One Rank One Pension- Press Release

PRESS RELEASE ‘One Rank One Pension’
A lot has been said about ‘One Rank One Pension’ in both houses of Parliament and in the electronic media and Press and nothing has crystallized except that Govt. may give it in long term and in stages. In Punjabi there is a saying “ Dud de gi per maingna paa ke” which means that they will give milk but spoil it with goat’s shit, so that it may stink and become beyond use. It is exactly being done in some of the cases like ‘Rank Pay’ inspite of the clear orders from Hon’ble Courts and same is the story with OROP. They, perhaps, do not know as to how many persons have passed away from 1.1.1986 without getting their due and now the benefits are being denying to their families.

In my recent open letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister I have pointed out as to how the Defence Personnel are being humiliated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) who are working as per their whims and fancies instead of implementing orders as passed by Govt. in their Gazette notifications. It is pity that there is no one to check them and see what data they are submitting to various committees and commissions set up. It is happening because of absence of Armed Forces personnel at the decision making level, be it at the Pay Commissions, Govt. Defence committees or within the MOD, to pursue agenda and represent correct facts. This needs to be implemented forthwith like USA and other countries where Defence Officers are inducted in MOD and other decision taking committees / commissions, so that their problems could be projected correctly and justice could be done to them.

I have also written to the Hon’ble P.M. that Govt. Orders are not being faithfully implemented by MOD and anomalies pointed out by competent people are either being ignored or swept under the carpet. MOD needs to be reoriented and told to act as per rules and not as per their whims and fancies. Surprisingly, no one is hauled up by Ministers for not taking actions or distorting orders, though the cases are self explanatory and need no other assistance, legal or otherwise. There are a number of cases where they have allowed payments to some individuals who raised those but though as per rules, they are denying others the same benefits. Once a mistake has been detected it should automatically be rectified in all similar cases without asking by other affected persons or Courts. It is pity that no such action is being taken to benefit other affected persons.


They say ‘where there is will, there is a way.’ But if the MOD is bent upon doing such mischief and are not bothered even of Hon’ble Courts orders and the Ministers, what can one expect from the Govt. except requesting the Hon’ble PM to introduce necessary changes as suggested in our earlier letter and reiterated above. Setting up a separate Commission for Defence Forces to resolve the peace meal changes introduced which have made every thing topsy-turvy especially in Rank, Pay and status in grade.

‘One Rank One Pension’ is not a big issue as it has been projected by the MOD. As we all know that during 3rd CPC, all ranks, including officers, were being retired at the pension of 50% of the maximum Pay of the scale they held at the time of retirement, proportionate to the number of years of service one put in at that time, 30 years being the maximum to earn full pension at that time.. Some weightage was given for service to different ranks to get proportionately better pension since they retire at comparatively younger age. This weightage has now reached 30 years for all ranks, required to earn full pension. In case of other ranks too it would have reached 33 years had the data put up before the committee of secretaries constituted for considering this aspect, been put up by MOD to 33 years to earn full pension, instead of 30 years they considered. The 5th CPC had enhanced the weightage by two to three years vide para133.18 & 162.11. Anyhow, it is a minor issue and can be considered even now in that context and can be raised to 33 years.

Once it is done and all are retired at the 50% of the maximum of the scale they held at the time of retirement, the problem of one rank one pension, automatically gets solved. It is compatible with civil too where practically every one retires at the maximum of the scale one holds at the time of retirement.

It is thus a simple issue and will not require large funds as is being projected as most of the personnel are already getting big chunk of it which needs to be supplemented. It will not invite any repercussions from any where or have administrative problems as apprehended, as practically all retire at the maximum of the scale one holds at the time of retirement in civil.

We once again request the Hon’ble Prime Minster to immediately intervene and provide justice to Armed Forces.
Brig(Retd) KGBehl
President Dehradun Ex Services League

Musings of Missing the Magic

With a feeling of euphoria and in an expansive mood we came out of the Air Conditioned Noida Golf Course Pub, after an enjoyable evening of dinner drinks and entered a different world: a full moon in the sky, the emerald green, greens and the freeways bathed pale, a pleasant mildly cool breeze caressing us and lingered for a while, we had a meet to welcome Maliks, common friends, on a short visit from USA, still talking of past with feelings dipped in nostalgia.

Earlier with the tables cleared, the Kulfies and Gulab-jamuns, slowly savoured, we had lingered at the table and later we had lingered at the car park, hands extended, with the feeling of bonhomie, but reluctant to bid goodbye, unconsciously, trying to hold on to the magic of the evening as long as possible.

Combine of the moon and the cool breeze, unusual for this time in the world of Noida, brought back the magical memories of the legendary Malwa nights: the vast landscape lit by the full moon in the sky, stretching far towards the Bercaha lake; back in time in Mhow and in the company of my late wife. Also evocative of similar night of Dawars at Tezpur, the airfield area, spread as far as eyes could see, suffused with the pale-white moon-light, the tall reed like grass swaying in the mild breeze with the white plumes shining silver reflected by the full moon, high in the sky on a winter night was an ethereal light. The sight, the peace and quiet of those special nights provided, though a sheer magic, no compensation for all the pain of separation from the family some 2000 Km away in Dehradun.

I came home, parked the car, changed and came down to the park below. It was now past twelve in the night, the moon, and now high in the sky, was still bright, the breeze also blowing and the park suffused with the same evocative pale-white moon-light, alas, the magic that I had come down in search of was missing and so was the company and the companion.
Brig Lakshman Singh (Retd)

Ex-servicemen demand one-rank one-pension

Tribune News Service Dehradun, April 24
Against the alleged exploitation and being neglected by authorities, members of Purav Sainik Welfare Association, a body of ex-servicemen, held a dharna at the Gandhi Park here today.

The sainiks protested against the authorities in favour of their long-pending demands and threatened that if their demands were not agreed to, they would intensify their agitation.

The association’s main 50-year-old demand was one-rank one-pension for all. They said it hadn’t been implemented fully.

The sainiks also criticised the issue that after toiling hard for 17 years in severe service, they sat idle at home and there was no help for them in this regard.

They lamented that the property of sainiks was not saved even after they fought to save the country in three wars.

SS Thapliyal said civil and military officers were both into corruption, while the sainiks who are of lower ranks were made to suffer. “It is we who fight on the borders putting our lives in danger, not the officers, then why this step motherly treatment with us?” he questioned.
Ex-servicemen demand one-rank one-pension

Dehradun: Ex-servicemen stage dharna

Ex-servicemen hold a protest at the Gandhi Park in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Ex-servicemen stage dharna
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 18
Members of the Uttarakhand Porav Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangthan held a sit-in at the Gandhi Park here today. The members were protesting against the irregularities committed at the Uttarakhand Poorav Sainik Kalyan Nigam (a government of Uttarakhand undertaking).

Later they submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister seeking action against the Managing Director of the undertaking.

President of the organisation Ganga Singh Rawat said they had even raised the issue with Union State Minister for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat.

He alleged that the organisation was working against the interest of the ex-servicemen.
Ex-servicemen stage dharna

Governor Margaret Alva presents a draft to Vineeta Bisht, wife of commando Gajender Singh Bisht who died in the Mumbai terrorist attack in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Martyr’s widow gets Rs 1,80,500
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 18
Margaret Alva, Governor, today handed over a draft of Rs 1,80,500 to Vineeta Bisht, widow of NSG commando Gajender Singh Bisht who lost his life in the terrorist attack of Mumbai 26/11.

A Maharashtra-based newspaper, as a gesture of compensation and support, gave the honorarium to the widow of the deceased. Alva also consoled the family of the martyr and remembered the sacrifice made by the Bisht family. Senior journalist SP Tiwari, Manjul Tiwari, VK Sharma and DK Joshi were also present to pay homage
Martyr’s widow gets Rs 1,80,500

Remembrance: Lt Col Nirmal Singh- Veteran and Social Worker

REMEMBRANCE
Great veteran Lt Col Nirmal Singh who rendered his entire retired life of more than two decades for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen of Doon Valley as a Vice President Dehradun Ex Services League, passed away on 18 Dec 09 at the age of 81 years at his residence, 267 Garhi Cantt. As per his real brother Col KS Kambo, Retd who met me this morning at IMA Golf Course, stated that before the last breath of his brother Lt Col Nirmal Singh, had said his prayers and mentioned leaving this world for ever so had a peaceful passing away.

Born in an affluent business family on 23 April 28 at Dakra, Dehradun. He earned his BA degree from the Lucknow University and was commissioned in Indian Army on 12 Jul 1950 and retired on 10 Apr 1979. During his illustrious career he completed his staff college successfully and participated in three wars ie 1962, 1965 and 1971. He commanded the 22 Mountain Regiment during the Indo Pak War of 1971.

After his retirement not only did he devote his entire life for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen but he also played a very active role in public social service constructing Tapkeshwar Cremation Ground and also started a charitable homoeopathic dispensary at Dakra Gurudwara Dehradun. He was a great sportsman and a great golfer with fairly good handicap. He used to coach many a golfer like me to make us better players on the field.

Lt Col B M Thapa, Retd,
Gen Secy DESL, Member IESM

History of IMA

Saturday, December 5, 2009
For those whose own ease comes last, always, every time by Jaskiran Chopra | Dehradun

The 10th day of December is a memorable day for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) as it was on this day, in 1932, that the formal inauguration of this prestigious institution took place. Though the academy began functioning on October 1, 1932, it was only on December 10 that Commander-in-Chief Sir Philip Chetwode inaugurated the Academy.

The inauguration had to be delayed more than two months. The first cadets arrived on September 30 and IMA opened on October 1.

Chetwode said in his speech at the inauguration, “I wish I could have welcomed the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) of the new Indian Military Academy on the day they first made their appearance here, for it was a memorable day in the history of the Indian Army.”

He added, “I could not do so because it was pointed out to me that they had not yet received their uniform, nor were they sufficiently drilled to make an inspection on parade possible. At the request of the commandant, I, therefore, postponed my visit until today, when he said that he would be ready to receive me.”

Brigadier LP Collins had been appointed the first Commandant of the academy in January 1932. The holding of examinations, nomination of cadets and other preparatory activities had begun figuring in news reports.

The July 30, 1931 issue of The Pioneer, under the caption ‘Notes from Dehradun’ wrote, “His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, was here for a few days last week, from July 14 to 17. He was probably here in connection with the Indian Military Academy, which has only a couple of months ahead of it now before opening.”

The founding of this prestigious academy in 1932 was the culmination of a longdrawn battle fought in circles such as the Central Legislative Assembly and the Round Table Conference by stalwarts like Sir Sivaswamy Aiyar, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pandit Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat Rai.

After the Commandant’s speech in Chetwode Hall on December 10, 1932 came the historic inaugural speech of Sir Philip, the concluding words of which have echoed in the hearts and minds of young GCs and officers of the Indian Army over the generations.

These words, inscribed in letters of gold in Chetwode Hall, are the credo of the academy. The words are, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

Read the full article at POINEER: For those whose own ease comes last, always, every time

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari addressing at the inauguration of the NCC Annual Republic Day Camp, organised by the Directorate General National Cadet Corps, in New Delhi on January 08, 2009.

Monday, January 05, 2009 18:51 [IST]
New Delhi: Facing an acute shortage of officers, the Indian Army is now considering increasing intake from the National Cadets Corps (NCC) into the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, a senior official said Monday.

NCC director general R.K. Karwal Tuesday said that the government could increase the intake of NCC cadets in IMA from 64 to 80. The IMA annually takes in upwards of 1,000 cadets in two batches.

“Alarmed over the shortfall of officers, the government is also likely to hike the intake of NCC 'C' certificate holders into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, from 79 to 100,” he said while addressing a conference ahead of the NCC Republic Day Camp. The OTA takes in 600 cadets every year.

The army faces a shortage of around 11,200 officers.

Karwal added that since 2007, the NCC is working on a scheme to raise the enrolment of cadets, a majority of whom would be girls. The NCC strength would also go up from the present 1.3 million to 1.5 million in five years, he added.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will Jan 8 inaugurate the annual NCC Republic Day camp, in which 1,950 cadets from across the country will be participating. It will conclude with the Prime Minister's Rally Jan 29.

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC
Indian Army to increase intake from National Cadet Corps