From: prabhjot singh prabhjot_singh0@yahoo.com
Subject: Killing the Veterans Inch by Inch
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Cc: raviwarsha@gmail.com
Date: Tuesday, 30 June, 2009, 1:22 PM
Dear Veterans,
In its letter no. IESL/DS/9 dated 2-6-2009, addressed to Maj. Gen. S.P. Kochar ADG PS5 – Adjutant General Branch West Block – III RK Puram New Delhi – 110066, Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh, has stressed upon the entry of Date of Birth of ex-servicemen and widows in their PPOs so that Pension Disbursing authorities (PDAs) can make the payment of the additional pension to the pensioners, which have become due to them after completion of 80 years of age and above, as provisioned by Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence, Deptt. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in their letter no. 17 (4) 2008(1)/D (Pen/Pol) dated 11/11/2008 and suggested that the Record Offices should be advised to make efforts to complete this job by writing to individual ex-servicemen regarding confirmation of Date of Birth since most of the ex-servicemen (PBORs), living in villages and eligible for this additional pension, are illiterate and even un-aware of this benefit.
But it is a pity that no action has so far been taken by Records Offices or Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) in this case. It is pertinent to note that Veterans in this age group are most vulnerable to say good by to this world and in case of widows, they are absolutely not aware of any procedure to seek the restoration of family pension after the demise of their husbands. With such complexities and delay on the part of Record Offices and PSAs, the soldiers are being killed inch by inch.
Now the league has knocked the door of Director, Defence Pension, Sh. Harbans Singh, in the deptt. of Defence Welfare, Ministry of Defence, South Block, Sena Bhawan New Delhi , vide its letter no. IESL/13/2006 dated. 29-06-2009 to appraise him about this obstacle confronting the Veterans in getting additional pension, with request for an early solution to this problem.
It is a good effort on the part of IESM and other ESM organizations to fight for One Rank One Pension but it is equally good if Big Brothers in Delhi can spare some time to remind the authorities, who matter in this, about such problems faced by veterans lest Sgt. Mela Ram (80 years), Sub. T.S. Sawhney (82), Nb. Sub. Pritam Singh (98), Nb. Sub. Ajit Singh (83), SWR Malhara Singh and many other like them will leave for their heavenly abode while waiting for payment of their additional pension.
(Sgt. Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS Retd.)
President Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh .
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It is gratifying to note that so many organisations are represnting the case of OROP for Ex Servicemen.Perhaps it is inherreent in our society to seek self-glorifications to do a job concerning a large no. of people.While they all might have varied very slightly on the nitty-gritty of OROP the main aim was same for all of them. It is for this lack of consensus that the FM announced acceptance of OROP only for PBORs and not for all.
ReplyDeleteIt can be said that efforts of 30 yrs have borne fruit and it may bear more fruit in the future too.