Apathy towards the war-disabled must end

Disabled soldiers at the Paraplegic Rehabilitaion Centre in Mohali. Several issues need to be redressed to ensure that disabled soldiers get due benefits that compensate them for the substantially reduced capacity for employment.

The number of war-disabled soldiers is increasing on account of casualties being incurred in prolonged counter-insurgency operations. But they are gradually fading away from the radar screen of the government and the Service headquarters. The plight of disabled soldiers needs to be appreciated and action should be taken to ameliorate their multifarious problems

There is certainly a need for regular dialogue between the ESW department, army headquarters and the NGO's. Getting them on board will result in a two-way passage of information between the authorities and the war-disabled. Both NGO's exist on donations that are meagre, but their request for funds has been summarily dismissed by the ESW department!

Over the last few decades, the war-disabled as a group have been gradually fading away from the radar screens of service headquarters as well as the government, despite the fact that their number is increasing practically on a daily basis on account of casualties incurred in counter-insurgency operations. The plight of war-disabled soldiers, especially in rural areas needs to be appreciated and actions need to be taken to ameliorate their multifarious problems. This situation of apathy to the war-disabled must be corrected lest it leads to grave adverse repercussions in the long term.
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army and President of the War Wounded Foundation.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Apathy towards the war-disabled must end

War-disabled
The above article “Apathy towards the war-disabled must end” (Feb 18) by Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd) was a touching description of the plight of the war-disabled. The writer has rightly pleaded for the benefits/maintaining records of the disabled and need for a positive attitude towards them. Even the NGO’s can play a better role with the help of the media. India must treat the war-disabled with respect.
A.S. ANAND, Ludhiana

ESW is a Cosmetic Bureaucratic Appendage
Over six years ago, a Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) was created to give focused attention to welfare programmes for ex-servicemen and their dependants. In reality it was a cosmetic exercise as three existing entities of the Ministry of Defence merely started reporting to another set of bureaucrats. Even after six years, except for garnering additional vacancies for their cadre, the department is yet to come out with a single programme for the welfare of veterans. They also commenced looking after the pensions of veterans and the mess they have made post--Sixth Pay Commission is too well known.

Here is a department tailor-made to make much of the soldiers' sacrifices by conceiving a comprehensive and long-term plan to commemorate their valiant deeds, not only on Vijay Diwas, but also on other such occasions. The need is for vision, empathy and dedication, which requires staffing this department by military personnel. They know what soldiers want and how best to meet their needs. The incongruity of welfare of soldiers by the bureaucracy needs immediate burial. Let us do so without delay and start honouring our soldiers.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
The writer is a former Vice Chief of the Indian Army
When will we honour our soldiers?

Corruption Malaise- Reform and Improve Governance?

Who is to Reform and Improve Governance?
Extracts from PM's Keynote address at India Today Conclave
The shifts in the balance of power and its implications suggest that we need to adapt ourselves. In many ways, India is well placed to take advantage of the changes in the balance of international forces. We can contribute to the world’s recovery from the recent financial and economic crisis. We can become a pole of political stability in an uncertain world. But for all this we will need to show innovation and flexibility in our approaches. Some inadequacies have become apparent in our systems of functioning. We have to deal squarely with the malaise of corruption. We need to reform and improve governance at all levels.
I am sure that your deliberations in this conclave will contribute to a more informed debate on all the issues that this important topic raises.
Read full address: PM's key-note address at the India-Today Conclave

Pensioners Problems addressed with Promptitude

Dear Colleagues,
It is always exhilarating to see a full inbox on opening the email. A large content comprises mails from the ESM environment advising us on what is wrong (several) and on what should be done (few). However, invariably the mails invite counters from others ending in a long trail of acrimonious, even venomous, exchanges. The drift is quite often indicative of criticism of IESMs inability to get OROP so far. All these are important for us to remain on our proverbial toes. Let me however, venture some suggestions:

Colleagues may do well to spend more effort and energy in weaving arguments in support of their own contention rather than on trying to condemn others’ point of view.

Do avoid getting personal. Everyone has a right to his/her view. Disagreements should be worded in a healthy language.

Some mails are unduly censorious of our Service Chiefs for their perceived inaction in pushing veterans’ cases. Unfortunately, most of such emails are a result of ignorance about what the Chiefs are doing. The environment may feel assured that the Service Heads are doing all that is feasible within the constraints of their being in uniform. There is general synergy in the efforts of veterans and Service Headquarters.
There have been many complaints from the ESM against the PCDA (P) Allahabad for their casualness in attending to pensioners’ problems. On 24 Feb 2011, I had written to CGDA against this. As a sample I had quoted the example of an unmarried dependent daughter of a deceased Brigadier whose pension case had been pending for a long time. (This has since been settled). Reply received from the CGDA is attached. It is hoped there is general improvement in service and the PCDA (P) acts with greater promptitude.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM