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 Prior to 1964, on disability decreasing below 20 per cent, the disability element used to be withdrawn, but the service element continued if the service rendered was more than 15 years.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

Sainik Centre shot in the arm for ex-servicemen

Shalet Jimmy Express News: 03 Feb 2012 08:34:38 AM IST
KOCHI: Ernakulam is all set to get its first ‘Sainik Centre’ for the ex-servicemen. Sprawled over an area of around 2,000 sq ft, the new centre is located at Kizhakkambalam, Kakkanad. The centre is equipped with a conference hall which will be used for organising various training programmes for the retired army personnel. This is the fifth centre in the state, the others being in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Alappuzha.

The project worth Rs 95 lakh will be inaugurated in March, said K K Govindan Nair, Director, Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. He said that the conference hall would be opened to the public.

Sainik centres are constructed to give accommodation facilities to ex- servicemen who go to different parts of the state for various purposes. “Such centres will be of great relief to ex-servicemen, and the accommodation provided here will be at a subsidised rate,” District Sainik Welfare officer P J Jacob said.

He said that the meagre pension of the ex-servicemen did not help them find appropriate lodging. “As the pension they get is not attractive, it would always cost the ex-servicemen dear, when it comes to their stay at a hotel or a lodge when they go to other districts. Hence this is an attempt by the government to mitigate the trouble of ex-servicemen,” he said. The conference hall which will be built at the centre is aimed at providing various training and other awareness programmes. “The conference hall is mainly intended for training programmes. The department offers various guidance programmes for them to make them think about a second career,” Jacob said. The move to launch the project soon came as a relief to the officials of the Ernakulam District Zilla Sainik Welfare Centre, Kakkanad, as the project has been moving at a snail’s pace for the past three years. The work was entrusted with the Public Works Department and the project was financed both by the Central and the State Governments, he said.
Sainik Centre shot in the arm for ex-servicemen

RBI cracks the whip on erring banks who delay Pension Payments

My Dear Pensioners Friends,
Appended below is a letter written by RBI to all banks on Payment of Pension, use this if required, since certralised pension payment is normally delayed. MM

RBI ON PENSION PAYMENT- Interesting letter from RBI
The bank is paid Rs 60.00 per month to credit your pension every month- thus 60x12 = Rs 720.00 per year is the earning by the bank to pay you pension. I suppose arrears crediting must be over and above this. So no bank is doing you a favour. The circular below says they should pay you 2% interest if there is delay. Claim it !!
RBI clamps down on banks delaying pension payout
April 22, 2010 08:07 PM | Sucheta Dalal with Sanket Dhanorkar

Central bank wakes up to inordinate delays in payments faced by government pensioners; reprimands bankers and directs them to make good the dues immediately, along with penal interest

In what could be a major victory for government pensioners awaiting pension payments, the country’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has taken bankers to task for ‘inordinate delays’ in disbursing revised pension and arrears.

Taking a serious view of the matter, the RBI has issued a circular (dated 9 April 2010) to various banks with an exasperated tone, directing the concerned banks to ensure that all entitled pensioners are paid their revised pension or arrears within 15 days from receipt of the circular. Additionally, it has also advised the banks to make a penal interest payment of 2% for any delay beyond the due date.

The RBI was forced to take this tough stand after receiving several complaints from pensioners, especially State government pensioners, alleging inordinate delay in disbursing the revised pension and arrears. Under the 6th Pay Commission recommendations, RBI had advised pension-paying banks to put in place a suitable mechanism so that pensioners could get the benefits announced by the government in the succeeding month’s pension payment itself. The controlling offices or head offices of agency banks were also advised to closely monitor and supervise the timely and accurate disbursement of pension to the pensioners.

An RBI review of the pension payment systems in various agency banks revealed the true story behind the picture. The circular highlights RBI’s findings as follows:
“Even though Pension Relief Orders were issued by the respective State Governments, there is inordinate delay ranging from one month to 18 months at the Agency Bank level in disbursing the revised pension as also the pension arrears. The delay was more pronounced in the case of those State Govt pensioners residing outside their States drawing pension from Agency Bank branches. To be specific, non-State resident pensioners have not received adequate attention and timely receipt of the revised pension/arrears for months together.”

The circular goes on to highlight the discrepancies of banks in administering the pension payouts. “Our experience was that customer service on pension payment matters was not effective at the branch level where customers normally interface with the front office,” said the central bank’s communiqué.

The RBI also makes note of the lack of coordination between the branches and the Central Pension Processing Centres, as also the absence of transparency in the calculation of the revised pension or arrears.

In a tone that is vividly indignant, the RBI questions the concerned banks’ indiscretions. “Pension payment is an agency function entrusted to you for a commission @ Rs60 per transaction and an amount of Rs487 crore has been paid to Agency Banks on account of pension disbursements alone during the year 2008-09. Although this is a significant income generating activity, it appears that it is still not given the due importance that it deserves.”

In view of the above, the RBI has advised banks to undertake review of the system of attending to customer service and have a pension accounts guide at all branches to assist the pensioners in all their dealings with the bank. Additionally, RBI has demanded that suitable arrangements be made, to place on the bank website details about the pension calculations, and made available to the pensioners at periodic intervals with sufficient advertisements to that effect.

With the RBI finally wisening up to the reality and putting its foot down squarely on the Agency banks, they will have to take a deeper look at their archaic systems and make life easier for pensioners. As the RBI rightly puts it, “Pension is the lifeline of the pensioners and any delay in affording their legitimate dues will rob them of the dignity of life to which they are entitled to”.

Life Certificate

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
It is just to remind you and your ESM friends, that it is time to prove to your pension bank, that you are alive.
You must do so before 25 Nov – or no pension this month.
Do carry a passport size photograph with you. Some of the banks are demanding it this time.
Also note down your bank account number – or else you will be searching for it after reaching the bank.
If you have not made your pension account a joint account with your spouse – you must do so now.
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

Cabinet approves additional 10% DA increase from July 2010

Cabinet today clears the order for Dearness allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) increase for Central Govt employees. The increase in DA is 10 %. The decision will benefit about 90 lakhs of Government employees and pensioners.

Now the DA will be increased to 45%.

The decision to provide higher DA to employees will cost the exchequer an additional Rs. 9,303.2 crore per annum for the government.

Official Press release of Finance Ministry:
Release of additional instalment of dearness allowance to Central Government employees and dearness relief to Pensioners due from 1.7.2010 to compensate for price rise The Union Cabinet today decided to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2010 representing an increase of 10% over the existing rate of 35% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will be of the order of Rs. 9303.2 crore per annum and Rs. 6202.1 crore in the financial year 2010-2011 (for a period of 8 months from July, 2010 to February, 2011).

click here to visit earlier blog post
Keep visiting imyideas.com to download the latest DA Order 2010. The order will be published soon in our website.

War widow pension restored after 30 years

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 12, 2010
Thirty years after the family pension of a soldier’s widow was abruptly stopped, it has now been restored. Ordering release of the pension, the Armed Forces Tribunal has directed that the widow should also be paid arrears for three years preceding the date of her petition along with 12 per cent interest within 90 days.
Kamla Devi’s husband, Nk Sis Ram was enrolled in the Army as a combatant from June 1963 and had died in service in July 1968. After his death, she was granted family pension, but suddenly in 1980 the pension, according to the petitioner, was discontinued without any process of law.She made representations from time to time, but without any result. In November 2009, she served a legal notice on the pension authorities and was informed that she was disqualified for family pension because she had remarried. Thereafter, she approached the Tribunal.The respondents, in reply before the Tribunal, stated that Kamla Devi was in receipt of ordinary family pension, but consequent to her remarriage with her real brother-in-law, she was disqualified to receive the ordinary family pension and same was accordingly discontinued. It was also submitted by the respondents that Sis Ram, while serving with 259 Coy ASC (Supply), had committed suicide. Special family pension claim by his widow was adjudicated by the Principal Controller of Defence Account (Pensions), Allahabad, and rejected as the death was due to suicide, which was neither attributable nor aggravated by military service. The Tribunal observed that the when the family pension was discontinued in 1980, at least she should have been served with a notice in this regard, but it seemed to have not been done and suddenly family pension was discontinued on the ground that she has remarried. Further, a circular issued by the government in November 2008 for implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations clearly mentioned that remarriage was no more a disqualification for family pension.
War widow pension restored after 30 years

Voluntary premature retirees entitled to disability pension

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 30
The Armed Forces Tribunal has held that an individual is entitled to disability pension along with regular pension even if he has taken voluntary premature retirement.

There have been many instances where the authorities concerned have been denying disability pension to military personnel who opted for pre-mature retirement owing to their low medical category.

Granting disability pension to a Brigadier who retired in 2004 along with arrears since the date he retired with 12 per cent interest, the Tribunal overruled the contention of the government that Regulation 50 of the Pension Rules did not entitle voluntary retirees to disability pension.

“After discussions, we have held that even if the incumbent may seek pre-mature retirement, he is still entitled to the disability element of pension,” the Bench said. The Bench observed that in the present case, the incumbent sought pre-mature retirement after completing 33 years and four-month service. A medical board had assessed his disability to be 30 per cent, which was attributed to and aggravated by military service.

He had earlier petitioned the Army headquarters and the Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), over the issue, but to no avail. Thereafter, he sought legal redressal to his grievance.
Voluntary retirees entitled to disability pension

Can the disabled expect immediate payment of arrears?
From past experience one wonders if court orders will be respected by MoD or GOI! ESM are made to run from pillar to pillar to seek justice.

American school children honour Veterans

Do we really take the time to properly honour the soldiers who have fought and ... as a nation we could never repay the men and the women who ...
Read what the school children have to say in honour of Veterans (12 & 13 year olds).

What Jacob Ferda, 7th Grade, Zia Middle School, Las Cruces, NM says:
Veterans
What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word Veteran? Weber defines it as a person who has served in the armed forces. I think a Veteran as a hero, who fought in past battles. After, I sat and listen to speeches made from Veterans who were brought in by my teacher, I realized that I wasn't looking at the whole picture. One of the speeches given by a man gave me a whole new meaning of Veteran.

I realized that whether they actually fought in a war or not, the men in are armed forces are all Veterans. These people are willing to make sacrifices in their lives for our country. They do this so we can we can feel safe every day at work or school. These people are willing to leave their family and fight to protect our freedom. They are also willing to protect the freedom of people far away. They never say no to what is asked of them, no matter what the situation is. One Veteran said that he had served for twenty-five years and had survived many things like Pearl Harbor and the landing of Normandy Beach. To me he is a real American Hero.

Now what do these American heroes get for going through a lot of pain and suffering? Their name on a wall if they died or a small amount of money when they retire. I think that we as American, should honor our Veterans in a big way. Every person who has ever been in the armed forces should be recognized. They should be able to retire in comfort. Americans young and old should show respect to every Veteran they meet and help them in any way they can. We should be proud of our Veterans. I personally have a new respect for Veterans.
Read the rest: Thirteen essays were submitted by 7th graders at Zia Middle School- click here

IESM: Is India poor to compensate its Military Personnel adequately?

Is India poor, who says? Ask the Swiss banks. With personal account deposit bank of $1,500 billion in foreign reserve which have been misappropriated, an amount 13 times larger than the country's foreign debt, one needs to rethink if India is a poor country?

DISHONEST INDUSTRIALISTS, scandalous politicians and corrupt IAS, IRS, IPS officers have deposited in foreign banks in their illegal personal accounts a sum of about $1500 billion, which have been misappropriated by them.. This amount is about 13 times larger than the country's foreign debt. With this amount 45 crore poor people can get Rs 1,00,000 each. This huge amount has been appropriated from the people of India by exploiting and betraying them. Once this huge amount of black money and property comes back to India, the entire foreign debt can be repaid in 24 hours. After paying the entire foreign debt, we will have surplus amount, almost 12 times larger than the foreign debt. If this surplus amount is invested in earning interest, the amount of interest will be more than the annual budget of the Central government. So even if all the taxes are abolished, then also the Central government will be able to maintain the country very comfortably.

Some 80,000 people from india travel to Switzerland every year, of whom 25,000 travel very frequently. 'Obviously, these people won't be tourists. They must be travelling there for some other reason,' believes an official involved in tracking illegal money. And, clearly, he isn't referring to the commerce ministry bureaucrats who've been flitting in and out of Geneva ever since the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations went into a tailspin!

Just read the following details and note how these dishonest industrialists, scandalous politicians, smugglers, corrupt officers, cricketers, film actors, illegal sex trade and protected wildlife operators, to name just a few, sucked this country's wealth and prosperity. This may be the picture of deposits in Swiss banks only. What about other international banks?

Black money in Swiss banks -- Swiss Banking Association report, 2006 details bank deposits in the territory of Switzerland by nationals of following countries:

TOP FIVE
INDIA $1,456 BILLION
RUSSIA $470 BILLION
U.K. $390 BILLION
UKRAINE $100 BILLION
CHINA $96 BILLION

Now do the math's - India with $1,456 billion or $1.4 trillion has more money in Swiss banks than rest of the world combined. Public loot since 1947:

Can we bring back our money? It is one of the biggest loots witnessed by mankind -- the loot of the Aam Aadmi (common man) since 1947, by his brethren occupying public office. It has been orchestrated by politicians, bureaucrats and some businessmen.

The list is almost all-encompassing. No wonder, everyone in India loots with impunity and without any fear. What is even more depressing in that this ill-gotten wealth of ours has been stashed away abroad into secret bank accounts located in some of the world's best known tax havens. And to that extent the Indian economy has been stripped of its wealth. Ordinary Indians may not be exactly aware of how such secret accounts operate and what are the rules and regulations that go on to govern such tax havens. However, one may well be aware of 'Swiss bank accounts,' the shorthand for murky dealings, secrecy and of course pilferage from developing countries into rich developed ones.
Read related articles:
Is India a poor country - Revelation of Swiss Bank Accounts
"People Think India Is a Poor Country. It Is Not"
Swiss bank to reveal secret accounts
Comment: Finance Minister is right when he claims India is not poor. When it comes to paying the Jawans of this Nation, he can ill- afford to pay 2200 crores in addition to streamline the skewed pension system of the Ex Servicemen. The Jawans who have defended the nation with their blood and tears are getting a peanut pension! We need an answer from our Supreme commander for the injustices heaped on serving and Ex- Servicemen?

IESM: Fast for Justice Rally- thirty fourth day

Jantar Mantar: 20th NDA/ 29th DE Course
Dear Colleagues,

Cpl Kumbra and his team from Punjab continue to hold the Jantar Mantar battlefront.

We have in Colonel AK Rohilla, the first serving officer to contribute Rs 10,000.00 for the IESM cause. We all salute him for his generosity as well as his ability, unlike most of us, to see beyond the uniform.

Some members have pointed out the non- availability of IESM membership forms. I am attaching the form again to this sitrep. ESM are requested to send the draft/cheque etc to Maj Gen Satbir Singh at the address given in the form ie The General Secretary, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement, 543, Sector 23, Gurgaon– 122017, Haryana. Those sending cheques are requested to write their rank, name and address on the reverse of the cheque.

Contributions by cheques from the following ESM have been received at my address; the same are ack with grateful thanks:

-Lt Gen Sher Amir Singh
-CPO Avinash Sharma (from Washington)
-AVM ES Lala
-Maj Gen JS Talwar

A photo taken during the Jantar Mantar visit of 20th NDA/29th DE Course is attached. Tally-ho 8 Feb 2009 is an important day. Let us make it big too.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
IESM Membership Form

Army Day 2009

Editor: Seema Mustafa Friday, January 16, 2009 Consulting Editors :John Dayal & Rahul Bedi

On 15 January, the Army would be commemorating another Army Day, but this one is special, as it is the 60th. While the other two services would participate in the various events and felicitate the army on their diamond jubilee, the citizens of our nation will not even know about this special day. The reason is that over the years the interest of the media in the army has waned considerably. The government too continues to be under the impression that platitudes are good enough during important speeches of our political leaders. It is a matter of major concern that the army as well as the other services are remembered only when an adverse security situation develops internally or externally.

This day was selected as the Army Day, as it was on this day in 1949, that the first Indian General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa had taken over as the head of the Indian Army. The day is marked by an impressive parade at Delhi Cantonment, which is reviewed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This day is dedicated to all ranks of the Indian Army as well as the veterans, who had served the nation in the past. During the parade, the Chief would no doubt thank them for their steadfastness, sacrifices, courage and loyalty. He would also honour brave individuals, as well as units which have excelled, by presenting gallantry and distinguished service awards to individuals and unit citations for collective achievements by units.

The parade is followed by a semi formal 'Reception' by the COAS, at his official residence, where political as well as civil and military dignitaries get a chance to mingle with the awardees of the morning. It is always a memorable occasion, where one meets a wide spectrum of people, from the President and the Prime Minister, to leaders of many political parties, to a selection of serving and retired military officers, and of course the decoratees of the morning, proudly displaying their well-earned medals and honours.

Army Day is a day of joy as it marks the passage of one more successful year for this potent and last resort instrument of the nation. At a different plane, however, it is a day of stock taking of every facet of the functioning of the army. The main question that arises in everyone's mind is whether the army is fit in all respects for carrying out its task of ensuring the security of the nation in a professionally robust and befitting manner. In my opinion, the answer is in the negative.

Let us start with the important aspect of modernisation, which is a continuous process that needs dedicated and sustained infusion of the correct and relevant weaponry, equipment and materials. Unfortunately, little modernisation has been carried out, not only last year, but also in the preceding years. Besides paucity of funds, there is the lethargy of the ministry of defence in taking procurement decisions. Resultantly, a large portion of the meager funds allotted for modernisation would again be surrendered, as in earlier years. Such slackening of the modernisation process results in losing the race vis-a-vis our adversaries.

This year the defence budget was the lowest in the past nearly two decades. As a percentage of the nations GDP, it has plummeted down to less than 2 per cent, whereas the minimum requirement is 3 to 3.5 per cent. The acute shortage of officers' continues, as does the status of the military. After the major lowering of the status following the Sixth Pay Commission, I visualise a further reduction in the strength of the officer cadre, as even the little attractiveness of the army as a career that had earlier existed has now vanished. That the Sixth Pay Commission has been an unmitigated disaster for the armed forces is by now too well known to bear any elucidation. The army will no doubt plod on, but it will be the security of the nation that will suffer.

The only silver lining I see is the continuing faith, regard and love of the people of India for the Indian Army, but can this be a substitute for a well equipped and well satisfied military? Serving personnel need to be happy with their status in society; must get adequate remunerations for their turbulent life; must be compensated in their pensions for their early retirements; and they must have faith that the civil administration will look after the interests of their families during their absence. At present, all four have been diluted to ridiculously low levels. There is also frustration and anger amongst the 30 lakh military veterans, as even the ministry of ex-servicemen's welfare is blasé about them. Do these affect morale? Of course they do.

Despite the negatives, the tasks of the army continue to increase manifold, as the other instruments of the nation are either incapable or unwilling to carry out their assigned tasks. That the army has continued to deliver, despite shortages, speaks highly for the selfless service and dedication of our officers and jawans and the institutional strength of the army, but highlights the constraints under which it functions.

After the Mumbai terrorist attack of November last year, the security situation within the country and in our immediate neighbourhood has worsened. Much more would be expected from the army in the coming year by both the people and the government. With the current heavy commitments and continuing calls for varied sundry tasks, the army would find it difficult to carry out its primary tasks of securing the nation, unless the anomalies pointed out are quickly resolved. The strengths of the Indian Army are many and multifarious. Our army exudes professionalism and is highly respected by world militaries, but no army can continue to deliver if the morale is not at its peak. Let the nation resolve that 2009 would be the year of change for the Indian Army.

By Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
ARMY DAY 2009

Centre to set up anomaly panel

Photo credit:ShyamalSCPC- Red Tape Cycle- Anomalies growing like branches in a tree!
New Delhi: The government has decided to set up an Anomaly Committee to settle disputes arising out of implementation of the sixth Pay Commission recommendations. It will receive representations on anomalies up to six months from the date of its constitution and will dispose of them within a year.
Centre to set up anomaly panel
GOI Letter dated 12 Jan 2009: SCPC Anomaly Committee

Comment: The Armed Forces Salaries and Pension of Ex- Servicemen are riddled with bullets inflicting devastating injuries! An earlier anomaly committee has caused further injuries rather than healing the hurt. What can we expect from another anomaly committee?

IESM: Fast for Justice Rally Jantar Mantar, twenty third day

Dear Colleagues,
The Battlefront is under the charge of our ESM from Punjab today. The campaign is continuing with consistency. A lot of well meaning colleagues keep sending email advice on myriad points.
Allow me to say:
1. We are sharply aware of media’s waning interest in our campaign. This is only expected and we need not allow doubt to gnaw at our resolve. This is simply media fatigue and happens with every event.

2. Those of us actively involved would like to assure that there is no disconnect with the PBOR; the whole ESM community is together. There is of course a communication problem with those who don’t work the computers. We have started getting material published in Hindi papers that have wide PBOR readership. (Articles have appeared in Navbharat Times, Dainik Jagran, Hari Bhoomi, Business Bhaskar, Vir Arjun etc).

3. The campaign is at a pivotal moment and we are constantly reviewing the situation. It would be incorrect to assume that it has not mattered one whit with the government.

4. Some ESM have recommended recourse to methods recently followed in Rajasthan. It is reiterated we wish to keep the campaign totally innocent of violence.

5. The legal option is on the cards. The legwork has already started.

All mails are welcome and are appreciated. However, since the problem and various implications are well known, advice in the form of crisp suggestions in short mails would be preferable. Some of us get nearly 150 emails daily. Even one day’s absence from the computer makes it impossible to catch up. I beseech your discretion in drafting mails. At times every message may not be responded to. No colleague should feel the addressee is being short with him.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

IESM: Nineteenth Day Fast for Justice Rally at Jantar Mantar

Photo Credit: Brig Lakshman SinghDear Colleagues,

The Punjab team is holding the fort at Jantar Mantar today. Tomorrow, 05 Jan, the reinforcement from Varanasi will be arriving.

One senior veteran who has been regular at the venue is Commander Pran Prashar (one of the Founder Members of Naval Aviation). Ever since the action started on 16 Dec 2008, he has missed only one day when his driver was absent (being over 80 years he is not allowed to drive). On behalf of the IESM I thank him for his indomitable spirit.

The 1st JSW course is having the Course get-together 07 Jan 2009. They are all in their late Seventies. Gen Harbhajan Singh, who is one of them, has sent us very encouraging words and assuring us of their visit o Jantar Mantar.

I have sent a reply welcoming their kind gesture of showing solidarity and bucking up the Movement. We will look forward to their coming.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

No OROP for veterans?
Supreme Court had passed a judgement in 1982 on the One Rank One Pension scheme for military veterans and the KP Singh Deo Committee had recommended the same unequivocally in 1984. It was also one of the main planks for protests by veterans earlier this year. However the defence minister has categorically stated its unacceptability in the Rajya Sabha.
Government has not found acceptable the demand of Ex-Servicemen for one rank one pension. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Kalraj Mishra in Rajya Sabha. The defence personnel have not rejected the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, he added. [PIB]

Demands of Ex- Servicemen

One Rank One Pension (OROP)

Resettlement till the age of sixty

Ex Servicemen Commission headed by ESM

Services representation on all committees pertaining to ESM welfare.

All Political Parties Support the Primary Demand of Ex Servicemen
Jaswant supports 'one rank one pension' principle for Defence forces
Sonia calls for one-rank-one-pension

Bureaucrats reject the Demand of Ex Servicemen as the demand was "not found acceptable" for administrative, financial, and legal reasons.
Govt rejects 'one rank, one pension' demand of soldiers

The reasons for denying OROP is untenable
1. Adminstrative: Due to Red Tape Bureaucracy and inherent "Permit Raj" attitude.
2. Financial: Additional expenditure averages 2% of annual Defence Budget. No grudge on this score from any quarter. (except for Bureaucrats)
3. Legal: Till date all court rulings have been for enforcement of One Rank One Pension.

IESM: Fast for Justice Rally Jantar Mantar 03 Jan 2009

Photographs Courtesy Brig Lakshman Singh





Dear Colleagues,

Today we have had the Lucknow Brigade (Col Saxena, Col Kuldeep Singh and nine PBOR) holding the fort at Jantar Mantar. There were further supplemented by some stalwarts from Punjab. As a rare show of solidarity, Lt Gen Surjit Singh, Lt Gen Kulbir Singh, Lt Gen HBL Kapur and Lt Gen PD Bhargava visited the venue and became members of the IESM. In addition, Maj Gen RK Vadhera, Maj Gen Soorma, Brig Ravi Awasthy, Brig Raghu Sohal Col Vijay Sekhri, Col Partap singh were among the many veterans who visited the battle site. Also present were a large number of our Service families. These visits always have an electrifying effect on those sitting on fast on that cold pavement.

Col DP Singh called up from Mumbai. He along and Brig Dharam Prakash will be organising a relay fast in Navi Mumbai from 15 to 17 Jan 2008. After that, they also wish to send a delegation to Jantar Mantar for taking their turn in the ongoing effort in the capital. They also wanted 50 membership forms for the IESM. Others might have similar requests. I am once again attaching a form with this mail. It can be downloaded and used.

A delegation from Gujarat including Naval and Air Force ESM has similarly offered to participate in the Jantar Mantar fast. They are awaiting confirmation of their rail reservation to intimate their firm schedule.

Chief Petty Officer Shivnarain called up from a village near Kanpur. Having read my comments/ views on OROP in Dainik Jagran newspaper he is enthusiastic about what the IESM is doing and wants to join in.

It is the spirit exhibited by our colleagues from all over the country that assures us of our Victory in the fight for Justice.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

IESM: Fast for Justice RM response

‘One rank one pension’
- Photo: V. SudershanSeeking justice: Members of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement marching down Parliament Street in New Delhi on Saturday demanding “one rank one pension".
One Rank One Pension: The Hindu

Copy of Letter from AK Anthony received by Raj Kadyan

(National Emblem)
MINISTER OF DEFENCE INDIA
DO No 209/MP/PGC/2008/6884-F/RM/08 16 December, 2008

Dear Gen Raj Kadyan,
This has reference to your letter dated 18th September, 2008 regarding One Rank One Pension.
The 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) with regard to the demand for “One Rank One Pension” for ex-servicemen observed that the 5th CPC had already granted full parity between pre and post 1.1.1986 pensioners and modified parity between pre and post 1.1.1996 pensioners. Identical dispensation was given to the civilian employees as well as Defence Forces Personnel. However, the Government is examining whether certain improvements can be made in the pension being given to the old pensioners.

With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Sd xxxx
(A. K. Antony)
Lt Gen (Retd.) Raj Kadyan
Chairman, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement

Just to recapitulate
Why not go in for one rank, one pension?

The government cons the military, again

Reflections of a Fighter PilotRediff News December 30, 2008
First it was the unflattering and detrimental report of the sixth pay commission. Then followed the malicious manoeuvring to downgrade the military further, on the sly, through the committee of secretaries tasked to reconcile the contentious proposals advanced by the same pay commission. Now it is the turn of an unfeeling government to drive the military and its veterans into despondency.

In a written reply, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha on December 11 that the government has not found acceptable the demand for 'one rank one pension' (OROP) by the ex-servicemen.

Our politicians may have no qualms about showering promises and reneging on them at will, but the military veterans today feel cheated, no less. The whole military structure rests on the bedrock of ranks. Unfortunately, the stuffed shirts inhabiting the corridors of power are uninterested in understanding military ethos. Make no mistake, OROP is an emotive issue for the men in uniform, and there is deep hurt and resentment at being taken for another ride.

Worse, the denial of OROP comes at a time when the three services are acutely enfeebled by shortage of young officers, at a time when the services are labouring to curb the exodus of middle-level officers, at a time when eligible lads are giving a career in the forces a miss. Could there be a worse illustration of governmental apathy?

MP Anil Kumar
Former Fighter Pilot
Read more:

A brief history of 'one rank one pension'

The mystery of OROP negation- it beats me

Cold-shoulder, procrastinate, turn down -- the time-tested trick

What now? Limited options, time to rally round

The larger issues
Click: The government cons the military, again

SCPC Goof Ups: Letter to Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

Despite several appeals, requests, complaints, and even protests from various quarters regarding grievances of the armed forces personnel on the 6th CPC, there has been no sympathetic response from the govt. I sincerely feel this matter now requires your personal intervention. Hence, this mail.

It seems the members of the 6th CPC and those responsible for the follow up action either did not know or failed to appreciate the importance and sanctity of age old accepted precedence of the armed forces ranks not only vis a vis their counter parts in other central services but also the inter se rank precedence within the armed forces.

Otherwise, how on earth they should they prescribe pay/ pension revision formulae as would result in fixing pay of the ranks like Lt Col and above up to Lt Gen(and their equivalent) less than that of lower precedence posts of other services? And within the Armed Forces, why should the pay of a selection grade rank not be better than that of a time scale promotee who fails to make the selection grade? Why the rank- inherent rank pay now not be paid to the illegible serving officers?

Among the pensioners, why should the pension of higher ranks work out less than that of junior ranks? Why should a selection grade retired officer be given pension less than a time scale one? Why should old pensioners get less pension by thousands of rupees as compared to the new ones retiring in the same ranks? Why should an old Havaldar get pension less than a Sepoy? These are a few most glaring inconsistencies among other anomalies galore.

It would also appear those (including the Group of Secys and their staff ) responsible for follow up action on the approved recommendations of the CPC did not do their home work fully and sincerely, before rushing promulgation and implementation. Most of the anomalies could have been resolved at that stage and dissatisfaction avoided. They failed to appreciate that any piecemeal and half baked tinkering with one service would have serious ramifications adversely affecting others.

It is well known that the govt is committed to maintaining a healthy balance among all the central services. Yet, this has been totally upset now. As the time slips, the situation is becoming complex – otherwise, by now, the best brains and most learned Group of
Ministers deputed by you to resolve matters should have come out with a solution.

With such frustration, one is agitated to suggest scrapping of the entire proceedings of the 6th CPC and rework the whole exercise ab initio in fairness to all. If this is too much, even at this belated stage, the govt should consider appointing a Special Pay Commission exclusively for the Armed Forces to address their problems afresh fully, expeditiously, and without any prejudice so as to restore confidence and satisfaction among them. Had, initially, the advice/suggestion of the three Chiefs for accommodating a services representative on the 6th CPC been heeded, this situation could have been averted.

With profound regards, and full of hopes,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Manmohan Singh, PVSM(Retd)

Copy forwarded by Brig V Thyagarajan (Retd)

IESM: "One Rank One Pension" Ploy of Successive Governments

Friends,

I give below, two extracts from e-mails received on the IESM e-net. The first is a Tribune article dated 25 May 1999 by RAdm Satyendra Singh and the second is a very recent Press Statement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The first shows how when the BJP-led NDA government was in power, they made the right noises by Defence Minister Fernandes "okaying" OROP, but did nothing to implement it even though they had enough time and more. The second shows how the BJP is making political mileage out of the present UPA government's insistence (totally idiotic and myopic, in my view, considering the integrity of the Union of India) that OROP is neither feasible nor necessary.

The bottom line as far as our IESM policy is concerned, should be that none of the political parties can be trusted, and we can get our due of justice and equity only if we fight on simply as IESM without any leanings towards one political party or another, as we have been while in service. The common factor is, of course, the bureaucracy, which has seen to it (regardless of which party or coalition is in power) that OROP has not been sanctioned by government. May I request that this letter be circulated for info of others.

Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year 2009 with good health and fitness, and wishes for success in gaining OROP in 2009.
In solidarity,
Maj Gen S.G.Vombatkere (Retd)
Issue of one rank, one pension: Nine years ago
One rank, one pension blues: Decade ago
Sonia calls for one-rank-one-pension: Six years ago
Press Statement issued by Shri Jaswant Singh Leader of the Opposition (Rajya Sabha)
Original copy of Shri Jaswant Singh's letter to the Raksha Mantri