OROP: Chiefs presentation not once but twice is double jeopardy

Dear Friends,
We have sent the following letter to all the Chiefs for doing the needful in getting our problems solved.
I do hope that they would take appropriate action to bring home the truth to the leadership which has never been found wanting.
The anxiety of the leadership to solve our problems was obvious from the MESSIANIC manner in which our Hon'ble RM took up the matter with the Hon'ble PM and the reaction of the Hon'ble PM in promptly appointing a Committee to solve our problems. All the papers that have been sent to you earlier and given below after the letter to the Chiefs were also sent to the Chiefs.
With best wishes
Lt Col Inderjit Singh

LETTER TO CHIEFS ABOUT OUR MEETING WITH THE HON'BLE RM
I wish to apprise you about our Meeting with the Hon'ble RM on 29 Sep 2012. I am therefore attaching all the papers about the Meeting for your kind information and necessary action.
2. The entire Veterans community is shattered by what has happened and expects you the Chiefs to get us our rightful dues by projecting the truth to the benign leadership as we have tried to do. My services are available if required by you.
3. The damage was done when all our respected Chiefs went and made presentation, not once but twice, to the Committee and demanded resolution of only few of our long list of anomalies pending with the Govt. It is sad that this happened when the entire Veterans community rejected it for our non representation on it. I am sure you will agree that it showed us all in a very poor light. Your request to the Leadership after first visit, for our representation, had no meaning as the Committee had already been legitimized by your presentations.
4. Whatever has happened cannot be undone. Now it is for you to figure out how you are going to repair the damage so that we can get our rightful dues.
5. We look forward to your positive response.
With best wishes,
Lt Col Inderjit Singh

Gen Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM,VSM, SM, ADC**, Chief of The Army Staff

Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, PVSM, AVSM,VM, ADC, Chief of Air Staff

Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, ADC Chief of Naval Staff

IESM 2 Years ago: Will future Jantar Mantar Protests yield any results?

EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY AT JANTAR MANTARON SUNDAY, 28 NOV 201011.
On the Ex-Servicemen Rally of 28 Nov 2010 organised by IESM at Jantar Mantar, as against the earlier ones of 8 Feb 2009 & 12 Apr 2009; I observed that:

Attendance. The attendance was comparatively thinner, not exceeding 1000, as against the claimed 5000 Ex-Servicemen having taken part in the Rally. It is necessary that we all realize that until & unless IESM spreads its wings all over the Country, ONE RANK ONE PENSION will only remain a mirage. And, our presumption that 1000 Ex-Servicemen rallying at Jantar Mantar would coerce the Govt. of India to grant ONE RANK ONE PENSION, is badly misplaced.

Signing of Petition in Blood. At Jantar Mantar, the venue of the Rally, on Sunday, 28 Nov 2010; around 10.00 AM, I saw a Nursing Asst. draw blood from Ex-Servicemen and store it in a bottle. When Col Himmat Singh Kaushal from Ambala and Lt Cdr Mayil Vahanan from Tanjavur (Tamil Nadu) went the table where Ex-Servicemen were busy signing their names in blood and stretched out their hands for blood to be drawn; they were told to dip a quill in the bottle of blood kept on the table and affix their signatures. It is felt that drawing of blood from Ex-Servicemen and their signing the Petition in blood ought to be done more visibly, in full glare of the Media to enable photographs of the same to appear in leading media, on the next day.
Finally, considering that the elections for a pan-India organisation were conducted without enabling any serious level of participatory credibility; with immense pain, I hereby choose to resign from the primary membership of IESM, an organisation of which I had the privilege of being one among the Founder Members.
JAI HIND.
Regards,
Col SS Rajan
click here for the full report
Comment: Lessons learnt in earlier Rallies must be analysed before jumping into another protest rally. OROP is slowly losing steam because the case is not projected precisely with adequate legal baggage. Just harping on OROP like a broken record will not enhance our Pension rights/ entitlements to satisfy all sections of the Military. What will be more prudent is to fight for enhanced pay and pensions for our Sepoys, NCOs and JCOs and removal of all anomalies. The Rank Pay case should act as an eye opener. IESM need to employ advocates who can fight our cases in a befitting manner. Wasting money on Rallies will bear no fruit unless backed with at least a lakh of protestors.

OROP: Sampling of Readers Comments

Ref: Taking steps for one-rank, one-pension demand: Govt
TNN | Sep 27, 2012, 02.02AM IST
ESM Definition and FAQ's: Click here
Readers Comments

J.Rajagopalan (Coonoor) 2 days ago
By means of a constitutional amendment Defence Secretary and defence minister of our country should be nominated by the president among the serving/retired defence officers.Only then true representation and redressal of grievances of the forces can be achieved. As for OROP is concerned, we have no other way than continue struggling till we achieve our goal.

S N (Secunderabad)
2 days ago
The so-called improvement in pension is to avoid being castigated by the supreme Court and being asked to pay interest on the arrears. Even now ex-servicemen should fight for the arrears with interest. During the implementation of the 6th CPC the Babus twisted the recommendation of the Pay Commission and gave a pension equal to the minimum of the Pay Band instead of minimum of the pay fixed in the Pay Band. This is is similar to the cheating of the award of the 4th Pay Commission. To avoid paying arrears and interest therein they have quietly tried to palm this off as OROP or a step towards it. Ex servicemen should fight for the arrears and any delaying tactic by UOI should be punished by a higher rate of interest on these arrears. What has been announced is a lame attempt to fool people and to close the gates for a judicial solution. How Mr.Anthony and the PM got fooled by these crooked and cunning Babus beats one hollow. All these recent incidents prove that the Government is not serious about the Defence of this country. This is what will happen if we have an Italian waitress heading a Party who acts as an extra-constitutional centre of power. All in all this, country needs a bitter war to set matters right and our poor voters who are still in the 19th Century wake up to the reality when they vote. The people should not join the Armed Forces until an assurance is given that there will be no more cheating of this sort by bureaucrats.

Ex-Sgt Ravindran Nair (Nagercoil) 2 days ago
The central government has finally concurred OROP issue, a big thanks goes to them for their efforts, but no way it’s acceptable to Ex-servicemen as the core issue has not been looked into. Our bureaucrats, Defense minister and Prime minister are jointly misleading the entire nation on the issue by giving wide propaganda that Rs 2,300 crore pension package has been announced for ex-servicemen. I strongly have a doubt maybe it could be an advance election campaign foreseeing the political situation which will happen in near future. The treatment is just like throwing bones to barking dogs. The long plea for justice that is going on for more than two decades has been totally ignored and they say it will be done phase by phase. When the next phase comes how many will be alive and how many in the graveyard? It would be great if you could account for this query raised? (Ex-Sgt Ravindran Nair)

C Mohan Sharma (Panchkula) 2 days ago
Lt Col Shourie To win over the Ex-Service Men votes the UPA II has enacted a drama which is going to prove very counter-productive. It is not understood as to why the RM, FM and PM are easily taken for a ride by shrewd Babus and make fool of them ( politicians ). The struggle for justice will continue and may be the next Govt ( without Congress ) may understand the real issues, the OROP and take the credit and win over the armed forces including Ex-Service-Men. Good luck Manmohan Singh Ji

Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch (Ludhiana) 3 days ago
Government tried to boast wrongly and misleadingly on the issue: However, no-doubt, the Ex-servicemen will be benefited, but not at all to their satisfaction as being projected the matter more politically and not realistically without giving the details in earlier reports. It is clear that fight of ex-servicemen for ‘one rank, one pension’ is not over and their frustration for the reason has to remain intact against political ruling class as well as against bureaucrats. Balbir Singh Sooch, (Ex-Sgt. Indian Air Force)

kumar (ggn) 3 days ago
I do not understand why people have a tendency to put themselves in knots for no reason is there a deliberate attempt to demean the retired armed forces officers and men , you do not call it a joke it is downright insult to the braves of yesteryears.

Col G I Balakrishnan (Hyderabad) 3 days ago
They think that they can joke away the issue by this step. It is only going to add to the dissatisfaction of the servicemen and prove to be counter productive .

Qamrul Hasan (Ex-IN) (Siwan) 3 days ago
The government (any party) response towards the serving of retired defence personnel is doubtful. They promise and when they come to power forget it. It will demoralized our defence to perform their duties faithfully and honestly. I think this govt. is dump & deaf and most of the ministers are busy to find the way to make big Ghotala.

OROP: Why BJP supports ESM demand

One Rank One Pension’: Why the BJP supports Ex-Servicemen’s demand
1. The ‘One Rank One Pension’ issue has been raised before both the V and VI pay commissions.
2. The issue is about the considerable disparity in pension between pensioners that retired pre 1996, between 1996-2006 and post 2006.
3. The tying up of pensions with the last drawn pay is applied universally to both civilian and defence personnel.
4. Since the pay scales were revised by the V and VI pay commissions, the tie up with the last drawn pay had widened the disparity in pensions.
5. But for the senior officers in both the Officers cadre (e.g. Lt. General) and PBOR (Personnel Below Officers Rank) cadre (e.g. Honorary Captain), the pensions are based on rank and not on the last drawn pay.
6. The V pay commission, in 1996, has recommended parity in pension between pre and post 1986 pensioners. This was a follow up to the KP Singh Deo report in 1984 and a One Time Increase in 1992 towards bringing parity in pensions. But the V pay commission’s recommendations on the pension of ‘post 1996’ retirees, was still tied to the last drawn pay.
7. The V pay commission has also made provisions for neutralization of price rise.
8. The VI pay commission has given a ‘fitment benefit’ to all retired employees, both civilian and defense, to partially compensate for the disparities in the pre 2006 and post 2006 retirees.
9. Also in order to compensate for the reduced employment of defence personnel period a ‘year weightage’ is included in calculation of benefits.
10. Due to the widening disparity, the note asks for pay to be not tied to the last drawn pay but to the rank thereby making all future increases applicable to existing pensioners also.
11. It is a highly emotive issue, since the soldiers retain their titles post retirement and the financial benefits accruing to them is determined by the retirement date.
12. Fiscal outlay for implementing the ‘One Rank One Pension’ is going to be modest — only in the order of Rs.1500 crores.
Considering the fact that the soldiers serve the best years of their lives in defense of the country in life threatening environments and retiring early, the ‘One Rank One Pension’ demand deserves to be implemented in an expedient way to honor our soldiers. A future BJP-led government, if elected, will implement this demand without any delay.
Source: http://www.lkadvani.in/eng/content/view/811/ ‘One Rank One Pension’: Why the BJP supports Ex-Servicemen’s demand

OROP: जंतर मंतर पर विरोध रैली

"अन्याय के खिलाफ रक्षा दिग्गजों"
01 DEC 2012 प्रिय दिग्गजों पर जंतर मंतर नई दिल्ली में विशाल रैली
दिनांक: 28 सितम्बर +२०१२
1. सरकार न केवल और रक्षा अनसुलझे कार्मिक के वेतन और पेंशन में 39 गंभीर विसंगतियों को छोड़ दिया है, यह भी नहीं लागू किया गया है और सशस्त्र बलों ट्रिब्यूनल और सुप्रीम कोर्ट को रक्षा कार्मिकों के पक्ष में दिए गए फैसले हैं. राज्यसभा OROP दृढ़ता से की सिफारिश रक्षा कार्मिक OROP पर याचिका समिति की सिफारिशों को लागू नहीं किया गया है.
OROP मुद्दा है जो विधिवत संसद के सदस्यों द्वारा किया गया है पर 7 महीने के लिए विश्लेषण, जो पहले राज्यसभा समिति था OROP के अनुदान के खिलाफ सबूत दिया सचिवों की एक समिति को सौंपा गया था. उन से क्या उम्मीद की जा सकती है? PM, RM, और तीन प्रमुखों से अवगत कराया गया.
24 सितम्बर 2012 को (इवनिंग) सरकार सैनिकों और राष्ट्र को गुमराह किया जब वे घोषणा कि OROP अनुमोदित किया गया है. वास्तव में अनुमोदन कहीं नहीं OROP के करीब है.
सरकार ने न केवल 6 सीपीसी जहां नौकरशाही 6 सीपीसी यानी की सिफारिश चालाकी था "वेतन बैंड में रैंक के वेतन का न्यूनतम पे बैंड के न्यूनतम वेतन के लिए बदल गया था" एक गंभीर विसंगति हटा दिया गया है. हवलदार सिपाही के लिए इसके अलावा, वे दो साल के अतिरिक्त वेटेज दिया है जो केवल 400 रुपये प्रति माह की वृद्धि का मतलब है. तीन प्रमुखों द्वारा मांग करने के लिए समिति में सेवारत और सेवानिवृत्त रक्षा कर्मियों के सदस्यों से शामिल नहीं स्वीकार कर लिया गया.
2. हमारी न्याय इसलिए पाने के लिए संघर्ष, वृद्धि की तीव्रता के साथ जारी किया जाएगा. 1530hrs - मन में इसके बाद के संस्करण के साथ एक रैली जंतर मंतर नई दिल्ली में 01 दिसम्बर 2012 को 1030 से आयोजित किया गया है की योजना बनाई है. सभी ईएसएम जो अपने पदक नहीं जमा करने के लिए बड़ी संख्या में ऐसा करने का अनुरोध कर रहे हैं. पदक बुद्धिमान और रैली या व्यक्तिगत ईएसएम के लिए लाया क्षेत्र रैली स्थल पर उनके पदक जमा कर सकते हैं एकत्र किया जा सकता है.
3. कार्रवाई के भविष्य के पाठ्यक्रम और संकल्प सामूहिक रूप से रैली में पारित हो जाएगा करने के लिए सुनिश्चित करें कि हम अपने कारण न्याय मिलता है. दिल्ली में इस रैली के लिए सेना के लिए निरंतर उदासीनता और दुराचार meted प्रदर्शन और सरकार पर प्रभावित करने के लिए दीवार पर लेखन देख और शीघ्रता से रक्षा कर्मियों के सभी शिकायतों का समाधान करने के लिए तेजी से कार्य करने के लिए आयोजित किया जा रहा है.
4. पिछले दस वर्षों में रक्षा बलों सरकार के उदासीन रवैये के कारण ignominies और अपमान की एक बहुत कुछ सहा है. और नौकरशाही. सरकार अगर यह सोचता है कि छठे वेतन आयोग की सिफारिशों के साथ सशस्त्र बलों के असंतोष के मुद्दे पर अपने पैर खींच द्वारा यह कर सकते हैं कि इस मुद्दे को दूर जाना गलत है.
5. एक देश है कि अपने सशस्त्र बलों का सम्मान करने के लिए मना कर दिया है अंत में अंत बलों है कि 'देशों आकांक्षाओं का सम्मान नहीं होगा हो रही होगी. एक देश अपने सैनिकों के साथ एक पवित्र अनुबंध है कि जबकि वह / वह उसकी / उसके जीवन नीचे रखना जब आह्वान ऐसा करने के लिए, राष्ट्र हद तक अपने संसाधनों के लिए उसका / उसकी अच्छी तरह से देखभाल और उसकी / उसके परिवार की जरूरतों के ले जाएगा की अनुमति.
6. एक निर्दिष्ट मार्ग पर चार किलोमीटर रैली अनुसूची के अलावा, यह 3 के एक मार्च के लिए बाहर ले करने का प्रस्ताव है. यह भी एक वाहन मंच पर जो वीरता और विशिष्ट सेवा पदक संख्या लगभग दस हज़ार है जो पहले से ही स्वयंसेवक ईएसएम और एक बड़ी संख्या है जो रैली के दिन पर जमा हो जाएगा द्वारा किया गया है हमारे साथ जमा सम्मान में रखा जाएगा तैयार करने की योजना बनाई है "दिखाने के मामले अलग - अलग उद्देश्य के लिए बनाया है. इस रैली स्थल पर रखा जाएगा और अनुसूचित मार्च के साथ रैली के दौरान चला. 7 दिनों - बाद में, यह 5 की एक अवधि के लिए राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र में विभिन्न स्थानों पर "पदक मामलों दिखाएँ" के साथ वाहन ले जाने की योजना बनाई है. चार स्वयंसेवक ईएसएम हमेशा वाहन पर पदक ले जाएगा.
7. यानी हरियाणा, राजस्थान, पंजाब, हिमाचल, उत्तराखंड, उत्तर प्रदेश, जो अपने - अपने राज्यों में पदक के साथ परेड के लिए वाहन की इच्छा के पास राज्यों में IESM Conveners IESM मुख्यालय को लिखने के लिए, 543 सेक्टर 23, मेल आईडी पर गुड़गांव (हरियाणा) में हो सकता है: satbirsm ( ) जीमेल (डॉट) com पर वाहन को 3-4 दिनों की अवधि के लिए स्वयंसेवक राज्यों को भेजा जा नियोजित किया जाएगा.
8. अब योजना के लिए रखने के लिए 01 दिसम्बर 2012 अपने और परिवार के सदस्यों और यकीन है कि आप सभी को बड़ी संख्या में ऊपर रैली में भाग लेने के लिए मुक्त हैं. आपकी भागीदारी प्रकरण रक्षा दिग्गजों के सामूहिक शक्ति दिखाएँ हमारे कारण न्याय पाने के लिए आवश्यक है.
9. रैली में शामिल होने के लिए अन्याय के खिलाफ "यकीन है कि जीत" यह सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए.
सादर,
जय हिन्द
निष्ठा से तुम्हारा है,
मेजर जनरल (सेवानिवृत्त) सतबीर सिंह, एसएम
वाइस चेयरमैन भारतीय ईएसएम आंदोलन

OROP demand diluted: Sugar Coated Ruse?

Edits: The Statesman
26 September 2012
SUGAR-COATED RUSE
To dilute OROP demand
NOT for the first time has the central government, and this criticism is not UPA-specific, hypocritically and sinisterly come up with a seemingly attractive package of pension benefits for ex-servicemen ~ that is actually intended to dilute the demand for a one-rank one-pension regime (OROP). Terms like “close to”, “approximating with” or “bridging the gap” have been used by the establishment to camouflage the reality that the promise of reworking the principle on which defence pensions are calculated has been broken. While initially on Monday evening TV channels flashed misleading reports that OROP had been cleared by the Cabinet they subsequently modified their line: without admitting to have erred when raising the hopes of an anxious pensioners’ community. Once the gift-wrapping of the Rs 2,300-crore package was discarded, distinct dismay and frustration spread through the community that concluded that AK Antony, Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram had emulated their predecessors in a bid to “sweeten them” via a one-time handout. The reaction from veterans’ association has been scathing: a retired lieutenant-general accused the government of “deceit”, another said “it is a joke, they have cheated.” Some of their calculations point to anomalies persisting, and insisted the “disillusionment continued”. So should we expect a return to the disheartening scenes of veterans protesting in the streets, returning medals they had once cherished, even more drastic measures that could influence elections? Or that the sustained unhappiness impacts recruitment in regions where “serving the colours” has been a matter of family honour? And that the complications created by different scales render the pension disbursing agency hamstrung. The courts and tribunals are replete with horror stories about people spending years (and their limited funds) seeking “justice”.
Arguments against OROP (some do have validity) ought to have ceased after all major political parties promised it in their election manifestos, and a parliamentary committee averred that non-implementation was “not tenable”. So the allegation of political double-speak “sticks” ~ across party lines. The implied alibi (bureaucratically-inspired?) that other sections of government workers will make similar demands is cowardly: most soldiers retire in their early 40s, their pension-dependence is unique. The short-point is that if the government does not accept the OROP principle it should have the guts to say so. Perhaps the only “political” reason for the latest rejection of OROP is that granting it would appear to be buckling under pressure mounted by the previous army chief when taking a reckless exit route to build himself a “constituency”.
SUGAR-COATED RUSE To dilute OROP demand

OROP: Critical Finances cause of dumping ESM

NEW DELHI, September 27, 2012
‘One Rank, One Pension’ a continuing process: Ministry SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The Hindu
“Despite critical finances, government is sympathetic towards armed forces”
Even as ex-servicemen have voiced dissatisfaction over the UPA government’s Rs. 2,300-crore package for pensioners, saying it has fallen short of their expectations, sources in the Defence Ministry maintain that “One Rank, One Pension” is a continuing process.
In a bid to blunt criticism, a senior official on Wednesday said the government’s package, despite the critical finances of the country, “is indicative of its sympathetic attitude towards personnel of the armed forces.”
Aim to cover gap in phased manner
The sources said the overall aim of the package was to cover the gap in a phased manner. It was the third time the government increased pensions of ex-servicemen after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations had been implemented in 2008. “Every ex-serviceman has benefitted from this latest exercise, which has several measures aimed at enhancing the pension of pre-2006 persons below other ranks (PBORs) pensioners and family pensioners.” This would benefit about 13 lakh pensioners, the total cost entailed being Rs. 1,400 crore.
9.7% to 13% rise
On implementation, the sources said, the PBORs would get a raise ranging from 9.7 to 13 per cent over the existing pension, and Commissioned Officers would get an increase ranging from 10 to 28 per cent.
As a result, the basic pension of a sepoy in group ‘Y’ with 17 years of service would increase by about Rs. 500 a month, of a Naik with 22 years of service by about Rs. 550 and of a Havaldar in Group ‘Y’ with 24 years of service by about Rs. 800, the sources explained. Dearness relief would be payable in addition.
Raise for Commissioned Officers
For Commissioned Officers, the increase would range from Rs. 565 to Rs. 3,741 a month depending on the rank. It would range from Rs. 1,500 for Captains to Rs. 3,650 for Major-Generals. These benefits, the sources said, would be in addition to what already accrued to them after implementation of the 2005 order and increase in pension on account of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations with reference to a change in the pay band of a Lieutenant Colonel to pay band 4.
Family pensioners would also benefit by an increase of Rs. 242-2,500 depending on their existing pension.
‘One Rank, One Pension’ a continuing process: Ministry

MoD: Britain Vs India: Career average Vs Final salary

Britain: Pension reforms for military outlined by MoD
The age at which members of the Armed Forces claim pensions could rise from 55 to 60 under government plans.
The changes, affecting all service personnel under the age of 45, are part of the government's plans to cut the cost of public sector pensions.
The new conditions are set to be introduced from April 2015.
The Forces Pensions Society (FPS) said the forthcoming changes were a "very good deal" and "certainly not all bad news".
The society's general secretary, Major General John Moore-Bick, said: "We have ensured that armed forces pensions stay towards the top end of pensions in the public sector."
"This does not mean that any people will have to carry on serving until they are 60."
Early payment
The current Armed Forces pension scheme has two main sections, for those who joined between 1975 and 2005 and those who joined afterwards.
In both cases the normal pension age is 55.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that only 2% of those who serve in the Armed Forces do so until that age.
The new scheme will be a career average one, rather than the final-salary versions that operate at present.
Pension rights accrued under the existing sections will be protected, so pensions earned up to the change-over date of April 2015 will be payable at the current retirement ages.
A unique early retirement feature of the scheme will also remain.
Under this, early departure payments in the form of a lower level of pension, and a lump sum, are paid to service men and women with at least 18 years service who are aged 40 or over.
The length of service required to trigger this will rise to 20 years.
"This will mainly affect officers who tend to join after university rather than the other ranks who join about the age of 20," said David Marsh, pensions secretary of the FPS.
Exemption
In the rest of the public sector the government is linking the normal pension age to the state pension age, which is going to rise in due course from 65 to at least 68, in line with increased life expectancy.
The MoD said this meant that those in uniform would still have better pension terms than most other public sector workers.
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, said: "The government has had to make some tough decisions to ensure sustainable public service pensions which provide a fair deal for both service personnel and for the taxpayer."
"We recognise the unique commitment made by the Armed Forces and we have done all we can to protect them and make these changes in the fairest way possible," he added.
Service personnel who were within 10 years of their normal retirement age on 1 April 2012 will be exempt from the new changes altogether.
All service personnel will continue to be exempted from paying cash contributions to their pension scheme, though many argue that their pay rates are set at levels lower than would otherwise be the case, to offset this apparent generosity.
"The MoD has done a very good job - under the consultation this is a very good job," Mr Marsh said.
Britain: Pension reforms for military outlined by MoD

'one-rank, one-pension' still a distant dream for Jawans

Govt enhances pensions of retired soldiers, 'one-rank, one-pension' still distant Rajat Pandit, TNN | Sep 24, 2012, 11.05PM IST
NEW DELHI: Faced with huge discontentment among military personnel over their long-standing pay and pension grievances, the government on Monday finally announced an annual Rs 2,300 crore additional pension package for ex-servicemen but stopped short of granting them full one-rank, one-pension (OROP).
The government also maintained silence on the fate of the five main demands of serving officers and jawans, who contend they were given "a raw deal" in the 6th Pay Commission as compared to their civilian counterparts.
Their demands, which were also considered by the high-powered committee led by cabinet secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, ranged from common pay scale for junior commissioned officers/other ranks (JCOs/ORs) and enhancement of grade pay to placing all lieutenant generals in the HAG + (higher administrative grade-plus) scale and grant of non-functional upgradation to armed forces personnel.
But the 23 lakh ex-servicemen, many of whom have been holding regular rallies and returning their medals as a mark of protest for the last four years, have something to cheer about. For one, the Union Cabinet approved the "bridging of the gap" between the pensions of the JCOs/ORs who retired before January 1996 and those who superannuated after that date.
It was also decided to increase the "weightage of qualifying service" for pension by two years in the ranks of sepoys, naiks and havaldars for both pre and post January 1996 retirees.
Moreover, the pension of pre-January 1996 retired officers will also be stepped up "with reference to the minimum of fitment table for the ranks instead of the minimum of pay band" as it exists now. Officials said these steps "are expected to largely meet" the demands of ex-servicemen for OROP, which incidentally has been promised by virtually all political parties over the years.
For another, the government has approved enhancement in family pension, allowed dual family pension (where the pensioner was drawing pension for military service as well as civil employment) and family pension to mentally challenged children of armed forces personnel even after they get married.
"But all this is modified parity and not the OROP we have been demanding," said a retired major general. OROP basically implies that uniform pension be paid to the personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any further enhancement in pension rates be automatically be passed on to past pensioners.
The argument is that unlike civilian government employees, who retire at 60 years of age, military personnel retire by rank at comparatively younger ages. "All jawans retire in their mid-30s, all JCOs in their mid-40s and the bulk of officers in early-50s to keep the armed forces from greying. Only a handful of officers like lieutenant generals serve up to 60 years," said an officer.
"Since the date of retirement also determines the quantum of pension, with each Pay Commission every 10 years, the military veterans who retire early receive lesser pension compared to those who retired later with the same rank and service," he added.
But the defence ministry in the past has contended that full OROP is not financially, legally or administratively feasible. Full OROP implementation would mean an annual outgo of another Rs 1,200-1,300 crore, apart from payment of arrears in the range of Rs 4,000 crore.
Govt enhances pensions of retired soldiers, 'one-rank, one-pension' still distant

Gap between the present and past pensioners to be narrowed

Broad approval for one rank, one pension scheme
VINAY KUMAR The Hindu NEW DELHI, September 24, 2012
Bowing to the long-standing demand of ex-servicemen for one rank, one pension (OROP) and other benefits, the Union Cabinet on Monday broadly approved the scheme and also gave its nod for enhancement of family pension and dual family pension that will cost the government about Rs. 2300 crore annually.
The Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also approved the grant of family pension to mentally and physically challenged children of armed forces personnel. The decisions on pension issues of ex-servicemen may be implemented from a prospective date and payment made accordingly, an official release said.
On the OROP, the demand of the defence forces and ex-servicemen associations was that an uniform pension be paid to the defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement, and that any future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.
The difference in the pension of present and past pensioners in the same rank occurs on account of the number of increments earned by the defence personnel in that rank. The UPA government on two previous occasions has taken decisions to narrow the gap between the present and past pensioners, particularly those belonging to ‘JCOs and Other Ranks.’
On the issue of one rank, one pension, the Cabinet approved the following:

Bridging of the gap in the pension of pre-January 2006 and post January 2006 JCO/OR retirees by determining the pension of pre January 1, 2006 retirees on the basis of a notional maximum for ranks and groups across the three Services as in the case of post-January 1, 2006 retirees. In addition, the weightage of qualifying service in the ranks of Sepoys, Naik and Havaldar would be increased by two years for both pre and post-January 1, 2006 retirees.

The pension of pre-January 1, 2006 Commissioned Officer pensioners would be stepped up with reference to the minimum of fitment table for the ranks, instead of the minimum of pay band.

Referring to the enhancement of family pension, the Cabinet decided that the pension of pre-January 1, 2006 family pensioners (Commissioned Officers, Honorary Commissioned Officers, JCOs/ORs) be stepped up, based on the minimum of the fitment table instead of the minimum of the Pay Band.

Establishing linkage between the family pension and the pension of JCOs/ORs, in those cases where the death takes place after the retirement of the JCO/OR since such a JCO/OR drew a pension based on the maximum of the pay scales, 60% of the pension applicable to JCO/OR pensioners would be granted to the family pensioner in case of normal family pension calculated at 30% of last pay drawn.

Accordingly, based on the rank, group and length of service of the deceased JCO/OR pensioner, his pension would first be determined on notional basis. In cases where death of JCO/OR took place after retirement, the family pensioners in receipt of normal family pension would become entitled to 60% of the said pension determined on notional basis and those in receipt of enhanced family pension will be entitled to 100% of this pension. Similar entitlements would be determined in the case of Special Family Pension and

The family pensioner of the JCO/OR would be granted pension arrived at on the basis of the family pension worked out as per the formulation at (i) above or the pension on the basis of stepping up with reference to the minimum of the fitment table, whichever is beneficial. Further, the linkage of family pension with retiring pension be applied in the case of post-January 1, 2006 family pensioners of JCOs/ORs also.

Dual family pension. The Cabinet also decided that dual family pension would be allowed in the present and future cases where the pensioner drew, is drawing or may draw pension for military service as well as for civil employment.

In yet another welfare measure, the Cabinet approved that the grant of family pension to mentally/physically challenged children who drew, are drawing or may draw family pension would continue even after their marriage.
Panel report
The Cabinet nod for the OROP came weeks after the six-member committee, set up by the Prime Minister, submitted its report. The committee was headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth. It was set up after a Rajya Sabha panel last year recommended granting one rank, one pension to defence personnel.
The Rajya Sabha Committee on Petition in a report tabled on December 19, 2011 recommended grant of OROP to defence personnel. It found the government contention to deny ex-servicemen “untenable.”
Broad approval for one rank, one pension scheme
Comment: We need to quantify how short, we the Military Pensioners are, from the classical OROP we are demanding. Each CPC has no doubt screwed up our pensions. Is there any scientific rationale to arrive at how close or far away is the target from the present sanctioned pension for Officers, JCO;s and Jawans?

Cabinet Approves Pension Plan akin to OROP

Zeenews Bureau Tuesday, September 25, 2012
One Rank One Pension: Cabinet approves Rs 2,300 cr plan for ex-armed forces
New Delhi: In what can be termed good news for ex-armed forces personnel, the Cabinet on Monday approved a pension plan of Rs 2,300 crore under the ‘One Rank One Pension’ scheme.
Services personnel who have retired before January 2006, will now be entitled to pension almost equal to their counterparts who superannuated after this date.
The estimated cost of this proposal will be approx Rs 2,300 crore per annum.
The Armed forces have been agitating for One Rank One Pension scheme for quite some time now.
As per the bonanza scheme, every ex-serviceman will be eligible for the same pension at his rank, regardless of when he joined or retired.
The ‘One Rank One Pension’ was a demand of 1.3-million strong defence personnel which got partly approved today based on the recommendations of a panel set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The slew of measures taken by the Government to increase pension and pay of the armed forces included enhancement of family pension, granting of dual family pension and family pension to mentally and physically challenged wards of defence personnel even after their marriage, officials said here.
An official release said steps taken by the Government are expected to largely "meet the demands of the defence pensioners for one rank one pension (OROP)."
The committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth had submitted its report on August 08, 2012.
Set up on July 13 this year on the orders of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the committee had Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterjee and Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma as members, apart from secretaries of departments of expenditure, ex-servicemen's welfare, and personnel and training.
"The gap in pension of pre- and post-January 2006 retiree jawans will be bridged by determining the pension of pre- January 2006 pensioners on the basis of notional maximum for the ranks and groups across the three Services as in case of post-January 2006 retirees," the official release said.
"The pension of pre-January 2006 commissioned officer pensioners will be stepped up with reference to maximum fitment table for the ranks instead of minimum pay band," it said.
The decision would be implemented from a prospective date, Defence Ministry officials said.
As per the present system, personnel retiring under the 6th pay commission get more pension than their counterparts who have retired under previous pay commissions.
The Cabinet also accepted the enhancement of family pension for the families of serving and retired defence personnel who have lost their lives.
"The pension of pre-January 2006 family pensioners including officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks will be stepped up based on the minimum of the fitment table instead of the minimum pay band," the release said.
The government also allowed the Dual Family Pension which means that the pensioner would be allowed to draw both military and civil employment pensions.
It also agreed to the demand of granting family pension to mentally and physically challenged children of defence forces personnel even after their marriage.
This pension was so far granted to them only till their marriage.
Commenting on the virtual acceptance of the OROP demand, former Army Chief Gen VK Singh said, "They have done a lot for the good of the veterans community. They should have done it long back as it was long overdue."
One Rank One Pension: Cabinet approves Rs 2,300 cr plan for ex-armed forces

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

Will the India Against Corruption movement lose steam?

Dear friends,
I have just returned after attending a marathon meeting called by IAC to enable Anna Hazare to take the views of some people on the political alternative that he had announced when ending the fast at Jantar Mantar on 3rd August. The meeting started at 1000am and ended at 1915pm.
In spite of a fervent plea from many eminent people, including Shashi Bhushan, who was one of the founder members of the Janata Party in 1977, Anna stuck to his oft repeated stand that he will not join or allow his name to be used by any political party. He expressed the fear that politics will taint his reputation and image in Maharashtra. He said that he would continue to agitate for the Jan Lokpal Bill, and make sure that it is passed before the next elections, in 2014.
Most of us were sorely disappointed. Many people felt that the movement will lose the momentum and goodwill it had gained during the last two years. Anna's credibility will also suffer. People want a change and will not forgive us if we back out at this stage.
I am reminded of the words of Alexander the Great, who once said "An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep."
Veteran Maj Gen VK Singh

India Against Corruption
Although many feel disillusioned with the way the movement has dissipated and disintegrated, some of its spectacular successes won’t be forgotten easily. Among the most captivating was the Sense of the House resolution adopted by Parliament in August 2011 accepting “in principle” some of the demands of the Lokpal movement.
Eventually, the manner in which the movement was outwitted by the politicians and the high expectations created by the 24×7 media coverage also brought with it many valuable lessons. While Hazare is determined to fight his battles apolitically —as he has done all his life —Kejriwal is not entirely wrong in wanting to establish a political party. After all, politicians get their power from the votes cast by the people and if the people truly want to bring a change, there’s no alternative but to go and cast one’s vote.
If the politicians of the day have reduced Parliament to a dirty commode, as conveyed by the cartoonist, can one expect the politicians to clean it themselves? The people have no choice but to undertake this task themselves.
Why Arvind Kejriwal deserves our unstinted support
Comment: Kejriwal's route of forming a Political Party and taking on corruption is a long drawn out affair- There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Anna's and Arvind's route may differ but in essence it is same... to fight corruption... the Lokpal Bill is only a starter.

Forces Law Gazette

This day, 16th December, is militarily a significant date for the region.
To fill up the vacuum in a very apposite space, I feel pleased today in announcing the release of the first issue of the ‘FORCES LAW GAZETTE’ – a free, non-commercial quarterly newsletter dealing with law & allied issues related to uniformed services of not just India but other democracies as well. Meant more for general reading than use in Courts, the Gazette would consist of three broad categories:
(1) Law Related to Uniformed Services,
(2) Developments & Miscellaneous, and
(3) Contributions & Articles.

The Gazette would remain available through www.lawgazette.net for free download and distribution in pdf format. Of course, the link is also available on my blog Indian Military Info
Bouquets and brickbats are welcome on the comments section on the FLG webpage.
Readers are welcome to distribute and forward this email, and also the Gazette, freely and non-commercially without any inhibition or copyright concerns.
I, the Editorial team and the contributors hope to effectively sustain the concept with the next issue due in March 2012. Contributions in the form of articles are welcome and may be sent to me by email for publication in future volumes.
Thank You,
Major Navdeep Singh
Advocate, High Court

IESM Jantar Mantar Rally 12 Nov 2011

Dear All,
Proud to have taken part in the rally at Jantar Mantar today. Enclosing some photos taken.
Best Regards,
Baba
Col TN Baba (Veteran)

Prez retirement home: Ex-servicemen protest

Prez retirement home: Ex-servicemen protest
By: Vivek Sabnis Date: 2011-09-06 Place: Pune
Retired defence personnel stage agitation outside collector's office against decision to allot land reserved for jawans to Pratibha Patil
Demonstrating displeasure over the lower court's verdict to allot land in Khadki to President Prathiba Patil, former defence officials staged a protest outside the District Collectors office yesterday. The land that ex-servicemen claim is reserved for retired army jawans is the proposed plot for the President's retirement home.

Up in arms: Retd Col Suresh Patil (wearing goggles) and others protest under the banner of Green Thumb Environmental Protection Group before the District Collector's office yesterday. The protesters beat up an effigy of 'corrupt army officers'. Pic/Krunal Gosavi

Col Suresh Patil (Retd), who led the demonstration under the banner of Green Thumb Environmental Protection Group, said, "We are filing a PIL against the court's decision. When the President has residential properties in Jalgaon and Amravati, why should this land be allotted to her?"

Patil and 30 ex-servicemen have submitted a memorandum to the Resident District Collector, Anil Patil's office. They demanded the copy of the letter be sent to the President, the Union Defence Minister and the Home Minister. Earlier, the group of retired army officials had staged an agitation outside the Collector's office by throwing chappals at a symbolic effigy with names of corrupt defence officials.

Among the retired protesters were Col Gulabrao Jadhav, Major Ashok Sartape, Col Anand Vishal Gadge and Jahangir Mulla. Also, the Green Thumb Environment Group has demanded that the Jan Lokpal bill include the President. The members said that except for divulging operational details, it should include the army as well.
Prez retirement home: Ex-servicemen protest

Veterans Rally to Protest Government Apathy

Veterans to rally, return medals to protest Centre's apathy
Respected Sir/Ma'am,
The following report -- released by the United News of India news agency on November 3, 2011 -- is for your kind perusal.
With regards
Abhi

Veterans to rally, return medals to protest Centre's apathy
Bhopal, Nov 3 (UNI) Veterans of the Indian Armed Forces will stage a Vishal Rally at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on November 12, under the banner of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), to peacefully protest against the Centre's apathy and negative attitude towards genuine demands.
"The event will commence at 1000 hrs and conclude at 1500 hrs. Thereafter, a delegation will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan to return medals and submit a memorandum signed in blood to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil (who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces)," IESM Vice-Chairman Major-General (Retd) Satbir Singh, Sena Medal said in a release. IESM Chairman Lieutenant-Gen (Retd) Raj Kadyan, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, VSM; has already written to the President to grant audience. The veterans have decided that in case the President herself does not accept the medals and the memorandum, they will bring these back.
Despite the veterans' peaceful protest movement throughout the country for the past over 40 months, deposit of over 22,000 Gallantry and Distinguished Service medals besides memoranda signed in their blood by over 1.50 lakh veterans to the Supreme Commander and numerous letters and meetings with the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and other authorities, the Centre has not accepted their demands, the main one being 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP).

Widows of Ex Servicemen discriminated
"It seems that the Centre yields only to non-peaceful agitations. The veterans are getting restless and their patience is running out. Before some misguided and volatile elements resort to unacceptable methods, the Government should grant the justified demands," Maj-Gen Singh felt.The veterans, their families and supporters have resolved to intensify their protest movement across the country to highlight the grave injustice that the Centre is meting out to them by disregard to services rendered by the erstwhile soldiers.
The graver injustice has been done to the defence widows, who are in receipt of family pensions, by excluding them from the ambit of enhancement of pensions of Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks carried out in March last year. Thus the weakest and the most needy segment of pensioners was left out.
The discrimination against the widows caused great consternation among the ESM community. The case was taken up with the Prime Minister by the IESM for extending the enhancement of pension to the widows; the same has not been carried out so far.
"The Centre's indifferent attitude towards the Armed Forces is unexplainable especially keeping in mind the hostile environment prevailing on our borders both at land and sea. A nation to survive in such an environment has to keep its forces well-equipped, well-trained, motivated and contented. It needs to be understood that veterans are the extension of service personnel. Any injustice to veterans also affects the serving soldiers who are future veterans. These aspects need to the holistically addressed," Maj-Gen Singh noted

Court Orders not implemented
Out of the cases filed in the Armed Forces Tribunal, over 90 per cent were won by defence personnel in the past year, but the Government is yet to implement the verdicts. The recommendatory Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission -- ordered by the Supreme Court -- which was to be effective from January 15, 2011 has been dispensed with. The apex court passed this judgement after deliberating on the treatment being meted out to the defence personnel by the Centre.
A petition filed by Rajya Sabha Member Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Independent) was being heard by the Upper House's Petition Committee that is not even being mentioned by the Government while replying to questions regarding non-grant of OROP.
"They continue to quote the two-years-old Committee of Secretaries," the veteran explained. The Centre paid "scant heed" to recommendations of the all-party Standing Committee on Defence comprising 31 parliamentarians strongly recommending OROP thrice in the past year.
The manner in which the Government treats recommendations of parliamentary committees and gives credence to the Report of the Committee of Secretaries, who are "biased" against the Armed Forces, speaks of the Centre's "apathy".

Two groups of ESM pensioners

Relief for ex-servicemen
Kalyan Ray, New Delhi:
After years of struggle, some relief has finally come for 12 lakh ex-servicemen on Monday when Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced rationalising the pension benefits of retired jawans and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) in accordance with their “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) demand.
Despite demands from ex-servicemen, successive governments in the past had claimed that OROP was untenable and meeting it would cost a bomb. The anomaly was created by the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commissions. The Congress had promised OROP in its poll manifesto in 2004. However, the UPA government rejected the OROP demand in December 2008, after which ex-servicemen returned their gallantry medals to the President and made open overtures towards the BJP. Following protracted protests, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar to review the OROP issues. Interestingly, it was announced ahead of the Parliamentary polls in Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan, which contribute thousands of soldiers to the three services.
On the basis of the panel’s suggestion, the Centre has now agreed to substantially hike the pension of Personnel Below the Officer Rank (PBOR) and JCOs.
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.
DH News Service
Relief for ESM Pensioners

Lt Gen's move AFT against Defence Secretary

Seek criminal contempt proceedings against him for defying Tribunal orders
New Delhi, August 31, 2011
Two serving Lieutenant Generals have approached the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) seeking criminal contempt proceedings against the Defence Secretary, accusing him of “open defiance” of the Tribunal's orders.

In their pleas, Lt Generals J S Bajwa and P G Kamath have urged the AFT for initiating “appropriate criminal contempt proceedings against the named contemners as well as their subordinate officers who are responsible for open defiance of order dated June 2 passed by the Tribunal.”

In the order passed on June 2, the Tribunal had asked the government to keep one vacancy each of Corps Commander vacant for the two officers but the respondents did not do so, said S S Pandey, counsel for the two officers.

In the petitions, the officers have asked the Tribunal to “safeguard the dignity, efficacy and the authority of the Tribunal, and to give a clear message to the respondents/ contemners for such open defiance of the order by challenging the authority of this Tribunal.” This alleged act “needs to be viewed seriously,” they pleaded.

The two officers have named Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma as the main respondent in the case.

Bajwa and Kamath had filed a case before the Tribunal for being appointed as Corps Commanders, for which they were cleared by an Army selection board but were not given the charge as they did not have the required residual three years of service.

The officers had contended that three other Lt General-rank officers, including Lt Gen Chetinder Singh, N K Singh and present 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen S A Hasnain, also did not have three years of residual service but were given Corps Commander appointments by the government.

Bajwa is at present the Chief of Staff at the Kolkata-based Eastern Command and Kamath is holding the same office at the Central Command in Lucknow. — PTI
Lt Generals move AFT against Defence Secretary

Army to cut litigation cases involving veterans

ARMY TO CUT LITIGATION CASES INVOLVING VETERANS From The Tribune Chandigarh of 15 August 2011. Forwarded without
Regards,
K K Punchhi
Tribune News Service by Vijay Mohan Chandigarh, August 14, 2011
In a proactive move to reduce litigation, the Army Headquarters (AHQ) has asked all army commands to ensure that contested litigation concerning retired personnel are withdrawn where the issue involved is well settled by previous judgements.

The Adjutant General’s (AG) branch at AHQ has issued directives to officers in charge of litigation at the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) and the High Courts that cases involving settled legal position in the favour of veterans should not be contested in courts since it results in unnecessary financial strain on former defence personnel as well as the Union of India.

Sources said this is for the first time that such orders have been issued. The AG’s branch has also issued specific direction to its officers that cases where medical board recommendations in favour of disabled personnel have been wrongly overruled by administrative authorities should not be contested and should be withdrawn.

The AG’s branch has also directed that cases should also not be contested where individuals with non-service related disabilities are medially boarded out with a little less than 10 years of service which is the minimum qualifying service required for invalid pension in cases of disabilities which are neither attributable to nor aggravated by service conditions.

The AG’s branch has further sensitised military authorities that individuals with non-service related disabilities should not be boarded out if they are nearing the minimum service limit of 10 years for earning an invalid pension. There is no minimum service requirement however to earn disability pension in cases with attributable or aggravated disabilities.

A large number of veterans have welcomed the AG’s directives. In recent times objections were raised by many veterans’ organisations on the tendency of the Defence Ministry of appealing against all pensionary decisions rendered by Courts in favour of defence veterans. “The directions issued by the AG is salutary move that is in line with the National Litigation Policy and which would reduce the burden on poor litigants as well as the courts, leaving time for more complex matters to be litigated,” Maj Navdeep Singh, President of the AFT Bar Association said.

The courts are flooded with pension related litigation, with disability pension claims forming the bulk. While the military authorities per se try to be helpful to disabled personnel, most of the litigation is directed towards non-adherence of rules by medical boards while determining attributability or aggravation of disabilities and towards the CDA authorities whom veterans say are insensitive to the problems of former soldiers.
Army to cut litigation cases involving veterans
Comment: Will the bureaucrats in MOD stifle the scheme?