IESM: Same Rank and Same Service are the main criteria for Pension Parity

Dear Colleagues,
There have been a large number of emails from the members giving differing perceptions almost on each subject. These are all useful inputs to arrive at balanced decisions.
I would like to reiterate the following points:

There seems some doubt on grant of OROP. It is clarified for the information of all that other than the Service Chiefs and Army Commanders/equivalents, no one from a Sepoy to Lt Gen is in receipt of OROP.

There are quite a few emails giving different versions of the definition of OROP. These are all justified. However, let us keep in mind that these points are essentially officer-centric. For JCOs, NCOs and Sepoys that form the vast majority of ESM, rank and total service can be applied without difficulty. It may be prudent on our part to avoid creating an impression that we are concerned about the officer corps only.

Some ESM have expressed an apprehension that we must clearly specify what we mean or imply by OROP, or else the officialdom will shoot us down because of this perceived lack of clarity. I suggest let us first focus on OROP as a concept. Once we get the government to agree, details will follow and we have enough experts to work out the nitty-gritty in a manner that the majority benefits. We continue with ‘same rank and same length of service’ as the twin criteria for OROP.
It is empirically known that depositing of medals has been one of the most effective methods of pressing our OROP demand. This is evident from the repeated hints by the government through their representatives that we must not return medals. (The latest such advice from the government came to Shri Satpal Maharaj, MP who had headed the recent Parliamentary Committee on Defence that had recommended grant of OROP). We need to reinforce this success and motivate more of our colleagues to volunteer to collect and deposit their medals. Our next visit to the Rashtrapati Bhawan for this purpose is scheduled on Sunday, 28 November 2010 when the Parliament will be in session.
I had written a letter to the Defence Minister on 03 April 2010. One of the points made by me was:
“Since the Government has already accepted constitution of a separate pay commission for the Defence Services – which has a bearing on the pensions – you may kindly consider constituting such a pay commission right now instead of waiting another six years for the 7th Pay Commission.”
The MoD has replied the letter on 22 Sep 2010. Their response is:
“Constitution of Separate Pay Commission
Sir,
“I am directed to refer your letter dated 03rd April 2010 on the above subject and to state that it is too early to consider setting up of another Pay Commission for Armed Forces because of the fact that 6th PC recommendations have been implemented recently.
Yours faithfully,
(Naveen Kumar)
Director (AG)”

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

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Indian Soldier is the biggest winner for the Country

The Indian soldier is the biggest winner for the country in the Commonwealth Games
Soldier firepower at Games
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Oct 11: The Indian soldier is the biggest winner for the country in the Commonwealth Games.

Indian Army soldiers and Indian Navy sailors have won 23 medals between them so far. They are all havildars, subedars, petty officers and cadets — called PBOR for “Personnel Below Officer Rank”. None of the medal winners is a commissioned officer.

Rajyavardhan Rathore, who had brought laurels for the country in shooting, is a colonel in the army. He has not qualified to be part of the Indian shooting contingent in the CWG this time.

Staff of the Indian Railways has also won 17 medals between them in the CWG.

Chief petty officer Omkar Singh of the navy has won three golds and a silver in different categories of air pistol shooting. Subedar Vijay Kumar has won three golds and a silver in different categories of rifle shooting.

The soldiers and sailors have won medals in five disciplines: shooting, weightlifting, wrestling, archery and athletics (20km walk).

A total of 41 soldiers are part of the 600-plus strong Indian contingent at the CWG. The army began a “Mission Olympics” programme in 2001 aiming at podium finish at the world-level in select disciplines.

If soldiers must necessarily be good marksmen, India’s armed forces have reason to be proud. In shooting alone, the soldiers and sailors have won 15 medals — 11 golds, two silvers and two bronze.

K. Ravi Kumar, Sukhan Dey and V.S. Rao — all havildars in the army — have won three medals in weightlifting. Master chief petty officer-II Sudhir Kumar of the navy took the bronze in 77kg weightlifting.

The sportsmen were trained in the Army Sports Institute, Pune, and the Army Marksmen Unit in Mhow.

Even off the field, the armed forces are being applauded for their contribution to the CWG. Army engineers put up a foot overbridge in four days after the one built by a Chandigarh-based company collapsed, injuring 23 workmen 12 days before the Games were to begin. The bridge is connected to the main venue in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Soldier firepower at Games