2300 crore approved to meet the demands of Ex-servicemen pensioners

IESL and IESM need to introspect?

What are IESL and IESM doing for their living?
ESM organisations mission is to serve India's Veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and to be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, pension benefits, social support, and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans in recognition of their service to our Nation. Sadly RDOA's victory in the supreme court regarding the Rank Pay benefitting over 20,000 Officers has not got support from the larger organisations with membership perhaps running into lakhs (membership is primarly meant to collect funds and spin them for partisan purposes perhaps).
Can these organisations really boast of any tangible results they have brought out for the larger veteran community in the last few years except making a hue and cry in the blue. It seems these organisations with teeth have no bite and are akin to the MOD- It is Farewell to Welfare!
Remembrance of our Cause
A Poem- tribute to a Soldier

Immortalized Soldiers Whose Bravery Abounds
They¹re Our Husbands, Fathers, and Sons
They Enlisted For the Duty at Hand
To Serve the Cause of Country and Land:
They Had Honor, They Had Valor,
They Found Glory That Change Them Forever
Men Standing Tall and Proud They be
A Country Behind Them in a Solemn Sea
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain
In the Winds Across This Land
Years of Tears Has Brought Us Here
Gathering Around to Hear This Sound
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain,
In the Winds Across This Land

ESM: Choice is unity or spinning money

Dear Mrinal ji
Thanks for your kind words. I have all along tried to bring in unity to live by the Charter we laid for ourselves way back in 1981. All these efforts have been frustrated despite the fact that we always offered to follow rather than want to lead. The minimal requirement of working out a common agenda has also been frustrated.
Today in my mail I only sought honesty in actions and deeds by suggesting a course of action i.e the IESM amending their Bye laws to stop direct enrollment and transferring their membership to an existing Society or registering another one. Whatever that is, it joins the IESM which would only enroll Organizations and not individuals. This new outfit then joins the IESM.
To prove our commitment to the unity I offer my Association to the IESM to transfer their Membership and then join the IESM a true Confederation. This way we will have a huge membership, besides The Cooperative Society for running business enterprises, the Trust to do the Social work, a ready made Web site www.aiewa.org with a running blog spot and a huge Cooperative Bank to back up. More than anything else it would give the name of the Association which has achieved name and fame for its efforts in the last 30 years of its existence.
More than anything else it would give me the opportunity for basking in the glory of achievements of the generation next unitedly.
I have gone through your wonderful article, very clearly bringing out the perennial problems faced by our people in trying to maintain unity. I entirely agree with you. I only hope these people see the logic in what I have tried to say and do the right thing.
Regards
Inderjit Singh

Dear Sir,
I am not at all surprised to read your account of failed efforts to forge unity. Shame on all of us, the so-called selfless and sincere veterans. Please do not get disheartened. Disunity is in our blood and the whole body-system. May like to peruse the article given below. It may spur some to rise above personal interests.
Warm regards,
Mrinal
Disunity is in our blood by Major General Mrinal Suman

IESL forges ahead with welfare activities

Haryana Ex-Services League-
One of the most significant activities of the League has been performance of the outsourced duties to HESL assigned by Haryana State Electricity Board. This pilot project undertaken by the League has resulted in gainful employment by Defence Veterans of the State. To date almost 20000 Defence Veterans have been absorbed in these duties, ensuring a respectable retired life with employment availability in the vicinity of their place of residence. As a result of the successful implementation of this project, a number of our other State/UT leagues have also evinced interest and are in the process of getting such projects allotted by their respective State/UT Govts, expertise for which will be provided by HESL based on their experience. Successful implementation of this project also resulted in Haryana Govt allotting some other outsourced duties to HESL i.e. census of BPL (Below Poverty Line), Animal Husbandry count etc.  The League is regularly involved in the conduct of periodic Blood Donation Camps, Medical Camps and rallies wherein Assistance (Education, War Widows, Kanyadaan, Diffrently Abled Defence Veterans and their wards.)
Click link to read more:
http://indianexservicesleague.org/welfare.html

IESL is a Registered Society

Eligibilty for Membership

Persons (including ladies) who have served in any Branch of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy the Indian Airforce and the former Indian State Forces, including the enrolled non combatants.

Territorial Force, NCC, Mercantile Marine, Merchant Navy, Red Cross & St. John Ambulance Brigade, provided he or she has service on whole time Military duties for a minimum period of six months during and time of National Emergency.

Any branch of the Nursing Services.

Hony Commissioned Officer those who have a rank in the Army, Navy or Indian Air Force

Any of the Forces of the Commonwealth and other countries provided that their corresponding organizations give similar benefits and relief to classes of Ex-Services persons specified above who may be within their territories.

Individual not to be an Office Bearer of any Political Party/ other unrecognized ESM Org.
Individual to have been honorably discharged from service.
PLEASE NOTE:

If the application is submitted online it should be followed by hard copy of document and payment of membership fee by DD/MO/Local cheque Delhi –eg i.e. Discharge Certificate, PPO, ESM Identity Card.

Two stamp size photo preferably in colour.

IESL Life Membership which is utilized for welfare activities is a nominal amount as under:
(a) Officers Rs 200/-
(b) JCOs Rs 100/-
(c) ORs Rs 50/-

Ex Servicemen News

Army chief's age row: Haryana ex-servicemen plan protest at Jantar Mantar
Manveer Saini, TNN Jan 25, 2012, 07.06AM ISTT
CHANDIGARH: Intensifying harden its support for chief of army staff, Gen V K Singh, the Rajput Pratinidhi Sabha and office bearers of ex-servicemen organizations from across the state on Tuesday threatened an agitation at Jantar Mantar on March 2 to press their demand for correction of the age of army chief. In a meeting held at Bapora, native village of the army chief, in Bhiwani district, the delegates, headed by Col (retd) Gajraj Singh, termed the government's stand as a move to bog down Gen Singh, who dared to recommend court martial against errant officers, after playing an important role in exposing various scams.
"We shall press the demand that government must consider Gen's date of birth as May 10, 1951. This is shocking that he had been given 8 promotions on the basis of this date of birth and now, just to retire him, the date of birth is being considered as May 10, 1951. Since various defense deals worth several thousand crores of rupees are lined up, some vested interests want him to go,'' Gajraj Singh told reporters after the meeting, sources said.
"We shall await the government's response. Else, thousands of ex-servicemen as well as those who support Gen Singh shall stage a dharna at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar," added Gajraj Singh.
Those who attended the meeting included Col (retd) Mahavir Singh, R P Singh, Col (retd) Veer Singh, Capt (retd) Suresh Tanwar, Kanwar Parveen Singh Tanwar and office bearers of various ex-servicemen associations and NGOs across Haryana.
Rajput Pratinidhi Sabha was the first to react soon after Gen Singh challenged the move to retire him on the basis of date of birth as May 10,1950.
Click here for the original post

IESL gets a high voltage jolt
In a jolt to the Indian Ex-Servicemen League (IESL) that counts 9 lakh veterans across the nation as its members, the President last month conveyed that her name is being used as the grand patron in chief without consent and the organisation should discontinue this practice. The organisation has contended that the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has always been a grand patron in chief since it was set up in 1964 and has produced several documents, including letters by former Presidents Giani Zail Singh and V V Giri, to support its cause.
Senior functionaries of IESL contend that the reason for the harsh stand by Patil’s office are the antics of its rival — Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) — that has in the past months organised rallies and protests for pension hikes. The President’s office has come under increasing pressure after members of similarly named IESM started returning their medals in protest against perceived pension discrepancies.
However, in the official letter sent to the organisation, Patil’s office has said the President as a policy is not accepting ‘patronship’ of autonomous organisations. The letter says the name of the President should no longer be used in any document of the IESL. Countering this, IESL functionaries say that several Presidents have accepted this ‘tradition’ and named three former Supreme Commanders who have endorsed the organisation.
With the President’s office closing the case with a firm no, IESL has approached the ex-servicemen cell of the Congress in a bid to revive the ‘tradition’. “It is a serious matter and I will be taking it up through the proper channels,” secretary of AICC ex-servicemen department Captain Praveen Davar said
Click here to read more

Legal Remedy
IESL as an autonomous body should get themselves registered under the Indian Society Act of 1860, if it has not yet been done. Otherwise, it is an illegal entity and should not blame IESM or any other organisation for its derecognition by the Supreme Commander who is not happy with its Aim, Goals and Mission. All ESM organisations should come under the ambit of RTE and Lokpal Bill and confirm to the rules of the land in vogue.

Amarinder promises one rank, one pension to ex-servicemen

PTI | Jan 15, 2012, 07.18PM IST
MEHALKALAN: With Punjab going to polls on January 30, state Congress President Amarinder Singh on Sunday promised to ex-servicemen that he will ensure that the one rank one pension scheme was introduced.

He said, he had already taken up the matter with the Central Government and hoped it will be implemented soon.

Addressing a function organised by the Punjab Chapter of the Indian Ex-Service League here, Amarinder, himself an ex-army man, regretted that "some bureaucrats sitting in Delhi who had no idea as what it meant to be a soldier were trying to put hurdles in the implementation."

He appealed to the ex-servicemen to help and support the Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab.

He said, ex-servicemen are pride of Punjab but unfortunately they have not received their due after retirement or leaving the services of the armed forces.

"An important step in this direction has already been taken with the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions having recommended one rank one pension scheme," he said, while adding, Congress was committed that the rights of ex-servicemen are protected.

He said, the party will pursue with the Central Government for 100 per cent implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme which will benefit 8 lakh ex-servicemen of Punjab.

Among other things he promised included that ex-servicemen would be exempted from paying toll-tax on the state highways to be constructed on Public Private Partnerships basis, every effort shall be made to remove anomalies of the 6th Pay Commission for Defence Personnel and VAT on all CSD items will be exempted.
Amarinder promises one rank, one pension to ex-servicemen

One Rank One Pension gets buried with Lokpal Bill

hr singh - canada
Indian defence pensioners owe a gratitude to the Petition Committee of Rajya Sabha headed by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar MP for recommending the government to implement One Rank One Pension(OROP) in defence forces. It is an historic decision for which the defence pensioners had been demanding that all defence pensioners should get similar pension for putting in equal numbers of years of service and retiring at the same rank irrespective of the date of retirement. A glaring example of disparity and discrimination during the implementation of fourth CPC recommendation when the rates of pension of a Captain like me with 16 years of service were less than a L/Corporal with equal years of service retiring under the same pay commission. My pension with 16 years of service was fixed as Rs. 437/pm whereas pension of the following ranks with 16 years of service and retiring under the same pay commission was fixed as follows: MWO-1031, WO-941, JWO-809, SGT-592, Corporal-521, LAN CORP-455. One can imagine the height of discrimination. Hope the government will soon end the disparity

Implement one rank, one pension: Par panel to govt
Last Updated: Monday, December 26, 2011,
In its report, the Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee said the financial liability of Rs 1,300 crores is not very big amount to deny the parity in pension, the release said. The Committee rejected Finance Ministry's apprehension of that acceptance of the demand for equal pension to personnel of equal rank and equal length of service will trigger similar request from other government employees. The Committee pointed out that "terms and conditions of defence personnel and civil servants are vastly different and said the demand of armed forces personnel demand for OROP was unresolved due to bureaucratic apathy".
The Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions is headed by Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP)
click here to read more

One Rank One Pension: Rajya Sabha Press Release

Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha Secretariat)
Press Release
Hundred and Forty-second Report on the petition praying for grant of one rank one pension to the armed forces personnel.
The Committee on Petitions of Rajya Sabha under the Chairmanship of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, MP, presented its Hundred and Forty-second Report to the Rajya Sabha on 19th December, 2011 on the petition praying for grant of one rank one pension to the armed forces personnel.
2. The Petition was submitted by Shri Sanjay Prabhu and others, resident of Bangalore and countersigned by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, Rajya Sabha.
3. The Committee during the course of its deliberations interacted with the petitioners, representatives of Departments of Ex-servicemen Welfare (M/o Defence), Expenditure (M/o Finance) and Pensions and Pensioner's Welfare (M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions) and some organizations/individuals.
4. Following are the important recommendations of the Committee:
4.1 The Committee has taken note of the fact that a sum of Rs.1300 crores is the total financial liability for the year 2011-12 in case OROP is implemented fully for all the defence personnel in the country across the board. The Committee was informed that out of this, 1065 crores would go to retirees belonging to Post Below Officer Ranks (PBOR) while the Commissioned Officers would be getting the remaining i.e. 235 crores. The Committee felt that 1300 crores is not a very big amount for a country of our size and economy for meeting the long pending demand of the armed forces of the country. The Committee understand that this 1300 crores is the expenditure for one year which might increase at the rate of 10 percent annually. Even if it is so, the Committee does not consider this amount to be high, keeping in view the objective for which it would be spent.
(Para 11 of the Report)
4.2 The Committee was not convinced with the version of the Ministry of Finance that the grant of OROP to the defence personnel would eventually generate similar requests from the civilian work force of the country under the Central Government and the State Governments. The Committee feels so because of the quite different terms and conditions of service of the two different categories of employments. The terms and conditions of armed forces are tougher and harsher than the civilian Government employee. On the issue of returning of service medals by the defence personnel of our country to the President of India in view of the Governments' apathetic attitude towards their demand of grant of OROP, the Committee was of the view that our defence personnel should not feel alienated to this extent again and they are not forced to surrender their hard earned service medals in this manner to exhibit their discontent with the government policies.
(Para 11.2 of the Report)
4.3 The Committee also felt that the decision of the Government to bring our defence personnel on the pattern of the civilians with regard to their pay, pension, etc. (from Third Central Pay Commission onwards) is not a considered decision which has caused hardship to the defence personnel and has given birth to their demand for OROP. The Committee understand that before the Third Central Pay Commission, the defence personnel were getting their pay / pension on the basis of separate criteria unconnected with the criteria devised for the civilian work force. That criteria acknowledged and
covered the concept of OROP which has been given up after the Third Central Pay Commission.
(Para 11.4 of the Report)
*****
click here to access Rajya Sabha Press Release

OROP may get a shot in the arm in the Parliament

Shot in the arm likely for ex-soldiers
Ritu Sharma- Express News Service
15 Dec 2011 09:08:36 AM IST
NEW DELHI: In a move that can bring joy to nearly 2.5 million retired soldiers, the Parliament Committee on Petitions is likely to favour their demand for ‘one rank-one pension.’
The report, likely to be tabled in the Parliament next week, will be a vindication of the stand taken by the soldiers who have been running from pillar to post fighting for their rights.
Thousands of ex-servicemen and war veterans returned their gallantry medals protesting the decision of the Ministry of Defence not to grant ‘one rank-one pension.’ Soldiers have been demanding equal pension for personnel retiring from the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement. Persons retiring before the pay commission cut-off date get less pension than those retiring after the date.
According to sources, the long-pending demand has found support as the Committee on Petitions has been considering the petition submitted by MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar and 24 others in October 2010.
“The committee conducted a detailed hearing on the matter by inviting citizen groups, ex-servicemen and government representatives to depose and express their views on the issue. The committee completed the hearing and the report will be presented during the winter session of Parliament,” sources added.
The petitioners in their argument had said that the demand of the ex-servicemen may be considered on the lines of the pension for MPs, which is `20,000 for the all first-time members.
While the report of the Parliamentary panel is not legally binding on the government, it will definitely lend weight to their demands.
Shot in the arm likely for ex-soldiers

IESL gets a jolt from the Grand Patron

Not your grand patron in chief, President tells ex-servicemen by Manu Pubby of Indian Express
Tags : Indian Ex-Servicemen League (IESL), President Pratibha Patil, perceived pension irregularities, grand patron in chief
Posted: Wed Jul 06 2011, 01:14 hrs
Even as scores of ex-servicemen continue to return their medals to her as a mark of protest against perceived pension irregularities, President Pratibha Patil’s office has written to a prominent ex-servicemen organisation asking them to stop using her name as the ‘grand patron in chief’, triggering a wave of protest by retired soldiers.

In a jolt to the Indian Ex-Servicemen League (IESL) that counts 9 lakh veterans across the nation as its members, the President last month conveyed that her name is being used as the grand patron in chief without consent and the organisation should discontinue this practice. The organisation has contended that the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has always been a grand patron in chief since it was set up in 1964 and has produced several documents, including letters by former Presidents Giani Zail Singh and V V Giri, to support its cause.
Not your grand patron in chief, President tells ex-servicemen

Rebuttal by IESL
Senior functionaries of IESL contend that the reason for the harsh stand by Patil’s office are the antics of its rival — Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) — that has in the past months organised rallies and protests for pension hikes. The President’s office has come under increasing pressure after members of similarly named IESM started returning their medals in protest against perceived pension discrepancies.
However, in the official letter sent to the organisation, Patil’s office has said the President as a policy is not accepting ‘patronship’ of autonomous organisations. The letter says the name of the President should no longer be used in any document of the IESL. Countering this, IESL functionaries say that several Presidents have accepted this ‘tradition’ and named three former Supreme Commanders who have endorsed the organisation.

Comment: Is IESL registered under the Indian Society Act of 1860? Mere recognition by MOD does not give it the sanctity to represent the Ex Servicemen. IESL as a body needs to introspect and legitimize its role. President has rightly snubbed the masquerading organisation. Question is whether the 9 lakh veterans have been taken for a ride? The Governing Body ought resign in shame instead of giving lame excuses and blaming IESM.

IESL takes up cudgels for Veterans

We all need to congratulate Brig RKS Gulia, for the letter he has sent to the RM.
Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

Major's Pension Anomaly- Will it ever be addressed?

Dear All,
Please find the attached letter addressed to President- click here
Rgds
Sqn Ldr YS NIJJAR (Retd)

Tribunal OKs Petition Ensuring Raised Pension for Majors
Removing anomalies of the Sixth Pay Commission, the Armed Forces Tribunal has allowed a petition which will benefit all the army Majors and officers in the same rank in the three services who had retired before 2006 and entitle them to enhanced monetary benefits.

"We direct that the pension of pre (2006) retirees should be decided on the basis of minimum of the pay in the pay band that is Rs 23,810 with all other benefits and shall be given to them," the Tribunal Bench headed by Justice A K Mathur said in its verdict.

The Tribunal has asked the Defence Ministry to complete the whole exercise within next three months.

Pointing to an earlier pay commission policy that said that the pension of all pensioners shall not be less than 50 per cent, the Bench said, "then naturally 50 per cent of this will have to be treated as a basic pension and rest of it will be added to it as grade pay and other benefits which are given to the persons of that rank".

Over 150 Major and officers of equivalent rank had filed the petition in the Tribunal to do away with the anomalies, which had resulted in the pre-2006 retirees getting lesser pension than post-2006 retired honorary captains, their Counsel Commodore Sukhjinder Singh told PTI here.

"But even after this, there will be difference between pension of pre and post 2006 retired majors and equivalents. Pension of officers retiring after 2006 would be calculated by taking 50 per cent of the highest pay scale into account whereas ours will be the same proportion of the lowest pay-scale," he added.

After this verdict, more than 5000 similarly placed retired officers will get the additional monetary benefit, which will be to the tune of Rs 5000.

The gap in pensions had increased after the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, which came into effect from January 1, 2006.

After the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, pension of majors was fixed at Rs 14,100 per month.

The petitioners had contended that the existing basic pay, inclusive of grade pay and military service pay, worked out to be Rs 36,410, hence their pension at the stipulated 50 per cent of basic worked out to be Rs 18,205 per month, to which they were entitled.

The pension of lieutenant colonel is fixed at Rs 25,700 whereas that of majors who retired before 2006 is Rs 14,100, creating a huge difference of Rs 11,600, the petitioners claimed. Prior to the Sixth Pay Commission, the difference was just Rs 950.
Tribunal OKs Petition Ensuring Raised Pension for Majors
PTI | New Delhi | Sep 22, 2010
Majors Pension Anomaly under RM's Radar!- RM's Reply
IESL confirms- Widows and Major's Pension Anomalies remain grounded

IESL confirms Majors and Widows Pension Grounded by MoD

Sent: 10 August 2011 15:52
To: President IESL
Subject: Pension and other related matters
Dear all,
Please see the attachment above.
Regards!
Col Sukhbir Singh
Secretary General IESL

Tailpiece
This is how politicians treat the martyrs. MERA DESH MAHAN? It is shameful. God saves this country.
Sqn Ldr Ian Steele Loughran,
Indian Air Force Association UK
Alcohol or Army?
Do you remember Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the Malayali army commando officer who sacrificed his life to save Mumbai from the terrorist attacks ? His bravery will remain unsurpassed. The Kerala Govt., headed by Shri VS Achuthanandan awarded Rs 3 lakhs to the family of Maj Sandeep Unnikrishnan. The same govt headed by the same Chief Minister, donated Rs 5 lakhs to the victims of the recent Malappuram Liquor tragedy. Now you decide- what should a youngster do? To join Army & die for the Nation?... or die by consuming illicit liquor?

OROP: Veterans demand Justice from elected representatives

The medals don’t count. Justice is what soldiers seek
Finally, a committee of the Rajya Sabha will look into the three-decade-old demand of ex-servicemen for One Rank One Pension. Will parity still be elusive? Brijesh Pandey reports

Getting a raw deal War veterans take part in a march in Delhi for One Rank One Pension Photos: Tarun Sehrawat

FOR MILLIONS of Indians raised on stories of valour of their armed forces, it was indeed a shame to see thousands of war veterans marching to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, returning medals won through great personal sacrifice.

Their demand was simple: pension parity or One Rank One Pension (OROP). This means servicemen of the same rank and same years of service must get equal pension irrespective of the date of superannuation. Though in principle the government agrees the demand is just, there seems no political will to back it.

After the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commissions, a big difference in pensions has been created, depending on when a serviceman retired. An officer with 35 years experience who retired before 1996 will get less pension than one with less years in service who retires after 2006. As Major General (retd) Satbir Singh points out, “A Lt Col superwho retires today would have looked after 100-120 personnel whereas at my level, one would look after 20,000 people and a much larger land area.” Though some correction has been made for commissioned officers and other ranks, the anomaly remains.

That’s not all. Armed forces veterans (AFV) have a major grouse about the administrative stranglehold on issues dear to them and the brushing aside of their problems by an apathetic bureaucracy.

Till the Third Pay Commission, pensions for armed forces personnel were based on rank and length of service in that rank. AFV got 75 percent of their last pay drawn as pension, while the administrative side got 33 percent. The Third Pay Commission, which covered the defence services for the first time, much against the will of the forces, decreased the pension of the force to 50 percent while increasing the pension of its civilian counterpart from 33 percent to 50 percent, with riders on getting full pension after 33 years of service. The advantage they had earlier was taken away in this manner.

Dignified protest A widow and a veteran display the medals given for the supreme sacrifice

“Rather than compensating for the harsh conditions of service and forced early retirement of around 85 percent of our forces, the sole beneficiary of this pension equalisation was the civil service,” points out Air Vice Marshal (retd) RP Mishra. “In the 1960s, pension of civil employees was limited to a maximum of Rs 416 per month whereas pension of a Major was Rs 475 per month and that of Chiefs was Rs 1,000 per month. In the Sixth Pay Commission, maximum pension of civil employees is Rs 45,000 per month which is the same as pension of Chiefs. Pension of Majors is just Rs 14,464 per month. Is it justified?“ asks Mishra.

This change had millions of AFV protesting. They pointed out that from 1960 to 2006, the pension of the highest ranking officers has increased 45 times, while that of the highest civilian ranking officers has increased 108 times.

“In today’s context, pension is no longer dependent on rank. Instead, it depends on years of service and emoluments,” adds Mishra. “This means that even a low-ranking individual can draw higher pension than a high-ranking one.” Satbir adds, “If one compares a soldier to a police constable, there is a difference of over Rs 45 lakh in their lifetime earnings due to early retirement and restricted promotions.”

Brigadier RKS Gulia says a question the government always raises in discussions about OROP is: what if government officers raise a similar demand? “I pointed out that 85 percent of armed forces personnel retire at 37-42 years. Another 5-12 percent retire at 44-52. Only 0.35 percent retire at the age of 60. In the civil services, they all serve up to the age of 60, get all three assured career progressions and consequently not only draw increasing pay but end up with much higher pension.”

Other than these pension anomalies, what AFV finds disturbing is the fact that there is no effort on the part of the government to improve the lot of widows of armed forces personnel, numbering close to 3.5-4 lakh. “Everybody has got something except these widows,” says Gulia. “This is the biggest worry for us because they need it more than us.”

SATBIR SINGH too is livid at the neglect of these widows, pointing out that pensions for Junior Commissioned Officers and below were raised but not for widows. This is in spite of the fact that a letter was sent to the prime minister about this discrepancy. “A bureaucratic reply stated that pension of widows was not enhanced as it had not been mentioned in the report of Committee of Secretaries. What should they do? With a meagre Rs 3,500 per month to look after herself, who knows what all she must be undergoing? Is the country being governed by our elected representatives or bureaucrats?”

From 1960 to 2006, the pension of the senior-most officers increased 45 times, while that of top civilian officers went up 108 times

What riles AFV most is political indifference, be it the defence ministry or the President of India. “We sought time from President Pratibha Patil’s office on three occasions but she has refused to meet us,” says a visibly agitated Satbir Singh, “She has time for everybody except us. And she is our Supreme Commander.”

Even the prime minister has been misled by the bureaucracy about OROP, claims AFV. “On 10 March 2008, in reply to a question in Parliament, the PM said we have accepted all the demands,” says Satbir Singh. “I immediately rang up the Opposition that the PM is misleading the country — he had accepted all the demands but the Rs 2,200 crore allocated in the budget of 2009 was never released. Within three days, the PM ordered it to be released.”

So are they hopeful that this meeting with the Rajya Sabha Appointments Committee will have a positive outcome?

“It may just be a formality,” says Gulia, “When we said so many committees have been formed and made their recommendations, nothing has happened so far, their response was that their mandate is limited. That’s why it seems to me to be more of a formality.”

While the armed forces continue to defend the borders, sometimes with the supreme sacrifice, they find they have to fight new battles when they retire. As Satbir Singh put it, “The bureaucracy and the government are treating us like chala hua kartoos (spent cartridges). The worst thing is, they are not even ashamed of it. They forget what Calvin Coleridge said: The nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”
Brijesh Pandey is a Special Correspondent with Tehelka.
brijesh@tehelka.com
The medals don’t count. Justice is what soldiers seek