03/11/2011
New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The government Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the army was considering grant of promotion to a section of women officers whose services were restored on the court's direction.
The court was hearing a petition of the defence ministry challenging a Delhi High Court directive to the army and the air force to grant permanent commission to women officers of the short service commission (SSC). The air force complied with the high court ruling.
The apex court bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale, taking note of the government statement, told counsel Meenakshi Lekhi, appearing for the women army officers, to wait for some time till the government's decision.
As Lekhi raised the issue, counsel for the defence ministry R. Balasubramaniam told the court that the representation of the women officers seeking promotion was under the consideration of the army.
The court said if the government did not decide on the women officers' representation within a reasonable time, they could move the court.
Justice Lodha said the matter was being kept pending and if there was any undue delay in the decision making or if the verdict was adverse to the women officers, they could always move the apex court.
The ministry moved the apex court, challenging the initiation of contempt proceedings against the army authorities.
The apex court by its March 4 order stayed the contempt proceedings but not the judgment of the high court, directing the absorption of SSC women officers on a permanent basis.
The women officers, discharged from their service in 2009 when they were due to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, are now, upon the restoration of their service, working under the officers who were junior to them.
Balasubramaniam told the court that the high court order would be taken advantage of by other retired women officer to seek restoration of their service.
Lekhi countered by asking him to tell the court the number of women officers, other than the petitioner officers, who had sought restoration of their services in the wake of the high court verdict. ©Indo-Asian News Service
Government clarifies on women army officers’ promotion
Showing posts with label Welfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welfare. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers: Court
Pritam Pal Singh , Sep 05, 2011, 20:03 pm IST
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers: Court
New Delhi, In a ruling that will benefit Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the armed forces, the Delhi High Court has said that those officers who are forced to leave before completing their tenure due to disability and poor health are eligible for all medical and insurance benefits.
The court was hearing the petition of Sagrika Singh, who joined as SSC officer in the Indian Army Feb 2, 1999, and was attached with the Army Medical Corps but was denied medical and insurance benefits on the ground that she had not completed her tenure. Her SSC stint was cut short by kidney failure.
Directing the ministry to provide all benefits to the petitioner, the court, in its 23-page order, said: “Mandamus is issued to the defence ministry to pay the sum assured to the petitioner…and needless to state the petitioner would be entitled to simple interest on the said sum (Rs.10 lakh) at the rate of eight percent per annum reckoned from a date three months after the petitioner raised a demand.”
The division bench consisting of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Rajiv Shakdher said: “The Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) was established with the approval of the government. The main object of the fund is to cater to the socio-economic needs of the army personnel and their families by providing insurance cover.”
The court pointed out that the objective of the AGIF disability scheme was to provide financial benefits to individuals whose service was cut short due to invalidation or release on medical grounds before completion of the terms of engagement or service applicable to that rank.
“The terms of engagement of the petitioner required the petitioner to serve for 14 years subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility conditions. The only reason which resulted in the tenure of engagement being cut short was petitioner’s failure” to be in the required medical condition, said the court in its judgment Aug 29, made available to IANS Sep 3.
The petitioner said that after she joined the service she was granted extension by another five years. She became eligible to be considered for further extension in service by another four years, but prior to expiry of the period of five years, it was detected that one kidney of the petitioner was malfunctioning.
In the year 2009 upon examination by a medical board it was opined that the petitioner had a malfunctioning kidney and thus she was placed in permanent low medical category with disability assessed at 100 percent.
Since one condition of grant of extension in service was that the person ought not to be in low medical category, the petitioner was denied extension and released from service.
The bench observed: “Enrolled in the Indian Army as a SSC officer, the initial term of her engagement was of five years and the petitioner had a right to be considered for extension in service, firstly for a term of five years and thereafter for another term of four years. Petitioner’s right was to be considered for extension in service. The army authorities were thus under an obligation to consider the said right of the petitioner.”
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers
Related reading: SC boost for women officers in Army
Pritam Pal Singh , Sep 05, 2011, 20:03 pm IST
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers: Court
New Delhi, In a ruling that will benefit Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the armed forces, the Delhi High Court has said that those officers who are forced to leave before completing their tenure due to disability and poor health are eligible for all medical and insurance benefits.
The court was hearing the petition of Sagrika Singh, who joined as SSC officer in the Indian Army Feb 2, 1999, and was attached with the Army Medical Corps but was denied medical and insurance benefits on the ground that she had not completed her tenure. Her SSC stint was cut short by kidney failure.
Directing the ministry to provide all benefits to the petitioner, the court, in its 23-page order, said: “Mandamus is issued to the defence ministry to pay the sum assured to the petitioner…and needless to state the petitioner would be entitled to simple interest on the said sum (Rs.10 lakh) at the rate of eight percent per annum reckoned from a date three months after the petitioner raised a demand.”
The division bench consisting of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Rajiv Shakdher said: “The Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) was established with the approval of the government. The main object of the fund is to cater to the socio-economic needs of the army personnel and their families by providing insurance cover.”
The court pointed out that the objective of the AGIF disability scheme was to provide financial benefits to individuals whose service was cut short due to invalidation or release on medical grounds before completion of the terms of engagement or service applicable to that rank.
“The terms of engagement of the petitioner required the petitioner to serve for 14 years subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility conditions. The only reason which resulted in the tenure of engagement being cut short was petitioner’s failure” to be in the required medical condition, said the court in its judgment Aug 29, made available to IANS Sep 3.
The petitioner said that after she joined the service she was granted extension by another five years. She became eligible to be considered for further extension in service by another four years, but prior to expiry of the period of five years, it was detected that one kidney of the petitioner was malfunctioning.
In the year 2009 upon examination by a medical board it was opined that the petitioner had a malfunctioning kidney and thus she was placed in permanent low medical category with disability assessed at 100 percent.
Since one condition of grant of extension in service was that the person ought not to be in low medical category, the petitioner was denied extension and released from service.
The bench observed: “Enrolled in the Indian Army as a SSC officer, the initial term of her engagement was of five years and the petitioner had a right to be considered for extension in service, firstly for a term of five years and thereafter for another term of four years. Petitioner’s right was to be considered for extension in service. The army authorities were thus under an obligation to consider the said right of the petitioner.”
Give all benefits to ex-short service commission officers
Related reading: SC boost for women officers in Army
Friday, March 18, 2011
Modi magic that makes Gujarat tick
The recently concluded fifth Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit, the man, described as a "visionary" has roped in investments worth Rs 21 lakh crore, from 7,936 MoUs inked across diverse sectors in the two days. Dedicating the summit to the youth and women, he promised to create over 52 lakh livelihoods and job opportunities with the money. Behind his hardcore Hindutva image is a businessman with hardselling abilities.
India Inc leaders can't stop praising the man for his efforts to make Gujarat a civic and industrial example to follow.
"Gujarat is shining like a lamp of gold and the credit goes to the visionary, effective and passionate leadership provided by Narendra Modi. We have a leader here with vision and determination to translate this vision into reality," Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said.
Tata Group chief Ratan Tata said: "The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved that Gujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is also witnessing rural development."
Anil Ambani exhorted other states to take a cue from Modi for development. "Gujarat is a role model for other states to learn from ... Narendra bhai has single handedly transformed the state into a power state," he said. Gujarat today is the power capital and power hub of the country and stands out in a sharp contrast to other states in the country, Ambani added.
Several others who have set up shop in recent times in the state vouch for the "corruption-free" and speedy processes. Little wonder, since Mr Modi believes in "minimum government and maximum governance."
Modi’s Gujarat – The dream destination
Comment: Gujarat is a Citizen Safe destination- free of corruption the state is taking gaint strides in all round progress- piped cooking gas to all rural homes and 24 hour electricity to all homes- extraordinary statistics.
India Inc leaders can't stop praising the man for his efforts to make Gujarat a civic and industrial example to follow.
"Gujarat is shining like a lamp of gold and the credit goes to the visionary, effective and passionate leadership provided by Narendra Modi. We have a leader here with vision and determination to translate this vision into reality," Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said.
Tata Group chief Ratan Tata said: "The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved that Gujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is also witnessing rural development."
Anil Ambani exhorted other states to take a cue from Modi for development. "Gujarat is a role model for other states to learn from ... Narendra bhai has single handedly transformed the state into a power state," he said. Gujarat today is the power capital and power hub of the country and stands out in a sharp contrast to other states in the country, Ambani added.
Several others who have set up shop in recent times in the state vouch for the "corruption-free" and speedy processes. Little wonder, since Mr Modi believes in "minimum government and maximum governance."
Modi’s Gujarat – The dream destination
Comment: Gujarat is a Citizen Safe destination- free of corruption the state is taking gaint strides in all round progress- piped cooking gas to all rural homes and 24 hour electricity to all homes- extraordinary statistics.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
IESM: Different pension for same service is patently unjust
The Tribune
Saturday, October 2, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Ex-servicemen have been campaigning for implementation of One Rank--One Pension for years, with some even returning their medals in protest.
Equal pension for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement, is the core of their move to get a better deal.
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
One rank — one pension (OROP) has been the demand behind which Ex-servicemen (ESM) have been rallying ever since the Sixth Pay Commission was made public in March 2008. It needs to be restated that OROP is a demand for equity and justice and not for money per se. The concept is based on demanding equal pension for equal work, independent of the date of one’s retirement. This is not the case at present and older pensioners are getting lower pension than their younger counterparts of the same rank and for equal length of service. Prima facie, this is unjust.
The Congress spokesperson understandably eulogized UPA 1 and UPA 2 for what they have done for the ESM since 2004, but made some statements that do not fit facts. His assertion that all personnel other than officers have been granted OROP was incorrect. When cornered, he corrected his version to say that the difference between pre and post January 2006 pensioners is only one to eight percent. This is again blatantly wrong as the difference is more than 50 percent for jawans. He also claimed that all personnel other than officers were very happy with what they have got. If this were so, they would not have been protesting and depositing their medals still. Thirdly, he attempted to create an impression that jawans are happy and the problem exists only in officers’ pension. One wonders whether this statement and not-so-subtle attempt to create a divide was his personal opinion or whether he was towing the official line.
In either case, it was unfortunate and unbecoming and needs to be clarified. When he announced that the government has agreed to constitute a separate Pay Commission for the defence forces from the Seventh Pay Commission, he was rightly booed. Going by precedent, the Seventh Pay Commission report might come out around 2018. There is no denying that the government announcement is merely to shelve the problem and not solve it.
Some have suggested a compensation package instead of higher pension, but In this they overlooked the fact that OROP is all about justice and not about money. While accepting the hazards of military life, an economist recently equated a soldier to a fireman who might get killed while entering a building that is on fire. Apart from the fact that the fireman has a choice whether or not to enter a burning building where a soldier does not, it is also relevant to remember that there is a fundamental difference between dying and getting killed. In the former, that the soldier faces, there is a readiness, even a willingness, to sacrifice one’s life for the nation. Getting killed on the other hand is a passive action and more accidental than voluntary. While one has all the respect for the firemen, it is difficult not to point out that while soldiers die in almost every operation, firemen do not die in every building that goes aflame.
Another misconception that needs correcting is about the injustice. A father and son, both having served in the same regiment, retiring in the same rank and after equal number of years, and staying under the same roof get a different pension to the disadvantage of the father. This is patently unjust. The economist propounded a theory that a son earning more than the father is a law of nature, but it overlooks two ground realities. First, one is not talking of earning; the son might have earned relatively more while in uniform. The subject instead is remuneration for the work already done in the past. If that work was equal both in quality (rank) and quantity (length of service), then remuneration must also be equal.
Secondly, if the laws of nature were to be applied to soldiering, then the economist needs to ponder how natural it is for a soldier to be ordered to advance in the face of bullets and die an unnatural death?
The suggestion that OROP is not legally tenable is equally out of sync. If the past and present presidents, vice presidents, judges, legislators and host of others can have same pension for old and new pensioners, then why cannot the soldiers get it? Any government that hides behind the law to deny its soldiers their dues is only touting an excuse, not a reason.
Unfortunately, the bureaucracy is playing the villain, as brought out by Commodore Uday Bhaskar. When late PM Indira Gandhi gave a decision to sanction OROP and Uday, as the secretary, was required to prepare minutes, the senior bureaucrats told him to omit this point as they would take it up separately. And there is a more recent example. When enhancements in pension were announced on March 8, 2010, the service widows were left out. Aghast, I wrote to the Secretary, Ex-servicemen Welfare Department, but received no reply. I next wrote to the Defence Minister and again, no reply. Then I sent a letter to the Prime Minister. The reply that came through Army Headquarters bore a PMO file number. It said that the widows were not covered because the Committee of Secretaries (headed by the Cabinet Secretary) had not recommended it. The reply leaves no doubt about who in the government calls the shots. It is also an admittance of the harsh reality of the tail wagging the tiger. Leaving the widows out of the ambit of the enhancements has been a very insensitive action by the government and has caused widespread resentment among the veterans.
Successive Parliamentary Committees have been recommending OROP. Besides, seeing the support of the public, of the courts as evidenced by their recent pronouncements, and of the Members of Parliament, so ably shown the lead by Rajiv Chandrasekhar who has renounced the increase in his MP salary till OROP is sanctioned, the writing is clearly on the wall. Isolated, the government can only delay grant of OROP but cannot deny it. Though none of us would like that to happen, it cannot be said that a serving soldier, seeing the plight of his father or uncle whose profession he had followed, will remain unaffected. The unhappy prospect can be grave.
The writer is former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
Different pension for same service is patently unjust
Saturday, October 2, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Ex-servicemen have been campaigning for implementation of One Rank--One Pension for years, with some even returning their medals in protest.
Equal pension for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement, is the core of their move to get a better deal.
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
One rank — one pension (OROP) has been the demand behind which Ex-servicemen (ESM) have been rallying ever since the Sixth Pay Commission was made public in March 2008. It needs to be restated that OROP is a demand for equity and justice and not for money per se. The concept is based on demanding equal pension for equal work, independent of the date of one’s retirement. This is not the case at present and older pensioners are getting lower pension than their younger counterparts of the same rank and for equal length of service. Prima facie, this is unjust.
The Congress spokesperson understandably eulogized UPA 1 and UPA 2 for what they have done for the ESM since 2004, but made some statements that do not fit facts. His assertion that all personnel other than officers have been granted OROP was incorrect. When cornered, he corrected his version to say that the difference between pre and post January 2006 pensioners is only one to eight percent. This is again blatantly wrong as the difference is more than 50 percent for jawans. He also claimed that all personnel other than officers were very happy with what they have got. If this were so, they would not have been protesting and depositing their medals still. Thirdly, he attempted to create an impression that jawans are happy and the problem exists only in officers’ pension. One wonders whether this statement and not-so-subtle attempt to create a divide was his personal opinion or whether he was towing the official line.
In either case, it was unfortunate and unbecoming and needs to be clarified. When he announced that the government has agreed to constitute a separate Pay Commission for the defence forces from the Seventh Pay Commission, he was rightly booed. Going by precedent, the Seventh Pay Commission report might come out around 2018. There is no denying that the government announcement is merely to shelve the problem and not solve it.
Some have suggested a compensation package instead of higher pension, but In this they overlooked the fact that OROP is all about justice and not about money. While accepting the hazards of military life, an economist recently equated a soldier to a fireman who might get killed while entering a building that is on fire. Apart from the fact that the fireman has a choice whether or not to enter a burning building where a soldier does not, it is also relevant to remember that there is a fundamental difference between dying and getting killed. In the former, that the soldier faces, there is a readiness, even a willingness, to sacrifice one’s life for the nation. Getting killed on the other hand is a passive action and more accidental than voluntary. While one has all the respect for the firemen, it is difficult not to point out that while soldiers die in almost every operation, firemen do not die in every building that goes aflame.
Another misconception that needs correcting is about the injustice. A father and son, both having served in the same regiment, retiring in the same rank and after equal number of years, and staying under the same roof get a different pension to the disadvantage of the father. This is patently unjust. The economist propounded a theory that a son earning more than the father is a law of nature, but it overlooks two ground realities. First, one is not talking of earning; the son might have earned relatively more while in uniform. The subject instead is remuneration for the work already done in the past. If that work was equal both in quality (rank) and quantity (length of service), then remuneration must also be equal.
Secondly, if the laws of nature were to be applied to soldiering, then the economist needs to ponder how natural it is for a soldier to be ordered to advance in the face of bullets and die an unnatural death?
The suggestion that OROP is not legally tenable is equally out of sync. If the past and present presidents, vice presidents, judges, legislators and host of others can have same pension for old and new pensioners, then why cannot the soldiers get it? Any government that hides behind the law to deny its soldiers their dues is only touting an excuse, not a reason.
Unfortunately, the bureaucracy is playing the villain, as brought out by Commodore Uday Bhaskar. When late PM Indira Gandhi gave a decision to sanction OROP and Uday, as the secretary, was required to prepare minutes, the senior bureaucrats told him to omit this point as they would take it up separately. And there is a more recent example. When enhancements in pension were announced on March 8, 2010, the service widows were left out. Aghast, I wrote to the Secretary, Ex-servicemen Welfare Department, but received no reply. I next wrote to the Defence Minister and again, no reply. Then I sent a letter to the Prime Minister. The reply that came through Army Headquarters bore a PMO file number. It said that the widows were not covered because the Committee of Secretaries (headed by the Cabinet Secretary) had not recommended it. The reply leaves no doubt about who in the government calls the shots. It is also an admittance of the harsh reality of the tail wagging the tiger. Leaving the widows out of the ambit of the enhancements has been a very insensitive action by the government and has caused widespread resentment among the veterans.
Successive Parliamentary Committees have been recommending OROP. Besides, seeing the support of the public, of the courts as evidenced by their recent pronouncements, and of the Members of Parliament, so ably shown the lead by Rajiv Chandrasekhar who has renounced the increase in his MP salary till OROP is sanctioned, the writing is clearly on the wall. Isolated, the government can only delay grant of OROP but cannot deny it. Though none of us would like that to happen, it cannot be said that a serving soldier, seeing the plight of his father or uncle whose profession he had followed, will remain unaffected. The unhappy prospect can be grave.
The writer is former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
Different pension for same service is patently unjust
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Prime Minister Congratulates Newly Elected British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron
Photo courtesy The HINDU: click here
NEW MISSION: Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside No.10 Downing Street, in London, on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Mr. David Cameron, the newly elected Prime Minister of United Kingdom. In a letter to Mr. Cameron, the Prime Minster extended his warm wishes and hoped the two countries will further strengthen the bonds of friendship. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s letter:
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Please accept my heartiest felicitations and congratulations on your assumption of the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The elections in the United Kingdom and your stewardship of the Conservative Party reflect the best traditions of parliamentary democracy. I wish you the very best in your leadership of the United Kingdom in the years ahead.
I recall with great pleasure our meeting in New Delhi in September 2006. Over the years, our bilateral relations have diversified into a vibrant and multi-faceted strategic partnership encompassing almost all areas of human endeavour.
We are today well-placed to build upon this strong edifice not just for the welfare and benefit of our two peoples, but also to work together to address the pressing global challenges that we face today, and to harness the growing inter-dependence among nations for the good of humankind. I look forward to working with you to further advance and strengthen our bonds of friendship, to which India attaches the highest importance.
It gives me great pleasure to extend a most cordial invitation to you to visit India at your convenience.” *** AKT/SH/SKS
Prime Minister Congratulates Newly Elected British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron
Read the motivating acceptance speech
British Prime Minister David Cameron's acceptance speech
NEW MISSION: Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside No.10 Downing Street, in London, on Tuesday. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Mr. David Cameron, the newly elected Prime Minister of United Kingdom. In a letter to Mr. Cameron, the Prime Minster extended his warm wishes and hoped the two countries will further strengthen the bonds of friendship. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s letter:
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Please accept my heartiest felicitations and congratulations on your assumption of the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The elections in the United Kingdom and your stewardship of the Conservative Party reflect the best traditions of parliamentary democracy. I wish you the very best in your leadership of the United Kingdom in the years ahead.
I recall with great pleasure our meeting in New Delhi in September 2006. Over the years, our bilateral relations have diversified into a vibrant and multi-faceted strategic partnership encompassing almost all areas of human endeavour.
We are today well-placed to build upon this strong edifice not just for the welfare and benefit of our two peoples, but also to work together to address the pressing global challenges that we face today, and to harness the growing inter-dependence among nations for the good of humankind. I look forward to working with you to further advance and strengthen our bonds of friendship, to which India attaches the highest importance.
It gives me great pleasure to extend a most cordial invitation to you to visit India at your convenience.” *** AKT/SH/SKS
Prime Minister Congratulates Newly Elected British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron
Read the motivating acceptance speech
British Prime Minister David Cameron's acceptance speech
Sunday, June 7, 2009
How ESM organisations are silenced?
From: Ravindra Pathak
Date: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 6:38 AM
Dear Sir,
Here is a case of blatant politicaliasation of an ESM organisation. Where are those who made so much noise about the advisory issued by IESM in favour of BJP, which was nowhere close to this falling to political masters for mere 21 Lakhs?
Cdr R W Pathak (Retd)
Haryana goes to assembly polls in Oct?
Date: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 1:12 PM
Dear Veterans,
Sh Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister Haryana paid a visit to HQ IESL on 30th May 09. The Chief Guest was received by Brig RKS Gulia, President IESL and led to conference hall. The audience amongst others included League Presidents from Panjab, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan and various distts of Haryana. The President IESL during his welcome address gave a brief account of organization, aims & objectives and achievements of the league during last three years .
The Hon’ble Chief Minister in his address spoke about his Military background, education in Sainik School and deep concern for well being of Defence personnel. In continuation of numerous welfare measures announced during last four years of his rule in the state, he made a generous donation of Rs 21 Lacs to IESL. He further assured that he would continue working towards betterment of ESM and their dependants in future. Amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Capt Parveen Dawar of DPCC and Ch Balbir Singh.
Regards
PRO IESL
Visible Bank Deposit of IESL is around Rs 1.74 crores
MINUTES OF 139TH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING OF IESL HELD AT 1100 HOURS ON 27 MAR 2009 (FRIDAY) AT THE LEAGUE OFFICE, NEW DELHI
Comment: The governing body of ESM organisations need to be very vigilant/ careful against accumulating vast cash deposits in banks as they are betraying the trust reposed by lakhs of Ex- Servicemen who have chosen to join as ordinary members with the aim of fighting for Justice and Welfare. The government/ politicians and bureaucrats are very crafty in silencing the Jawan's Voice through pliable Governing Bodies who cleverly steer the Members off the main course to fulfil their own selfish ego and agenda.
Date: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 6:38 AM
Dear Sir,
Here is a case of blatant politicaliasation of an ESM organisation. Where are those who made so much noise about the advisory issued by IESM in favour of BJP, which was nowhere close to this falling to political masters for mere 21 Lakhs?
Cdr R W Pathak (Retd)
Haryana goes to assembly polls in Oct?
Date: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 1:12 PM
Dear Veterans,
Sh Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister Haryana paid a visit to HQ IESL on 30th May 09. The Chief Guest was received by Brig RKS Gulia, President IESL and led to conference hall. The audience amongst others included League Presidents from Panjab, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan and various distts of Haryana. The President IESL during his welcome address gave a brief account of organization, aims & objectives and achievements of the league during last three years .
The Hon’ble Chief Minister in his address spoke about his Military background, education in Sainik School and deep concern for well being of Defence personnel. In continuation of numerous welfare measures announced during last four years of his rule in the state, he made a generous donation of Rs 21 Lacs to IESL. He further assured that he would continue working towards betterment of ESM and their dependants in future. Amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Capt Parveen Dawar of DPCC and Ch Balbir Singh.
Regards
PRO IESL
Visible Bank Deposit of IESL is around Rs 1.74 crores
MINUTES OF 139TH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING OF IESL HELD AT 1100 HOURS ON 27 MAR 2009 (FRIDAY) AT THE LEAGUE OFFICE, NEW DELHI
Comment: The governing body of ESM organisations need to be very vigilant/ careful against accumulating vast cash deposits in banks as they are betraying the trust reposed by lakhs of Ex- Servicemen who have chosen to join as ordinary members with the aim of fighting for Justice and Welfare. The government/ politicians and bureaucrats are very crafty in silencing the Jawan's Voice through pliable Governing Bodies who cleverly steer the Members off the main course to fulfil their own selfish ego and agenda.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
IESM: Military Pensions- CNN IBN Network 18 at 1730 hrs on 20 Feb 2009
Dear friend,
The program on our pensions which was scheduled for 18th Feb 2009 will now be telecast on Friday, the 20th Feb 2009 at 1730 hrs and Monday 23rd Feb at 2230 hrs. The change became necessary because of Mr Obama's program. Our apologies (a million of them) for any inconvenience which this may have caused to you.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh
PS Just to remind you: It will be on CNBC TV 18 and it is Karan Thapar's program entitled, "India Tonight"
Click here to link up
The program on our pensions which was scheduled for 18th Feb 2009 will now be telecast on Friday, the 20th Feb 2009 at 1730 hrs and Monday 23rd Feb at 2230 hrs. The change became necessary because of Mr Obama's program. Our apologies (a million of them) for any inconvenience which this may have caused to you.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh
PS Just to remind you: It will be on CNBC TV 18 and it is Karan Thapar's program entitled, "India Tonight"
Click here to link up
Monday, December 31, 2007
ECHS- Constraints
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM (Retired), Former SO-in-C, met Maj Gen RK Kalra, the MD of ECHS, at the beginning of this month and informed him of certain problems being faced by retired Defence Personnel. In turn Gen Kalra explained what all is being done by HQ ECHS to improve the services. But being a Govt setup, the bureaucratic hassles have to be overcome by them (as we have faced in Delhi during our tenures).
Gen Harbhajan Singh further informed Gen Kalra about the 'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/
In view of lack of a forum for proper interaction between retired Defence personnel and ECHS, Gen Harbhajan suggested to Gen Kalra that retired Defence personnel could put up their suggestions on the Blog, which Gen Kalra or one of his officers could periodically check and take necessary action where feasible. General Kalra agreed to the suggestion.
Therefore, it is suggested to members that as and when you wish to put up a suggestion regarding ECHS, please send your suggestion to -
'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/
The link for sending your email to The Blog is given at the Blog itself, under Heading - "Sharing",
OR you can directly use the email ID - reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com for sending your suggestion.
You would appreciate that it would depend on ECHS officers whether to visit the Blog and read your suggestions or not; and whether piecemeal suggestion can bring out the desired results? All the same let us make efforts and hope for the best.
CS Kamboj
Brig (Retd)
Gen Harbhajan Singh further informed Gen Kalra about the 'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/
In view of lack of a forum for proper interaction between retired Defence personnel and ECHS, Gen Harbhajan suggested to Gen Kalra that retired Defence personnel could put up their suggestions on the Blog, which Gen Kalra or one of his officers could periodically check and take necessary action where feasible. General Kalra agreed to the suggestion.
Therefore, it is suggested to members that as and when you wish to put up a suggestion regarding ECHS, please send your suggestion to -
'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/
The link for sending your email to The Blog is given at the Blog itself, under Heading - "Sharing",
OR you can directly use the email ID - reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com for sending your suggestion.
You would appreciate that it would depend on ECHS officers whether to visit the Blog and read your suggestions or not; and whether piecemeal suggestion can bring out the desired results? All the same let us make efforts and hope for the best.
CS Kamboj
Brig (Retd)
ECHS- Feedback
Dear friends,
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched with effect from 01 Apr 2003. The aim of the Scheme is to provide quality medicare to its members and their authorised dependents through 227 ECHS Polyclinics and a network of service and empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres. The Scheme is fully financed by the Government.
There is a network of 227 polyclinics, ie, 106 Military and 121 Non Military Stations Polyclinics, based on density of ESM in various regions.
With the ECHS now functional for nearly five years, it is disheartening to hear criticism of the scheme.
There are numerous reasons for lack of popularity of the scheme. However instead of analyzing reasons, what is necessary, now, is to collect objective feedback and try to convince the authorities to carry out introspection with an open mind, and bring about improvements.
Having retired only in Dec 2006, I have very little experience of ECHS so far. However since some friends (coursemates in particular) have asked me to project a case, may I request you for your feedback. If you can collect feedback from your colleagues and forward it, you would contribute immensely to the cause.
Feedback is requested covering the aspects given below: -
Personal particulars .
Service No, Rank, Name.
Arm/Service/Regt/Branch.
Date of retirement/ leaving service.
ECHS Membership No.
Postal Address.
Email ID.
Phone/Mobile No.
Any other detail you wish to give.
Any comment regarding the org at the Army HQ (old name), Comd HQ, Stn levels.
Adequacy of staff vis a vis requirement. No of doctors and No of exservicemen dependent on the clinic. Is there a need to tailor the org of clinics based on requirements?
Competence and attitude of the staff.
Is there a need for more specialists, even on part time basis, once or twice a week?
Difficulties experienced in dealing with affiliated hospitals, and diagnostic centres.
Procedures followed by ECHS to prevent fraud or misuse. How justified and whether it is too bureaucratic. Any examples.
Any info on the finances of ECHS. Reasons for non clearance of bills of hosp, if known. Any avoidable expenditure in the clinics. Use of ECHS ambulances, if any (are they used for patients?).
Feedback systems in place. Attitude of different authorities.
Are you aware of any actions taken by any ex servicemen orgs or individuals, in this regard, so far? If anyone else is working on this please let me know.
Comment on the overall ambience. Is there place for patients to wait or do they wait in verandas and corridors? Parking space adequate? For how many vehs should it cater? This would depend on No of patients expected and time spent in clinics.
Your recommendations to make it an ideal org.
I intend using only authentic feedback with names and dates.
If some other issues arise on receipt of feedback I intend asking for more data to support such issues.
I will need data of as many stations as possible. I recommend special efforts to collect this data, to include interaction with pers in the clinics, and with the stn cdrs. Aim is to improve the system and not point out individual faults. The stn cdrs may be assured of the same, in case you interact.
May I take the liberty of reminding you that medical requirements will only increase with age. So efforts to collect feedback and attempts to bring about improvements are our investments for a better future. Feedback collected from senior colleagues will be most useful.
During visits to the ECHS or with your Regt affiliation could you please collect feedback from JCOs and OR, with their particulars.
Early action is requested. Comments should be sent on email ID echsfeedback@gmail.com
Even if our success is limited, we would have collected some data and made some progress which could be used in subsequent cases.
For those who do not know me, I would like to make it clear that I am no authority on the subject, and there are scores of senior offrs who would handle the case better. I harbour no grudge against any org nor do I have any axe to grind. Also I have no bitter experience of ECHS. I am doing this only because I hear a general crib and feel it is better to do something more positive.
Request excuse use of some commonly used abvns in my comns.
Regards.
Lt Gen KK Khanna, PVSM, AVSM** (Retired)
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched with effect from 01 Apr 2003. The aim of the Scheme is to provide quality medicare to its members and their authorised dependents through 227 ECHS Polyclinics and a network of service and empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres. The Scheme is fully financed by the Government.
There is a network of 227 polyclinics, ie, 106 Military and 121 Non Military Stations Polyclinics, based on density of ESM in various regions.
With the ECHS now functional for nearly five years, it is disheartening to hear criticism of the scheme.
There are numerous reasons for lack of popularity of the scheme. However instead of analyzing reasons, what is necessary, now, is to collect objective feedback and try to convince the authorities to carry out introspection with an open mind, and bring about improvements.
Having retired only in Dec 2006, I have very little experience of ECHS so far. However since some friends (coursemates in particular) have asked me to project a case, may I request you for your feedback. If you can collect feedback from your colleagues and forward it, you would contribute immensely to the cause.
Feedback is requested covering the aspects given below: -
Personal particulars .
Service No, Rank, Name.
Arm/Service/Regt/Branch.
Date of retirement/ leaving service.
ECHS Membership No.
Postal Address.
Email ID.
Phone/Mobile No.
Any other detail you wish to give.
Any comment regarding the org at the Army HQ (old name), Comd HQ, Stn levels.
Adequacy of staff vis a vis requirement. No of doctors and No of exservicemen dependent on the clinic. Is there a need to tailor the org of clinics based on requirements?
Competence and attitude of the staff.
Is there a need for more specialists, even on part time basis, once or twice a week?
Difficulties experienced in dealing with affiliated hospitals, and diagnostic centres.
Procedures followed by ECHS to prevent fraud or misuse. How justified and whether it is too bureaucratic. Any examples.
Any info on the finances of ECHS. Reasons for non clearance of bills of hosp, if known. Any avoidable expenditure in the clinics. Use of ECHS ambulances, if any (are they used for patients?).
Feedback systems in place. Attitude of different authorities.
Are you aware of any actions taken by any ex servicemen orgs or individuals, in this regard, so far? If anyone else is working on this please let me know.
Comment on the overall ambience. Is there place for patients to wait or do they wait in verandas and corridors? Parking space adequate? For how many vehs should it cater? This would depend on No of patients expected and time spent in clinics.
Your recommendations to make it an ideal org.
I intend using only authentic feedback with names and dates.
If some other issues arise on receipt of feedback I intend asking for more data to support such issues.
I will need data of as many stations as possible. I recommend special efforts to collect this data, to include interaction with pers in the clinics, and with the stn cdrs. Aim is to improve the system and not point out individual faults. The stn cdrs may be assured of the same, in case you interact.
May I take the liberty of reminding you that medical requirements will only increase with age. So efforts to collect feedback and attempts to bring about improvements are our investments for a better future. Feedback collected from senior colleagues will be most useful.
During visits to the ECHS or with your Regt affiliation could you please collect feedback from JCOs and OR, with their particulars.
Early action is requested. Comments should be sent on email ID echsfeedback@gmail.com
Even if our success is limited, we would have collected some data and made some progress which could be used in subsequent cases.
For those who do not know me, I would like to make it clear that I am no authority on the subject, and there are scores of senior offrs who would handle the case better. I harbour no grudge against any org nor do I have any axe to grind. Also I have no bitter experience of ECHS. I am doing this only because I hear a general crib and feel it is better to do something more positive.
Request excuse use of some commonly used abvns in my comns.
Regards.
Lt Gen KK Khanna, PVSM, AVSM** (Retired)
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