IESM in perspective

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

A year ago 'Should Implement One Rank One Pension Soon'

A year ago 'Govt Should Implement One Rank One Pension Soon'
PTI | New Delhi | May 07, 2010
A Parliamentary committee has asked the Defence Ministry to soon implement 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) for armed forces veterans, noting that a demand for this has not been accepted by it.

"The committee concludes that 'OROP' has not been accepted by the government. However, the pensionary benefits of ex-servicemen including disabled ex-servicemen have considerably been improved by implementation of the seven recommendations of a committee (headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar)," the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in Lok Sabha today.

The panel, headed by Satpal Maharaj (Congress) had considered the government replies to its earlier report submitted to Parliament in December last year.

"The committee still recommend that the government should implement OROP in a holistic manner so that large number of ex-servicemen can be benefited. The government should also ensure that the various benefits provided to the ex-servicemen due to implementation of the recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary-headed committee, along with arrears if any, are paid expeditiously," it said.

OROP implied that uniform pension should be paid to armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension should be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

After the veterans had organised events to return their service and gallantry medals to the President in protest, the government had, on the directions of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, set up the committee to consider the demand made in the wake of implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations in September 2008.

The committee recommended a plan under which the pensions would be as close to OROP, but this was being accepted by the ex-servicemen. However, the government decided to implement it.

On the issue of lateral entry for ex-servicemen into central paramilitary forces, which the government was yet to implement, the Parliamentary panel said though it had highlighted the advantage of recruiting them in CPMF, it had not been implemented despite a CPC recommendation in this regard.

"The committee desires that the Ministry expedite the matter to resolve the lateral induction of ex-servicemen in CPMF, PSUs and state police," which was the highlight of the Group of Ministers' recommendation for 'Reforming National Security System' made in 2001, it said.
Outlook: 'Govt Should Implement One Rank One Pension Soon'
Comment: How serious is the Governement in Reforming the National Security System? Goof up on Terrorists Lists speaks volumes about National Security Status?

Redress of grievances of EX-SERVICEMEN without rank discrimination

Dear Friends,
A copy of the letter sent by Shree Nitin Gadkari, National President BJP, is as below for your information. IESM is also in touch with the Congress Party and are likely to meet the top leaders of Congress Party in near future.
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

Letter to Prime Minister: Tuesday, 06 July 2010
Dear Dr. Singh,
Subject: Redress of grievances OF EX-SERVICEMEN Without rank discrimination
The Ex Servicemen stand very high in esteem of our countrymen. On account of their gallant services, they undoubtedly are special. They are a category of retired people WITH DIFFERENCE. If Article 14 of our Constitution were to be invoked for a worthy 'reasonable classification' there can't be any better cause than that of the Ex Servicemen. They do deserve a preferential treatment.

The UPA Government has, for reasons inexplicable, failed to pay any serious attention to their genuine grievances. As President of a NATIONALIST political party, I find it as my duty to remind you, in your capacity as the Prime Minister of India to help shed the apathy and indifference of your Government towards the problems of our ex servicemen.

It would be appropriate here to recall that our nation had suffered a great political, territorial, material and human loss when Chinese attacked our borders in 1962. The raison detre for that defeat was no other than the apathy of that day's government and the then TOP POLITICAL LEADERSHIP towards the defence matters which had greatly lowered the MORALE of the fighting men.

As not to face a 1962 like situation again (by neglecting our armed forces), I am reminding you to address the problems of the ex servicemen, WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION AND DIVIDE OF RANKS, in right earnest and resolve it.

Genuine and justified demands of the Ex Servicemen are given in the succeeding Paragraphs.
i) One Rank and One Pension (OROP)
Despite promises and various statements made by the Government in and outside the Parliament this problem still remains to be resolved in its essential elements. Disparities in pensions of the ex servicemen, due to their date and year of retirement, exist even today. Sixth Pay Commission, in this has done little in this regard.
ii) Supreme Court Judgement of 08 Mar 2010 on Rank Pay
The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India on 08 Mar 2010 gave a judgement,in the context of the FOURTH PAY COMMISSION'S AWARDS, that the rank pay to the armed forces personnel was to be given in addition to the revised pay scales. The implementation of this award was missed out due to the misinterpretation of the Fourth Pay Commission's recommendations by the Government. However, when the Supreme judgement came for putting this anomaly right, the Government instead of obeying the Supreme Court orders gracefully have filed an application in the Supreme Court to "rehear the case and modify the order" This, to say the least, is tantamount to a grossly hostile Government attitude towards the Ex Servicemen. It is Government's MORAL duty to withdraw this application and implement the Supreme Court Judgement.
iii) Service Span of Defence Forces Personnel
Presently Defence Forces Personnel, particularly personnel below officers Rank (PBOR) retire very early. This puts them to great hardships, at a time when their family responsibilities are increasing due to the needs of their growing children. Appropriate LATERAL INDUCTION to other security services, of the defence personnel, can solve this problem and enable the defence forces personnel to serve for 60 years.
iv) Setting up of a Statutory Commission For Ex Service Men
This is a genuine organisational requirement to take care of the welfare of Veterans. A separate PAY COMMISSION FOR THE DEFENCE FORCES personnel will solve many anomalies, which the successive ten yearly PAY COMMISSIONS have handed down to the defence forces personnel.

In view of the fore going, I request you to look into the matter and redress the grievances of the VETERANS at the earliest. Let this discontentment be removed lest it creeps into the serving soldiers and lowers their MORALE too.
With regards,
Yours
(Nitin Gadkari)

To,
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
Govt. of India,
New Delhi
Letter by BJP National President, Shri Nitin Gadkari to the Prime Minister on redress of grievances of Ex-servicemen without rank discrimination

Rank Pay and OROP: Hostile attitude towards the ex-servicemen

Separate Armed Forces Pay Commission Needed: BJP
New Delhi | Jul 06, 2010
Accusing the government of failing to redress the grievances of ex-servicemen, BJP president Nitin Gadkari today asked the Prime Minister to set up a separate Pay Commission for defence forces.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gadkari said "a separate pay commission for defence personnel will solve many anomalies, which successive ten yearly pay commissions have handed down to the defence forces personnel."

He said the "discontentment" should be removed before it "creeps into the serving soldiers and lowers their morale too".

Demanding early implementation of one rank one pay (OROP), he said despite various statements both inside and outside Parliament by the government, the disparities in pension of ex-servicemen due to their date and year of retirement exist even today.

He said the Sixth Pay Commission has done little to solve the problem.

Gadkari said defence personnel, particularly those below officers rank, retire very early which creates problems for them in fulfilling their responsibilities, including meeting the demands of growing up children.

He suggested that such retired personnel should be inducted into other "security services" and be allowed to serve upto the age of 60 years.

The BJP chief also demanded that the government withdraw its application filed before the Supreme Court requesting it to rehear the case relating to anomalies in the Fourth Pay Commission regarding rank pay to armed forces personnel besides the revised pay scales.

"When the Supreme Court judgment came for putting this anomaly right, the government instead of obeying the order filed an application to rehear the case and modify the order. This, to say the least, is tantamount to a grossly hostile government attitude towards the ex-servicemen," he said.
Separate Armed Forces Pay Commission Needed: BJP

Related article regarding present ESM pension
The pension of PBOR and JCOs who retired before October 10, 1997, (implementation date for the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations) will be brought at par with the pension of those retired after that date. The pension of those retired before January 1, 2006 including the 1997 group will be substantially hiked to come close to those who retired after the cut-off date of January 1, 2006 (implementation date for the Sixth Pay Commission). Once realised, the new pension scheme will lead to creation of two groups of pensioners in the armed forces with January 1, 2006, serving as the cut off date.
“This is not OROP. Those who retired after January 1, 2006, will get higher pension. The government has just bridged a gap for the JCOs and PBORs,” Maj Gen Satbir Singh, vice chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement told Deccan Herald. Both decisions would be implemented from July 1, 2009, resulting in enhanced pension for more than 12 lakh jawans and JCOs.
Relief for ex-servicemen by Kalyan Ray, New Delhi: Deccan Herald
Blog Posts
Unfair to military personnel. They must get their Rank Pay denied to them since 1986
Rank Pay: Lt-Gen writes to Sonia against Centre's appeal

Dantewada Massacre: Opposition to Induction of SSC Officers

Induction of SSC officers was bound to be opposed both by the political leadership and CPO. Political leadership has already politicised CPO to the extent that the officers have been rendered spineless. They do the bidding of their political masters without a whimper of protest. Politicians fear that SSC officers may not toe their line. Having served in an apolitical environment they may resist political pressures.

On the other hand, officer cadre in CPO resents induction of ex-service officers for the following reasons:

Due to their better training and experience, they make police officers feel inferior and ill-equipped. This sense of inadequacy results in petty groupism and jealousies.

SSC officers are liked by the rank and file due to their better man-management skills and empathy for subordinates.

SSC officers pose a threat to their advancement in career because of better professional proficiency, physical fitness and operational acumen.

Resistance to Side-stepping of Ex-servicemen
As regards side-stepping of ex-servicemen into CPO, resistance appears to be on the following grounds:

CPO are considered personal fiefdoms of political leaders and bureaucrats of MHA. Any policy that appears to be diluting their absolute control is perceived as an unacceptable threat.

Recruitment to CPO is a highly lucrative activity with political patronage playing an important role. Lateral induction would halt it totally.

Military training makes ex-servicemen averse to carrying out chores which are routine in CPO. Additionally, military culture imbibed by soldiers inhibits their use for partisan purposes.

Conclusion
Opposition from MHA was on expected lines. However, what came as a big shock was total indifference displayed by MoD as well. Inability of MoD to force MHA to accept induction into CPO is understandable. However, DCO are directly under MoD. It could have made a beginning and set an example by admitting ex-servicemen in DCO. But then, MoD has always been more interested in ‘keeping the armed forces in their place’ rather than looking after their welfare. It is incongruous that MoD wants other organisations (including private sector) to provide employment to ex-servicemen but refuses to accept them in organisations under its own direct control.

In view of the new threats emerging, there is an emergent need to improve the quality of CPO. Induction of ex-servicemen, both at officer and subordinate levels, with long experience of fighting terrorism and insurgency will prove to be of immense value to CPO. It will also bring in much-needed professionalism.

As is obvious, the scheme has been rejected to protect fiefdoms. As lateral induction is construed as a threat, the decision makers are not ready to consider it seriously. No reasons have been made public for its rejection. Selfishness has been the bane of Indian governance. Every proposal is evaluated on the basis of personal benefits accruing to the decision makers. National interests mean little. Subordination of personal interests to national interests requires rare vision and altruism. It is not a trait which is prevalent amongst India’s governing authorities. It is time political leaders and bureaucrats rise above narrow partisan outlook to prove their concern for national security. Proposal mooted by CPC must be implemented without dilution and delay.
Read the full article: LATERAL INDUCTION OF EX-SERVICEMEN
Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD (Retd)

Civil- Military Relationship: Does governance impact this ethical compact?

Are military professionals unaware of their own civic and strategic illiteracy?

One of the most significant issues facing any democracy today, is the current state of civil- military relations. Why should the relationship between the military and society be of such concern to us? There are two principal reasons.

First, the military relationship to civilian authorities and to society more generally lies at the very heart of what democracy is all about. Democracy, Harry Truman suggested, is "based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice." By the same token, what defines the state, Max Weber observed, is government's monopoly of the legitimate possession and use of force. The military is the principal embodiment of state-centered and -controlled violence. Thus, in a form of government where the people are supposed to rule, civilian supremacy over the military is essential; it is an ethical imperative. Where this relationship fails or falters, the very end of government--"the common benefit, protection, and security of the people," rights of citizens violated, massive and wide scale corruption and injustice--the Government stands in jeopardy. Further, Terrorism, Naxalism, Maoism and right wing fundamentalists are pointers and indicators of the degree of of failing/ falling governance.

Second, the three parties to the civil- military relationship--the military, its civilian masters, and the people themselves--are bound to one another by social contract. "The first principle of a civilized state," said Walter Lippmann, "is that power is legitimate only when it is under contract." A social contract is a mutually binding, though a tacit, set of expectations, obligations, and rights. Because it depends on the ability--and, more importantly, the willingness--of the parties involved to live up to their end of the unwritten bargain, it is, in every sense, an ethical compact- a bond.

What do civilian authorities and the people more generally expect of the military as part of this compact?
Operational Competence.
What Military Expects from the Civilian authorities?
Genuine welfare measures for the Jawans and Ex- Servicemen.

Soldiers who join after school may keep studying

By Ritu Sharma
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) The Indian Army has outlined an ambitious plan by which its soldiers who join after school will be able to study for a degree while they are in service.

The scheme will benefit many of the 1.2 million soldiers of the Indian Army. The system will be based on the US system of community colleges.

“The community colleges will be located in our training, human resource and regimental centres,” a senior Indian Army official told IANS, requesting anonymity.

Every year nearly 50,000 trained soldiers retire from the army after an average of 15 years of service.

“The army jawans retire generally after 15 years of service and form a part of highly trained, dedicated, disciplined and loyal work force. But most of them are merely school pass-outs. A graduate degree will open up whole lots of avenues for them,” an army official associated with the project said.

For its programme, the Indian Army has tied up with Indira Gandhi National Open Univeristy (IGNOU). A memorandum in this regard will be signed between the Indian Army and IGNOU Sep 4.

“The jawans will be given BA, BBA, BSc and BCom degrees depending on their area of work,” the official added.

The soldiers will work to earn 92 credits for getting a graduation degree.

The first 64 credits will be given to the soldier for his work within the army. He will also need to do some courses for which he will be awarded certificates.

Thereafter he will go to the IGNOU programme to earn the remaining credits.

For those soldiers who join after Class 10, the army will be organising bridge courses to bring them at par with those who have completed Class 12.

“It will provide a lot of benefit to the soldiers. They will become graduates for less money and will get a degree from an internationally recognised university. Most jawans who look for second employment in the open market post retirement will get better options. These benefits will be besides the value addition to the quality of life of the jawan and his family,” another official added.

“The programme will have international ramifications, as after their graduation the soldiers may go abroad for higher studies or for work and will form a viable work force globally,” said the official.
Soldiers who join after school may keep studying

IESM: पूर्व सैनिक रोजगार मुद्दे

हमारी सरकार सशस्त्र सेनाओं के कर्मियों हमारे राष्ट्र की सुरक्षा के संरक्षण के लिए बहुत त्याग करने के लिए पूछता है. वे आदमी शत्रुतापूर्ण चीन और पाकिस्तान सीमा और जम्मू व कश्मीर तथा पूर्वोत्तर में दैनिक लड़ाई विद्रोहियों. वे उनके परिवारों को छोड़ने के लिए कहा गया है और उनके जीवन को खतरा है, और उनमें से कई की है या अंतिम बलिदान कर रही है. वे राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा और राष्ट्र पहले डाला है उन्हें आभार का एक विशाल ऋण देने हैं. जब ये नायक की वापसी घर, हम तरह शब्दों या प्रार्थना से अधिक उन्हें देना है. हम जो कुछ भी हम उन्हें वापस नागरिक जीवन के संक्रमण बनाने में मदद करने के लिए कर सकते हैं करना चाहिए.

इस कार्मिक अधिकारी रैंक (PBORs) नीचे जल्दी से उनके परिवार का समर्थन करने के लिए एक दूसरे कैरियर प्राप्त करने की आवश्यकता है. हमारा कानून तेजी से परिवर्तन के लिए न तो प्रावधान है या क्योंकि वे ड्यूटी के फोन का जवाब है कि वे काम पर बाहर खोना नहीं है हमारे देश की पूर्व सैनिकों (ESM) इतना करने के लिए एक नौकरी प्रदान करते हैं.

हालांकि, हम अफसर के बारे में 60,000 (PBORs) कार्मिक नीचे कि जो सालाना सशस्त्र बलों से 20 साल के लिए की सेवा के बाद जारी की हैं रैंक, कठोर वास्तविकता यह है कि राष्ट्र की सेवा उन्हें वे लायक वेतन लागत है के साथ सामना कर रहे हैं देखते हैं, अपने स्वास्थ्य की देखभाल, उनके पेंशन और अन्य लाभों.

इससे भी अधिक है, PBORs जो भयानक सपना की तरह जिला सैनिक बोर्डों से मदद लेने को परेशान-एक प्रणाली है कि भ्रष्ट है और जब उन्हें इसकी जरूरत उन्हें सेवा करने के लिए असफल सबसे. वे नौकरशाही की एक उलझन बातचीत करना है. उन्होंने संबंधित राज्य सरकारों की विभिन्न एजेंसियों के बीच घुमाया जाता है केवल खोजने के लिए जाने के बाद सभी के चारों ओर रन नौकरशाही है कि वे अभी भी एक रिश्वत का भुगतान करने के लिए या अदालत में उनका मामला दर्ज करने के लिए एक वकील हो सकता है.

हमारा कानून है कि सरकार, लेकिन ESM अधिकारों बचाव की आवश्यकता होती है जो महीने इंतजार करना होगा मदद भी साल, सिर्फ सरकार की कई एजेंसियों में से एक साधारण जवाब प्राप्त करना चाहते हैं!
Lt Col जेम्स Kanagaraj (सेवानिवृत्त)

Welfare of ex-servicemen takes a backseat

Hindustan Times, Delhi, May 15, 2009, Noida Live
IN UTTAR Pradesh, about 75 per cent posts of the Zila Sainik Adhikari have been lying vacant for the last five years. Hence there are no jobs for ex-servicemen. As a result no welfare activities could be carried out in the state for them. This was stated by Col (retd) Prakash Bhatt of Noida Veterans Forum, at a meeting organised at Arun Vihar Community Centre last Sunday.
Noida Veterans Forum is a newly formed body of retired Army officers working for the betterment of the ex-servicemen. It is also in the process of setting up a helpline for veterans, war-widows and their dependents in distress.
Addressing the gathering of exservicemen, Bhatt held the Directorate General of Recruitment (DGR) responsible for having failed to do its job.
“Only 10 per cent of the retiring personnel could be trained by the DGR in 2005, while only 30 per cent could be given jobs,” he remarked.
“Creation of Army, Air Force and Navy placement cells substantiate the fact that DGR has been ineffective. But since all of these are not working in synergy, much is left to be desired,” he added.
Col Bhatt also spoke about the discriminatory rules that exist for Noida ECHS beneficiaries,wherein a Noida resident is not entitled for treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
He also stressed that annuity for gallantry award winners should be made uniform in all states.
Allaying the fears of the retired soldiers, Brig (retd) K.P.Singh Deo, former Defence Minister,who is also the secretary, Ex-servicemen Department, All India Congress Committee, stated that the Central government has approved the formation of a separate pay commission for defence services. Besides an ex-servicemen commission will also be formed.
Agreeing that the state of most Sainik Boards is appalling, Deo said that the ex-servicemen commission is being formed precisely to improve the condition of Sainik Boards at central, state and district level.
Welfare of ex-servicemen takes a backseat

Comment: The Tamilnadu Ex- Servicemen Corporation (TEXCO) solely run for benefit of ESM is grossly misused by bureaucrats heading the organisation. Personnel concocted as ESM relatives are employed by the corporation. The DGR should investigate and blacklist TEXCO. The MOD is a silent spectator when ESM are cheated by bureaucracy!

Officers to become Colonel after 15 yrs of service

2 May 2009, 0322 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: In a major decision impacting the age profile of Army, Navy and Air Force commanding officers, the government on Friday fixed 15 years of commissioned service for substantive promotion to the rank of colonel, instead of the existing 20 years.

"The government today fixed 15 years of commissioned service as the minimum qualifying service for substantive promotion to the rank of colonel in the Army, captain in the Navy and group captain in the Air Force. The decision of the government has been received at the Service headquarters," sources said here.

Until now, lieutenant colonels in the Army, commanders in the Navy and wing commanders in the Air Force had to put in a cumulative qualifying service of 20 years after commissioning for promotion to substantive colonel and equivalent ranks. However, they became unit commanding officers even with just 16 years of service, as per the cadre management policies of the tri-services, but had to wait for another four years to be confirmed as substantive colonels and to receive the salary of a colonel. In effect, it would mean that there would be no more ‘‘acting’’ ranks of colonel, captain and group captain in the services.
Officers to become Col after 15 yrs of service

PBORs left out of the loop- No Lateral Employment after limited career in Armed Forces
Date: Saturday, 2 May, 2009, 4:28 PM
dear col
can someone think of our jawans/sailors/airmen who do not even become of havildar/ petty officer/ sergeant even after putting in 15 yrs colour service in our defence forces and they remove uniforms in pay band 1 only?
for NAVAL ASSOCIATION
V A THEVAR
MCMECH(P) Retd
SECRETARY

IESM: Chairman's Desk

Date: Sunday, 26 April, 2009, 10:36 PM
Dear Colleagues,
The Core Gp members are visiting various places to meet the ESM, to analyse with them what choice of vote gives us greater hope and a higher chance to get OROP. The aim is to put the facts before them so that they can exercise their franchise in a more informed manner vis-a-vis our main demand as on date.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Committee of Government Assurances: Demands of Ex- Servicemen

Presented to Lok Sabha on 11.5.2000
We all have been victims to Indian bureaucracy and corruption at one time or the other. Applying for a passport, driver’s license, telephone connection, Khata certificate, Ration card, and so on all can be nightmarish experiences for an average Indian. To escape the long queues and complicated procedures you must either be rich with good ability to grease some palms or you must be well connected (with the high and mighty). If you aren’t either, in order to survive you must be thick skinned, patient, and must carry no sense of ego and self respect. The Ex-Servicemen who enjoys a special place in hearts of our citizens are double victims of "Red Tape and Bureaucracy". The depth of confusion and conflicting issues put up so well by Bureaucrats negates any policy implementation at National Level. Here is one sample of 60 pages of nothingness and no one is wiser about benefits that an ESM expects: How, where, by whom and when?
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (1999-2000)
THIRTEENTH LOK SABHA FIRST REPORT
(DEMANDS OF EX-SERVICEMEN)
(Presented to Lok Sabha on 11.5.2000)
LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI
Committee on Government Assurances: Demands of Ex-Servicemen- click here for 60 pages of crap

Short Service Commissioned Officers- Guinea Pigs left high and dry!

This was a very important point which has been raised by Sachin.
The short service commission officers(SSCO) are given second grade treatment... Probably the ESM organisations and the Government have started diluting their outlook towards this breed of commissioned officers who form the backbone in operations as young officers, sacrifice their youth and walk off from service when they actually need to leverage the benefits of service perks...
As per my understanding the paucity of officers in the armed forces is in the levels of Lt Cols and below. As an SS officer you can serve up to the rank of Major. Ideally in the army you are worth your salt only in your young days to lead the men into war and CI-Ops... thereafter you are just administering the daily routine which anyone can do. So an SS officer is a guinea-pig who will be sorted out during the younger days of his life and then gradually shown the way out after 5/10 years......and when he comes out after 5/10years he will be in his thirties with a family to look after. He will get nothing but a useless CSD facility and nothing more.....the army can use him during the prime of his life and then leave him...no pension benefits required to be paid......so a win win situation for the army but a lost situation for the officer. He is left high and dry..... If Directorate General Of Resettlement (DGR) or MOD wants to retain it's image of serving the interests of only the regular officers there is no problem at all. It's a question of policy, but my point is.. nothing should be hidden from the people of this country. The People must know the facts after having served for several years most of us are left in the lurch without any thing solid with us. Its high time to know that how many times our ESM Organizations have raised their voices against the disparity and let's hear their view about the SS officers and let the public know about it let us know the reason why an officer after having served for 5/10 years is not entitled for ECHS just because he was a SS officer? Let's know why a SS officer is denied entry into Defence Officers' Institute (DOI) or DSOI Delhi for that matter, where as the son of Mr Mulayam Singh is invited to become the member of DOI in Lucknow. What great has been done by Mr Akhilesh Yadav apart from marrying the daughter of a Lt Col and being a person of controversial nature. We have given our youth and fought for our Nation with the same valour and courage as anyone else did. We do not deserve this kind of treatment.......I do not want to victimize any one but believe that the nation must know about the outlook of the Army towards it's own ex officers.
Praveer Gahlaut
(This is from the website Jatland.com where 1964 visits till date have been made on the thread started by me on ORP.)
Needs introspection.
Brig Lakshman Singh (VSM)
One Rank One Pension (OROP) for Defence Pensioners- Jatland Forums

Short Service Commissioned Officers- Some pertinent questions.
1. Percentage of officers in each rank who hold short service commissions?
2. What is the estimated cost of training short service commissioned officers, including pay, allowances and maintenance costs to exchequer, prior to their posting to units/ Bns/ Sqns, and the period of such training?
3. The percentage of discharged short service officers who, within six months of discharge, obtain employment in the Public Sector firms/ industries, obtain other employment, and fail to obtain employment respectively?
4. For what minimum period prior to discharge these officers are posted to units near their home with a view to giving them opportunity for seeking other employment or training?
5. Number of SS Officers absorbed in Government service including para military forces?
6. Does the Nation have a scheme to use their services or is it that the resources spent on them is wasted after terms of engagement are over?

Shortage of officers in Indian Army 'scary'

"Lateral induction is the only way to attract the young but savvy population to the toughest profession where risk-to-life factor is an everyday affair. Once they (army officers) know that after a short and demanding tenure they have an assured career elsewhere, with seniority of service intact, and their family will not be on the roads, the deficit in officer cadre will disappear," he said.

"Similarly, a jawan after ten-year tenure must be laterally inducted into paramilitary, coast guard, marine police and the central and state police set-ups. It is necessary to create that we create and maintain a lean and mean fighting machine," the strategic expert said.

Modernisation of the armed forces required not only induction of sophisticated weapons, equipment and systems, but also infusion of fresh manpower so as to retain the requisite youthful zeal - a key determinant of military prowess, Verma said, adding that among the advantages would be the transfer of disciplined, trained and skilled manpower to the civil set-up.

Pointing to the strange mindset that guarding the borders was the sole responsibility of the security forces, which had little relevance to the civil society and other professions, he said leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Morarji Desai were among several leaders who had flirtations with the uniform while being part of the British Ambulance Corps, the University Corps or the Training Corps.

"Awareness and appreciation of military matters among Indians is imperative if India is to become a key player in Asia. It would also serve as an antidote to casteism and communalism," Verma said.
Read more:
Shortage of officers in Indian Army 'scary': Expert

SCPC: Waste not, want not- lateral induction of ex-servicemen

No other pay commission has come under so much of attack from the armed forces as the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC). Discussion at every social gathering invariably veers around to the recommendations of CPC. Surprisingly, everyone appears convinced that members of CPC were hand picked for their anti-services bias. “Not one member had any relation or progeny in the services. Their knowledge of the military is limited to what is displayed during the Republic Day Parade,” is a common refrain. According to a veteran, “The services should have anticipated such a deal. In a country where the Finance Minister (an ex-bureaucrat) expresses his inability to spend a few crores on soldiers while writing off thousands of crores of farmers’ loans, the military should learn to be thankful for whatever crumbs are thrown at it.”

Many military personnel feel that every pay commission should be asked to stay at Siachen Glacier for just a week to get a true feel of army life prior to finalizing their recommendations. An email making the rounds is indicative of prevailing despondency amongst soldiers who are unable to understand the reasons for Government’s apathy. It reads, “ISI and all other entities inimical to India have passed a resolution thanking Indian Pay Commission for achieving in one stroke what they have been unsuccessfully trying to achieve for decades – demoralization of the Indian armed forces.”

Notwithstanding general disenchantment with its apparent anti-military bias, CPC deserves credit for proposing an extremely viable scheme to help the services overcome the twin problems of shortage of officers and resettlement of ex-servicemen. Both the problems are acute and have been defying solution. Currently, the Indian Army is facing a shortage of over 11,000 officers, close to 24 percent of its authorisation of 46,615 officers. The other two services face a similar problem. The only solution lies in making Short Service Commission (SSC) attractive. Presently, adequate number of suitable candidates do not apply for SSC due to their sense of insecurity about future prospects. They fear that failure to get Permanent Commission will make them jobless in the prime of their lives with full family responsibilities to boot. As regards resettlement of ex-servicemen, over 40,000 young, trained and disciplined soldiers are released from the defence forces every year. The Government has to bear a huge pension bill while this large pool of highly skilled manpower is lost to the country without being put to any productive use.

CPC rightly recognised that only an assured second career can make SSC attractive as financial packages can never compensate for short tenure of service and uncertainty about future employment. Similarly, CPC felt that provision of alternate Government service to ex-servicemen can ensure utilisation of their full potential whilst reducing the pension bill. It, therefore, suggested a scheme of assured lateral induction of retired service personnel into suitable Government organisations. The scheme is easy to implement and cannot be faulted on any count.

Proposed Scheme
Due to similarity of functions, central police organisations and paramilitary forces (collectively referred to as CPO) provide ideal opportunity for optimum utilisation of training and experience of service personnel. Additionally, various defence civilian organisations (DCO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) can also absorb suitable ex-servicemen. The total average intake of all CPO and DCO is around 35,000 annually. Thus, almost all retiring SSC officers and soldiers can be conveniently absorbed.

CPC recommended that recruitment of soldiers should continue as hitherto fore under the services. Depending on the requirement of the services and vacancy position in CPO/DCO, service period in the defence forces could vary between 7 and 17 years. Thereafter, depending on the availability of posts, choice and medical fitness, retiring personnel should be laterally shifted to analogous posts in different CPO/DCO with protection of salary and seniority. Such lateral shift would be optional - soldiers can opt to retire with their normal pension as at present.

According to CPC, the following major benefits would accrue from the proposed scheme:-

CPO/DCO would save over Rs 100 crores per annum currently spent on recruitment and training of personnel as they would get trained manpower.
Servicemen would come with rich experience of anti-terrorist and counterinsurgency duties.

The pension bill of the Government would get significantly curtailed as pension would be due to the retiring servicemen only after 30/33 years of service as against 17 years of service at present. Growing cumulatively, the annual savings on this account would be to the tune of Rs 7800 crore after 13 years.

SSC would become more attractive with assured second career option, thereby ensuring adequate intake of officers. It would also help keep the age profile of the defence forces young.

CPC sought views of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before finalising its recommendations. As was expected, MHA opposed the scheme citing frivolous reasons like the likely adverse effect on the age profile of CPO, problems regarding fixation of parity and career progression. The most ridiculous argument offered against the scheme was that soldiers are trained to kill whereas police personnel are trained to control. CPC found all reasons to be specious and untenable. It dismissed them out of hand. Soldiers are highly disciplined personnel and have acquitted themselves admirably in counter insurgency operations and aid to civil authority in the maintenance of law and order. They have never been accused of excessive or indiscriminate use of force. CPC considered the scheme to be ‘extremely viable, beneficial and with no real drawbacks existing in its effective implementation’. It recommended its implementation in entirety without any delay.

As was expected, the Government rejected the proposed scheme without making public reasons for the same. Even the Committee of Secretaries did not bother to examine it.

Opposition to Induction of SSC Officers
Induction of SSC officers was bound to be opposed both by the political leadership and CPO. Political leadership has already politicised CPO to the extent that the officers have been rendered spineless. They do the bidding of their political masters without a whimper of protest. Politicians fear that SSC officers may not toe their line. Having served in an apolitical environment they may resist political pressures. On the other hand, officer cadre in CPO resents induction of ex-service officers for the following reasons:-

Due to their better training and experience, they make police officers feel inferior and ill-equipped. This sense of inadequacy results in petty groupism and jealousies.
SSC officers are liked by the rank and file due to their better man-management skills and empathy for subordinates.
SSC officers pose a threat to their advancement in career because of better professional proficiency, physical fitness and operational acumen.

Resistance to Side-stepping of Ex-servicemen
As regards side-stepping of ex-servicemen into CPO, resistance appears to be on the following grounds:

CPO are considered personal fiefdoms of political leaders and bureaucrats of MHA. Any policy that appears to be diluting their absolute control is perceived as an unacceptable threat.

Recruitment to CPO is a highly lucrative activity with political patronage playing an important role. Lateral induction would halt it totally.

Military training makes ex-servicemen averse to carrying out chores which are routine in CPO.

Additionally, military culture imbibed by soldiers inhibits their use for partisan purposes.

Conclusion
Opposition from MHA was on expected lines. However, what came as a big shock was total indifference displayed by MoD as well. Inability of MoD to force MHA to accept induction into CPO is understandable. However, DCO are directly under MoD. It could have made a beginning and set an example by admitting ex-servicemen in DCO. But then, MoD has always been more interested in ‘keeping the armed forces in their place’ rather than looking after their welfare. It is incongruous that MoD wants other organisations (including private sector) to provide employment to ex-servicemen but refuses to accept them in organisations under its own direct control.

In view of the new threats emerging, there is an emergent need to improve the quality of CPO. Induction of ex-servicemen, both at officer and subordinate levels, with long experience of fighting terrorism and insurgency will prove to be of immense value to CPO. It will also bring in much-needed professionalism.
As is obvious, the scheme has been rejected to protect fiefdoms. As lateral induction is construed as a threat, the decision makers are not ready to consider it seriously. No reasons have been made public for its rejection. Selfishness has been the bane of Indian governance. Every proposal is evaluated on the basis of personal benefits accruing to the decision makers. National interests mean little. Subordination of personal interests to national interests requires rare vision and altruism. It is not a trait which is prevalent amongst India’s governing authorities. It is time political leaders and bureaucrats rise above narrow partisan outlook to prove their concern for national security. Proposal mooted by CPC must be implemented without dilution and delay.

Major General Mrinal Suman
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