Celebrities conferred honorary ranks absent from annual parades

Navy decides not to confer honorary ranks henceforth
Dehradun: In a significant move, the Indian Navy, after sensing the apathy of the honorary-rank holder celebrities towards armed forces, has decided to not to confer anyone with these prestigious ranks henceforth.
Navy has concluded that the celebrities previously conferred with such ranks have remained apathetic towards the armed forces. Chief of Navy staff, Admiral DK Joshi said that the Indian Navy is now not in favour of conferring prestigious titles to the civilians.
Recently, following the footstep of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni, who also holds the honorary rank of Lt-Colonel in the Territorial Army, had chosen to give a miss to the Army’s annual parade ceremony. Last year, Dhoni was conferred with the honorary rank of Lt-Colonel in the Territorial Army amid much fanfare.
Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as an Honorary Group Captain in September 2010.
The absence of Dhoni and Tendulkar from their respective organisational events had sparked off a debate on whether the celebrities should be conferred such titles or not. The Ministry of Defence had started conferring such titles to the celebrities in a bid to attract the youths for opting defence as their career. But the non-participation and non-commitment of these celebrities towards their duties have caused disappointment which has culminated into the fresh decision of Indian Navy to stop honouring any celebrity with these titles. JPN/Bureau
Navy decides not to confer honorary ranks henceforth MS Dhoni skips Territorial Army Day parade
Comment: Absent from parade means they should be discharged from service.

Territorial Army Day Parade

The Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony reviews the parade, during the Prime Minister's Territorial Army Day Parade, in New Delhi on March 18, 2011.CNR :37160 Photo ID :34169- PIB

The Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. V.K. Singh, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik and other officers and personnel, during the Prime Minister's Territorial Army Day Parade, in New Delhi on March 18, 2011.CNR :37159 Photo ID :34168- PIB
Defence Minister Reviews Territorial Army Day Parade

ESM Welfare gets a boost: Will it take off?

Minister of State for Defence Mallipudi Mangapati Pallam Raju tells Saubhadro Chatterji.
Interview
The first United Progressive Alliance government created a separate department for the welfare of ex-servicemen.

What are your plans on this front?
Rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen are priority areas for this government. We have already created a post of director general (resettlement). Every year, 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers retire. Most of these belong to the 'people below officer rank' (PBOR) segment. We believe that these ex-servicemen, who have received army training for so many years, are an asset to the nation. They pick up a number of skills during their stint with the armed forces. Age is also on their side when they leave the forces. They are in their late 30s or early 40s. The government can't do everything on its own. So, we have tied up with the private sector for their training, resettlement and placements.

What sort of a tie-up you are aiming at?
We have already entered into agreements with business bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry and Assocham for training and placements. We look forward to more such agreements in the coming days.

Which are the sectors where ex-servicemen are finding maximum employment?
Well, as you know, there is a huge demand for these trained personnel in private security services. Our ex-servicemen are doing a good job there. But we now find that there is demand from various industries for their mechanical skills. In the construction sector, the demand for skilled ex-servicemen is steadily rising. As the retail trade starts to boom, it is becoming a major employer of ex-servicemen. Reliance Retail, for example, has employed a large number of ex-servicemen. We declared 2007 the year of the ex-servicemen to boost our resettlement plans for them. We find the private sector showing increasing interest in employing ex-servicemen. Apart from Reliance Retail, Infosys is another big company that is employing a large number of ex-servicemen.

Jairam Ramesh, the minister in charge of environment, recently told us that he wanted to take the help of ex-servicemen for a large afforestation programme.
Yes, ex-servicemen can also contribute to the environment protection programme. Earlier, there was an eco-battalion in the Territorial Army. We can raise a similar group of ex-servicemen for environment. I think my senior colleague, Defence Minister A K Antony, held a meeting with Jairam Ramesh in this regard. Task forces will be raised for afforestation in places where we are building roads.
Read the full interview:
Rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen are priority areas for this government

Major gets pension after 27 years of retirement

Vijay Mohan/TNS Chandigarh, June 6
Twenty-seven years after he retired, a Major from the Territorial Army (TA) has been finally granted pension. Ruling that TA personnel shall be treated on a par with regular Army personnel for the purposes of pension, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled. The tribunal has also ordered that the pension be paid from the date of retirement along with 12 per cent interest.

Major Hardev Singh Gill, a resident of Patiala, was commissioned into the TA in March, 1961. He superannuated in June, 1983, on attaining 50 years of age. He was denied pension on the grounds that his total qualifying service was about 16 years, which was less than the minimum required period of 20 years. Drawing reference to its earlier judgment on a similar issue, the tribunal observed that Regulation 292 of pension regulations stated, “The grant of pensionary awards to members of the Territorial Army shall be governed by the same general regulations as are applicable to the corresponding personnel of the Army except where they are inconsistent with the provisions of regulations in this chapter.”Late entrants into the Army are eligible for grant of full pension after 15 years of service, according to the policy letters issued on the subject by the Central Government.

In the case of Maj SD Sharma decided in February, on the basis of which Maj Gill’s petition was allowed last week, the tribunal observed relevant orders made it explicitly clear that TA persons would be governed by the necessary pensionary regulations that were applicable to the Army also and there were no two opinions in the matter nor any room for doubt.

The government orders dated October 30, 1987, for the implementation of the Fourth Central Pay Commission and February 3, 1998, for the implementation of the Fifth Central Pay Commission made it abundantly clear that that TA personnel would be governed by the Indian Army Pensionary Regulations for the purposes of working out their pensions, the tribunal ruled
Major gets pension after 27 years of retirement by Vijay Mohan/TNS

Territorial Army (India) recruits men as Officers

Territorial Army (India)

The Territorial Army in India (commonly referred to as TA in India) is an organization of volunteers who receive military training for a few days in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilized for the defence of the country.

It is a second line of defense after the Regular Indian Army; the Indian Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for those people who are already in mainstay civilian professions, in fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.

Join as an Officer in Territorial Army (India)

Selected candidates will be posted in the Lieutenant Rank. This will be treated as a part time job.
Last date for receipt of request for Application – February 15
Last date for receipt of completed Application – March 15
Eligibility
Age – 18 to 42 years
Education – Graduation

How to Apply
Applications are to be sent to the concerned TA Group Headquarters. After processing of applications, the eligible candidates are called for Preliminary Interview Boards held at respective TA Group Headquarters (Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Lucknow). Selected candidates go through the SSB Interview, Medical Board & Police Verification. The successful candidates are granted commission by the President of India.

Ex – Defence service officers may also join the TA. The required to apply directly to Additional Directorate General of Territorial Army and appear before the Board of Officers presided by the Additional Director General of Territorial Army at New Delhi . Selected Officers are to be cleared by the Medical Boards before the officer’s ar granted commission in the TA. All such officers are given the credit of their previous commissioned service on joning the Territorial Army.

Those from Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Lakhdives may apply to

Commander TA,
Group Head Quarters,
Southern Command, Pune.

The request for application shall accompany a self addressed stamped post cover sized 28 x 12 cm enclosing a DD for Rs. 10. The Bio-data indicating the present employment details and monthly remuneration may also be enclosed.
For full procedures and Application Form Click here

Terrorism is prime source of concern: Antony

Monday, October 19, 2009 13:59 IST
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has said that terrorism continues to be a prime source of concern, not just for India, but the entire world. Addressing the 60th Anniversary Parade of the Territorial Army, here today, Shri Antony said as the country assumes an increased role in defining international policies and initiatives, the need of the hour is to secure the environment, both external and internal. “Given the security concerns of the times we live in, our Armed Forces have a particularly crucial role to play in securing our country from external and internal threats,” he said.

Commending the Territorial Army for setting the benchmark of professionalism since its inception, the Defence Minister said the Citizens’ Army has a great responsibility in augmenting the regular Army, be it during war, national emergencies for peace. He lauded the Territorial Army’s role, especially the Infantry and Home & Hearth Infantry Battalions, Departmental units from the railways, oil sector and the general hospital. Shri Antony said the Ecological (TA) Battalions are unique the world over. “The untiring efforts of the ‘Green Warriors’ in afforestation, environment development and preservation of the fragile ecology in various parts of the country is praiseworthy,” he added.

Shri Antony called upon the youth to enrol themselves for the part time and voluntary uniformed force. Since the country cannot afford to maintain an unduly standing Army, “there is need for more passionate young men from all walks of life to join the Territorial Army and experience the pride of serving and defending the nation, while continuing with their respective professions,” he said. Raised by C. Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of free India, on October 09, 1949, the Territorial Army is celebrating its diamond jubilee year. Having won five Vir Chakras and three Shaurya Chakras, the TA has seen many eminent personalities including renowned cricketer Kapil Dev (Honorary Lt. Col.), Malayalam film actor Mohan Lal (Honorary Lt. Col.), former ONGC CMD Shri Subir Raha (Major-Retired), Shri Doshehe Y Sema (Major), a member of the Nagaland state assembly and several others, donning uniform.
HH/PK/RAJ
Terrorism is prime source of concern: Antony

New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Territorial Army, a reserve force of trained civilians to aid the Indian Army, completed 60 years of existence Friday and aims to woo more youngsters and working professionals to join its ranks.
“On the 60th anniversary, we are working towards tapping young talent from the corporate, engineering, IT and other fields,” said a senior officer of the Territorial Army.

Read more: Territorial Army, 60, to woo youngsters

MPs, young and elderly alike, keen to join territorial army

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

The Minister of State of Defence, Shri M.M. Pallam Raju addressing the Members of Parliament during a presentation on the Territorial Army, in New Delhi on August 04, 2009.
Members of Parliament, young and elderly alike, have evinced keen interest in joining the Territorial Army (TA), the voluntary force of the Indian army for civilians, part-time. Participating in a presentation here today on the aim, role, organization and functioning of the Citizen’s Army, as it is often called, about three dozen MPs enthusiastically inquired how they could contribute to popularize the movement and be a part of the volunteer force.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju said the overwhelming response of the MPs to the programme demonstrates the faith of the nation in the armed forces and their keenness to imbibe the sense of discipline and patriotism cultivated by the armed forces across their rank and file. Lok Sabha MPs including Shri Navin Jindal, Shri Deepender Singh Hooda and Shri Hemanand Biswal keenly participated in an interactive session following the presentation. Former cricketer Shri Kapil Dev, who has been inducted into the TA recently as Honorary Lt. Colonel, was also present during the deliberations.

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said the Territorial Army has proved its merit both during war and peacetime. Men of the TA help maintain essential services during strikes and the force has contributed immensely in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. TA personnel are fully capable to undertake responsibilities in running essential services and the TA departmental units has six Regiments trained in Railways, seven Regiments to run General Hospital services, one for Oil & Natural Gas, one for Refineries and Pipelines, one for Marketing Battalion of Army Supply Corps and an infantry battalion for Ecological Task Force which has undertaken several aforestation drives across the country.

Major General KVS Lalotra, Additional Director-General of the Territorial Army, who heads the force, said a proposal to relax enrolment rules and training for civilian officers was under consideration. Government officers could be exempted from appearing before the Services Selection Board (SSBs) if the proposals are approved, he added.

Raised by Sir C. Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of free India, on Oct.09, 1949, the Territorial Army would soon be entering its diamond jubilee year. Having won five Vir Chakras and three Shaurya Chakras, the TA has seen many eminent personalities including Malayalam film actor Mohan Lal (Honorary Lt. Col.), former ONGC CMD Shri Subir Raha (Major-Retired), Shri Doshehe Y Sema (Major), a member of the Nagaland state assembly and several others, donning uniform.
PK/RAJ
MPs, young and elderly alike, keen to join territorial army