OROP: Sampling of Readers Comments

Ref: Taking steps for one-rank, one-pension demand: Govt
TNN | Sep 27, 2012, 02.02AM IST
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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

OROP: Misleading announcement by Government

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
'One Rank One Pension: Misleading Announcement By Govt': Ex-servicemen Cry Foul, Write To PM
"Hon’ble Prime Minister,
1. The grandiose announcement by the Govt that One Rank One Pension has been approved by the Cabinet was met with lot relief by the Ex servicemen who have been agitating for its acceptance for more than 30 years. However, this sense of relief was short lived as the details of the decision unfolded and our fears brought before you vide our letter dated 18 Jul 2012 became a reality (Copy of the letter enclosed). What has been given, albeit grudgingly, does not even meet the provision of the Armed Forces Tribunal Judgements in favour the Defence Personnel which is effective from 01.01.2006. This decision is from a prospective date.
2. Sir, OROP even at the risk of repetition, is “Defence Personnel with the same rank and same length of service must draw the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement and any future enhancement would be automatically granted to them”. This also means that no senior defence person should ever draw pension less than his junior. Sir, It further means “Removal of the Gap” and not Bridging the Gap. To illustrate, a Sepoy, Naik and Havlidar have been given an increase of only Rs 400 per month, whereas a Sepoy who retired on 31.01.2012 draws approx Rs 4000/- more than those retired prior to 2006. Similarly, major disparity still exists in the officer ranks. This, we feel, is primarily due to non inclusion of members from Defence Personnel in the committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, a request which the three Chiefs made to the Raksha Mantri but was not accepted.
3. Sir, the Ex servicemen expect the Govt to do Justice to them. This announcement has further disillusioned the Ex Servicemen fraternity who have decided to intensify their protest in a dignified manner on All India basis.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM"
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh,Vice Chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement has written to the PM, Defence Minister, and the three service Chiefs. He has been spearheading the movement for the past 6 years plus.
'One Rank One Pension: Misleading Announcement By Govt': Ex-servicemen Cry Foul

रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मियों के लिए 'समान रैंक, समान पेंशन' को मंजूरी

रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मियों के लिए 'समान रैंक, समान पेंशन' को मंजूरी
समान रैंक, समान पेंशन योजना
एजेंसियां | Sep 25, 2012, 09.52AM IST
नई दिल्ली।। सख्त आर्थिक सुधारों के चलते बने कसैले माहौल को कम करने के लिए केन्द्र सरकार सक्रिय हो गई है। मंत्रिमंडल ने रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मियों के लिए समान रैंक, समान पेंशन (OROP) लागू करने को मंजूरी देते हुए 2300 करोड़ रुपए के अतिरिक्त पेंशन पैकेज की घोषणा कर दी है। करीब 21 लाख सैन्यकर्मियों को कैबिनेट के इस फैसले से फायदा होगा।
लंबे समय से मिलिट्री कर्मियों में इस बाबत कोई कदम न उठाने के चलते रोष था। इस कदम से पहले तक इस मांग को पूरा करवाने के दबाव के लिए अब तक कई रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मी अपने मेडल लौटा चुके थे और रैलियां कर रहे थे। सरकार के इस फैसले के मुताबिक, रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मियों के बीच पेंशन में असमानता को खत्म कर दिया जाएगा। इसके तहत जनवरी 2006 के पहले और उसके बाद तीनों सेनाओं से रिटायर हुए जूनियर कमीशन अधिकारियों की पेंशन में अंतर की खानापूर्ति के मद्देनजर यह कदम उठाया गया है। पेंशन के लिए सिपाही स्तर, नायक स्तर और हवलदार रैंक पर जनवरी, 2006 से दो साल पहले या फिर दो साल बाद रिटायर हुए लोगों को इसका पात्र माना जाएगा।
और, 2006 से पहले या बाद में रिटायर हुए कमिशन ऑफिसर्स को न्यूनतम पे-बैंड की जगह न्यूनतम पेंशन टेबल में डालकर यह गैप खत्म कर दिया गया है। इसी तरह कमिशन, जूनियर कमिशन या अन्य अधिकारियों-फौजियों को न्यूनतम पे-बैंड के बजाय इन्हें न्यूनतम फिटमेंट टेबल के हिसाब से अब ज्यादा पेंशन मिलेगी। रिटायरमेंट के बाद जिन जूनियर कमीशन अधिकारियों या अन्य की मृत्यु हो गई है, उनके परिजनों को अब 30 प्रतिशत के बजाय अधिकतम 60 प्रतिशत तक के स्केल पर पेंशन मिलेगी। फैसले का एक और 'अच्छा' पहलू यह है कि जो लोग फौज के अलावा सिविल सेवा में भी रहे हैं, उन्हें दोनों ही ओर से रिटायरमेंट के बाद पेंशन मिल सकेगी।
रिटायर्ड सैन्यकर्मियों के लिए 'समान रैंक, समान पेंशन' को मंजूरी

OROP: Jubilation gives way to sceptism

Updated Sep 25, 2012 at 02:49pm IST
One rank one pension scheme: Jubilation gives way to scepticism
Surya Gangadharan, CNN-IBN
New Delhi: India's nearly 23 lakh ex-military personnel have a reason to celebrate. The government has finally conceded their demand for One Rank One Pension. It means that the military personnel will draw the pensions depending on the rank at which they retired, and not the date of their retirement.
The government's decision on Monday evening is set to bring on par those who retired before 2006 with those who retired afterwards.
The One Rank One Pension scheme will also grant dual family pensions and ensure pensions to the differently-abled wards of the defence personnel.
According to reports, the scheme will cost the government around Rs 2,300 crore per year.
While the ex-servicemen are jubilant, many of them remain sceptical.
General (retd) VK Singh said that while he was unaware of "what they have passed", the move was welcome and that it should have happened long time back.
Another Brigadier says that one must be willing to read the fine print. "The government says one thing and does another. It could be a welcome step if the government implements it," he says.
The scepticism of the Army officers is well-founded. The government has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to what the ex-servicemen consider their legitimate right. And while there has been some relief for retired personnel, there's been no effort to address the concerns of the serving military personnel who feel shortchanged by the Sixth Pay Commission.
One rank one pension scheme: Jubilation gives way to scepticism
One rank, almost one pension!

'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

IESM takes up issue of widows pension

DEFENCE WIDOWS PENSION- IESM
12 September 2012
Dear Mrs Sonia Gandhi,
I draw your kind attention to my letter dated 21 Sep 2011(copy attached) regarding discrimination meted out to the widows when defence pensions were enhanced from 1.7.2009 following recommendations of the erstwhile Cabinet Secretary’s Committee.
On your instructions a delegation of widows had met the Defence Minister on 14 Nov 2011. Within ten days he personally told me on telephone that he has approved the enhancement. However, till date his decision taken under your directions has not been implemented. It is apparently stuck because of objections raised by the Finance Ministry bureaucrats. It is rather unfortunate that we start counting pennies when it comes to releasing the long pending legitimate dues of the weakest section of our society. This is causing great consternation among the Ex Servicemen in the country. Many are asking if it was a crime that their husbands died serving India.
I have been under tremendous pressure from the hapless widows to help get them their dues. They have been fully banking on your empathy and support. They have decided that in case their dues are not given to them by that date, they would come in a delegation of approximately 200 and present a memorandum to you at 10 Jan Path, at 11:30 hours on Sunday 18 November 2012. We do request you to kindly receive their delegation. They have promised to remain dignified and peaceful. I am confident they would be treated with courtesy and respect by the police and by all the agencies/staff involved.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
IESM Chairman
262, Sector-17A, Gurgaon – 122 001
Smt Sonia Gandhi
President Indian National Congress and Chairperson UPA
10, Jan Path, New Delhi
Copy to:
Shri AK Antony, Hon’ble Minister of Defence
Police Commissioner, New Delhi – The delegation would follow the Teen Moorti-Akbar Road-10 Jan Path route and would debus to walk for the last 500 metres.

Supreme Commander Lauds Ex Servicemen

10/01/2012
Contribution of ex-servicemen will always be remembered: Patil
Diver (Raj), Jan 10 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil today said the country should respect and not forget the services of its retired soldiers who had staked their lives for the security and well being of the country.
"Our soldiers guard our borders and even after retirement contribute in the progress of the society. They will always be respected for their courage and sacrifice. Hence, it is our responsibility to take appropriate care of our brave soldiers who have retired or were injured in wars," Patil said after unveiling a statue of legendary Rajput patriot Maharana Pratap here, a village in Rajsamand district.
Patil, who is on a two-day tour of the state, said that ex-servicemen and soldiers should also take up the mantle of educating the people against social evils like female foeticide, drug abuse, dowry and child marriage.
Calling Rajasthan the land of the "brave", Patil recollected how she, as the then Governor of the state, had taken up various measures for the welfare of war widows and retired soldiers.
Located about 50 km from the district headquarters, Diver, holds a special place in history as Maharana Pratap and his son Amar Singh had defeated hostile forces about 415 years ago. The region also boasts of sending a large number of recruits to the Indian armed forces.
Contribution of ex-servicemen will always be remembered: Patil

Comment: Services of Ex Servicemen will be remembered is all that the Supreme Commander has to say to assuage the hurt feelings of those who have surrendered the Gallantry awards alongwith a blood signed petition for sanction of One Rank One Pension. Sad commentary on the welfare measures that the Government puts on paper but in ground reality nothing concrete happens!

One Rank One Pension and Diminishing Returns of the Rank

Dear Colleagues,
ESM from different corners of the country keep enquiring about OROP progress. Hopefully the Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee will submit its report within this month and the government would take a decision on this within the duration of the Monsoon Parliamentary session (01 Aug – 08 Sep). Although there is cause for apprehension if one goes by the reported statement of the Defence Minister in his media interaction in the last week of June 2011. He has been quoted as saying “Though ‘one rank, one pension’ is a dream, we are nearing it. Our approach is... that step by step increase it at least to the nearest pole. We are in the process and whenever we get an opportunity, we try to increase it”. We have to wait and watch. As the environment would know, Punjab and HP have already passed resolutions in their State Assemblies supporting grant of OROP to Defence pensioners. A letter has been written by me to Chief Ministers of 12 other States (UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bihar, WB, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, MP, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, J&K) requesting for similar action. It will help if pressure is also mounted through the local MsLA. The letter is reproduced below:

Dear Hon’ble Chief Minister,
I am approaching you in connection with an important aspect of welfare affecting the Ex Servicemen. You may be aware that for over three years, the Ex Servicemen have been struggling for their legitimate right of ‘one rank one pension’ (OROP). It implies equal pension for all personnel that retired from the same rank after equal number of years of service, irrespective of their date of retirement. As per the existing provisions, whenever the pensions are enhanced by successive Central Pay Commissions (CPC), the enhancement is only applied prospectively and old pensioners are left out. The gap between the old and new pensioners keeps widening with each successive CPC. Interaction with top government leaders has revealed that their apprehension possibly arises from the fact that granting OROP to defence pensioners might generate a similar demand from civilian government employees thus increasing the financial liability that may be difficult to sustain. The civilian employees are our own kith and kin and not our adversaries. However, denial of a legitimate due to the Ex Servicemen on this ground is unfair considering the vastly different service conditions under which our military persons serve. Apart from risks, dangers, separation, dislocation, hard life etc, let me highlight some other major and not easily discernible differences:
1. Early Retirement. Over 85% military personnel retire in their mid/late Thirties whereas all civil employees serve up to their age of superannuation i.e. 60 years. The military persons thus lose out on the benefits of two/ three CPCs that the civilian employees enjoy. Early retirement also is at a lower pay and consequently lower pension. There is no compensation for the relative differential in their salaries and pensions.
2. Limited Promotions. The Defence Forces are structured around a very steep pyramidal rank structure. For example, at Independence, when the Army’s strength was barely 2, 50,000 they had one officer holding the rank of General. Today, even though the strength has gone up by over five times, the Army still has only one General. In contrast the proliferation of senior posts in the civil and police forces is too well known to be recounted. It may be of interest to know that an Army officer has a 0.022% chance of reaching the topmost rank.
3. Very Slow Promotions. The Defence Forces suffer a double whammy in the field of promotions. Not only are the avenues on top severely limited, even attainment of those limited senior ranks comes very late. For example, while an IAS officer becomes a Joint Secretary in about 14/20 years of service (States/Centre), its equivalent rank of Major General that comes to less than 3% of Army officers, is attained only after 33 years of commissioning.
Keeping the above realities in mind, denial of their legitimate entitlement of OROP to the Defence Forces, on the apprehension that it might evoke a similar demand among the civilian employees, is patently unjust. In fact if the OROP issue had been of equal interest to the civilian employees, they would have agitated long ago. OROP demand by Ex Servicemen that had been simmering for nearly 30 years, gathered steam after the 6th CPC report came out. It has become a very emotive issue in the entire population of the Ex Servicemen. Seen in the larger context, this can have an adverse effect on the overall security scenario in the country. It is with this background that I solicit your kind support. ........ has a very large population of Ex Servicemen and meeting their legitimate demand is in everyone’s interest. In fact Punjab and HP have already passed a resolution in the State Assemblies unanimously supporting the demand of OROP. I will request you to consider if a similar resolution can be moved in your State. I further implore you to kindly use your influence with the Centre in getting OROP sanctioned. I will be happy to meet you and make a presentation at your convenience.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

IESM: Letter to Supreme Commander

IESM/Medals/2011
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman
17 March 2011

Excellency,
You would be aware that we have made five trips to Rashtrapati Bhavan with a view to depositing medals directly with the Supreme Commander. Each time we have had to bring these back as Her Excellency was pre-occupied on other engagements and was not able to receive these personally. Consequently, vide our letter of even number dated 2 February 2011 (copy attached), we requested that a date and time convenient and suitable to the Supreme Commander may kindly be intimated so that we can recast our programme accordingly. Reply from Rashtrapati Bhavan to this request is still awaited. May I request that your availability/convenience be conveyed to us at an early date?
In the mean time do allow me to apprise you that the disenchantment of veterans with the government for not acceding to their basic demand of ‘one rank one pension’ as well as for not implementing several judgments taken by the Supreme Court, is further growing and spreading. Admittedly, this kind of negative sentiment taking root among the most loyal and dedicated section of the society cannot be said to be a healthy development.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman. IESM

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Hon’ble President of India & Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi – 110 004
Copy to:
Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister
Shri AK Antony, Hon’ble Defence Minister

सुप्रीम कमांडर को पत्र
IESM/Medals/2011
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान, पीवीएसएम, एवीएसएम, वीएसएम
अध्यक्ष
17 मार्च 2011

महामहिम,
तुम्हें पता होना चाहिए कि हम पदक सुप्रीम कमांडर के साथ सीधे जमा करने के उद्देश्य से राष्ट्रपति भवन से पांच यात्राएं बना दिया जाएगा. हर बार हम पड़ा है इन वापस लाने के लिए के रूप में उनकी महामहिम पूर्व अन्य कार्यों पर कब्जा कर लिया था और इन व्यक्तिगत रूप से प्राप्त करने में सक्षम नहीं था. नतीजतन, भी 2 फ़रवरी 2011 (संलग्न प्रतिलिपि) दिनांक संख्या के बारे में हमारी पत्र देखिये, हम अनुरोध किया है कि एक तारीख और सुविधाजनक और सुप्रीम कमांडर के लिए उपयुक्त समय कृपया सूचित इतना है कि हम अपने कार्यक्रम के अनुसार मरम्मत कर सकते हैं हो सकता है. राष्ट्रपति भवन से इस अनुरोध के जवाब अभी भी इंतजार है. क्या मैं आपसे अनुरोध है कि अपनी उपलब्धता / सुविधा एक प्रारंभिक तिथि पर हमें अवगत करा दिया हो?
मतलब समय में मैं आपको बतलाना करने की अनुमति है कि सरकार के साथ दिग्गजों के साथ ही कई को लागू करने के सुप्रीम कोर्ट द्वारा लिया गया निर्णय नहीं करने के लिए के रूप में उनकी 'एक रैंक एक पेंशन' की मांग के बुनियादी acceding नहीं करने के लिए, मोहभंग आगे बढ़ रहा है और करना फैल गया. बेशक, नकारात्मक भावना के इस तरह के समाज के सबसे वफादार और समर्पित अनुभाग में रूट लेने के लिए एक स्वस्थ विकास नहीं कहा जा सकता है.
के साथ सबसे अच्छा संबंध है,
सादर
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान, पीवीएसएम, एवीएसएम, वीएसएम
अध्यक्ष. IESM

श्रीमती. राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती प्रतिभा देवीसिंह पाटिल, भारत और सशस्त्र बलों, राष्ट्रपति भवन, के सुप्रीम कमांडर के माननीय राष्ट्रपति नई दिल्ली - 110 004
पर प्रतिलिपि बनाएँ:
डा. मनमोहन सिंह, माननीय प्रधानमंत्री
श्री ए के एंटनी, माननीय रक्षा मंत्री

IESM fast tracks ECHS to aid Veteran in Ventilator

Dear Colleagues,
The mobile phone has been on the buzz most of the day. Many ESM called up to confirm large attendance for the rally tomorrow. Those who cannot make it due to the distance involved, called up to express support and solidarity for the Movement. Over eight lac rupees have been donated by members for the event. The response has been overwhelming. The confidence and faith shown by the environment puts a heavy responsibility on us to steer the Movement to meet the expectations of the majority.
I was called today to unveil a martyr’s statue in village ‘Palda’ in Jhajjar District of Haryana. It was the wish of the ESM in the region that the honor is done by Chairman IESM and not by any politician or government official. It was a solemn ceremony attended by hundreds of ESM and families. School children sang patriotic songs. Palda has a proud history of valour and sacrifice. There are now four statues of martyrs in a row, the first being of Hony Capt Umrao Singh, VC.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM

Assistance to No 14606646 Ex L/Nk Hari Kumar KG For Specialized treatment at Cochin
Dear Veterans,
1. This is to bring to the notice of all veterans that IESM HQ moved on OP immediate basis to get the sanction of Sr consultant (MED) for the specialized treatment to No 14606646 Ex L/Nk Hari Kumar KG who is on ventilator in ICU at Amrita Institute of Medical Science an ECHS empanelled hospital at Cochin. We were approached by the family members of the veteran patient when all their efforts failed and the hospital was to start the treatment after the sanction from DGAFMS is given. The amount involved as on 24 Feb was Rs 3,58,100/-.
2. IESM HQ contacted whose who in the medical set up at RR hospital, DGAFMS, DGMS (Army), DGCW AG's Branch. the required documents sent by Air force Hospital Bangalore were not traceable in the office of DGAFMS. Emergency ops room functioned at IESM HQ and we were able to get the required sanction conveyed to OIC ECHS Cochin yesterday at 3 Pm. I can only say "God! you are too kind". We pray, with the commencement of treatment, our veteran soldier is blessed with speedy recovery.
3. Our special thanks to DG(CW) Lt Gen BG Nair, DG MS (Army) Lt Gen HR Kakaria Sr consultant (MD) Maj Gen AC Anand, Col Chatraj SO To DGMS (Army), Col SS Roy So to Sr, consultant MD DGAFMS, Col Summit Roy OC ECHS Cochin, AVM Anil Behal AF Hospital Bangalore; who voluntarily and positively understood the urgency and helped in expediting the sanction.
"Hum Teri bandagi karein na karein par tere bacho ko pyar karte hain"
Best regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Polyclinics
Mr. Raju said the government had recently sanctioned an additional 300 polyclinics as part of the endeavour to provide better healthcare to the ex-servicemen. Efforts were also underway to help the ex-servicemen have an access to the corporate hospitals. Resettlement courses for the ex-servicemen were getting fine-tuned in a bid to promote skill upgradation among them. The idea was aimed at preparing the ex-servicemen, who were used to do the conventional jobs associated with the refilling stations, toll plazas on the highways and security agencies, to take up the emerging and new generation employments like software as their second career. The Minister said the Centre had decided to increase its share of funds from 50 to 75 per cent for running the State Sainik Boards in a bid to provide more focus on the welfare of ex-servicemen and widows. The State-level boards are funded by the State and Central governments in a 50:50 ratio till now.
Welfare of ex-servicemen priority of Defence Ministry
Related Reading: JK CM announces Rs. 20 lakh as financial assistance for blind Ex-Servicemen

IESM Rally at Jantar Mantar on 06 Mar 2011

Dear Veterans,
1. Press release for 6 March 2011 rally at Jantar Mantar already sent to the press.
2. All ESM and ESM organizations across the country are requested to attend the above Rally to send the right signal to the Govt, to accept our demands. We also request the member of the family of ESM and our supporters to attend the above rally. The dress for the Rally is uniform/ Mufti along with the Regimental Cap to clearly and visibly indicate our identity and emphasize that we are not happy. Remember, if we do not help ourselves, nobody else would, let us therefore put all our efforts and make the Rally a success.
3. Conveners of IESM at all levels are requested to motivate ESM in their areas to voluntarily deposit their medals and sign memorandum in Blood for onward deposit with the President.
4. Adm Arrangements, part reimbursement for transport and rail/bus fare will also be made by the IESM as hitherto. Conveners are requested to give maximum publicity for the event information may be published in various local newspapers.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman IESM

IESM Rally at Hissar

20 Feb 2011
Dear Colleagues,
An IESM rally was held at Hisar today. It was organised by Sub Hari Singh and Hony Capt Chander Singh who had put in tremendous amount of hard work over the last few weeks. It was a gathering of over 200 ESM and Service families. Gen Adiya Jaini, Colonel Goyal and self attended from Delhi. 30 new members joined IESM during the event. The rain that started midway during the proceedings failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the participants.
Preparations for the 6 March rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi are on track. We are extremely grateful to all the 61 contributors (IESM members, other ESM and civilians) for their generosity in sending money for the event. Our special gratitude to Brig Chander Kamboj for playing a pivotal role in this.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

ESM Welfare and Politics

Dear Veterans,
I write this email with reference to a recent email by a senior veteran from another ESM organization discounting the efforts and achievements of IESM in the past three years. I would like to begin with my opening statement that 'IESM' does not need any certification or approval from any ESM Organization.
It is rather outstanding and remarkable that despite having said it a thousand times, we at IESM have to continuously and repeatedly draw everyone’s attention to the cause behind the formation of IESM. If the other ESM Organizations were as effective, potent and efficient as they claim to be, all of us at IESM would have gladly become active members of them and by now OROP and other demands of the ESM would have already been fulfilled. The sad truth remains that they are not. And it is because of that that IESM was formed. IESM was formed because the Government chose to totally ignore the ESM of the country till the point they were forced to initiate civil action and civil movements like the dharna at Jantar Mantar and various other IESM rallies.
At this point I must again mention that IESM is by its very definition and remains completely apolitical. Our interests are the interests of ESM and that only. Nothing more and nothing less. Formed by selfless volunteers from all ranks, all arms with no objective but the welfare of ESM and a personal satisfaction of doing good work, IESM remains committed to the good of each ESM and ESM family in the country. IESM is answerable to every ESM of the country but NOT to any vested interest driven outfit/organization.
The IESM mission is a movement headed by some of the most efficient and driven personnel to have ever served the Indian military. And to make it even more effective our mission is further fortified by a remarkable set of officers, JCOs and Other Ranks that form the state, district and city/village level conveners, coordinators and representatives. If the IESM HQ is the Brains, this potent team of wonderful men is the ‘Heart and Lungs’ of IESM.
The insensitivity towards the ESM of the country is, as I have mentioned in the past, a dangerous game. That said, it is also a game that is about to finish. And the ESM of India will win this battle for justice. I do not say that IESM and IESM alone will take the credit for this victory but we do take the credit for organizing and mobilizing lakhs of ESM and ESM organizations across the country to spur into action and move this mission forward. The love and faith that ESM across the country have shown in IESM and its people speaks for itself and needs no proof. After all this love, affection and faith of millions of ESM is the very fuel that powers the IESM turbofan engine.
Any person or organization that goes about changing things is resisted, mocked at, ridiculed and countered. That is why IESM remains the only ESM Welfare Organization that receives all sorts of comments. But in the words of the Great Mahatma, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” And make no mistake, we are winning.
IESM as a part of its mission has written tens of hundreds of letters to all dignitaries irrespective of party/affiliation. IESM representatives have also had meetings with state and centre MPs and MLAs regardless of their political affiliation to any party. The letter to Shri LK advani was a part of the same strategy to sensitize the entire Indian political system regarding the challenges of the IESM.
The ESM of the country are not begging the country for something that is not justified. The ESM of the country are demanding what is rightful and justified. It is not a matter of ‘if’ it’s merely a matter of ‘when’…
With warm regards,
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/ Maj Hony Lt (Veteran)
Governing Body Member Indian ESM Movement