OROP: The viral mutates to a damp squib

80th Raising Day of IMA and OROP
MONDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2012 00:17 BRIGADIER (RETD) CS THAPA
The news regarding one-rank-one-pension first emerged on the ticker around 7.30 and by 8.30 pm it went viral, thanks to mobiles.
There is a trust deficit between the veterans and the Government and none was keen to pour out the bubbly even though a neutral press was saying so, every one wanted to see the fine print. The veterans are further divided into the haves and the have-nots, or the ‘we’ and ‘they’ between those that retired before or after the sixth pay commission. The pre-veterans refused to believe it and sure enough they were proved right the moment the fine print was out. The fiasco regarding the one-rank-one pension clearly shows the misleading tendencies both of the Government and a Press which does not verify before broadcasting -- all this shows the establishment in a poor light. This is at best a gap removal exercise -- the OROP is miles away. A jawan has got a paltry increase of four hundred rupees, is that what costs the exchequer Rs 2,300 crores? The farmers got Rs 42,000 crores from UPA-I as loan waiver and the State Government electricity boards got a waiver from UPA-I for transmission losses (means stealing electricity) and the soldier for all his sacrifices gets peanuts. All this clearly shows that the veterans have a long way to go -- as long as there is babudom, we all need to read the fine print. The Tehri area has a large number of ex-servicemen one has not heard the issue of OROP being thumped on the table by any of the Tehri Parliamentary bye poll candidates- wonder if it matters to them.
Closer home, the Indian Military Academy gets ready to celebrate its 80th Raising Day, and it’s been a long journey for the Academy. The Academy has seen a passage that has been eventful and is getting ready to be dressed for the occasion. The event is likely to be a two-day event, needless to say most of us are looking forward to a good round of golf and the celebrations the next day on October 1. Such occasions normally start with a solemn ceremony wreath laying at the war memorial in honour of those who sacrificed their today for our tomorrow, and other events such as the sound and light display in front of the Chetwode building followed by dinner. One has learnt that the CM is attending the sound and light display -- wonder how he finds the time in the middle of electioneering?
The last time one attended the sound and light display it was when my friend Raj Sujlana was the Commandant. Raj is busy now recruiting people in Punjab but the sound and light legacy that he left behind is going to be seen all over again.
Forty years ago when one passed out of the Academy it was producing officers for a victorious army. The mood was different and the Academy was the connoisseur as far as officers’ training was concerned. The Americans were licking their wounds of Vietnam andPakistan was a dismembered state. The seventies and early eighties were iconic years as far as operational thought and plains warfare in the army was concerned
Then came the rebound, by Pakistan burning the Kashmir flame and starting the strategy of death by a thousand cuts, the academy had to modify its curriculum. Counter Insurgency (CI) operations and small unit operations took center stage due to a proactive media, during that stage one was a battalion commander at IMA. The academy responded well with a CI operation capsule and other changes. Suddenly Kargil dawned and the blood and guts story of the academy was highlighted. Its tough physical training had stood the test of high altitude and high endurance, some of the bravest of the brave were just out of the academy our cadets of yesterday are national heroes of today, and the academy had delivered again.
Today in its 80th year the academy again stands at crossroads. The road ahead is difficult and full of challenges. The current requirement is of a soldier scholar whom the academy is trying to nurture and bridge the intellectual gap. There are many challenges that the academy faces, needless to say it can be a separate topic of discussion but the nature of warfare is changing and the academy has done well to take measures to address this change. It becomes difficult to make changes in established mindsets and set norms therefore; one does not grudge the commandant, but he is up to doing the needful.
There is an air of expectancy as a lot of changes have been carried out to the curriculum. The bulk of the Academy has shifted to South Campus and Gentleman Cadets go scurrying about their training. The academy still attracts good material because the academy is over subscribed and there is a marked difference in the body language of a third term GC about to pass out to that of a first termer, but language skills are definitely on the decline.
The challenges for the academy not withstanding most intend to line up our stomach with butter as we wait to see the sound and light display. I know for a fact that all events done on the drill square ground in front of the Chetwode are always nostalgic and memorable; it’s the ambience of the surrounding. No wonder how many passing out parades one may witness, the last one is always the best so also will be the sound and light display. As my wife and I walk down for dinner to the new South campus mess we always miss the old mess, it was so cramped that we met one another out of sheer lack of space.
80th Raising Day of IMA and OROP

Rank Pay and SCPC Anomalies: Military discipline and morale on the decline?

Recipe for disaster for the military
by Arun K. Singh.
The writer, a vice-admiral, retired as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
The state of morale in the armed forces in general, and the Army in particular, should be a cause for worry because of the latter’s rapidly declining combat capability. Moreover, an Army with low morale, insufficient manpower and lacking in the required combat equipment is a recipe for national disaster at the hands of foreign invaders.
The recent Supreme Court ruling giving “rank pay” to those officers who were in military service between 1986 to 1996 following a 25-year-long court battle by a few retired officers shows how this rank pay, given by the fourth Central Pay Commission (4th CPC), had been withheld by unaccountable bureaucrats, who had issued the final implementation orders. Even if the rank pay is finally given in the coming months, many of those eligible have passed away or are bed-ridden, and, many had received lower pension also. Today, there are 39 unresolved anomalies from the 6th CPC, which gave its award in 2008...
The Army, for its part, needs to set its own house in order, weed out corruption, reward merit and concentrate on regaining its past glory, which was based on pure professionalism, discipline and leadership. Can the Prime Minister do something drastic to improve morale and combat capability of the military?
Extracted from original article click here for more

Army Jawans seek instant redressal

Army jawans ransack police station, beat up cops
PTI | Sep 11, 2012, 07.28PM IST
JAMMU: Army jawans allegedly ransacked a railway police station and beat up cops on duty, injuring six of them, in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Cases were registered against the army troopers for allegedly beating up and injuring the cops last night, police officials said here today. The trouble erupted following an altercation between an Army jawan and GRP personnel, they said.
The jawan had allegedly unplugged the metal detector installed at the railway station to charge his mobile phone.
When the policemen objected to this, an altercation ensued between them after which the armyman was taken to the police station. On getting information about the incident, the jawan's colleagues, including some officers, reached the police station and allegedly went on a rampage, the officials said. They beat up the policemen on duty injuring six cops, they said. They also took away the jawan with them. The army jawans were waiting for a train at the Kathua railway station for their journey outside the state.
Police booked the jawans for beating and injuring the cops, the officials said. When asked about the incident, the PRO Defence said the Army was yet to come out with a statement on the matter. The jawans belonged to the 225 field regiment stationed at Janglote in the Kathua district.
Army jawans ransack police station, beat up cops
Lessons Learnt
Jawans do not have access to online booking because they are posted at a location without internet or telephone. The only thing the Railways can do is to give them one bogey for hundreds of Jawans going on leave from J & K. Alternatively the units need to book their tickets online in bulk for the leave party. Jammu Railway Station is always chaotic and unfriendly.

Indian Army’s growing morale problem
Today the cost of living has risen much more than the wage increments. Given increased land prices and other avenues of income, the army has lost some of its sheen as a sought-after employer. A recent comment in the Indian media reads:
“An objective review of the manner in which the pay, allowances and status of the military have been lowered over the last two decades reveals some startling facts. The average ‘fauji’ (soldier) retires at a much younger age than the civilian counterpart who serves up to age 60. Many anomalies abound.”
Indeed, it is important for New Delhi to closely look for solutions to pre-empt the disgruntlement among the jawans turning alarming levels. There are already rising instances of industrial unrest in India.
Dissatisfied workers of car manufacturer Maruti brutally assaulted management cadres recently, killing a senior executive and injuring several others. The Maoist violence in large tracts of Central and Eastern India is linked to mining companies exploiting the local tribal populations resulting in deep grievances.
Unlike its neighbors Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal, the Indian army has remained largely apolitical and has worked well under civilian political leadership since India’s independence in 1947. The Indian jawan deserves his due.
(Siddharth Srivastava is a New Delhi-based journalist. He can be reached at sidsri@yahoo.com)
Read the full article of declining Morale of Troops
Indiscipline growing due to disconnect in the command and control structure: This video clip proves the point!

Over 10,000 Soldiers Bid Adieu to Indian Army

Over 10,000 Soldiers Bid Adieu to Indian Army
By SiliconIndia | Tuesday, 04 September 2012, 18:00 IST
Bangalore: As disgraceful and discouraging as it can be, over 10,000 soldiers opted out of the Indian Army. The obvious reason predicted is the illusionary relation shared by the Indian Army soldiers and their officers. The issue was very much brought to notice at the Parliament when defence minister, AK Antony said that 10,315 jawans opted for pre mature retirement in 2011 which is far more compared to 7,249 and 7,499 in 2010 and 2009 respectively. The probable cause behind retiring early at 35 as given by Antony is that the educated soldiers look for a better option other than working with the force.
Three incidents of scuffle and stand-offs at different places in these two years created the discord between the officers and the jawans in the hierarchical system. The incidents took place at 226 Field Regiment at Nyoma in Ladakh, 45th Cavalry at Gurdaspur in Punjab and 16th Cavalry regiment at Samba in Jammu & Kashmir. In the latest incident, the Samba sector was led to unrest as a jawan commited suicide. Antony said in a written reply at Lok Sabha, " A Court of Inquiry (COI) has been convened by the Army to investigate the matter," as quoted by the Dainikbhaskar.
According to the statistical reports, total suicides among soldiers were 96 in 2003 which rose to 100 next year. In 2005 a total of 77commited suicide which reached 129 in 2006. The figure was 118 in 2007, 123 in 2008 which fell to 96 in 2009 but once more rose to 115 in 2010.
Antony said that the Government has taken certain steps to enhance the morale of the jawans. The ministry is planning to replace the ‘sahayak’ system with the civillians for the convinience of the senior officers. Even the inclusion of liberalised leave policy, provision of recreational facilities and the participation of psychological counsellors will create a soothing environment to work.
Over 10,000 Soldiers Bid Adieu to Indian Army
Sample this Comment: Straight from a Jawan's Heart
The defence, morale is at all time low, the lungi clad Antony has very poor 'leadership' & vison. The Arms & Equipments, facilities & pay scales are low, jawans still have no family accommodation, they have poor CSD facility - and to add soldier's welfare is just nil, officers have all facilities including free ration, education, free fuel, servants, guards etc etc. So its natural for the repercussions of revolt. Most jawans have now taken up security & admin related odd jobs & are satisfied - gone are the days where JF Rebiero, Vaidyas were held in high esteem. WE saw Presidents like Pratibha aunty doing nothing except giving away trophies & visiting foreign countries blowing Tax payers money.(sic) Posted by:Nair - 05 Sep, 2012

IESM: Government continues to be a compulsive litigant

Date: 28 May, 2012
To
Sh. Salman Khurshid
Union Cabinet Minister, Law and Justice.
4, Kushak Road, New Delhi - 110 011
GOVT MUST CEASE TO BE COMPULSIVE LITIGANT: PLEA TO SC FOR RECALL OF ITS ORDER IN RANK PAY CASE TO DEFENCE OFFICERS IS FRIVOLOUS
Honorable Shri Salman Khurshid Jee,
1. Please refer to our letter dated 30 April 2012.
2. We have not received any response from your good self. We are your former soldiers who have been denied Justice for a long time. I am tempted to remind you for your indulgence and positive response. I have been watching your responses on TV debates on various issues and find that you have the requisite depth of personality and compassion and I am sure you will consider our suggestion accordingly.
3. May we request you to kindly consider the issue raised by with your appropriate response please.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Related reading
OROP: According to calculations done by the military, the annual outgo for granting one-rank-one-pension to the approximately 21 lakh ex-servicemen would not be more than Rs. 1300 crores.
Defence Want One-Rank-One-Pension: WILL PM SINGH BITE THE BULLET?…
MoD's farewell to welfare
Instead of safeguarding the welfare of retired soldiers, ministry effectively holds off payment until an ex-serviceman claimant is either dead or broke- Ajai Shukla / New Delhi Feb 21, 2012, 00:26 IST
MOD's Farewell to Welfare

Rank Pay Litigation: MOD is the Culprit to Recall Court Rulings Repeatedly

Re-fix Defence officers’ pay: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court directed the Centre on Tuesday to re-fix the pay of about 20,000 Defence officers from January 1, 1986, without deducting the rank pay and to pay them arrears.
A three-judge Bench of Justices R.M. Lodha, T.S. Thakur and Anil R. Dave also directed the Centre to pay six per cent interest from January 1, 2006 to all the officers, irrespective of whether they had filed petitions before any of the High Courts or Benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal, within 12 weeks from Tuesday.
The Bench directed that all pending petitions before High Courts or Benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal by similarly placed officers would be governed by this order. The Bench rejected the Centre’s application seeking the recall the order of the Kerala High Court, which in October 1998 found no justification in deducting the rank pay and directed the Centre to re-fix the pay.
The core issue is the wrong fixation of rank pay awarded by the Fourth Pay Commission. The element of rank pay was introduced for all ranks from Captain to Brigadier in the Army and their equivalent ranks in the Air Force and the Navy, in addition to pay in the integrated scale. The rationale behind this was to make the Armed Forces an attractive career option and ensure that the defence officers continued to have an edge vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts, keeping in mind the difficult and challenging nature of their job. However, according to the officers, the rank pay was first deducted at the time of fixation to arrive at the total emoluments and thereafter added, after fixation, in the integrated scale. Consequently, the final fixation of the total pay of the officer became on a par with his civilian counterpart’s and the edge was neutralised.
Major A.K. Dhanapalan was the first officer to challenge this erroneous fixation before the Kerala High Court. Thereafter, several petitions were filed by similarly placed officers in High Courts and before different benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal.
After the High Court judgment, the Armed Forces and the Chiefs of Staff Committee had recommended against pursuing the litigation further in the Supreme Court. However, the Ministry of Defence chose to press the application for recall on several grounds, including a total financial liability of about Rs. 1600 crores.
Re-fix Defence officers’ pay: Supreme Court

Rising Suicides by Jawans

Thursday, September 6, 2012, Chandigarh, India
Alarmed at rising suicides by jawans, Antony to consult Services
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 5, 2012
Alarmed at seeing almost 100 Army soldiers commit suicide annually since 2006, Defence Minister AK Antony has asked the three Services to come up with additional suggestions to improve living conditions and methods to curb suicidal tendencies among jawans.
He has asked the Vice-Chief’s of the three services, the Defence Secretary and the head of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) to be present at a brain storming session tomorrow.
Sources said the latest trigger to Antony’s reaction is the August 8 suicide of a jawan of the 16th cavalry regiment. Arun V, who hailed from Thiruvananthapuram, committed suicide with his service weapon. The incident occurred in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir. His angered mates later raised slogans against officers and surrounded their residences in protest. The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident. The jawan had been reportedly refused leave to go home.
In 2010, the DIPR was tasked to provide parameters to enable officers to identify and spot the “at risk” soldiers. One of the studies was a psychological autopsy of suicides.
In all, 1,018 soldiers have committed suicide since 2003. This year alone, 62 suicides have been reported in the forces till July 31. The number of suicides over the past few years is: 2003 (96), 2004 (100), 2005 (77), 2006 (129), 2007 (118), 2008 (123), 2008 (96), 2010 (115), 2011 (102).
Antony told Parliament last month “the major causes of suicides were domestic problems, marital discord, stress and financial problems”.
In the past, the government has taken several steps to prevent such incidents. These included counselling, improvement in food and clothing, married accommodation, leave concession, air travel for movement of troops from border areas and establishing a grievance redressing mechanism in states.
Senior officials, however, admit the number of suicides is worrisome, especially when several steps have been initiated over the past few years to improve the quality of life for the troops.
Alarmed at rising suicides by jawans, Antony to consult Services

Veteran Community Please Wake Up

Dear Friends,
Gp Captain Anant Bewoor, the fearless warrior flying the Il-76 into the Maldives as given out by Sidharth Mishra, former Chief Gen VN Sharma and ACM Nimmi Suri has done it again. His fearless defence of the Chief Gen VK Singh needs emulating by us all. The Veteran community needs to wake up to our own good. Just because you get called to show your face on the TV does not give you the right to go beserk and say all what the anchor puts in your mouth, or hold to that old silly attitude of "Resign" as if that would ever solve any problem except to set another example of capitulation, which we accuse all the earlier Chiefs of.
I enclose his letter below
Wake up Veterans and Gaurav Sainani (Please don't use this term ex servicemen and poorv sainik) you have nothing to lose except your old ideas
Niranjan Malik

1. There has been abundant wisdom and vitriol floating on the internet about COAS ever since the age issue and now this letter, bribes, etc. The TV as usual has gone for him hammer and tongs, politicians making full use of the TV time to make inane political speeches, but all wanting a kill. That KC Singh, Foreign Service it looks, another fraud, pontificatiing, notwithstanding that the IFS has covered itself with ignomy since 1947, making more enemies than friends. But what is most astounding and tragic is that we retired fellows have joined the band wagon against the Chief.
2. The most vehement writers are the very people who have castigated previous chiefs of sychophancy and not standing up to the bureaucracy and politician. These very critics have damned previous chiefs for not resigning in the face of non-cooperation and callousness by the civilain powers. Many of us, incl Jaswant Singh are invoking Chetewode, " The Safety Honour---" and damning COAS for maligning the fauj. What standards are we maintaning? We want a Chief to stand up to civilians, take them on face to face, give them a taste of our capability to fight back, and when it is done, we cry foul? How else does a Chief fight the civilan? He can do it only on paper. The only reason why VK Singh is branded a villain, is because we ex-faujis have made him look like one.
3. Many are talking about Gen Timmy, and his resignation in 1959. That was 53 years back, the environment was different. Timmy was a young man comparatively in his 50s, VK Singh is 62. Media coverage was pitiable. India was an infant nation. What really did Timmy achieve by rsigning and then withdrawing? What will be achieved by VK resigning? The civilian wins, thats all. We want a Chief who fights, stands up against babus/netas, and when he does it we castigate him? No one in this group or on TV has come up with any suggestion of how COAS will tell the country that defence preparedness is bad. Every Chief writes his own letter to the PM & RM. Because it has to be on record that the current incumbent has apprised the Govt of the correct ground position. The PM / RM and their babus file the letter, send a reply that it is being looked at and return to politicking and chamchagiri to stay politically and bureaucratically alive. These fact never come out into the open, Indians never know. Now they know, because someone has leaked the letter. How has India become weaker by this leak? Does anyone think that the enemies dont know we are weak in many sectors? The babu/neta never want this info in the Indian public domain, because he does not wish to remedy it. 126 Rafaels will do nothing for India's air defence unless all other eqpt comes in.
4. We faujis are behaving exactly as the babu/neta want us to behave, COAS has done the only thing available to him to corner the babu/neta, but we ex faujis have let him down. What he has done is placed the country before himself, even though he will get brickbats yet he has told it the way it actually is. Is there another way? The ESM cannot do anything, serving officers nothing, Hazare can do nothing, DRDO will never do anything, arms dealers with their senior retired faujis will want the system to continue. Imagine, the Army budget paying 60 lakhs margin for each Tatra, whats left for guns and butter? What the COAS has shown is that most of the inflated Defence Budget is going for margins and profits. If 30 COAS's have kept quiet, is it not time for this one to say it? And we ex-faujis disagree Amazing. Lets not split hair about the methodologies. VK must have looked at many options, many scenarios, many repercussions, many exits, many opinions from colleagues. If he had shut up, retired in May, and then had we come to know through Wikileaks, all of us would have said why did not VK tell us, bad chief, just like all his predecessors, gutless wonder. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.
5. I humbly suggest that we now hold our comments, let the combatants fight it out, we should watch, wait and then win. After all Satya Me Vijayate, who dares wins, fortune favours the brave.
Anant Bewoor
Lt Gen NS Malik, PVSM (Veteran)

PAC smells scam in army canteens after audit denial

India Today, Updated: 29/12/2011
The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers.
New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has come down heavily on the army for not allowing audit of the unit-run canteens (URCs) while taking serious note of malpractices in ration supply for the troops.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which had gone into the findings of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) highlighting that the jawans were being fed food items past the expiry date, has given wide-ranging recommendations to streamline the supply chain management of rations in the Indian Army.

But the decision to not allow the URC audit was fiercely defended by army chief General V.K. Singh when he, along with senior defence ministry officials, appeared before the committee. There are 3,600 URCs in the country with a turnover of over Rs.8,500 crore.

The committee said it was "dismayed" to note that the audit was denied access to the URC records by the army headquarters in spite of repeated requests on the ground that the canteens were being run from a non public fund.

The panel stated that the army resisted attempts to get the URCs audited overlooking the defence ministry's directions. "We fail to understand how the URC audit will be so intrusive as to have an adverse impact on troop morale," it added. PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi said these facilities, running on government land and by government employees, should be audited. All the three services had opposed the move.

The PAC also claimed that the ration supply chain was in a mess after the CAG highlighted several discrepancies in the system and cartelisation of suppliers. The committee backed the CAG findings, saying 74 per cent of fresh vegetables and fruits issued were not in accordance with the prescribed norms. The troops were being supplied food items even after their expiry date.

The panel expressed surprise that these dry rations were consumed by troops even six to 28 months after the expiry date.
PAC smells scam in army canteens after audit denial
PAC finds widespread malpractices in Army rations

Surfers' Comments
Posted by: A K SAXENA
DELHI | December 29, 2011
Corruption in Indian army canteens (URC) is an open secret. Let the Army Chief face the stark reality, not run away from it. Resisting URC scrutiny by the statutary Auditor by the army chief, raises strong suspicion against unethical practices. Transparency will boost the morale of the armed forces.

Army needs a changed perspective

While no major modernisation has been effected since the 1980s, the army continues to be structured to fight wars of earlier eras. As the world’s third largest army observes Army Day, which marks the 62nd anniversary of General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa taking over as the first Indian army chief, the force faces multiple challenges. The army is in dire need of a major transformation into a lean, technology intensive and networked potent force to fight 21st century wars, says former army vice chief, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi.

ARMY NEEDS A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
Another Army Day was flagged on Saturday. The Army Day has always been a day of reflection on the achievements and shortcomings of the past year and the plans for the ensuing year. However, this year it is not just the start of one more year for the army but the commencement of a new decade. The army therefore must look at two decades, the previous and the one ahead.

The army always has achievements to cite every year. These are well known and are always a source of inspiration and satisfaction. But it is also important to mull over the areas of weaknesses so that these are removed and the army remains both a potent and relevant force.

The major areas of concern are both internal and external. The first category includes a comprehensive transformation plan; a makeover in manpower policies; greater interaction and empathy with veterans who need to be valued as adding to the strength of the army; and finally the need to get away from the status quo and defensive mentality, which hinders progress.

The external areas are modernisation, joint endeavours, reductions in internal security commitments, an assertive stand in core areas where no dilution should be acceptable, and halting and then reversing the trend of diluting the status of the army.

Transformation needs to be speeded up, as without it the army would continue to wallow in old and inefficient structures that are out of sync with the present and future battlefield environment and the rapidly changing methodologies of waging war. The army has not seen any major structural changes since the mid-80s and essentially it is still structured to fight wars of earlier eras. We need to change or upgrade our doctrines and concepts, restructure the field force, efficiently manage internal conflicts, upgrade human resources, streamline logistics, and modernise the training methodology. Our aim must be to transform the army into a lean, technology intensive, networked and joint entity.

Manpower policies are not merely promotion policies, but include recruitment and in-service management, especially grooming for higher ranks. For officers, recruitment and training policies are fairly comprehensive. However, we continue to be a generalist army, with no specialisation. There is no sectoral or geographical specialisation, no continuity in specific appointments like those in information technology that require long tenures, and little language proficiency.

Command appointments for officers are a must, resulting in shorter and shorter command tenures to accommodate everyone. The compulsion on commanders to "show" themselves in these truncated tenures, results in their riding roughshod on their commands! As regards promotion of officers, the seniority of passing out of training academies remains throughout one's service. This has resulted in many bright officers losing out. The need is for a reassessment of each officer's caliber at least at 10 years intervals and re-fixing seniority in accordance with the officers' changed abilities and performance.

In the case of jawans, there is a mismatch between imbibing technology and educational qualifications. In non-technical arms, which also handle the latest weapons and equipment, intake qualification continues to be class-X. In a transformation study carried out over 10 years ago, I had suggested upgrading the criteria to class-XII by 2002 and to graduation by 2005, but we continue to remain in a time warp! Secondly, though JCO'S are an essential link in the organisational structure, they all are promoted from the ranks. They are of higher ages, are comparatively less fit and have the same educational qualifications as the troops. Despite discussing the issue a number of times for recruiting at least a percentage directly as graduates, we have always baulked at doing so.

Today's active soldier is tomorrow's veteran. However, there seems to be a firewall between the two categories, with different norms of treatment, emoluments, medical arrangements and other related issues. This has resulted in the veterans getting disillusioned and the bureaucrats widening the gulf even more. It is the veterans who are role models for our youth as they interact with them more than the serving personnel; they ensure that the best and motivated manpower joins the army. This has not only eroded but a very large number of veterans now speak ill of the army. The army needs to re-focus on this important issue and do away with the artificial division that is increasingly disillusioning the veterans. The veterans must again start feeling that the army chief is their chief too! Although a Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare is in existence for the last six years, it has done virtually nothing for the veterans. How can it, when it is exclusively manned by the bureaucracy?

Coming to the last two areas of internal concern, status quo is no doubt a safe option, but no organisation can prosper if it loses its ability to change as the environment demands. As regards the defensive syndrome, no country has won by being on the defensive, which even in military teachings is a temporary phase.

The external areas of concern are much better known and need not be amplified. Modernisation has been a crying need for the last at least two decades. It is a great pity that neither does the army receive a sufficiently large budget, nor does the procurement wing of the Ministry of Defence and other ministries concerned, especially that of finance, see any urgency in modernising the army. Lack of modernisation has substantially reduced the fighting capability of the army and if this continues, the army is unlikely to be the deterrent force it ought to be.

War is a joint endeavour. The complexity of modern war is likely to increase in the future on account of increased and sophisticated technology; the nature of modern war; new threats and challenges; and the reality of nuclear weapons in our neighbourhood. Consequently, a joint force, which acts in an integrated manner, is not just desirable but imperative. Most professional militaries have adopted jointmanship but the Indian military is unfortunately an exception. While everyone endorses the need for jointmanship, it eventually turns out to be merely lip service. This must change. Appointing a CDS and an integrated ministry of defence would be the first steps. We would then be able to generate the necessary synergy, so essential for winning conflicts, battles and wars.

The involvement of the Army against insurgents has been extensive. Despite the ever-increasing central police forces that should be conducting such operations, there is no reduction in the commitments of the army. We have unfortunately reached a stage where the army, instead of being the last option, is often the first recourse! The heavy commitments of the army have undoubtedly been at the expense of its war-readiness, as well as the desired quality of life. Even In situations where the employment of troops becomes essential, they should be withdrawn at the earliest opportunity.

The apolitical stance of the army is correct, but should not translate into meekly accepting whatever orders the bureaucracy relays. Unfortunately, our political leaders are shy of dealing with the army directly, preferring to do so through the bureaucracy. This has resulted in a skewed arrangement whereby gradually the services chiefs appear to have lost their power of dissent even when they find any dispensation that reduces the status, power, emoluments or morale of their command. This needs to stop. It is nobody's case that the chiefs should be confrontationists, but when it comes to their authority being usurped by the bureaucracy, they must hold their ground and get the best for their men.

The military has been and will continue to be the most potent instrument that is used for the most difficult tasks, when every other instrument has failed or given up. This cannot be done by a meek military. We need to educate our political leaders the correct meaning of civil control and supremacy in a democracy.
ARMY NEEDS A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE

Shortage of officers impacts Military

The armed forces are short of 14,244 officers, as stated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Parliament. As the security environment throws up huge challenges, manpower issues continue to plague the armed forces, especially the officer cadre and some technical trades. The need to attract talent to maintain the forces’ cutting edge cannot be over-emphasised.
Inadequate numbers blunt the cutting edge
Brig Santokh Singh (Retd)

Shortage of officers in the armed forces, particularly the army, which besides fighting six wars (including Sri Lanka) after the Partition, has been constantly involved in internal security duties is a matter of serious concern.

Compared to other government establishments and the private sector, service conditions of the armed forces, which continue to receive step motherly treatment, are a lot more strict and difficult. Even the Supreme Court has opined that the government treats them as beggars. No wonder, therefore, that the well informed youth of today are not attracted to donning the military uniform, the prestige and love for it having considerably waned. A number of academies that came up in the 50s and 60s to train aspirants for getting a commission in the forces, have closed shop for this reason.

Against authorisation of 23 officers, infantry units, for example, are having a posted strength of only 10 officers. Considering officers on courses, leave or temporary duty, those actually present in a unit at any one time are just five of six. This adversely affects administrative and training commitments. The situation gets accentuated for units deployed in operational areas like J&K.

The armed forces are short of 14,244 officers, as stated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Parliament. As the security environment throws up huge challenges, manpower issues continue to plague the armed forces, especially the officer cadre and some technical trades. The need to attract talent to maintain the forces’ cutting edge cannot be over-emphasised.
Inadequate numbers blunt the cutting edge
Brig Santokh Singh (Retd)

Shortage of officers in the armed forces, particularly the army, which besides fighting six wars (including Sri Lanka) after the Partition, has been constantly involved in internal security duties is a matter of serious concern.

Compared to other government establishments and the private sector, service conditions of the armed forces, which continue to receive step motherly treatment, are a lot more strict and difficult. Even the Supreme Court has opined that the government treats them as beggars. No wonder, therefore, that the well informed youth of today are not attracted to donning the military uniform, the prestige and love for it having considerably waned. A number of academies that came up in the 50s and 60s to train aspirants for getting a commission in the forces, have closed shop for this reason.

Against authorisation of 23 officers, infantry units, for example, are having a posted strength of only 10 officers. Considering officers on courses, leave or temporary duty, those actually present in a unit at any one time are just five of six. This adversely affects administrative and training commitments. The situation gets accentuated for units deployed in operational areas like J&K.
Inadequate numbers blunt the cutting edge: The Tribune
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How Petraeus Is Conducting Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan: Reducing corruption is a winning factor

Jawans at borders get stale food: CAG Report

Wed, Aug 4 04:49 AM
The Indian Army soldiers posted at some of the most difficult locations in the world along the China and Pakistan border are getting food that is unfit for human consumption and at times is more than two years beyond the expiry date, a latest government report on supply of rations in the armed forces has revealed.

The audit report says the Army has violated its own norms and has been supplying troops with food items, including rice, sugar and wheat, which are way past their expiry date. Most of the cases, the report reveals, pertain to the Northern Command, the largest Army formation in the country that has troops along the Pakistan and China border as well as the Siachen glacier.

"It was found that atta, sugar, rice, tea, dal, edible oil and raisins were consumed six to 28 months after the expiry of their normal storage life," the report says, adding that the food items were given illegal life extensions by a Jammu-based lab that were against the standing rules of the Army.

While soldiers have been complaining about the bad quality of food served at forward locations, this is the first official report of a large-scale violation of norms across the Northern Command.

The report also suggests a large-scale rigging of prices by revealing that 36 per cent of cases of procurement of fresh rations were based only on single quotations, taking away any scope of competitiveness. Not only that, raising suspicions of corruption, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has found that rations worth almost Rs 2 crore, meant for soldiers in high altitude areas, remain untraceable in the Northern Command. A majority of these rations, the report says, were issued during 2005-06, during which former Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor was heading the Northern Command.

The report also quotes an internal Army study that reveals only one per cent of soldiers in units across the country find the quality of rations they receive as excellent. A majority of the jawans have graded their rations as satisfactory or below.

While the armed forces have been trying to improve rations, the damning report has come as a shocker. The ministry is currently working on a long term plan to improve the quality of food as well as storage locations and is likely to come up with a new set of regulations soon.
Jawans at borders get stale food: CAG Report

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

IESM: March towards Pension Parity

Dear Colleagues,
It is a matter of great honour for me to welcome Air Chief Marshal H Mulgaonkar into the IESM family. He is the first Air Chief to have joined and this makes the occasion really special. We hope to benefit from his guidance and advice in our pursuits. He has also been generous to have donated Rs 2,400.
I compliment Cdr Ravi Pathak and Colonel Krit Joshipura to have persuaded the Air Chief Marshal to join. A great achievement indeed. Contact with ESM from different parts of the country continues. Sub Hari Singh from Hisar remains active. Happily he has also motivated many post 1.1.2006 retiree ESM also to join and actively support the IESM.
As would be known OROP has been recommended by the Parliamentary Committee on Defence in their report tabled in the Parliament on 7 May 2010. Building upon this we have also written to many Chief Ministers requesting them to use their influence with the Centre and prevail upon the latter to grant OROP. States with high ESM density may not find it easy to ignore the request.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

ESM rights the fight continues
Truth is on the march and nothing can stop it.
We make our greatest mistakes through ignorance.
Never take away a person's hope. It may be all that they have.
Real insanity is seeing the world as it is and not as it should be.
...until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
IESM is here to fight for ESM rights and right the injustices heaped on them.
We need to force the Government to accept the Court Judgements/ Rulings pronounced on various Pension issues, instead of scuttling them.
We unitedly need to turn the tide towards righteousness...

IESM: Judgements in favour of Ex Servicemen scuttled by Ministry of Defence

The Ex-Servicemen (ESM) are amazed at the reply given by the Defence Minister in parliament that granting of One Rank One Pension was not possible due to financial, legal and administrative reasons. The financial burden is too inconsequential and legal reasons have been adequately set aside by the courts in many of its recent judgements. As for as the administrative reasons are concerned, this is due to the mental block of the bureaucracy and its agnostic attitude towards the Defence Forces. That such a statement should be made by Defence Minister of India, in Parliament in spite of various SC, HC and AFT judgements to the contrary shows the scant regard and respect the Govt has in general and the Defence Ministry in particular for the Judiciary and Morale of the Defence Forces. Recent judgements in favour of ESM scuttled by the Ministry of Defence are as under:

SC Judgement of 09 Sep 2009 in the case of Union of India &
Maj Gen Vains and Others. The SC ruled that:
(i) No Defence Personal Senior in rank can get less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.
(ii) Similarly placed Officers of the same rank are to be given the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement.

AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 03 Mar 2010. In the case of union of India and Maj Gen Vains and Others. The AFT ruled that the SC ruling in the case of Maj Gen Vains and others Vs Union of India dated 09 Sep 2009 be applied to the Petitioners for pre 2006 and post 2006 retirees and the judgement be implemented in three months.

AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of Union of India Vs Babu Ram Dhiman and Union of India Vs Sohan Singh The AFT has directed the Union Government:-
(i) That the state cannot lay down different criteria for grant of pensions to officers, JCOs and Jawans on the basis of cut off date of retirement.
(ii) No Senior in rank defence person can draw less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.
(iii) All pensioners of the same rank and service irrespective of the date of retirement are entitled to same pension.
(iv) The above directions be implemented within four months.

SC Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of retired Defence Officer Association Vs Union of India. SC has ruled that the anomaly of 4th Pay Commission regarding rank pay which was removed by the Kerala High Court in one case is applicable to all officers who were in service on 1.1.86 and arrears will be paid to them with 6 percent interest. This judgement has for reaching consequences in that the pay and pensions of officers in 5th & 6th Pay Commissions would have to be worked out afresh.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Rank Pay anomaly intentionally introduced by the Expenditure Secretary
Serving as well as ESM have been grossly and unfairly cheated by the Expenditure Secretary who surreptitiously deducted the Rank Pay from the basic pay (4th Pay Commission) and cheating them of their legitimate salaries and pension. Will the Secretary be held accountable?

Know the unknown soldier: Remember him when the chips are down?

Hindustan Times: Published 2 years ago- Nothing has changed!
Know the unknown soldier by Barkha Dutt 18 April 2008
We push our military into duties that were never really part of its job description. So, apart from and in addition to fighting wars and terrorism, we count on our soldiers to play roles as varied as building bridges when the tsunami hits, keeping the peace during religious riots and even managing the now-epidemic condition of saving children who mysteriously end up at the bottom of borewells.

But if we are a country that really cares so deeply for its military, why is it that a monster called apathy is in serious danger of devouring the future of the Armed Forces?

This week, while we were all consumed by whether the Olympic torch would make its way safely past India Gate (built by Edwin Lutyens to honour the 84,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I), the Army Chief was making a trip down the same road. He was on his way to meet the Urban Development Minister, probably wondering — as many of his predecessors had before him— whether he would have any luck convincing this government to do, what the British had already done as far back as 1921. He was carrying a file that has now travelled through multiple ministries for seven years: the plans and architectural designs for a National War Memorial.

For the last two years, different government bodies including the Delhi Urban Arts Commission, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Heritage Conservation Committee have squabbled like recalcitrant children over whether the designs for the memorial are tenable. Could anything be a more shocking illustration of the stranglehold of red-tape around what should have been a flagship project for any government?

The PLU (People like us) brigade would no longer consider the military as a career option and many of those who did are now lining up and pleading for the freedom to leave. Ask the Generals and Admirals unofficially, and they will concede that they have to reject resignations, because the shortfall would be too dire to deal with. In Kashmir, there are already reports of ordinance and artillery units doubling up for infantry duty, because of the numbers crunch. And for the first time in years, the Army is actually considering a one-time emergency, short-service commissioning of officers to fill the ever widening gap. That’s how serious and morale weakening the situation is.
Know the Unknown soldier

WHEN THE "CHIPS ARE DOWN"- WHO ELSE- BUT THE "ARMED FORCES"!!!
Army may take on Maoists
'Deploying Army against Naxals would be a wrong step' June 07, 2010 12:14 IST- feels retired Lieutenant General D B Shekatkar
'Naxalism' The Retreat of Civil Governance by Ajai Sahni: This bloodbath will continue as long as basic realities are ignored.

Cyber Warfare is the New Gen Security Threat: Antony

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today asked the top brass of the Armed Forces to work in unison and make cyber systems 'as secure and as non-porous as possible'. Addressing the Army Commanders here, Shri Antony said cyber-warfare is becoming a serious threat to security.

"The paradigms of security in the age of Information Technology are seldom constant. The evolving security matrix is complex and calls for co-operation and coordination of the highest level. Today, no single service can work in isolation. Cyber warfare and threats to cyber security are fast becoming the next generation of threats. We need to make our cyber systems as secure and as non-porous as possible", he said.

Shri Antony made a strong plea for synergy among the three Forces and said the future security matrix calls for a high-degree of cooperation and inter-dependence among the Services. He said the primary area of focus should be to develop as a force capable of operating in joint network – centric environment. Besides these the other emerging areas that warrant synergised development are space, NBC, Cyber Warfare capabilities, Air Defence, Rotary Wing Assistance, precision munitions, standoff targeting and missiles, communication systems, logistics and joint training.

"Though significant progress has been made towards accomplishing jointness in various operational training and administrative facets among the three Services, there are a number of areas congruence that need to be strengthened further", he said.

Referring to the Modernisation Plans of the Armed Forces, the Defence Minister said it is in our long term national interest that we become self reliant in the field of critical defence equipment. He said modernisation plans of the Armed Forces encompass force modernisation and development of critical combat capabilities, not only against potential adversaries, but across the spectrum of conflict. Sitanshu Kar / RAJ
PIB: Cyber Warfare is the New Gen Security Threat: Antony

Army Commanders’ Conference
The Army Commanders’ Conference commenced at Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) on 17 May 10. The five days conference, scheduled from 17 May 10 to 21 May 10 is being chaired by Army Chief General VK Singh. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in his inaugural address emphasised on the necessity for force modernisation to meet emerging threats. He stressed on the requirement of Tri-Services synergy across the spectrum of conflict to meet our National Security needs. The Defence Minister brought out that Cyber Security is the next generation of threat. He stressed the need to make our cyber space fully secure. He said that the Govt was taking all necessary steps to ensure that the Indian Army is kept in a high state of operational preparedness as also ensuring high morale of troops through training and welfare measures.

The Army Chief General VK Singh during his address reviewed the Regional security situation, in which he spoke of the Asymmetric means adopted by non state actors and terrorists to achieve their objectives. He also mentioned the multi spectral threats, which directly affect military doctrines and restructuring.

General Singh stressed on the need to transform the Indian Army so as to customise its operational effectiveness. Talking about training, the Army Chief emphasised on realistic, imaginative and practical training. Referring to Low Intensity Conflict he stressed on “zero tolerance” to Human Rights violations.

Army Chief also emphasised on morals, ethics and value systems in the Army. He brought out that professional commitment, loyalty, sacrifice and integrity were the need of the hour and that there would be no compromise with respect to the image of the Army. Veerendra/Rajendra
Army Commander's Conference commenced: PIB

Father of the Nation: Inspirational stories

GENEROSITY
Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the Charkha Sangh. During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. "I must see him," she insisted and going up to Gandhiji touched his feet. Then from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. "I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the Charkha Sangh," Jamnalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin." "This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands," Gandhiji said. "If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees."
For more INSPIRING STORIES FROM GANDHIJI'S LIFE: click here

IESM Echoes its anguish to Defence Minister on the OROP issue

To,
Shri A.K. Antony
Defence Minister
Dated 23 April 2010

Dear Shri AK Antony
1. We are amazed at your reply in parliament the other day that granting of One Rank One Pension was not possible due to financial, legal and administrative reasons. The financial burden is too inconsequential and legal reasons have been adequately set aside by the courts in many of its recent judgements. As far as the administrative reasons are concerned, this is due to the mental block of the bureaucracy and its agonistic attitude towards the Defence Forces. That such a statement should be made by Defence Minister of India, in Parliament inspite of various SC, HC and AFT judgements to the contrary shows the scant regard the Govt in general and the Defence Ministry in particular has for the judiciary and morale of the Defence Forces. Just to take you back to the rulings given by the various courts, I would like to list a few judgements for your and your advisors perusal who appear to be hell bent to heap injustice upon the Military and not honour the courts judgements in letter and spirit:
(a) SC Judgement of 09 Sep 2009 in the case of Union of India & Maj Gen Vains and Others. The SC ruled that:-

No Defence Personal Senior in rank can get less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.

Similarly placed Officers of the same rank are to be given the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement.
(b) AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 03 Mar 2010. In the case of union of India and Maj Gen Vains and Others. The AFT ruled that the SC ruling in the case of Maj Gen Vains and others Vs Union of India dated 09 Sep 2009 be applied to the Petitioners for pre 2006 and post 2006 retirees and the judgement be implemented in three months.
(c) AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of Union of India Vs Babu Ram Dhiman and Union of India Vs Sohan Singh The AFT has directed the Union Government:

That the state cannot lay down different criteria for grant of pensions to officers, JCOs and Jawans on the basis of cut off date of retirement.

No Senior in rank defence person can draw less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.

All pensioners of the same rank and service irrespective of the date of retirement are entitled to same pension.

The above directions be implemented within four months.
(d) SC Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of retired Defence Officer Association Vs Union of India. SC has ruled that the anomaly of 4th Pay Commission regarding rank pay which was removed by the Kerala High Court in one case is applicable to all officers who were in service on 1.1.86 and arrears will be paid to them with 6 percent interest. This judgement has for reaching consequences in that the pay and pensions of officers in 5th & 6th Pay Commissions would have to be worked out afresh.
2. Mr Defence Minster sir, we implore upon you not to take the frustrations of the Defence Forces lightly because any further neglect is likely to have severe ramifications for the Nation at large. The situation as it exists today is reminiscent of the situation prevailing prior to 1962 debacle.
3. The defence personnel by training and thought are mature, patriotic and therefore, will not ask for any thing which is not their due but if justice is denied to them they will go all out albeit peacefully to get what is rightfully theirs. The humiliations heaped upon the Defence Forces in the last 10 years is leading to lot of frustration and anger and therefore, immediate action to address their grievances is required to be taken by the Govt. We therefore request you the following:-

The above judgements of the courts be implemented in letter and spirit immediately and Military Pensions of Pre 2006 Pensioners be fixed accordingly.

Separate Pay Commission which has already been accepted by the Govt be set up
immediately and all anomalies in the Pay and allowance and pensions .etc be transferred to it. The commission may please be given a fixed time frame say one year to resolve all anomalies. Two third members of the commission be from serving and retired Defence Personnel.

Military Veterans Commission be set up immediately which should consist of members from the Military Veterans only with all its powers as given to any other commission.

The Head of the ESW Department of the Ministry of Defence should be headed by a serving or retired Defence Officer. Besides that at the next level below the Head of the ESW Department, there should be one officer each from the Army, Navy and Airforce– serving or retired. Out of the remaining personnel forming part of the ESW Department, at least 50% should be from the Defence Services– serving or retired.
4. A serious immediate consideration of the above mentioned issues is requested.
With kind regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Copy to:
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA & National Advisory Council
Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff
Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Naval Staff
Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, PVSM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff

Military Pay: Are Armed Forces Personnel paid more than they deserve as contended by the crafty bureaucrats?

Thank God we in the Services still retain our sense of the ridiculous. Here is one such article below with a sting in its tail!! send it to our overpaid and corrupt babus...
EQUALLY AND DOUBLY APPLIES TO INDIAN ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE...

Col Cyrus Dalal (Retd)

Military Pay
This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

Ms. Cindy Williams wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams: I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused.
Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.
Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month. After taxes,
I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum........... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone - obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there
aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything.. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opened piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it. You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? You can kiss my royal red a**!!!

A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC

Military Pay Cindy Williams Editorial in Washington Post