DGR perpetuates corruption in coal transportation

Excl: Mafia exploits ex-army jawans 14 Jul 2012, 2115 hrs IST, TIMES NOW
Korba-Chattisgarh coal trucks move along the highway-headed to transport coal to and from the many mines that dot the region. It is here that the mafia has complete sway and is exploiting army jawans to make huge profits. Coal transportation companies are allotted to ex-army officers by the resettlement wing of the army. They in turn employ jawans in whose name the trucks are to be operated. It is here that the mafia muscles in.
When an officer’s turn comes without informing officer the mafia knows through the DGR, the name and address, they go and contact him and with the threats and lump sum they take over the company.
The mafia exploits the jawans by using their names, documents and signatures to run the trucks. While each coal truck can earn them close to 20 lakh a year, the jawans are paid a petty stipend of 2000 a month which also stops after some time.
They detail their own men to contact in Haryana villages, the widows and ex servicemen and collect 30 discharge books. They call the jawan to the place and open their accounts and get their signatures on blank accounts so they can raise loans for the trucks from their own finance companies Our investigation took us deep into mafia territory in Korba-men working with the mafia times now caught on camera told us how the ex servicemen just sign the documents without investing any money.
A coal transportation company sponsored by the DGR should have at least 75% ex servicemen which cannot be sublet to anyone else. On the ground, the entire work has been taken over by the mafia while jawans and their families are left high and dry.
In 2007 the scam was the subject of a parliamentary enquiry-which demanded a CBI probe. Little seems to have changed on the ground. Questions have also been asked of the army’s resettlement wing which has been unable to counter the mafia.
Times now's investigation has shown that the mafia holds sway in Chattisgarh. Using muscle and money they exploit the army officers and jawans and despite repeated probes very little seems to have changed on the ground.
Mafia exploits ex-army Jawans
Comment: DGR is corruption centric and hence need to be disbanded and save the tax payers money. The bureaucratic set up under the MOD is a set up designed to help the corrupt Military Personnel to seek resettlement.

DGR graduating to transparent corruption

'Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam
New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Sunday handed over the probe into a job racket for ex-servicemen to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the Corporate Affairs Ministry.
Several senior officers of the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) have been found guilty in an internal inquiry.
The case involves a private company, Ex-Servicemen Airlink Transport Service Pvt Ltd (EATS), and the fraud took place under a scheme for ex-servicemen.
Under the scheme, security agencies run by retired defence personnel were given contracts to provide service to central public sector undertakings.
The Defence Ministry found substance in allegations of subletting of security agencies for obtaining multiple benefits by a few officers of the ex-servicemen welfare department.
"The Defence Ministry has decided to request the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to hand over to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) the case relating to private company EATS for further investigation," a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
"Action is also being initiated against the officers mentioned in the inquiry report who flouted the extant norms and guidelines of various schemes, and thus were involved in administrative improprieties," the spokesman said in a statement.
The move comes as the Defence Ministry initiated a series of measures after an inquiry found substance in allegations regarding subletting of security agencies and obtaining multiple benefits by a few ex-servicemen officers.
This was part of a drive to ensure transparency in the functioning of DGR office.
DGR is an attached office of department of ex-servicemen welfare, which is responsible for training and rehabilitation of retiring defence personnel and ex-servicemen through various self employment schemes.
One of these schemes relate to providing security services to central public sector undertakings through security agencies run by ex-servicemen.
"The essence of inquiry and its analysis is that in the last couple of years, efforts have been made to introduce as much transparency in the manner of the functioning of the DGR office.
"These efforts have been stepped up both by the department and the director general since the notification of DGR as an attached office of the department of ex-servicemen welfare in January 2009," he said. IANS
Comment
Col Amarjit Singh - New Delhi
I have not seen a more unhelpful, ruderless and a more incompetent organisation that demoralizes its officers with vague rules and regulations and has a big zero in its track records as far as marketing excellent officers for occupations they richly deserve, Sorry state of affairs.
DGR under investigation for serious fraud

'Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam

'Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam
New Delhi (IANS): The Defence Ministry on Sunday handed over the probe into a job racket for ex-servicemen to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the Corporate Affairs Ministry.
Several senior officers of the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) have been found guilty in an internal inquiry.

The case involves a private company, Ex-Servicemen Airlink Transport Service Pvt Ltd (EATS), and the fraud took place under a scheme for ex-servicemen. Under the scheme, security agencies run by retired defence personnel were given contracts to provide service to central public sector undertakings.

The Defence Ministry found substance in allegations of subletting of security agencies for obtaining multiple benefits by a few officers of the ex-servicemen welfare department.

"The Defence Ministry has decided to request the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to hand over to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) the case relating to private company EATS for further investigation," a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.

"Action is also being initiated against the officers mentioned in the inquiry report who flouted the extant norms and guidelines of various schemes, and thus were involved in administrative improprieties," the spokesman said in a statement.

The move comes as the Defence Ministry initiated a series of measures after an inquiry found substance in allegations regarding subletting of security agencies and obtaining multiple benefits by a few ex-servicemen officers.

This was part of a drive to ensure transparency in the functioning of DGR office. DGR is an attached office of department of ex-servicemen welfare, which is responsible for training and rehabilitation of retiring defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
'Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam

DGR under investigation

Irregularities in ex-servicemen’s schemes
Defence Minister AK Antony orders further investigation
Monday, September 26, 2011, Chandigarh, India
New Delhi, September 25
An inhouse inquiry of Defence Ministry has detected irregularities in the resettlement of ex-servicemen, prompting Minister A K Antony to refer the case to Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under Corporate Affairs Ministry for further investigations.

The decision to seek the Fraud Investigation Office's assistance was taken after an inhouse inquiry report suggested that DGR officials flouted norms and guidelines of various schemes and were involved in administrative improprieties, Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said here.

"Defence Ministry has decided to request Ministry of Corporate Affairs to hand over to SFIO the case relating to a private company Ex-Servicemen Airlink Transport Services Pvt Ltd (EATS) for further investigation," he said.

To ensure transparency in functioning of DGR office, Defence Minister Antony has also initiated a series of measures after the inquiry found substance in allegations regarding subletting of security agencies and obtaining multiple benefits by few ex-servicemen officers, Kar said.

"The essence of inquiry and its analysis is that in the last couple of years efforts have been made to introduce transparency in the manner of the functioning of DGR office," he said. DGR is under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, which is responsible for training and rehabilitation of retired defence personnel and ex-servicemen through various self employment schemes.

One of these schemes relate to providing security services to central public sector undertakings. — PTI
Irregularities in ex-servicemen’s schemes
Related blog posts
DGR: Unsettling Resettlement
Resettlement Defence Scam and DGR Demystified

Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

Reservation of Government Posts for Ex-Servicemen- September 6, 2011
There is no provision for earmarking of posts exclusively for ex- servicemen therefore the data on the actual number of reserved posts and unfilled vacancies earmarked for the Ex-servicemen are not maintained. However, percentagewise reservations ranging from 10 to 24.5% of the total available vacancies in Group C & D posts in Government jobs and Public Sector Undertakings have been provided for the willing and eligible Ex- servicemen.

It is the responsibility of concerned organization to fill the vacant posts. However the government endeavours to explore every possible avenue for increasing employment opportunities for the Ex-servicemen through various initiatives including trainings and awareness programmes. Moreover, the State Governments have also been advised to fill up the vacancies reserved for Ex-servicemen expeditiously. Since the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare has no mandate to monitor the job reservations for Ex-servicemen, the matter has been taken up with Cabinet Secretariat in consultation with Department of Personnel & Training to empower Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare to monitor the same through appropriate changes in relevant rules.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shri Ananth Kumar and Shri Devji M. Patel in Lok Sabha today. pib
Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare: Who is Who
1. Smt. Neelam Nath Secretary 23792914, 23792913 5-A, South Block, New Delhi
2. Shri Shekhar Agarwal Special Secretary 23011775/23017875(Fax) 109-A South Block, New Delhi
3. Shri Sanjeeva Kumar Joint Secretary (ESW) 23011804/23015933(Fax) 99-A, South Block, New Delhi
4. Shri D. K. Tyagi Director(Pension) 23015609(Fax) 213, A Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi
5. Maj Gen PRAMOD BEHL Director General, Resettlement 26192351/26192350(Fax) West Block-IV, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-66
6. Brig Sudhir Uppal, VSM Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board 26192361 26192362(Fax) West Block-IV, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-66
7. Maj Gen A Srivastava MD (ECHS) 25684846 Army Headquarters, AG's Branch Maudelines, Delhi Cantonement
Department of Ex Servicemen
Comment: The Statistical Office of ESW needs to be wound up. Their contribution to Welfare has been zilch till date. The savings incurred can be utilised elsewhere.

DGR: Unsettling Resettlement

An unsettling resettlement
Go no further. First take a look at the website of the Indian military’s Directorate General Resettlement. Then scour the home page of the British military’s resettlement service and their civilian partner agency.

One talks about starting the process of career transition two years before leaving and continuing for two years after leaving the military. Its primary purpose is “to help eligible personnel leaving the Armed Forces to make a successful transition to civilian employment in a suitable second career, which is appropriate to their skills, knowledge and experience and/or in accord with their aspirations.”

The other one says that “In order to maintain a youthful profile of the Armed Forces, approximately 60,000 service personnel are retired/released every year at comparatively young age. Majority of the service personnel at the time of retirement are at an age where thay [sic] have numerous unfinished domestic responsibilities, which necessitate their taking up second occupation.”

Therein lies the difference between a modern military and an archaic military. Heck, which one needs reform!
@k_ram Comments
As always, lucid, detailed and bang on the target. The tragedy is that many service officers and veterans mistake “critique” for “criticism”. It is a state of denial — believe that everything is hunky dory, just by turning a blind eye to the faults. The next step — When a wrong is invariably proved, blame it on other external entities. I agree that these aren’t the signs of a learning organisation or a professional/ modern military.
click here for more interesting comments-Pragmatic Euphony

Resettlement Defence Scam

TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami discusses the issue of the defence scam with Mahroof Raza, Strategic Affairs Analyst.
First, it was the Sukhna Land scam. Now, TIMES NOW has accessed an inquiry committee report which indicts several ex-servicemen of being deeply involved in corruption in resettlement schemes for retiring defence officers. The inquiry report alleges that many ex-servicemen misused schemes by subletting contracts to private firms and also violated norms by colluding with resettlement officers to get multiple benefits.
The most disturbing part of the report, however, is the allegation that security of national assets could have been compromised by handing it over to anti-national personnel by ex-servicemen for monetary gains.
The defence ministry is looking into the matter with great seriousness and in all likelihood, there could be a CBI inquiry initiated into the case.
Reports question the moral and ethical practices of our defence establishment.
Defence scam exposed
Related Reading
DGR perpetuates corruption

Defence ministry completes probe into alleged scam in DGR
Press Trust Of India New Delhi, September 01, 2011
Defence ministry has completed an inquiry into an alleged scam in the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) to provide post retirement career opportunities to retired officers and jawans of the three services. The inquiry committee has completed its report on alleged malpractices and submitted it on Thursday. It will now be put up before secretary, Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) for further actions, defence ministry officials said on Thursday.

DGR, an inter-service organisation which operates directly under the defence ministry, provides various resettlement and rehabilitation opportunities to ex-servicemen under various schemes of the central and state governments.

It provides job opportunities to ex-servicemen in government, semi-government and private sectors and also provides the facility for training to promote self employment avenues among officers and men.

Recently allegations of a scam in the DGR had surfaced after certain RTIs were filed enquiring about the functioning of the directorate following which an inquiry was ordered by the ministry.

The RTIs were filed inquiring into the functioning of the organisation and schemes introduced by it for training and resettlement of officers in government and semi-government sectors.

It also asked for details of self employment opportunities promoted by the organisation and its beneficiaries.
Defence ministry completes probe into alleged scam in DGR

National Security
Officers have further deposed that since "the DGR sponsored security agencies are providing security services to vital installations of the Government of India, the possibilities of terrorist organizations/ anti-social elements funding and orchestrating a wider security threat cannot be ruled out and therefore want the convening authority to thoroughly enquire into the matter." Will the Secretary, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, act... Read more click here...

Comment: Why should Colonels and Brigadiers be given employment after retirement when they are earning full pension of over Rs 40,000 per month? Very lopsided and skewed resettlement schemes. Only employment should be given to Jawans and Short Service Officers who retire earlier than 18 years of service.

Veteran Welfare- Are we being cheated and then dishonoured?

Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The Supreme Court has recalled its order given on 15 November last year in which it had directed MoD to set up a Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former soldiers of the Armed Forces. In the same order, the Apex Court had made a mention of Smt Pushpa Vanti’s case, a widow whose husband was an Army Major. The petitioner Smt Pushpa Vanti had claimed that she was getting only a meager amount of Rs.80/- per month as pension since the death of her husband in 1967 and her pension had not been revised since then. In the said order, the Supreme Court also alluded to the discontent among the serving and former members Armed Forces and their widows and family member regarding their service condition i.e. Pay Scales, anomalies regarding pension, inadequate pension etc. and directed the Central Government to set up a Commission called Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

Subsequently, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of MoD verified the facts regarding actual pension drawn by Smt Pushpa Vanti and also considered the implications of setting up of such a Commission given the fact that an elaborate mechanism for welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen and their dependent already exists under the aegis of Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.

On verification of facts it was found that Smt Pushpa Vanti is actually drawing a family pension of Rs.16360 and not Rs.80/- as incorrectly represented before the Apex Court. The factual position was brought before the Supreme Court on 05 July 2011 by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare through the Solicitor General of India who also submitted before the Supreme Court that for looking after the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen a comprehensive mechanism is already in place.

Following this, the Supreme Court recalled its order given on 15 November 2010. SK/ (Release ID :73300)
Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The truth is bitter to swallow
Armed Forces Tribunal Orders are mostly defied; click here
Grievances of veterans have been ignored for years even when the Supreme Court has issued favourable judgments- click here

Veteran Woes
Things have come to a dangerous pass.
Appalling already was the scheme of events in our nation, with veterans and the government in a logjam and protests related to pensionary anomalies reaching the streets.
As most of us know, the Supreme Court had recently recalled its orders related to the constitution of the Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission. What follows is this official press release by the Ministry of Defence almost celebrating the recalling of the orders, commemorating the victory of the Ministry of Defence over veterans and stating that the poor widow in the case had ‘incorrectly represented’ facts before the Court, while actually there was no such observation of ‘incorrect representation’ by the Hon’ble Apex Court itself in its orders.
Does an official press release such as this behove a government agency? Is the recalling of a judicial order official-news material, if that be so, then all departments should regularly issue press releases every single day on the hundreds of cases decided daily involving them, this way or that way.
While on the surface, this press release may seem to be innocuous, but lying beneath is a thought process that is thoroughly and distastefully disgusting – the thought process that defence veterans are adversaries of the MoD. It is an MoD Vs Veterans state of mind. Otherwise, why would there be a celebratory official PIB press release on the recalling of an order that was so dear to the hearts of the defence community ? Can this be expected in any developed democracy ? Can we imagine the Department of Defence of the US or the Ministry of Defence of the UK issuing a press release celebrating the recalling of a Court order favouring veterans?
Click here to read full article of Maj Navdeep Singh: Sad Sign of the Times!

DGR Sponsored Security Agencies

Message For Security Agencies
All Principle Employers and DGR Sponsored Security agencies are requested to ensure that all provisions of Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005 and Rules, as applicable in the state they are working in, including Licence from respective States are being strictly adhered to. Principle,(mkmk?) employers are also requested to ensure adherence to the same, before giving any contracts.
DGR Webpage
The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005
List of defaulting Security Agencies
PIOs Nominated for RTI
DGR Demystified

Comment: Most of the DGR sponsored Security Agencies are violating all norms stipulated in the Security Act-2005. None of the directives are enforceable or punishable. Till date not one violator has been prosecuted nor imprisoned! We need to throw this ACT in the dustbin. Stricter and enforceable laws need to be drawn out so that not only money spinners do not cheat the system, but also the Retired Jawans employed as Security Personnel are not taken for a ride.

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

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

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

DGR Perpetuates Corruption in the name of Resettlement

Defence Scam in the name of Resettlement
01 June, 2011 by Anupam Sharma- BUREAUCRACY Today reports...
Kindly link up with the laudable aims and goals of DGR

DGR news

DGR webpage

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

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

The DGR provides various resettlement and rehabilitation schemes to Ex-Servicemen officers, 'ESM (O)' and Ex-Servicemen 'ESM' (Personnel Below Officers Rank) through the Employment Directorate, Self-Employment Directorate, Training Directorate and Agriculture Directorate. The major schemes are as shown in the box. The eligibility criteria for various schemes can be viewed on DGR website www.dgrindia.com. The main criteria are summarized below:

An Ex-Serviceman should not have availed himself/herself of any other
benefit from the DGR earlier

He/she at the time of registration should not be employed with any
Government/ semi-Government/ private concern and

He/she should not have availed himself/ herself of the six months' executive course in an IIM/Business School.
In order to provide major resettlement and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen, on the request of the Ministry of Defence vide OM No 4(20)/US (Res) 93, the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (Department of Public Enterprises) directed all departments under it to appoint security personnel in PSUs from Ex-Servicemen security agencies sponsored by the DGR vide OM No 6/22/93-DPE (SC/ST) dated 11 Nov, 1994. The Department of Public Enterprises decided to restore the OMs dated 11.11.94 and 18.3.96 with the following modifications:
(a) In order to ensure that PSEs get cost-effective and efficient security agencies, the DGR will sponsor more than one security agency so that the PSE concerned would have a choice in choosing the suitable outfit keeping in view its specific requirements.
(b) The service charge chargeable by the agency will be negotiated between the PSE and the agency concerned.
(c) The contract is for a specific period of two years, generally extendable by two more years vide OM No 6/22/93/GL-15/DPE (SC/ST) dated Feb 1, 1999.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ex Servicemen reduced to danda wielding chowkidars

WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN
1. Dr T C Rao called on Dr M M Pallam Raju, Rajya Raksha Mantri (RRM) on 10 Dec 2010, to discuss various points of Welfare and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen. He also stressed the difficulties faced by Ex-Servicemen by DGR office. Following points of discussion with him are enumerated below for your information:-
(A) WAIVING OF WRITTEN TEST BY DGR TO AVAIL SECURITY GUARD
Dr Rao mentioned to RRM that this test was introduced by DGR about three years back, without the knowledge of Ministry of Defence. Dr Rao apprised the RRM that officers are made to do 10 weeks of Officers Security Course, where all issues related to run the security agencies are discussed and taught. Hence, the logic of another exam by DGR is not understood hopefully this test will be scrapped.
(B) EMPANELMENT OF SECURITY AGENCIES FOR THOSE WHO WERE REGISTERED FOR TOLL PLAZA.
As per latest policy, NHAI is not going to offer the operation of Toll Plazas by Retired officers. Some of the officers are on waiting list for the last 2-3 years for the sponsorship of Toll Plaza by DGR. The DGR is not accepting their names for the empanelment of Security Companies those who have crossed the age of 59. It was suggested that such officers should be given a relaxation of one year e.g. up to age of 60 to register themselves for Security Agency. Orders on this aspect are being issued very soon.
(C) ADHOC POLICIES OF DGR & HARASSMENT TO OFFICERS.
On 18 Nov 2010, 51 Retired Officers were not permitted to sit for exam with an excuse that they had not taken prior sanction of DGR office to sit for exam. This adhoc rule / system were intimated on internet in first week of November 2010. Officers who were denied by the DGR made a request to Maj Gen Pramod Behl, Director General, to permit them to write for exam as provisional candidates. This strong argument of officers was not understood by Maj Gen Behl. Hence, officers were denied permission. Director General of Directorate General Resettlement did not appreciate that officers came from all over the country spending huge amount of expenditure on transportation and lodging and boarding at Delhi. RRM was apprised that he should convey to DG of DGR to be sympathetic towards Retired officers and not to show negative attitude.
2. Dr Rao made a request to RRM that a war memorial be constructed at Delhi Cantt for the Martyrs of Delhi State.
3. A request was also made to construct a Sainik Rest House at Delhi Cantt for Ex-Servicemen visiting Delhi as lodging and boarding at Delhi is very costly.
4. Numerous problems faced by Delhi Cantt residents were also discussed. RRM assured Dr Rao that he will ask GOC Delhi Area & CEO of Cantonment Board to do the needful.
5. I am hopeful that our problems will be solved.
Always at your service.
JAI HIND.
Comment: Wish Dr Rao's hopes are translated to concrete action on ground!

IESL: Issues taken up with the Supreme Commander

MEMORANDUM FROM THE INDIAN EXSERVICES LEAGUE AND SOLDIER’S WIDOWS TO HER EXCELLENCY PRATIBHA DEVI SINGH PATIL, PRESIDENT OF INDIA AND SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE ARMED FORCES
ESM issues
1. Over the years the Indian Ex-Services League, an apex body to articulate concerns of all Ex-Servicemen and widows of country duly recognised by Govt of India, has been highlighting the continuous lowering of their status vis-à-vis equivalent Central Govt Officials. Due to the neglect of successive Pay Commissions, service in the Armed Forces has become unattractive and the right talent is no longer being attracted for a career in the military. Unfortunately, we have not achieved success in our endeavours. The 6th Central Pay Commission has also failed to address this issue and has ignored demand of “One Rank One Pension” alongwith other related issues, causing despondency amongst the ex-servicemen community. Due to this indifferent attitude of the authorities this massive Rally on 7th May 08 is being held.

2. One Rank One Pension. This demand by the Ex-Servicemen has been raised over and over again since the 1980s. It implies that all retirees get the same pension irrespective of their date of retirement. Increase in pension should be applicable to all pensioners. A soldier and an officer gives his entire life, suffering hardships and domestic life disturbance, facing danger to life and limb expects that he would be paid adequate pension to enable him to lead a life of dignity. In the volatile economic scenario, he expects that his pension would be enhanced periodically to meet inflation. Two defence employees retiring in the same rank, after same length of service should get equal pension irrespective of their date of retirement. Inspite of solemn declarations in and outside Parliament by United Front Government on 05 Sep 91 and NDA Government on 14 Apr 99 and the successive Governments, they have not implemented their promises. The Central Pay Commission has again ignored this demand. The demand of “One Rank One Pension” is the core grievance which is agitating the veterans.

3. Ex-Servicemen Welfare to be a part of the Concurrent List. There is a vide disparity between the facilities/ concessions accorded to the Defence Pensioners in various States. They are on Concurrent list while in service but disparity starts after retirement e.g. exemption of VAT, House Tax (applicable only in some States) and wide variance of monetary grant for Gallantry Awards winners from State to State. There is a need to enact an Act of parliament whereby the laid down quota of vacancies reserved for the defence pensioners is constitutionally enforced on the Central and State Governments. Equally, there is a need to constitute an Ex-Servicemen Commission on the lines of similar commissions to have constitutional authority. The existing Department of Welfare in the Ministry of Defence is ill equipped to meet the aspirations of the Ex-Servicemen as it has no statutory powers.

4. Guaranteed Second Lateral Employment upto 60 Years. Imperative of keeping the armed forces young, necessitates that a soldier retires at the age of 35 years, Junior Commission Officer at 45 years and bulk of Officers at 54-56 years. There is no effective system whereby they can work till the age of 60 years like other Government employees. The Directorate General of Resettlement, a Ministry of Defence Organization can secure employment to only a miniscule numbers of retirees. There has to be a Central Govt provision to ensure that all retirees from the Armed Forces are compulsorily absorbed in PMFs/PSUs/Other such agencies for an assured career upto 60 years of age.

5. Separate Pay Commission for the Armed Forces. This a long outstanding issue has been accepted by the Government.

6. All Concessions including MSP/ Pension to be with Retrospective with effect from 01 Jan 2006. Existing pensioners should also be entitled to get all benefits that accrue to pensioners who retire now. When all other government employees are getting their pay and pension arrears from 1.1.2006, to deny it to the defence personnel by recommending that the MSP be paid only prospectively is discriminatory. The arrears should be paid from 1.1.2006.

7. Only macro issues have been raised which affect 4.5 million Ex-Servicemen and widows. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and our Grand Patron-in-Chief we appeal to you to please ensure justice for the selfless spirit and sacrifices of the veterans who have devoted prime of their lives in the service of their motherland. The nation and the government are morally bound to take care of its soldiers while they are in service and after retirement.
Brig RKS Gulia (Retd)
President
Indian Ex-Service League
Memo to President
IESL Under Construction
Related reading
Pay Commission Anomalies LET’S NOT DEMORALISE DEFENCE FORCES By Col (Dr) PK Vasudeva (Retd)

Doordarshan to broadcast ESM gallantry

SOME ex-servicemen of Indian defence force may soon get an appearance in Doordarshan – India’s national television channel. The ministry of defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on Monday with Doordarshan to produce programmes of various facets of Ex-Servicemen’s (ESM) lives, allowing television viewers across the country to experience real life stories of the ESM.
The programmes will also include the role played by the ESM in nation-building and the efforts being made by the government for their welfare and resettlement over the years.
The MoU was signed by two important women officers, Neelam Nath (Left in Picture), secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) in ministry of defence and Aruna Sharma (Right in Picture), a 1982 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS and Director General, Doordarshan.
There are nearly 27 lakhs Ex-Servicemen including over five lakh widows. This figure swells by an average of about 50,000 ESM who are released from the Armed Forces every year. Over 50 thousand ESM were gainfully re-employed by the DGR last year alone.
Ex-Servicemen to make maiden appearance in Doordarshan
Related Reading
The government cons the military, again
Comment
There is resentment among both servicemen and ex-servicemen regarding the way the Government denigrates them (Rank and Status) and deliberately trims their military authority to suit the Political agenda fabricated by Bureaucrats to divide and appease. Hope this DD patronage to highlight gallantry of ESM does not become another tool to fool the exservicemen!

Public Relation exercise to downsize neglect of ESM

MoD Signs MoU With DD Produce Programmes on Ex-Servicemen
Monday, July 05, 2010
The Ministry of Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today with Doordarshan to produce programmes of various genres on different facets of Ex-Servicemen’s (ESM) lives. The programmes will also include the role played by the ESM in nation building and the efforts being made by the Government for their welfare and resettlement over the years.

The MoU was signed by Smt Neelam Nath, Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Ministry of Defence and Smt Aruna Sharma, Director General, Doordarshan.

Television viewers across the country will now be able to experience the real life stories of the ESM and the contributions made by them in nation-building. The infotainment programmes will also project the resettlement and various welfare measures of the government.

There are nearly 27 lakhs Ex-Servicemen including over five lakh widows. This figure swells by an average of about 50,000 ESM who are released from the Armed Forces every year. The Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR), an Inter-Services Organisation under the Ministry of Defence, runs various resettlement and welfare schemes for the benefit of the vast ESM workforce in the country. Over 50 thousand ESM were gainfully re-employed by the DGR last year alone. PK/RAJ
MoD Signs MoU With DD Produce Programmes on Ex-Servicemen

Unfair to military personnel. They must get their Rank Pay denied to them since 1986

by Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd)
The Tribune Monday, July 5, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Governments, they say, are impersonal and yet a democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. We take pride in saying that we are the world’s largest democracy. Yet, the people’s voice is largely not heard because the political leadership and the bureaucrats who advise them are so bound by rules and regulations (of their own making unfortunately) that unless they are nudged, nay shoved violently, it is difficult to change their somnambulant state.

Unfortunately, the military fraternity of both serving and retired categories seems to be experiencing the brunt of it, especially since early 2008, when the continuing and tragic saga of the Sixth Pay Commission commenced. While the commission has been hogging the headlines, there are many other important issues that also need to be highlighted so that the people, who after all are supposedly the real rulers of the country, are aware of them.

This piece is about a few inter-linked yet vastly different issues that are making military personnel very angry and justifiably so. The first is the case of the “rank pay”, where despite an elaborate and clear ruling by the Supreme Court, the authorities, ill advised by the bureaucracy, have filed another appeal! This is a farce of monumental proportions being played against a large number of affected military officers. As a case of bureaucratic pusillanimity and procrastination, this does take the cake. Let me briefly narrate the essentials.

In 1986, the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission included the grant of “rank pay” to all defence officers of the rank up to brigadier and equivalent. However, while implementing the same, equivalent amounts were reduced from the pay, by an omission or by design (both perceptions exist)! No military person noticed this at that time. This may be hard to believe but the prevailing culture at that time was that most military personnel were fairly blasé about their pay and allowances.

It was in fact considered infra dig to get in to mundane issues like entitlements, as it was a firm belief that the authorities will always look after one’s interests. It is now clear that we were really naive. The authorities in the corridors of South and North Blocks, however, had little time for such niceties! Having learnt bitter lessons after the Sixth Pay Commission, the military has now become wiser, but at the huge cost of losing confidence, trust and fair play in the government (read bureaucracy).

Reverting to the “rank pay” case, the issue came to light only when retired Major Dhannapalan discovered it, approached the Kerala High Court for redress and fought it with the unrelenting Ministry of Defence (MoD) in both the High Court and the Supreme Court, till he won the case in 2005, after nine years. However, while implementing the judgment, the MoD gave benefits only to the officer. The representations of a large number of similarly affected officers were ignored. This resulted in a flood of writ petitions, as the affected officers had no other option but to seek justice from the courts. Finally, despite the vehement opposition by the MoD, the Supreme Court ruled on March 8, 2010, that the benefit of the judgment must be extended to all eligible military officers and also awarded 6 per cent interest on the amount due to the officers.

While the affected officers were still doing their calculations, the empire struck back with an appeal against the ruling. Why is the MoD deliberately trying to deny justice to a large number of military officers? Is it a delaying tactic designed to cheat the military personnel and stall the implementation of the judgment, or a case of losing face or the fear of being penalised for a deliberate act of commission, or a combination of all three? Whatever be the motivation, the military personnel are livid on being denied their legitimate emoluments.

This also begs the larger question of the government being the single biggest litigant, keeping the courts busy and in the process preventing them from dispensing justice to more needy persons. I fail to understand the logic of the government contesting every order the Supreme Court has passed in favour of defence forces. It did so for umpteen years in the case of fixation of pension of Major-Generals. In the case of a disabled officer, Capt CS Sidhu, the Supreme Court was constrained to remark that the government treated its soldiers worse than beggars!

Dr V. Moily, Minister of Law and Justice, has recently announced the National Litigation Policy, which aims to reduce average pendency time from 15 years to three years. The policy emphasises that the government must cease to be a compulsive litigant. The Law Minister may keep making announcements and publishing policies, but will the stalwarts in the MoD as well as other ministries listen? In the meantime, the large numbers of affected military personnel continue to be deprived of their legitimate emoluments.

Let me now highlight the second and a more recent issue, relating to jobs for military personnel after their retirement. In 2004, the Directorate-General of Resettlement, as part of its drive for securing jobs for retired officers and soldiers, had persuaded the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to accept retired military personnel for running toll plazas on highways. Being disciplined and honest, they are doing a superb job and have already increased collections at the ex-servicemen-run toll plazas from the earlier 15 to 80 per cent. There are over 25,000 military veterans running NHAI-owned toll plazas, while another 10,000 provide logistical support.

Now, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to auction all the toll plazas to the highest bidder. The motive is undoubtedly monetary, while efficient running or jobs for the needy veterans do not seem to have any place in the thinking of the government! As a sop, the NHAI has stated that the toll plazas in Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern states or other disturbed areas would continue to be kept for the military veterans sponsored by the Director-General of Resettlement. How nice, but no toll plaza exists in these areas!

While the government is keen to employ military veterans to do all the difficult fighting against the Maoists, including the highly dangerous clearance of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), when it comes to giving them their dues in terms of their legitimate emoluments or jobs as part of their rehabilitation, it baulks at and panders to power and money brokers. Is this our version of democracy?
The writer is a former Vice-Chief of the Army.
Unfair to military personnel They must get their due by Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd)

Maj Gen Pramod Behl Takes over as Director General (Resettlement)

Thursday, June 24, 2010 17:12 IST Press Information Bureau
Major General Pramod Behl has taken over as the Director General Resettlement (DGR). He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune and was commissioned in the GRENADIERS Regiment of Infantry in 1976.

Major General Behl has held various important Instructional, Staff and Command appointments. He is a Post-Graduate from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Major Behl, a post graduate in Defence Studies and an M. Phil, has undergone a large number of important courses including senior and higher command courses as well as Conflict Management Course in International Law at National Defence College, Sweden.

The General Officer has commanded a unit on the Line of Control, a Brigade in the North East and another in the UN Mission in Congo (Brig Gen Pramod Behl, Commander North Kivu Brigade). He has held instructional appointments at National Defence Academy, Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Defence Services Staff College as well as various staff appointments as Brigade Major of a Brigade, Colonel (War Games) in Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Colonel (Planning) of a Strike Corps.

Before his appointment as Director General Resettlement, Major General Behl held the appointments of Commandant, Assam Riffles Training Centre and later as DDG(MS) of National Cadet Corps.
DM/Samir/RAJ
MAJ GEN Pramod BEHL Takes over as Director General (Resettlement)

ESM Welfare gets a boost: Will it take off?

Minister of State for Defence Mallipudi Mangapati Pallam Raju tells Saubhadro Chatterji.
Interview
The first United Progressive Alliance government created a separate department for the welfare of ex-servicemen.

What are your plans on this front?
Rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen are priority areas for this government. We have already created a post of director general (resettlement). Every year, 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers retire. Most of these belong to the 'people below officer rank' (PBOR) segment. We believe that these ex-servicemen, who have received army training for so many years, are an asset to the nation. They pick up a number of skills during their stint with the armed forces. Age is also on their side when they leave the forces. They are in their late 30s or early 40s. The government can't do everything on its own. So, we have tied up with the private sector for their training, resettlement and placements.

What sort of a tie-up you are aiming at?
We have already entered into agreements with business bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry and Assocham for training and placements. We look forward to more such agreements in the coming days.

Which are the sectors where ex-servicemen are finding maximum employment?
Well, as you know, there is a huge demand for these trained personnel in private security services. Our ex-servicemen are doing a good job there. But we now find that there is demand from various industries for their mechanical skills. In the construction sector, the demand for skilled ex-servicemen is steadily rising. As the retail trade starts to boom, it is becoming a major employer of ex-servicemen. Reliance Retail, for example, has employed a large number of ex-servicemen. We declared 2007 the year of the ex-servicemen to boost our resettlement plans for them. We find the private sector showing increasing interest in employing ex-servicemen. Apart from Reliance Retail, Infosys is another big company that is employing a large number of ex-servicemen.

Jairam Ramesh, the minister in charge of environment, recently told us that he wanted to take the help of ex-servicemen for a large afforestation programme.
Yes, ex-servicemen can also contribute to the environment protection programme. Earlier, there was an eco-battalion in the Territorial Army. We can raise a similar group of ex-servicemen for environment. I think my senior colleague, Defence Minister A K Antony, held a meeting with Jairam Ramesh in this regard. Task forces will be raised for afforestation in places where we are building roads.
Read the full interview:
Rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen are priority areas for this government

National Commission promised for ESM remains a remote mission

Almost two years ago......
TO SOOTHE the frayed nerves of Indian defence personnel, both serving and retired, not happy with the emoluments offered by the Sixth Pay Commission, the government is mooting a national commission for welfare of ex-servicemen. The proposed body will speed up the issue relating to rehabilitation, welfare and grievances of retired soldiers, martyrs and their families.
Govt moots national body for ex-servicemen welfare
Present status
Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) and secretary, ex-servicemen welfare in the ministry of defence had promised vital issues of ESM would be addressed two years ago. We have not seen nor heard of any concrete action since two years in this regard!
RMS Blog postings
NC Proposal by Col Karan Kharb (Retd)
National Commission for ESM as proposed by Maj Navdeep Singh- eminent Military Lawyer
National Commission promised for ESM remains a remote mission

National Body for ESM forgotten?

Promises to ESM 18 months ago Wed, Jul 30, 2008 17:11:56 IST
TO SOOTHE the frayed nerves of Indian defence personnel, both serving and retired, not happy with the emoluments offered by the Sixth Pay Commission, the government is mooting a national commission for welfare of ex-servicemen. The proposed body will speed up the issue relating to rehabilitation, welfare and grievances of retired soldiers, martyrs and their families.

Every year nearly sixty thousand personnel retire from the armed forces and they are in the productive middle age group. In addition, the country has 14 lakh ex-servicemen and over 2.5 lakh widows along with the dependent family members.

Speaking at the annual conclave of Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) on Wednesday, Deepa Jain Singh, secretary, ex-servicemen welfare in the ministry of defence, said that capsule on welfare of ex-servicemen will be incorporated as subject at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy, Mussourie. It will sensitise the young IAS probationers of the vital issues related to ex-servicemen before they assume important responsibilities, she added.

Pertinent to mention that the government created the post of secretary in defence ministry to deal exclusively with issues related to the ex-serviceman, who are in huge numbers in the country. Speaking on the occasion, the additional secretary Neelam Nath asked the secretaries of the District Sainik Boards to hold meetings at least once every month with the district collectors to resolve grievances of ex-servicemen at the grassroots level. She said the DGR is about to complete a countrywide database of ex-servicemen at the Zila Sainik Board, Rajya Sainik Board and Kendriya Sainik Board level that would go a long way in formulating macro and micro policy for ex-servicemen welfare.

The director-general, Resettlement, Major General SG Chatterji said his office would serve as a nodal single point interface between the retiring and retired service personnel, widows and their dependents and the outside agencies for all issues related to resettlement and welfare measures.

Govt moots national body for ex-servicemen welfare