Army Mela in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram to host Army Mela after a gap of 4 years
TNN | Oct 28, 2012, 04.45AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This year's Army Mela, scheduled to be held from November 6 to 8, is expected to see greater cooperation from the state government. The Army has sought infrastructure support and tax waivers from the state government for the smooth conduct of the event.
Mela, an event organized by the Army with an aim to educate, entertain and motivate youngsters to join military service, will be held at the Central Stadium, said a top Army official. The event is coming to the city after four years. "The Army Mela is a regular fixture in the event calendar of a few states and we are hoping to do the same in Kerala," he said.
The Pangode Army station command has sought the state government's assistance for conducting the event. "While the bulk of funding for the event is borne by the Army itself, we have requested that the state government pool in its resources to make it an unforgettable event," said the official. The Army is learnt to have asked the state government for an exemption on hiring charges of the Central Stadium and assistance for erecting stalls to display weapons, and also light and sound and seating arrangements for the promotional events.
"We had also requested that state government bear any expenditure on registration and insurance charges/taxes of mobility scooters being issued by Army to disabled ex-servicemen," said the official. If everything goes by the plan, the Army also plans to distribute a few scooters to disabled ex-servicemen during the event, he said.
The Army has identified Veer Naris from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, and is likely to invite around 100 women on the occasion. Veer Naris are widows and mothers of Army soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the nation. Army Wives Welfare Association will closely coordinate this event. The Army Mela will have an exhibition of arms and ammunition and also dare devil display by trained army men.
Thiruvananthapuram to host Army Mela after a gap of 4 years

War disabled event at OTA Chennai on 20 Oct 2012

From: Vijay Oberoi
WAR DISABLED EVENT AT CHENNAI
As you may be aware, I head the War Wounded Foundation, an NGO that is working for the long term rehabilitation of war disabled personnel of the three services. We are now about 10 years old. Till now, our work covered only the northern states. In our first expansion, we have decided to expand our activities by covering the four southern states viz. Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in addition to our continuing efforts in the north.
With the above in view, our Foundation is scheduling an event at Chennai, as the ‘curtain raiser’ for our entry in to Southern India. The event has a number of aims, like giving visibility to the Foundation and the war disabled personnel; to honour the war disabled personnel of the four southern states; to apprise the war disabled about our future plans; and raise funds if possible. The event is scheduled on 20 October 2012 and the COAS has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. The event would include collecting a cross-section of war disabled personnel from the four southern states and honouring them. There would also be a Karate Display by a local organization as part of the event. We would also note down any legitimate grievances of the war disabled and project them to the concerned authorities.
The venue for the event is the Auditorium of OTA at Chennai. The function will commence at 1130 hours on Saturday 20 October 2012 and will end at about 1315 hours. This includes a tea break of 30 minutes in which the war disabled and others will get a chance to interact with the COAS over a cup of tea. Attendance would be by invitation.
Our Foundation has already sent letters to the war disabled personnel residing in the four southern states, asking them to get in touch with us, to enable us to select personnel from all the four states to attend the event. However, our address lists may not be comprehensive or updated. We do need to mobilize sufficient war disabled personnel from the southern states for attending the event at Chennai on 20 Oct 12. The need is to get in touch with them and motivate them to come to Chennai on 19 Oct, attend the event on the forenoon of 20 Oct 2012 and return home the same evening or the next day. All war disabled personnel get concessions/no payment on buses and trains. The balance cost of fares, if any would be paid by us. We would also make arrangements for their stay at Chennai in a local unit.
I am now requesting Brig Chander Kamboj to put this on his very well read blog - REPORT MY SIGNAL, so that the message goes to everyone. I would like to request you to spread the word so that maximum war disabled personnel come to know about the event. They could be informed about the function and requested to get in touch with our office at Delhi and not only let us know whether they would be able to attend, but also to be in touch with our Foundation so that they can benefit by joining our future programmes. Details of our office are as under:

Address – War Wounded Foundation; Flat No. 313, Ground Floor (LIG); Pocket 1, Sector-23; Dwarka, New Delhi-110077.

Executive Officer – Lt Col Gulshan Kumar; Mobile – 9810989524. 011 45604116.

E-mail – warwounded(at)rediffmail(dot)com.
I would also request various veteran groups to circulate this amongst their groups, so that maximum personnel come to know about our Foundation as well as the proposed event.
Regards.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
President
War Wounded Foundation

Deprived and Disabled ESM seek Justice

Ministry of Defence 03-September, 2012 15:30 IST
Deprived Section of Ex-Servicemen
Ex-servicemen with service less than 15 years are not entitled to pension as it is a mandatory requirement for a Personnel Below Officer Rank to render 15 years and for Commissioned Officers 20 years qualifying service to earn pension. Minimum qualifying service is an essential criterion for pension in the Government.
The Short Service Commissioned Officers who are not pensioners are eligible for certain schemes of DGR like Training, Security Agencies and other self-employment schemes. Ex-Defence personnel with more than 5 years of service are entitled to CSD canteen facilities available in units / establishment apart from being employed as security guards. Some grants out of Raksha Mantri Discretionary Funds is also provided to non-pensioners upto the rank of Havaldar.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri Gopal Singh Shekhawatin Lok Sabha today. HS/HH/NN (Release ID :87211) Deprived Section of Ex-Servicemen
Related Reading
Relief for ex-servicemen

‘Ex-servicemen opting for higher grades should discard benefits’
By Express News Service - KOCHI 14th September 2012 10:47 AM
The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the ex-service men preferring for higher grades after opting for civil pension should discard the retirement benefits of military pension.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique passed the order while considering an appeal filed by the state government challenging a Single Bench order which permitted the pensioners not to remit the pension benefits.
The court made it clear that to avail of higher grade in the service, the Kerala Service Rules should be followed. “The statutory provision in question is Rule 8(c) of Part III of the Kerala Service Rules which makes it clear that ex-servicemen re-employed in civil services shall be allowed to count their military service, which is non-pensionable or pensionable under the Military Rules, but which is terminated before a pension has been earned in respect of it. War/military service is a pensionable service and pension has been earned by the incumbent in relation to such service, the same shall not be reckoned for the purpose of civil pension,” the court said.
The court also made it clear that for considering the reckoning military services along for higher grade in the state service all the pension benefits should be remitted.>br> ‘Ex-servicemen opting for higher grades should discard benefits’

Pension for ailing ex-serviceman
By Express News Service - KOCHI 17th September 2012 12:03 PM
The Armed Forces Tribunal Kochi bench has directed the Central government to disburse the disability pension to George Varghese of Kollam who sustained a disability during the military service within three months.
The bench comprising judicial member Justice Shrikant Tripathi and administrative member Lt General Thomas Mathew passed the order while considering a petition filed by George Varghese of Kollam seeking pension on the ground that the disability occurred due to military service.
Counsel for the petitioner C R Ramesh submitted that Varghese suffered bronchial asthma during the course of service and the medical board opined that disability suffered by the petitioner was attributable to military service.
The percentage of disability was 30 per cent.
The Central Government denied pension on the ground that he had himself sought for the discharge from the army on compassionate grounds.
The bench asked the state to grant the pension benefits from October 2008.
Pension for ailing ex-serviceman

86-yr-old WW II veteran wins pension

Bhartesh Singh Thakur, Hindustan Times
Chandigarh, February 20, 2012
Providing succor to 86-year-old World War II veteran, Chandigarh bench of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) allowed his petition and granted him pension.
Ishar Singh, a resident of Yamunanagar, joined signal regiment of Royal Indian Army on December 27, 1942. For serving the nation, he was awarded War Medal and Indian Independence Medal.
Ishar retired on April 12, 1948 as he was declared medically unfit to serve further. He was suffering from osteoarthritis of the spine.
The 86-year-old was granted disability pension at Rs 6 per month. It was stopped on April 12, 1950 as his disability had fallen below 20%.
Ishar made efforts and made representations to Army authorities for continuing his pension but in vain. He was brought before a re-survey medical board in 1989 which also ruled that his disability was lesser than 20%.
He had no source of income as he was illiterate. He was sustaining on agriculture in his village. His service element was not given as he had served for less than 10 years as per the rules when he retired.
"In March 2011, he approached All India Ex-servicemen Welfare Association (AIEWA), which took up its case through its legal aid scheme. In October 2011, the petition was filed. A notice was issued to union government. In its reply, the government replied that there was no record available of the World War II veteran as the same had been destroyed," said Bhim Sen Sehgal, Chairman of AIEWA, who represented Ishar Singh in the court.
He added, "As per the change in the policies in 1968 and then in 1973, invalided soldiers should get service element. And later Supreme Court judgments also put a stamp on it, which removed the cut off dates."
The court took the documents-service record, pension book and certificate issued by re-survey medical board, submitted by Ishar Singh as evidence in the case.
The bench comprising justice NP Gupta and Air Marshal SC Mukul (retd) allowed the service element of disability pension but restricted the arrears to three years from the date of filing the petition in AFT.
86-yr-old WW II veteran wins pension

Ministry of Defence withdraws appeals against pre-1973 pensioners

MoD withdraws appeals against grant of ‘service element’
Pension to pre-1973 disabled ex-servicemen
Vijay Mohan/TNS
Chandigarh, February 24, 2012
Bringing succour to hundreds of disabled ex-servicemen pensioners across the country, the grant of “service element” to whom had been challenged by the government in the Supreme Court, the Defence Ministry today informed the apex court that it had decided to withdraw appeals in all such cases that were bunched and listed yesterday.

The veterans concerned, many of whom belong to this region, would now be entitled to get their dues and arrears in accordance with existing rules and court rulings. Lawyers associated with the cases said some of the affected veterans were in their nineties now.

Disabled personnel are entitled to a disability pension consisting of a “service element” commensurate with the length of service and a “disability element” that depends upon the quantum of injury. Prior to 1964, on disability decreasing below 20 per cent, the disability element used to be withdrawn, but the service element continued if the service rendered was more than 15 years. The service limit for service element was brought down to 10 years in 1964 and 5 years in 1968.

With effect from 1973, the qualifying service requirement for service element was totally abrogated and persons with even one day of service became eligible for service element. Even after 1973, the MoD refused to extend the benefit of service element to earlier retirees with lesser length of service, leading to a spate of litigation. Ultimately, various high courts ruled in favour of disabled ex-servicemen, asking the govt to release service element irrespective of length of service to pre-1973 retirees.

Though the appeals filed by the government against HC decisions were time and again dismissed by the SC, the MoD continued to file SLPs against its disabled veterans, leading to multiple litigation. Sources associated with the issue said the Adjutant General’s Branch and the Army’s Personnel Services Directorate repeatedly requested the MoD’s Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to resolve the issue, but the requests were not acceded to.

Sources say the current Secretary DESW Samirendra Chatterjee, however, saw reason in the Army’s proposal and played an instrumental role in withdrawing all such appeals and conceding the matter.

On the last date earlier this month, the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case had asked the MoD to “seek instructions” if it did not want an adverse order. The veterans have welcomed the government’s move to withdraw the said cases.
Clicjk here for the Tribune Post
Click here for the earlier Blog Post
Comment: We need to thank the Media, Maj Navdeep and Ajai Shukla for taking on the "MOD Bulls". I hope similarly MoD finds sense in the two decade Rank Pay litigation case dragging on and release the arrears of pension entitled under the 4th Central Pay Commission to the Officers who were cheated of it.

Farewell to Welfare: New Mantra of the Ministry of Defence

The raging bulls of the Ministry of Defence strike again
Read more about the treatment meted to our war-injured and disabled soldiers:
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi Feb 21, 2012, 00:26 IST
Instead of safeguarding the welfare of retired soldiers, ministry effectively holds off payment until an ex-serviceman claimant is either dead or broke.
Ajai Shukla’s Opinion in Business Standard : MoD’s farewell to welfare

Report in ‘The Tribune’
This action of MoD was also considered against rules since defence pensionary provisions provide that all personnel released in low medical category were to be deemed as ‘invalided’ for purposes of disability pension.
MOD files plea against rounding off disability

Report in ‘The Hindustan Times’ Click here

It is crystal clear that while the higher echelons of the Ministry of Defence are sympathetic to the needs and requirements of veterans, it is the lower level appointments which twist and turn everything that may otherwise be going in favour of former service-members, and unfortunately the top brass tends to over-rely on such staff and cannot look through the game.

With a new Secretary Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) at the helm who seems to be genuinely sensitive and is taking much more interest than his predecessor, let us hope for a better future. Though I would not like to sound pessimistic, but it’s nothing short of a mini-revolution that may ultimately be required to make the system accountable and to weed out the sadist elements from appointments at the cutting edge level. Be braced for tumultuous times ahead...
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 10:15 PM

Comment: Maybe MOD needs to post poems in their offices to inspire their negative attitude!

A tribute To The Wounded Soldier
In unity we stand on the battle field
With one common goal
We fight side by side every day
We are attacked but we stand strong
We are tried but true
We will stand
Many people have fallen in battle
It is our duty to reach out to them
To pray for them
To love and provide them
And let god restore them
To fight once again
by Jonathan Poland

A Heroes Deed... Selfless acts of valor
He’ll give his life to save a world that treats him like a failure
A Heroes need, Is not lost in battle
He knows he strives for truth and nothing else will matter
He has a vision, an unending sense of pride
His motivation, born of something deep inside
He sees the news from home; they’re carrying their signs
He wonders if they know they have that right
Because of what the signs decry
by Aaron Letrick

Ministry of Defence treats disabled war heros in disgust

Disability pension: Govt drags ex-Vice Chief of Army to SC
The Tribune by R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, February 19
The government has dragged Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, who retired as Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, to the Supreme Court over a dispute involving a difference of just five per cent in the disability pension.

Gen Oberoi lost his right leg below the knee during the 1965 India-Pakistan war when he was Captain.

Subsequently, his disability was assessed at 70 per cent. He was retained in service and he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General before his retirement in 2001.

The war hero claimed 75 per cent disability pension under a February 3, 2000 government circular on rounding off of benefit. Under the circular, personnel assessed at 20-50 per cent disability would be entitled to 50 per cent disability pension.

Similarly, the extent of disability from 50 to 75 per cent would be rounded off to 75 per cent and 75 to 100 per cent disability would be treated as 100 per cent disability.

Subsequently, the Defence Ministry issued a letter on January 31, 2001 disqualifying those retiring on superannuation from getting the rounding off benefit. Another letter on January 19, 2010, clarified that rounding off would be done only for those who were prematurely released from service.

Gen Oberoi challenged the two letters before a regional Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Chandigarh, at Chandimandir, which allowed his claim for 75 per cent disability pension on August 4, 2010, directing the government to make the payment within six months. Any delay in the payment would entail an interest of 8 per cent.

The government has, however, moved the SC after a delay of 429 days, challenging the AFT’s judgment. Opposing the petition on behalf of Gen Oberoi, counsel Aishwarya Bhati contended that the matter had very serious ramifications as about 2,000 such cases were pending for adjudication.

After a brief hearing on February 17, a Bench comprising Justices Aftab Alam and CK Prasad tagged the petition with other similar cases and sought the response of Gen Oberoi.

In the appeal, the government contended that the AFT’s ruling was in violation of several SC verdicts, holding that there was a clear distinction between those invalidated out of service and those discharged from service on completion of tenure for the purpose of pension benefits. Further, the AFT had no power to strike down government orders.

This case has come to the SC close on the heels of the apex court resolving another high-profile dispute involving the age of Army Chief Gen Vijay Kumar Singh. The SC had rejected Gen Singh’s plea that his date of birth should be taken as May 10, 1951 on his service records and not as May 10, 1950 as directed by the government.
Disability pension: Govt drags ex-Vice Chief of Army to SC

Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha Appointed as Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India has appointed Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Shri Pincha has assumed charge w.e.f. 28th December, 2011 accordingly. It is for the first time ever that a person with disability has been appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the country.

The CCPD is appointed by the Government as per the Section 57 of the Persons with Disability Act, 1995. The appointment of Mr. Pincha comes at a very important time as the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is also in the process of finalization of new Act for the Persons with Disability. In this regard Union Minister, Shri Mukul Wasnik, is taking keen interest in the proposed new Act for PwDs, which in many ways would be compliant with UNCRPD.

A Disability Rights Activist of caliber, Shri Pincha is Visually Disabled since his birth. Shri Pincha is a former Founder Principal of the Government Institute for the Blinds in Jorhat, Assam, Former Joint Director of Social Welfare of Government of Assam, Former Regional – Senior Manager of ActionAid (an international NGO) of the North-East of India and a Former Senior Manager-cum-Theme Leader looking after ActionAid’s work on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He was also associated with the National Human Rights Commission as its Special Rapporteur (Persons with Disabilities) prior to assumption of charge by him as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

A Law Graduate and a Masters Degree holder in English, Shri Pincha is particularly known for his legal and judicial advocacy. He is also the recipient of a National Award of Best Employee (Visually Disabled) in the year 1999 instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India and given away by erstwhile President of India. SKS/-
(Release ID :79575)
Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows

TODAY - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011
Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 02 2011: The Office of the Rajya Sainik Board, Lamphelpat, Government of Manipur has announced that the following Financial Assistance for the Ex-Servicemen and widows of the state are available.
Penury Grant (above 65 years Non-pensioner upto Hav rank) @ Rs 1000/- pm for life time, Education Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Officer Cadet Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Disabled Children Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, House Repair Grant @ Rs 20,000/-, Marriage Grant @ Rs 16000/-, Funeral Grant @ Rs 5000/-, Medical Grant @ Rs 30000/-, Orphan Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Vocational Training Grant for Widows @ Rs 20000/-, and for serious diseases like Cancer, Open Heart Surgery etc @ 75% to 90% for Officer Ranks and Below Officer Rank @ Rs 75,000/- per financial year, according to a press release of PRO (Defence) Further details can be obtained from the office of Rajya Sainik Board, Lamphel, Imphal between 1100 hrs to 1300 hrs during office hours.
Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows

Widows pf ESM get Raksha Mantri's hearing

Dear Colleagues,
A delegation of widows accompanied by some of us (total 12 members) called on the Defence Minister in his office on 14 Nov 2011. This meeting was at the behest of Mrs Sonia Gandhi: a delegation of 200 widows was to meet her Nov 12, but as she is still not fit enough for such commitments, she had advised the Defence Minister to meet their representatives. The meeting aimed at seeking removal of discrimination against the widows and implementing a hike in their pension as was done in case of JCOs and OR following recommendations of the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee.
It was a good, unhurried meeting where the widows had their full say. The Minister sounded very sympathetic and promised to have a meeting of the concerned officials of his Ministry to resolve the issue of widows’ pension. A memorandum was then handed over to the Minster. It ended by saying that in case there was no positive response from the government by end of December 2011, the widows would revive their plans to meet with Ms Sonia Gandhi.
Subedar Major and Hony Captain Hari Singh of 3 GRENADIERS was a hero of the battle of Basantar in 1971 war. He had commanded a platoon in ‘C’ Coy under Major Hoshiar Singh, PVC, had lost a leg and was awarded Sena Medal. (Also had been Commended twice by the COAS). Hari Singh expired on 15 November 2010 and on his first death anniversary, they have installed a statue in his native village Salhawas in Jhajjar District. They had given the honour of unveiling the statue to Chairman IESM. Kameshwar Pandey had accompanied. On the occasion some 250 ESM had gathered from nearby areas and it was a good interaction.
Notably, the politicians were earlier unveiling such memorial statues of our heroes. After the recent awakening among the ESM to assert their rights, the veterans have now started doing this honour.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Ex-Servicemen's rally held at Imphal

Ex-Servicemen's rally for veterans of NE states held
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 15 2011: An Ex-Servicemen (Veterans) Rally and Seminar was organised at Likabali Military Station, Dhemaji, Assam on October 14 on behalf of the Spear Corp as the Year for Disabled Soldiers 2011. The seminar was organised with an aim to create awareness in the environment regarding the benefits being made available to the disabled soldiers, psychological rehabilitation of the disabled soldiers, the veterans and their families, stated a press release of PIB (Defence Wing).
Singing the National Anthem and observance of two minutes silence in remembrance of the valiant martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation marked the inauguration of the occasion.
The Station Commander, Likabali Military Station, addressing to veterans, disabled veterans (at about 2,500), war widows (Veer Naaris) and widows of veterans, senior officers from army and civil dignitaries, said that the soldiers who risked their lives and limbs in the highest call of duty are the real heroes.
Various stalls were set up at the venue of the Ex-Servicemen Rally by the Zila Sainik Welfare Board, to provide information for the disabled soldiers including pension benefits, re-settlement issues, vocational training, rehabilitation, employment and health/Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
A medical camp was also organised by the army wherein the services of various medical specialists were made available to the veterans and their families.
The army authorities had made elaborate and extensive arrangements for the event. A sumptuous lunch followed the grand event.
Retired Colonel PK Deori, on behalf of the veterans, thanked to the Chief of Army Staff, for initiating such a thoughtful and noble gesture towards the betterment of the disabled and other veterans.

Ex-Servicemen's rally for veterans of NE states held

NCC Seeks Infrastructure for Shaping Youth

The Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju inaugurated the Conference of the Joint State Representatives and Deputy Directors General (JSR&D) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) here today. JSR&D is a biennial event attended by the senior representatives from all States of the country and the NCC heads from the defence services of the respective State. As the control and conduct of NCC activities is a joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments in terms of policies, finances, administrative and other aspects, this conference provides a platform to plan, implement and coordinate the NCC activities in the entire Nation.

Inaugurating the conference, Dr Pallam Raju said, "NCC is responsible for moulding our youth into becoming responsible, disciplined and motivated citizens and for providing leadership in all walks of life. The curriculum followed by the cadets in their two years of association with NCC is extremely challenging and it is our responsibility to provide the required support. The benefit that we get is directly proportional to the effort that we put in. Disciplined youth with patriotic and secular values is the sine quo non to ensure stability and growth of the nation.”

The conference had very meaningful and fruitful deliberations on various issues concerning NCC, such as the need to provide suitable camping sites and other training facilities, raising of financial grants for training and administration of cadets commensurate with the contemporary price index, changes in the curriculum to meet and accommodate the present aspirations of the youth. The Director General, NCC Lt Gen PS Bhalla gave a detailed presentation on the progress and achievements of the NCC over the years. He apprised all States of the need to establish NCC Nagars that are well equipped with camping and training infrastructure, in various parts of the States. He also strongly presented a case for providing tangible and substantial incentives to NCC cadets so that the disciplined youth of unquestionable integrity and possessing core human values are well compensated for their dedication of time and energy to train with the NCC.
PK (Release ID :76165
NCC Seeks Infrastructure for Shaping Youth

Saluting the Disabled Soldier of India

Wed, 09/14/2011 By Sarita Brara
New Delhi, Sept 14, 2011 (Washington Bangla Radio / PIB India) It was year 1999. A young army officer from one of the North Eastern states lay on a bed in one of the wards of the army hospital in Delhi. His leg had been amputated after he hit a land mine during the Kargil conflict. He was one of the over 1500 personnel who had been injured in the conflict.
“How are you?” I asked the young officer.
“I feel one and half Kg lighter!” he said with a smile that lit up his whole face. Brave words indeed!. How could a man in a situation like this have the courage to make light of his grievous injury? I managed to smile back but in the heart of hearts I saluted the spirit of the young man.
Twelve years later I met Lt Col Shoban Singh Danu again. This time for a story on the year of the disabled soldier. I remember that Shoban Singh Danu’s leg had to be amputated after he stepped on mine planted by the militants in the Poonch- Rajouri sector. After his artificial limb fitment he insisted on going back to the same battalion. Why? He says he wanted to boost the morale of his men as three others in the battalion had also lost their limbs in the land mine blast.
Retired Subedar LD Sharma too lost his limb in a land mine blast. Had he not been hit by a mine land blast he would have retired two ranks higher. But he has no regrets. “I did this for my country!” he says with his head held high. “I am ready to serve my country any time I am called to do so.”
These men as they defend our borders, battle against insurgents and take part in other operations, many a time suffer spinal injuries rendering them paraplegics and tetraplegics. Major Mahesh Bisht suffered spinal injury in one of the operations but today he is looking after the administration at the Kirkee (Khadki) Paraplegic Rehab Centre and is a source of inspiration for the paraplegics living there.
Rifleman Latif was on VIP protection duty in Jammu and Kashmir where after an IED blast his vehicle met with an accident and he suffered a spinal injury. He may have been depressed initially but today he is completely transformed. Last year he won three gold medals in national paralympics in Wheel Chair Race, Discuss Throw and Javelin. Latif who belongs to Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir is now staying at the paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre at Mohali with his family.
Gunner Ajit Kumar Shukla had suffered bullet injuries. When he came to the Kirkee Paraplegic Rehab Centre he was very depressed. Today, leaving behind his pain, he too has not only won medals in the sporting events but also worked on contract basis as data operator with one of the government schools in Chandigarh.

Armed Forces Tribunal circuit bench inaugurated

TNN May 17, 2011, 05.14am IST
The second circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated at the Section Health Organization Building Complex near Military Hospital in Jodhpur on Monday by Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra.

Chairperson of the AFT and former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Mathur was present on the occasion. Justice Bhanwaru Khan and Lt Gen Sushil Gupta (retd) have been appointed as the judicial members of this tribunal. The bench will sit once or twice a month, said Justice Mathur. He said that in the past one-and-a-half months, over 5000 cases have been disposed all over the country and another 5000 are still pending, which will shortly be disposed off.
Armed Forces Tribunal circuit bench inaugurated

HimVani 08 May 2011
Shimla: Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated today in the High Court of H.P. by the Chief Justice Kurian Joseph.
In his inaugural address, Kurian Joseph said that everybody has the right to justice and he should not have to beg for justice, which is included in his right to live with dignity. The Chief Justice praised the role of armed personnel in defending the country and said that all this while they have been taking care of us and now it is our turn to take care of them.
He called upon to set up circuit benches in various places of the region so as to provide speedy and accessible justice to all. He also called upon the judges to evolve methods within the system to provide relief to the needy people. The programme was also addressed by Judge (Retd.) of the Supreme Court of India and the Chairperson, Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi Justice A.K. Mathur, and Chairman, AFT, Regional Bench, Chandigarh Justice Ghanshyam Prasad. Judges of the High Court Justices R.B. Misra, Surjeet Singh, D.D. Sud, V.K. Ahuja, Kuldip Singh and Rajiv Sharma along with Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu, Advocate General R.K. Bawa and a number of Army Officers were also present on the occasion.
The first circuit bench of Armed Forces Tribunal at Shimla will be held in the premises of the High Court from May 09, 2011 to May 11, 2011. The service matters, pension matters and appeals against Court martial shall be taken up in the Armed Forces Tribunal.
Shimla Circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal inaugurated
Job Opporunities
Armed Forces Tribunal Recruitment 2011- Lucknow Bench click here
Armed Forces Tribunal Current Vacancy for Recruitment- Kochi Bench

Ex Servicemen have a right to protest against injustices

Reference: IESM AND LAKSHMAN REKHA
Sir,
Congratulations to Gen K M Bhimaya,(Retd) for his brilliant article,sent from USA, which I hope will be read by our politicians, Babus and our own detractors. This is a view from an officer and a gentleman and is a vindication of what our IESM with excellent leadership is doing. Let us wholeheartedly join the Movement not only to project our demands; but join the people like Anna Hazare, to get freedom from the unscrupulous , corrupt and inept leadership provided by nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, criminals which are now joined by religious fanatics and a section of the media . Present leadership of our Defence Services barring a few, have been rendered impotent and made too subservient to their Netas and Babus and it is time for we the serving and retired Veterans in a concerted manner, strive to bring about a change, in National interest. In the process we should never lose our professionalism, apolitical nature and our strong bonds with the common people of India which sustain our Defence Services. The scams involving some of our senior officers and their wives have brought shame and sense of anger among our veterans especially among junior ranks, which is bound to erupt one day, if we continue our apathy towards them. Serving officers in responsible positions must take note of this and make the politicians and Government officials at every level with whom they deal with, to realize the long term adverse implications of this disturbing trend.

The rank and file of Veterans are getting angry with serving and retired officers particularly the senior ranking ones, for not doing enough to ensure their welfare and restore their izzat. Sainik Welfare organizations are now staffed by officers with no dedication to their jobs and getting ineffective and redundant. Even though it is grandly declared by the Karnataka Government that 10% of the government jobs are reserved in Gp A, B, C and D for ESM, not even one job has been given to ESM for several years now and who is there to protest?! The result is that there is no one in the Government, to know and honour their sacred and national duty to look after the welfare of ESM. None of the relatives of politicians and officials are in the Defence Services to know their needs. Why should they care, when someone else is there to make all the sacrifice to keep our Nation secure, so that they can live in comfort?!

Our worthy Chief Minister has enough time to visit many temples/ Mutts/ Religious institutions at public cost and dole out tax-payers money on vote catching gimmick: but he has had no time till now to chair even a single Rajya Sainik Board Meeting as its President, which is supposed to be held at least once a year. Who is there to protest?! At district levels our Deputy Commissioners do not even know that they are Presidents of Zilla Sainik Boards and they are supposed to hold meetings every quarter and supervise the work of Deputy Director in Sainik Welfare Office. They have no time for ESM and all the time for politicians and those who can offer favours. No meetings/ Sainik Rallies are being held in recent years, as in the past even though, funds are earmarked every year. Who is to protest? Who is to question?

Since 2004, some of us because of the apathy of Sainik Welfare Department took the initiative and relentlessly have been trying our very best to get 14 guntas of vacant revenue land covered with lantana bushes near our Sainik Welfare Office to build our ECHS Polyclinic and ESM canteen without success so far. All our letters/ appeals/visits/ Memorandum to the successive Deputy Commissioners/ Chief Ministers/ Governors/ Defence Ministers etc signed by hundreds of local ESM ,have landed up in desk officers’ files gathering dust without any progress. We have met these Deputy Commissioners, Governors, ministers and concerned principal secretaries in their air- conditioned offices. They all speak nicely and give assurances,( probably to get rid of us); but nothing happens thereafter! We do not as per our ethos give Bribe, Beg or Agitate. Are we being side lined because of the virtues we have been displaying as opposed to our civilian counter parts!? Yet the very same government officials sanctioned( as per newspaper reports) a much larger, prime de-notified pieces of land at throw away prizes to the Chief Minister’s and a Cabinet Minister’s sons within a fortnight ! Thank God their political rivals (who are no better) and the Press got together to expose the scam and the injustice was set right; but the said Ministers are firm in their seats.

We had defended the borders of the Country during wars and intervening disturbed peace with tremendous sacrifice. Is it too much to ask for measly 14 Guntas of land for welfare of ESM?! Has our civilian brothers have no sense of gratitude and patriotic feelings? I know, due to rampant divisiveness, this Country of ours will fall like a ton of bricks, if the Defence Services do not perform their duties with much more discipline and dedication than our civilian counterparts. In India, the much hyped pillars of democracy like the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are becoming very brittle, which will crumble without active interest from the people who are sovereign.

Let us join forces with IESM and well meaning people of India to toil till justice is done and Country is saved from utter chaos.
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen C K Karumbaya, SM(Retd)

Brilliantly argued and very persuasively projected.
Heartiest compliments to Gen Bhimayya. He should now take it up to the 'next level' with the IESM Leadership to evolve strategic thrusts and the Movement's plans.
Yogi
Lt Gen YN Sharma, Former Army Commander

Disabled War Veterans are now listed

Message from President Disabled War Veterans (India)
A few years ago, when we, representing the Disabled War Veterans, requested for certain measures both in regards Pay & Allowances and the initiating of welfare measures for such categories of personnel, to the Parliamentary Committee, we were rather surprised at MoD & Services HQ indicating to them that they were totally unaware of the number of Battle / War Casualties since no such records were maintained.

You are aware that proper statistics and data would help greatly, especially in calculating the expense to the exchequer to enable any measures getting past the MoD (Finance) and the decision making process.

With the assistance of the Adjutant General Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal and Lt Gen B V Nair, DG DCW, we undertook this gigantic task of obtaining and collating data of such personnel. We are thankful to all the Colonels of Regiments, Centre Commandants and Record Officers to have delved into their past records and produced the desired data. This Data, duly compiled in 4 Volumes has been handed over to the DG DCW, MD ECHS and Secretary (ESW) for future planning purposes.

However, our task does not end here. The Data of officers is not fully available especially of those serving, those voluntarily retired from service and others.

This is an appeal to all officers who are known to you or who see this mail that they should send me the data regarding themselves to diwave1(at)gmail.com
DATA FORM
1. No Rank Name
2. Unit Date of Birth Age
3. Theatre of War Where injured.
4. Exact nature of Disability
5. Percentage Disability
6. Prosthesis/Other
7. Whether Invalided out or retired
8. Other Health issues
9. Address-Temporary aand Prmanent
10. Dependant Family members with Age
11. Contact Details: Tele: Mobile: E Mail:
13. ECHS Card No
14. Dependent ECHS Clinic Name
Message from President Disabled War Veterans (India)
Comment: Commendable work. We need to have an online database which can be updated by concerned Officers, JCO's and NCO's.
Finance Budget 2011
A lump-sum ex-gratia compensation of Rs.9 lakh for 100 per cent disability to be granted for personnel of Defence and Para Military forces discharged from service on medical ground on account of disability attributable to government service.
FM Tax Proposals 2011

Volunteers for the War Wounded

From: VIJAY OBEROI
Sent: 07 April 2011 08:16
Subject: WAR WOUNDED FOUNDATION- COORDINATING OFFICERS.
Dear Chander,
I am enclosing an appeal for the veterans, which is self explanatory. May I request you to place it on the blog REPORT MY SIGNAL, which has a wide reach. Thanks.
Warm regards.
Vijay Oberoi

Dear Veterans,
The War Wounded Foundation, in its endeavour to improve the financial prospects of the war disabled personnel of the three services is now venturing into the field of providing skills to such personnel to enable them to get either jobs or become service providers and thus augment their meager pension.
With the above in view, we would like to appoint “Coordinating Officers” in selected places initially, who can be our district level representatives and assist us with motivating war disabled personnel and organising courses/ capsules for them at selected places in their districts. The disciplines have been identified and details will be sent to the coordinating officers.
We are looking at it as a labour of love for helping/ assisting our disabled comrades to improve their skills. The Foundation does not believe in giving doles/ freebies to the war disabled, but provides opportunities in enhancing skills or learning new ones, so that the war disabled are able to stand on their feet and become financially independent and constructive members of the society. The cost of providing skills to the war disabled will be borne by us.
This would be volunteer work by the Coordinators, to help us reach out to the war disabled personnel in their districts/ designated areas & carry out coordination on behalf of the Foundation for outsourcing instructions to the disabled personnel locally. In the first instance, we are looking for volunteers in the following districts:

Pune, Satara & Kolhapur in Maharashtra;

Rohtak and Hisar in Haryana;

Kharrar, Ropar and Moga in Punjab; and

Jhunjhunu & Sikar in Rajasthan.
This is for the purpose of starting pilot projects at these locations. However, we would also like volunteers from locations across the country so that while the pilot projects are progressing, we are able to gather data and build up a data bank of the number of war disabled available in each district; the numbers willing to acquire skills; and availability of existing establishments for imparting designated skills. Such a data bank, for all districts of the country will be invaluable for further progressing and channelising assistance to the needy war disabled personnel, subsequently in phases.
The Foundation will cover all incidental expenses on postage, stationary & telephone charges, as well as on minimum indispensable travel by the Coordinating Officers. However, this is not a job and hence the Foundation will not be able to give pay to the volunteer officers. We are also working out plans to give our Coordinating Officers a small honorarium, even though we have limited funds with us.
There are no rank or age stipulations for becoming Coordinating Officers. What we are looking for are dedicated, diligent and honest people, who are willing to give a little of their time for assisting the war disabled, and in the process meet these personnel and other veterans when they carry out their visits for motivation and coordinating training details.
I would request various veteran organizations at the national as well as local levels to give vide publicity to this request. They may also be requested to facilitate identification of suitable coordinating officers and motivate officers to come forward and be part of this noble work we have planned.
The officers and others who are keen to become Coordinating Officers are requested to contact the office of the War Wounded Foundation at War Wounded Foundation Administrative Office, Flat No 313, Ground Floor (LIG), Pocket -1, Sector-23, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077. Tele: 011-45604116. E-mail: warwoundedrediffmail.com. The office is manned by Lt Col Gulshan Kumar, Executive Officer and Mrs. Neetu Datt. Office Executive, from 1000 to 1400 h, five days a week (Monday to Friday).
You may also contact any of the following office bearers of the War Wounded Foundation by e-mail or surface mail, giving us your particulars, to include rank, name, address, district & state and contact details, as well as details of their ages, regiment/ corps, dates of becoming non-effective and any other details that would facilitate us in appointing them as our Coordinating Officers.
DETAILS OF OFFICE BEARERS OF THE WAR WOUNDED ASSOCIATION

President: Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, # 673, Sector-6, Panchkula, Haryana. E-mail: oberoivijayhotmail.com.

Vice President: Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, 97, Munirka Vihar, New Delhi – 110067. E-mail: ian_cardozoyahoo.com.

Executive Director: Brig Veer Pratap, Flat No – G-8, Bandhu Vihar Society, Sector-10, Dwarka, New Delhi- 110045. E-mail: veerpratap1945yahoo.com.
Foundation Website: War Wounded
Best wishes and regards.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state

...But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
WORLD CUP EUPHOURIA AND FELICITATIONS AS COMPARED TO THOSE GIVEN TO GALLANTARY AWARD WINNERS (POSTHUMOUS/ LIVING)
Dear Sir,
The following is sent with a request to be put on RMS for info of all
Secy RDOA

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL VETERANS & VETERAN ‘GENERALS’
The whole nation is proud that the cricket team has won the world cup after a gap of 28 years since 1983. There were jubilations/ celebrations all around hailing Dhoni and his men in blue. Even the Chairperson of UPA Mrs Sonia Gandhi did not lag behind and was seen mixing with the crowd to be part of the frenzy. Starting from the ICC, States, corporate’s, railways everyone has come forward to shower praise and money/ wealth on to the players to endorsing brands making them richer by a couple of crores. No hard feelings. The team has done a good job and deserves a pat.
Now that the euphoria of the cup is waning it is time to do some introspection as to how the country views its war heroes and what the Govt/ State offers them to sacrifice their lives at the alter of duty.
Each player would get Rupees One crore from the BCCI in addition to its share from the ICC, 2cr for Dhoni and one cr each for the four Delhi boys; land/ house to Dhoni & Sachin by the Uttarakhand Govt; one crore to Sachin and Zaheer by Maharashtra Govt; one cr to Yuvraj and Harbhajan by Punjab Govt; land to Dhoni for cricket academy in Jharkhand; Housing plots to team members by karanatka Govt; Audi to Yuvraj and lifetime railway pass to travel by first AC to all.
The team partied at the same Taj Hotel which was the battle ground on 26/11 & witness to many a soldier giving up his life. Major Unnikrishnan who died while fighting the terrorists is yet to receive his complete NOK entitlements. He gave his today for the tomorrow of others so that they can party all night without any threat.
The world Cup finals at Mumbai was held under safe environments with the army, navy, coast guard, NSG and what not to ensure the conduct of the match without a hitch. Remove the men in uniform and see if the events pass smoothly, be it CWG games or cricket match.
The Kargil War has still its shadows on the number of officers/jawans who laid their lives to protect the nation and its territorial integrity. What the recipients of Param Vir Chakras/ Mahavir & Vir Chakras got in comparison to the cricket boys is known to all (peanuts). What the families of the dead go through can only be experienced by them. Having a decent living is hard to come by. It’s passé as far as the nation is concerned. There is no crib here, but for the value of blood, shed for others to have a peaceful life. The railways is not prepared to honour the percentage concession given to the war heroes in stark comparison to a lifetime FIRST AC FREE PASS throughout the country along with a aide to the cricket stars. Let us not forget the Kabul blast in which a Brig was also blown up with a bureaucrat. The Babu got all the cake and the icing, the Brig was treated as a casualty. The PM went and paid homage to the babu and his family, the Brig got the traditional ‘Shok Shashtra’. The naked truth is known to all but yet our tolerance levels are very high and we continue to be downgraded/ kicked around and accept with a smile.
Many have written to the PM on lot of issues without success. The PM himself is a seasoned bureaucrat. Perhaps it would be wise to remind him that one day he too would go away. When the PM passes away, the Generals will stand guard on his coffin and carry it to the pyre and sound the last post; it is for the PM to think whether he has done his bit towards those who guard the nation and would be part of his last entourage till he melts away.
Where do we go from here? Should we be a silent spectator to the happening around us or should we form part of the Anna Hazare team and mobilize people on the lines of Egypt or pass away into oblivion. I leave this thought with you.
Secretary RDOA
Visit Us At:

RDOA

RDOA Blog
Comment: Military is the watchdog for the Looters?

Why Dr Manmohan Singh is subservient to the IAS?

Ref: OROP- An obligation unfulfilled by GOI
How Babus Manipulate and Distort Facts
Dear Vidya and other veterans,
I went through the excellent article by Gp Capt Bewoor. Late Lt Gen Eric Vas's article Truly, an extraordinary fellow- Nehru was first published by Rediff mail several years back gives a rare Insight on the origin of Nehru's prejudice against the Armed Forces Officers which the Babus cleverly used. Please circulate it to other veteran groups. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started his Government service in the Indian Economic Service (A subordinate Service controlled by the IAS). His mind set still seems to be subservient to the IAS.
2. As far as OROP is concerned, in a way we are ourselves responsible. Till 1985 the term One Rank One Pension meant that irrespective of the years of service the pension was the same for all officers of the same rank provided he had the minimum qualifying service (20 years for Capt, 22 for Major, 24 years for Colonel and so on) The Invisible weighted element was inbuilt in the Standard Pension for each Rank. The Service Hqs themselves wanted that officers with higher years of service should get more pension than an officer with lesser service of the same rank. So w.e.f 1/1/86 a modified Civilian system was introduced. Number of years of service Plus Weightage Divided by 33 entitled us for full pension (50 Percent of the Last Pay) So a Lt Col with 26 years service got full pension. A civilian taking premature retirement added 5 years to the qualifying service so after 28 years service he too got full pension. However the Civilian Counterpart of the same service generally got quicker promotion and thus Higher salary so his pension was higher. As per 4th CPC pre 1986 pensioners got an approximate increase of 20 percent of the basic pension with DR IR, Adhoc DA which they were drawing on 21/12/85 merged to come to a revised basic pension. Old pensioners found that in the bargain the disparity between old pensioners and those retiring after 1986 became bigger. So the demand for OROP was started.
3. In 1996 (5th CPC) as a partial solution to the OROP (Which was an Armed Forces Demand) the system of modified parity was introduced both for civilians (Cleverly by Babus) and Armed Forces. All Pre 1986 Pensioners irrespective of the date of retirement were notionally brought on the 4th CPC Pay scale and their pension worked out notionally on that basis. That notional Pension became the base for Revision of Pension w.e.f 1/1/96 as per the revised formula with an added provision that in no case it will be less than 50 percent of the Minimum Revised Basic pay under 5th CPC for each rank/ civilian grade. For Civilians 5 years extra was given in case of premature retirement. The Services got an advantage of weightage and Rank Pay to be added for Pension. In a way OROP was introduced both for civilians and Armed Forces. Since the pension of old pensioners was calculated at the minimum of the pay scale it was much lower than those who retired after 1996. At the same time there was a substantial increase compared to the total pay we were drawing at the time of retirement. By applying the same formula to Armed Forces and Civilians the Babus opined and convinced the Political Masters that when ever the demand for OROP was raised they say the same has to given to civilians also which will cost the Government too much.
4. I am linking a copy of the Cabinet secretary’s Committee Report on OROP OROP-Report By Committee of Secys- click here. If a neutral observer reads the report, he too may agree with it. I do not think Service HQs/ IESM (which became a self appointed spokesman for the Ex servicemen) presented the facts and demand in a convincing manner. The Government has already implemented OROP for JCOs and Other Ranks by implementing the rule that pension for pre 1997 retirees will be calculated at the maximum of the 2006 scales plus Rank pay and MSP. This is a significant FIRST step as the Jawans deserved this and much more.
5. As far as Officers are concerned they are still pegged at the minimum of the Pay Band plus Rank Pay and MSP. The MSP itself gives an advantage of Rs 3000 pm compared to Civil Counter parts which is highlighted in the report. Placing Lt Cols and Equivalent in PB 4 grade for pension has given them a substantial benefit. However the pension of those retiring now will be higher because they draw more Pay in the revised grade. Rank Pay and MSP is the same for purposes of pension.
6. In short the demand for OROP should be restricted to:

Pension of Armed Forces should be delinked from civilians due to nature of service conditions, restricted chances of promotion to higher ranks, early retirement to keep a young profile of the Armed Forces. In any case the only class of Central Government servants (joining after 1/1/2004) entitled to pension are Armed Forces Personnel. The rest are on Contributory Pension scheme. In other words the Government has already accepted the fact that the Armed Forces are a class apart and there need be no linkage with Civilians.

The calculation of pension for old retirees should not be based on the minimum of the revised pay scale but at the maximum of the grade or in between. The pension should be standardized for each rank without calculating the years of service for each individual (Old records will not be available)

Commissioned Officers retiring after 1/1/2006 are getting Max pension after 20 years service. The same has to be extended to pre 2006 officers based on decided Supreme Court Judgments. This is one of the Reliefs we are seeking in the AFT petition filed by us.

For the purposes of Pension Other Ranks should get full pension based at 80 percent of the maximum of the revised grade, JCOs at 75 percent of Maximum. Subalterns/ Capt/ Major at 70 percent of the median of the grade Lt Cols and Cols at65 percent. Brigs and Maj Gen/ Lt Gens at 60 percent. Army Commanders and Chiefs at 55 percent. There is a rationale in the differentials proposed by me.
7. I am against the approach of the IESM to use Satyagraha Methods like returning of Medals, Processions, Fasts. These methods according to me, are Unsoldier like more suited for politicians or with people with ambitions to dabble in Politics. The Indian Ex Services League (the officially recognized body) could not have a base because it was identified with political parties.
8. Instead of pleading with Bureaucrats/ Ministers/ Ruling Party MPs, Knowledge and Facts based Petitions should be sent to all MPs and to the Parliamentary Committee for Petitions which in turn seeks written opinions from the general public through periodic Media advertisements and giving a chance for personal hearings. It is a sad fact that most of the Senior Service Officers who hold posts like Adjutant General/ Chief of Personnel in Air/ Naval HQs are clueless on the nitty gritty of pension matters and rely heavily on Civilian Staff Officers with closed narrow minds and in many meetings they are taken for a ride by the Babus who are armed with reasons for not agreeing to the demands. To my mind the only AG who could outwit the civilian counter parts with facts and rationales was Lt Gen SK Sinha who after he became VCOAS was superseded by Indira Gandhi for the post of COAS as she thought that he was a thinking General who knew too much and the Bureaucrats planned his supersession as they knew that sooner or later he could convince the political class against the advice of the Babus in all matters concerning the Armed Forces. I am saying this with a full sense of responsibility because I had the good fortune of being a Staff Officer in the AGs Branch during his tenure as AG.
9. I must share this with you. On one hand the Babus scare the political class that conceding OROP to Armed Forces will open a flood gate of similar demands from Civilians. I do not know how many are aware that after the 5th CPC the disability element of pension of civilians became almost three times more than that of Armed Forces as Disability pension for 100 percent disability was calculated @ 30 percent of the Last Pay. Where as for Armed Forces it was pegged to 2600 pm irrespective of the Rank. Pre 1996 Civilian disability pensioners were also given modified parity. The civilian letter was issued in Sep 2001. The Armed Forces letter was issued in Jan 2001. I was perhaps the only Armed Forces Officer who protested against the disparity in Dec 2001. The Army HQ did not support my plea. In fact the Maj Gen who was the ADG PS gave me a lecture that we are a poor nation and “The cake is small and has to be shared by many. “ (His exact words). He boasted that the draft letter initiated by him on Disability Pensions was approved without deletion of even one comma or full stop by the Ministry. After retirement he was given civil re-employment and is still serving in some post beyond the age of 65. After a series of reminders and threat of a RTI my plea was rejected by the Ministry of Defence after 4 years and conveyed to me through a special Despatch Rider late in the evening. I sent a rejoinder representation for a personal hearing by the Defence Ministers Appellate Committee for Pensions. No reply was ever given.. I gave up because in a Court of Law it would be held that Civilians and Armed Forces are subject to different service Rules.
10. I was hoping that the 6th CPC would undo the injustice. The CPC recommended but the Babus ensured that it would be applicable only to post 2006 Disabled Armed Forces Personnel and not to forgotten veterans like me who were wounded and disabled 45 years back. I am glad to report that after 20 months of Representations including to the Parliamentary Committee on Petitions, by me almost single handed (but this time supported by Service HQs) the Government has conceded administratively and issued a letter on 15 Feb 2011 applicable to all pre 2006 disabled pensioners applying the Modified Parity system based on percentage of Revised scales. As a result my Disability element for 70 percent has increased from Rs 4116/- pm to Rs 10794/- pm (with corresponding increase in DR) wef 1/1/2006. The Babus very well knew that the Supreme Court has laid that whenever Pension Formula changes it has to apply to all old pensioners from the same date as given to new pensioners. This is the only time I have got a Pension redress other than through the Court. We got it 10 years after the civilians but Thank God for this mercy of Better Late Than Never.
I am sorry that this communication has become long but words did flow from the heart and mind to share these thoughts with you all.
Regards
Balbir Malhotra
Comment: IESM is an apolitical body and the protest methods adopted is Satyagraha- true Gandhian format- peaceful and soldier like. Let us for now join Anna Hazare and root out corruption. Once this is achieved OROP will be automatically granted as corrupt babus will think twice to degrade the Military!

10 yrs on, landmark decision on disability pension

Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 31
In a landmark judgment that would affect hundreds of disabled ex-servicemen, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) today quashed government instructions that had denied benefits to those who had retired before 1996. The instructions had placed them at a financial disadvantage vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts as well as similarly placed ex-servicemen who had retired since 1996.

Disposing of a bunch of 40 petitions, the tribunal’s bench comprising Justice NP Gupta and Lt-Gen NS Brar held that pre-1996 defence retirees would also be entitled to the same benefits that were granted to pre-1996 civilian retirees.

The Fifth Pay Commission had introduced the concept of “broad-banding” disability pension to overcome rigid mathematical calculations and subjectivity of medical boards while assessing the percentage of disability. The concept was initiated for all Central government pensioners.

The concept provided that people with disability less than 50 per cent would be granted pension by considering the disability percentage as 50 per cent, those with disability between 50-75 per cent would be granted a disability element of 75 per cent and those with above 75 per cent disability would be granted the benefits of 100 per cent disability.

The Department of Pensions (DoP) accordingly, had issued instructions in February 2000, implementing the broad-banding policy, initially only for post-1996 retirees. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had also issued policy instructions with regard to post-1996 defence retirees in January 2001.

Later, in September 2001, the DoP implemented the broad-banding benefits for pre-1996 retirees also, with effect from January 1, 1996. The MoD however did not issue further implementation instructions related to pre-1996 retirees and denied the benefit to pre-1996 defence retirees.

It was only in January 2010, almost a decade later, that these benefits were granted by the MoD, but these were made applicable only from July 1, 2009, while for civilians in the MoD, these had already been made applicable from January 1, 1996.

Discussing all aspects of the issue and the law laid down by the Supreme Court, the bench held that the cut-off date of July 1, 2009, did not stand the scrutiny of law and it artificially divided and created discrimination within a single homogenous group of disabled personnel.
10 yrs on, landmark decision on disability pension

DEBUGGING ANOMALIES OF DISABLED WAR VETERANS
Thanks for circulating PCDA(P)'s instructions.
Regarding the war injury pension for the invalided out, Table 4 mentions the figures for minimum war injury element on the basis of 100% disability. However, the total (war injury element and disability element) will not exceed the figure mentioned in the column owing to the ceiling of 100% of reckonable pay. Any one with disability of 50% and above will get the same pension owing to the ceiling up to 30.6.09.
Those invalided out from 1.1.96 onwards have been granted the benefit of broad-banding; and their war injury element and total pension would be worked out accordingly, while maintaining the overall ceiling of 100% of reckonable pay (minimum pay of the relevant PB.)
However, the ceiling has been removed w.e.f. 1.7.09. Hence from that date onwards, those with over 50% disability element (with broad-banding for post-96 invalided out) will get correspondingly higher disability pension.
For instance, 100% disabled will get 150% (100% +50%) of the amount mentioned in the Table. Those with 75% disability will get 125% of the mentioned amount for their rank w.e.f. 1.7.09. Over and above this, DA as sanctioned from time to time. (51% w.e.f. 1.1.11)
Similarly, even for the superannuated, w.e.f. 1.7.09, the total figure can go beyond the figure mentioned in the Table. With 100% disability, total amount will be 110% (60% + 50%) of the reckonable pay (minimum pay in the PB).
Further, both for disability element and service element, reckonable pay of the rank in which invalided out/ superannuated/ discharged will count and not the rank in which a war veteran was injured.
It may also be noted that 2 further orders are expected to be issued within the next 2-3 months which would have further bearing on the disability element entitlement of the war injured:
a. Broad-banding of disability element for all pre-96 war disabled as also for post-96 superannuated/ discharged, which should entitle them too higher pension (beyond 100%) w.e.f. 1.7.09.
b. Entitling the superannuated/ discharged war disabled the same rate (100% for 100% disability) w.e.f. 1.1.96 as for the invalided out instead of the current rate of 60%.
Col H N Handa
President Diwave
Comment: We need to circulate the latest and comprehensive disability pension entitlements. The MOD, PCDA and other orders are fragmented and difficult to decode.
Dear Sir,
I am attaching an article titled Military Leadership and Trial by Media. You may consider its circulation please. It is running at click here
Warm regards,
Mrinal
Maj Gen Mrinal Suman Veteran