Dear All,
My comments on Asian Age writings are:
On any issue especially at the level of the Government, effective leadership demands application of mind. Legal opinion is not the end all. If one is to go entirely by the views of the junior bureaucrat, a financial advisor or a legal opinion, leaders become redundant. The elected leadership in particular, is meant to moderate the views of all concerned and take appropriate decisions in the country’s interest. In the instant case the country’s leadership has failed in its obligations.
What is mutually acceptable solution? Accepting a date mid way? In cases like this, truth cannot be altered. If one were to ask if the officer would have been allowed to appear for the examination without proper verification of the educational qualification and date of birth by the UPSC or permitted to join the NDA by the Army Headquarters, the answer to the entire puzzle would have emerged. Ask any official of the UPSC handling these cases and they would have given the answer. Instead, the Government chose to confuse the issue beyond rational resolution.
A question has also been raised as to why the General did not accept the Government’s orders as he is covered under the Army Act. The Army Act mandates a soldier to obey only “Lawful Command”. Asking the Chief to accept a wrong date as his date of birth is falsehood and hence not a lawful command. On the same breath one would like to ask the proponents of this view, if in case the government wants a Lieutenant General to accept a date of birth which makes him 2 years younger than his correct date of birth for reasons that the Infantry Directorate maintained that date and being an Infantry Officer the Government is obliged to go by that date, should the officer accept that date? Why this double standards?
It is also being professed that the morale of the Armed Forces is being affected by the Chief going to the court and that this act of the Chief going to the court is not good for the Army. Rational thinking and a soldier’s mind suggests that in case the Chief had accepted the Government’s version of the date of birth and had decided to retire in 2012, the junior officers and the troops would have got away with the impression that the Army Chief indeed had told a lie to hang on to his post for a year longer and probably since the truth had been found, the Chief was saving his own face by accepting the Government’s version on the pretext of being a disciplined soldier. I leave it to the, people, the fraternity of the serving soldiers and the Military Veterans to decide which of the options would have affected the morale of the troops.
No one has so far clarified as to how the Chief going to the Court is not good for the Army. Are they suggesting that the bureaucracy would block all legitimate cases of procurement and modernization? If that be the case, so be it. Indian Army is not the Indian Army’s Army. It is India’s Army and it if for the people to decide what the country needs in terms of defence needs. The bureaucrats are no one to stand in-between the people and national interests. If the bureaucrats decide to field an ill equipped Army against an adversary and if lives and territory are lost, those concerned will be made to pay a very heavy price by the people.
Regards,
Brigadier V Mahalingam
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Views of Gp Capt Subramanian
Dear Friends,
In principle I avoid joining such discussions or venturing any opinion.
It is perhaps quite a different thing to mention a fact which might be relevant.
As a techno-legal view, if the COAS resigns his commission before going to court and subsequently the court upholds his stand and gives a verdict that his yob is 1951, legally the Resigned / lost / surrendered President's Commission, CANNOT BE REVOKED AND HE CANNOT BE RE-COMMISSIONED.
In the attached Decision Flow Chart, The COAS has to consistently remain on the GREEN CHANNEL for achieving his aim of establishing his YOB (Year of birth) as 1951 and DERIVE BENEFIT from that.
For easy and lucid understanding, if he resigns his commission, he is an ordinary veteran like us. If he approaches the SC for determination of his DOB, the court would first ask him, even before admitting the petition, why he wants such determination and how he stands to benefit from such determination. He will be told that it is a futile exercise, as the commission once resigned , this action cannot be revoked, and it would be a fait accompli. If he says that it is a matter of his Integrity & Honour, he will be told that SC is already quite busy with huge backlogs, and cannot afford the luxury of entertaining such frivolous matters.
( I am providing this clarification, from personal experience. I went on deputation to HAL in May 1984 for 2 years, and as per the then prevalent practice, would have been extending my deputation until I became due for Air Cmde and come back to IAF. However, in Feb 1985, Rajiv Gandhi stopped all further deputations (except for Test Pilots and IPS Officers on Security & Vigilance Posts) and stipulated that no extensions would be given to already deputed officers. Came March 1986, and though I had been cleared for Air Cmde (as ascertained by HAL), as they had no vacancy of Addl General Manager to absorb me in, as an Air Cmde, they told me that I will certainly rise to the topmost post of Chief of Commercial Services, but would have to initially accept absorption as Deputy General Manager and that I should give my willingness for the same. As there was no likely vacancy of an Air Cmde, in the IAF for the next two years, and the possibility of moving into Corporate Office at Bangalore and remaining there until superannuation, if absorbed, I gave my willingness. HAL / Govt processed the premature retirement and absorption and were about to issue the Govt letter, when I had second thoughts and wanted to change my mind and withdraw my willingness.
On personally and physically approaching Air HQ / MOD, I was told that the file was just awaiting signature of the Raksha Rajya Mantri, and might even have been signed by the RRM, and that once that Statutory Authority signs the file, I would be deemed to have resigned my commission and there is no way or provision for restoring a resigned commission. Little did I realize then, that that single act would haunt me for more than quarter of a century and make me a PSU Absorbee Criminal for life. Perhaps, that was Divine Will. )
Hence, when somebody says on TV that the COAS should have resigned and then gone to court, they are "Talking through their hat", whether wearing one or not, and are providing only entertainment.
Sorry, for this long story. I had to do it because of the adage, " The most difficult thing in the world is for, a person to know how to do something correctly, see somebody doing it incorrectly, and KEEP QUIET". I had to adopt the easy way out.
Thanks for your patience and best wishes,
Gp Capt Subramanian
In principle I avoid joining such discussions or venturing any opinion.
It is perhaps quite a different thing to mention a fact which might be relevant.
As a techno-legal view, if the COAS resigns his commission before going to court and subsequently the court upholds his stand and gives a verdict that his yob is 1951, legally the Resigned / lost / surrendered President's Commission, CANNOT BE REVOKED AND HE CANNOT BE RE-COMMISSIONED.
In the attached Decision Flow Chart, The COAS has to consistently remain on the GREEN CHANNEL for achieving his aim of establishing his YOB (Year of birth) as 1951 and DERIVE BENEFIT from that.
For easy and lucid understanding, if he resigns his commission, he is an ordinary veteran like us. If he approaches the SC for determination of his DOB, the court would first ask him, even before admitting the petition, why he wants such determination and how he stands to benefit from such determination. He will be told that it is a futile exercise, as the commission once resigned , this action cannot be revoked, and it would be a fait accompli. If he says that it is a matter of his Integrity & Honour, he will be told that SC is already quite busy with huge backlogs, and cannot afford the luxury of entertaining such frivolous matters.
( I am providing this clarification, from personal experience. I went on deputation to HAL in May 1984 for 2 years, and as per the then prevalent practice, would have been extending my deputation until I became due for Air Cmde and come back to IAF. However, in Feb 1985, Rajiv Gandhi stopped all further deputations (except for Test Pilots and IPS Officers on Security & Vigilance Posts) and stipulated that no extensions would be given to already deputed officers. Came March 1986, and though I had been cleared for Air Cmde (as ascertained by HAL), as they had no vacancy of Addl General Manager to absorb me in, as an Air Cmde, they told me that I will certainly rise to the topmost post of Chief of Commercial Services, but would have to initially accept absorption as Deputy General Manager and that I should give my willingness for the same. As there was no likely vacancy of an Air Cmde, in the IAF for the next two years, and the possibility of moving into Corporate Office at Bangalore and remaining there until superannuation, if absorbed, I gave my willingness. HAL / Govt processed the premature retirement and absorption and were about to issue the Govt letter, when I had second thoughts and wanted to change my mind and withdraw my willingness.
On personally and physically approaching Air HQ / MOD, I was told that the file was just awaiting signature of the Raksha Rajya Mantri, and might even have been signed by the RRM, and that once that Statutory Authority signs the file, I would be deemed to have resigned my commission and there is no way or provision for restoring a resigned commission. Little did I realize then, that that single act would haunt me for more than quarter of a century and make me a PSU Absorbee Criminal for life. Perhaps, that was Divine Will. )
Hence, when somebody says on TV that the COAS should have resigned and then gone to court, they are "Talking through their hat", whether wearing one or not, and are providing only entertainment.
Sorry, for this long story. I had to do it because of the adage, " The most difficult thing in the world is for, a person to know how to do something correctly, see somebody doing it incorrectly, and KEEP QUIET". I had to adopt the easy way out.
Thanks for your patience and best wishes,
Gp Capt Subramanian
Govt ignored military secretary's recommendation on Army chief's age
India Today / India / North / StoryCourtesy: Headlines TodayShiv Aroor New Delhi, January 20, 2012 | UPDATED 17:44 IST
The Ministry of Defence ignored a crucial document which shows that Army chief General V.K Singh's contention on his age was accepted and there was no controversy on it within the forces. The document clearly gives the Army chief an edge over the government's stand on the issue in the court.
Headlines Today accessed the July 2011 note from the military secretary's (MS) branch which states that the chief's age be treated as May 10, 1951 and not 1950.
The document, signed by then military secretary Lt Gen G.M Nair, provides instances of selection boards that promoted V.K Singh up the ranks based on 1951 as the year of birth.
The reason why this document could prove crucial is that it was the MS branch that originally had in its possession the documents which recorded the chief's year of birth as 1950.
In other words, the document is the MS branch recommending that the anomalous records in its possession be ignored and 1951 be treated as the year of Singh's birth.
As it turned out, the government chose not to accept this recommendation. However sources told Headlines Today that the document strengthens the chief's case and could prove a trump card in the Supreme Court.
The document also lays to rest the notion that there was any internal conflict over the chief's age between the MS branch and the adjutant general's branch.
The Ministry of Defence ignored a crucial document which shows that Army chief General V.K Singh's contention on his age was accepted and there was no controversy on it within the forces. The document clearly gives the Army chief an edge over the government's stand on the issue in the court.
Headlines Today accessed the July 2011 note from the military secretary's (MS) branch which states that the chief's age be treated as May 10, 1951 and not 1950.
The document, signed by then military secretary Lt Gen G.M Nair, provides instances of selection boards that promoted V.K Singh up the ranks based on 1951 as the year of birth.
The reason why this document could prove crucial is that it was the MS branch that originally had in its possession the documents which recorded the chief's year of birth as 1950.
In other words, the document is the MS branch recommending that the anomalous records in its possession be ignored and 1951 be treated as the year of Singh's birth.
As it turned out, the government chose not to accept this recommendation. However sources told Headlines Today that the document strengthens the chief's case and could prove a trump card in the Supreme Court.
The document also lays to rest the notion that there was any internal conflict over the chief's age between the MS branch and the adjutant general's branch.
The Times of India-Editor Views of Wing commander (Retd) Shashank Bendre
Sir,
In his article "Bridging The Gap" (January 20) Admiral Sushil Kumar has brought the very crucial issue of Civil Military relationship to the fore.Unfortunately,it required the ongoing unseemly controversy over the date of birth of the present COAS unfolding into a major crisis, to bring it into focus.For the military,the reason for this conflict is very palpable- a result of the mistrust in which the military is held by the civilian authority.While the world powers understand that their military has an important role in planning strategic policies of their countries, the Indian military is kept at a hand's distance by the civilian authority.Moreover,the servicemen allege that the standing of the Armed Forces vis-a-vis their civil counterparts is being systematically lowered over the years, on purpose.They charge the bureaucracy of selfish motives in conspiring to see that the military is not given its due prestige in the scheme of things.Therefore,a distinction must be made between the bureaucratic and political authority to remove any misgivings.The civilian political leadership can no longer avoid addressing this anomaly to formalise a code of conduct and restore the dignity of the military before the situation goes out of hand.
Wing commander (Retd) Shashank Bendre
In his article "Bridging The Gap" (January 20) Admiral Sushil Kumar has brought the very crucial issue of Civil Military relationship to the fore.Unfortunately,it required the ongoing unseemly controversy over the date of birth of the present COAS unfolding into a major crisis, to bring it into focus.For the military,the reason for this conflict is very palpable- a result of the mistrust in which the military is held by the civilian authority.While the world powers understand that their military has an important role in planning strategic policies of their countries, the Indian military is kept at a hand's distance by the civilian authority.Moreover,the servicemen allege that the standing of the Armed Forces vis-a-vis their civil counterparts is being systematically lowered over the years, on purpose.They charge the bureaucracy of selfish motives in conspiring to see that the military is not given its due prestige in the scheme of things.Therefore,a distinction must be made between the bureaucratic and political authority to remove any misgivings.The civilian political leadership can no longer avoid addressing this anomaly to formalise a code of conduct and restore the dignity of the military before the situation goes out of hand.
Wing commander (Retd) Shashank Bendre
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Ageing Indian Army: Anti- Insurgency/ Counter- Terrorism or a Combat Force?
The Asian Age Home » Opinion » Interview of the Week
‘In terms of manpower, the Indian Army is ageing’
This is a good interview. I endorse Gen Malik's views on most issues.
1. Defence Services must have greater voice in forming National Strategic policies. Not to be left to Group of Ministers, mostly.
2. Having a CDS is a must.
3. Our organisations and concepts of large scale operations in mountains are old. The Army in the mountains in particular has to become LEANER AND MEANER. Much greater integral heli lift is essential as also armed hepter resources.
4. Indian Army has got tired of operating in counter insurgency operations in J&K and in the East. How long can a unit remain in such areas, year after year. Pakistan has really bled us for the last 64 years. These guys have nothing to eat and spend and an individual can be hired to do Jehad for paltry sums. Our passive attitude has not served us well. The only way is to have a TIT for TAT policy. We have to ignite the flame in Balochistan and let the Pak Army bleed there. The British and the Americans would also be interested to boil up things in Balochistan. Pak Army only understands a strong response.
Veteran Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Interview of the Week with General VP Malik Jan 15, 2012
On the occasion of Army Day, former Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik says that the current method of civilian control over the military leaves much to be desired. He also tells Sridhar Kumaraswami that grouping all strike corps under a strategic command is not a good idea.
In what ways can a career in the Army be made more attractive? Does this require more cash incentives or just better parity with the civilian services?
Three requirements, in order of priority:
improved promotion prospects with a golden handshake early-retirement policy
improved civil-military services parity
greater respect for soldiers and ex-servicemen from the government and society. We need to revisit terms and conditions of service that were framed in a different socio-economic milieu many years ago.
‘In terms of manpower, the Indian Army is ageing’
This is a good interview. I endorse Gen Malik's views on most issues.
1. Defence Services must have greater voice in forming National Strategic policies. Not to be left to Group of Ministers, mostly.
2. Having a CDS is a must.
3. Our organisations and concepts of large scale operations in mountains are old. The Army in the mountains in particular has to become LEANER AND MEANER. Much greater integral heli lift is essential as also armed hepter resources.
4. Indian Army has got tired of operating in counter insurgency operations in J&K and in the East. How long can a unit remain in such areas, year after year. Pakistan has really bled us for the last 64 years. These guys have nothing to eat and spend and an individual can be hired to do Jehad for paltry sums. Our passive attitude has not served us well. The only way is to have a TIT for TAT policy. We have to ignite the flame in Balochistan and let the Pak Army bleed there. The British and the Americans would also be interested to boil up things in Balochistan. Pak Army only understands a strong response.
Veteran Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Interview of the Week with General VP Malik Jan 15, 2012
On the occasion of Army Day, former Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik says that the current method of civilian control over the military leaves much to be desired. He also tells Sridhar Kumaraswami that grouping all strike corps under a strategic command is not a good idea.
In what ways can a career in the Army be made more attractive? Does this require more cash incentives or just better parity with the civilian services?
Three requirements, in order of priority:
improved promotion prospects with a golden handshake early-retirement policy
improved civil-military services parity
greater respect for soldiers and ex-servicemen from the government and society. We need to revisit terms and conditions of service that were framed in a different socio-economic milieu many years ago.
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
By Daily PostBhiwani
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced to increase the amount of lumpsum financial assistance and annuity of the gallantry award winners of the state. He also announced to get a survey conducted to assess repair and renovation of all the existing Sainik rest houses to be done as per their need and to construct a new Sainik rest house at Dadri.
The CM was speaking as chief guest in the 30th annual Sammelan of All India Ex-services Welfare Association organised at new Anaj Mandi, Dadri, on Sunday. He said the state government had decided to increase the award money of the winners of Paramvir Chakra and Ashok Chakra from Rs 25 lakh each to Rs 31 lakh each, of Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra from Rs 15 lakh each to Rs 25 lakh each and of Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra from Rs 10 lakh each to Rs 15 lakh each.
Similarly, the amount being given to the winners of Vayusena medal, Navsena medal and Sena medal had also been increased from Rs five lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh and the amount for Mention-in-dispatches from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh.
He said the annuity for the winners of Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Mahavir Chakra had been increased to Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh respectively.
Besides, winners of Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena medal would get annuity of Rs 1.50 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Annuity for mention-in-dispatches had been increased to Rs 20,000, he added. Hooda said it was a matter of great pride that Haryana with 1.37 per cent of the geographical area of the country was contributing a lot to the Armed Forces of the country.
Every tenth soldier of the Armed Forces belonged to Haryana. The youth of Haryana were safeguarding the borders of the country and the farmers of this sacred land were producing foodgrains for the teeming millions. Despite better availability of employment in the state, the youth of Haryana preferred to join Army.
The number of serving personnel and ex-servicemen of the state stood at 19.38 lakh. The state government was committed to the welfare of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents. For the welfare of these persons, the state government had made a provision of Rs 33 crore in the annual budget for the year 2011-12.
Citing details of the incentives being given to the serving personnel and ex-servicemen by the state government, Hooda said ex-servicemen above the age of 60 years and their widows, who are not getting any pension, were being given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month.
The war widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month besides their monthly pension. The ex-servicemen, who took part in World War II and who were not getting any kind of pension, and their widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month by the state government. The blind ex-servicemen and handicapped ex-servicemen, who were not getting any kind of pension, were also being given a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.
Hooda said 10 per cent residential plots floated by HUDA and 5 per cent houses built by Haryana Housing Board (HHB) have been reserved for ex-servicemen and serving personnel. Defence colonies were being set up at Rohtak, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar, Narnaul, Bahadurgarh, Jind, Dadri and Karnal by HUDA.
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced to increase the amount of lumpsum financial assistance and annuity of the gallantry award winners of the state. He also announced to get a survey conducted to assess repair and renovation of all the existing Sainik rest houses to be done as per their need and to construct a new Sainik rest house at Dadri.
The CM was speaking as chief guest in the 30th annual Sammelan of All India Ex-services Welfare Association organised at new Anaj Mandi, Dadri, on Sunday. He said the state government had decided to increase the award money of the winners of Paramvir Chakra and Ashok Chakra from Rs 25 lakh each to Rs 31 lakh each, of Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra from Rs 15 lakh each to Rs 25 lakh each and of Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra from Rs 10 lakh each to Rs 15 lakh each.
Similarly, the amount being given to the winners of Vayusena medal, Navsena medal and Sena medal had also been increased from Rs five lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh and the amount for Mention-in-dispatches from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh.
He said the annuity for the winners of Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Mahavir Chakra had been increased to Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh respectively.
Besides, winners of Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena medal would get annuity of Rs 1.50 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Annuity for mention-in-dispatches had been increased to Rs 20,000, he added. Hooda said it was a matter of great pride that Haryana with 1.37 per cent of the geographical area of the country was contributing a lot to the Armed Forces of the country.
Every tenth soldier of the Armed Forces belonged to Haryana. The youth of Haryana were safeguarding the borders of the country and the farmers of this sacred land were producing foodgrains for the teeming millions. Despite better availability of employment in the state, the youth of Haryana preferred to join Army.
The number of serving personnel and ex-servicemen of the state stood at 19.38 lakh. The state government was committed to the welfare of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents. For the welfare of these persons, the state government had made a provision of Rs 33 crore in the annual budget for the year 2011-12.
Citing details of the incentives being given to the serving personnel and ex-servicemen by the state government, Hooda said ex-servicemen above the age of 60 years and their widows, who are not getting any pension, were being given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month.
The war widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month besides their monthly pension. The ex-servicemen, who took part in World War II and who were not getting any kind of pension, and their widows were being given a financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month by the state government. The blind ex-servicemen and handicapped ex-servicemen, who were not getting any kind of pension, were also being given a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.
Hooda said 10 per cent residential plots floated by HUDA and 5 per cent houses built by Haryana Housing Board (HHB) have been reserved for ex-servicemen and serving personnel. Defence colonies were being set up at Rohtak, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar, Narnaul, Bahadurgarh, Jind, Dadri and Karnal by HUDA.
Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike
Monday, January 23, 2012
Defence Service Officers Subjected to Functional Degradation
Discrimination & Agony of Defence Service Officers Continues
ISSUE OF NFU (NON FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION) NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION
1. All Defence Offrs, please be informed that Offrs of other services with whom you interact on functional basis, like MES Civ Offrs, GREF Civ Offrs, Offrs of BSF, CRPF ,ITBP, Def Accts(IDAS), Test Audit(IA&AS), Ord Factory Bd etc, will now get the salary and grade pay of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen (GP Rs 10000/-) in 19 yrs of service, and will draw the pay of Addl Secretary to Govt of India which is equal to a Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/-) in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
2. The above condition has been brought about consequent to acceptance of 6 CPC recom on NFU by GoI, wherein it recommended that whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4,the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre. Hence if an IAS officer becomes Joint Secretary in 17 years of service the offrs of Org Gp A Service(like the ones mentioned in Para 1) will start drawing the salary of Joint Secretary in maximum of 19 years of service and similarly that of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen in 30 and 32 yrs resp.
3. Why is it not applicable to Def Offrs: Because as per Govt of India Defence Officers are NOT part of Organic Gp A Services and the above recommendation is applicable to only to the latter.
4. If Def Offrs are not part of Org Gp A service then what are they: They are just ‘Commissioned Officers’.
5. If all the above is correct then who all form part of Org Gp A Services and then how come Defence Officers are bracketted as Class 1 offrs: Central Civil Services mainly include AIS (All India Services, namely, IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) and Org Gp A service. There are a total of 58 services forming part of Org Gp A service. Defence Officers are not part of Civil Services but have been broadly kept at par with Gp A Offrs of Civil Services(erstwhile known as Class 1 offrs) by various Pay Commissions. The reference to same since independence.
6. Background to recommendation of NFU for Org Gp A Service as per 6 CPC:
(a) The Sixth CPC observed that there is a conventional edge of two years between IAS and other AIS/ Central Group A services and stated that though the Fifth CPC had taken the view that the edge need not be disturbed, in practice, however, the gap of two years (for posting to various grades in the Centre in form of empanelment of IAS officers and promotion for other Group A officers), has increased in respect of many organised Group A services.
(b) The sixth CPC felt that this is not justified as Organised Group A services have to be given their due which justifiably should mean that the disparity, as far as appointment to various grades in Centre are concerned, should not exceed two years between IAS and organised Central Group A services. It recommended that the Government should, accordingly, consider batch-wise parity while empanelling and/or posting at Centre between respective batches of IAS and other organised Group A services with the gap being restricted to two years.
(c) Therefore whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4, the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre.
(d) The higher non-functional grade so given to the officers of organised Group A services will be personal to them and will not depend on the number of vacancies in that grade.
(e) These officers will continue in their existing posts and will get substantial posting in the higher grade that they are holding on non functional basis only after vacancies arise in that grade. This will not only ensure some sort of modified parity between IAS and other Central Group A services but will also alleviate the present grade of disparity existing between promotional avenues available to different organised Group A services.
(f) The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .
7. Why should the def offrs get NFU: Because for the following reasons:
None of the Org Gp A service faces as much stagnation as the Armed Forces officers because of its pyramidal structure. In fact, on the contrary, most of the Gp A service offrs, as it is, reach the level equal to Addl Secretary due to cylindrical structure of promotion of their service. Only issue for them is,’ in how many years’. In comparison, 97% defence officers retire at the levels below Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen. Hence, if the logic of giving NFU to Org Gp A offrs is stagnation, then, no one deserves it more than the Armed Forces Offrs.
Traditionally, since independence, there has been a broad parity between the Class 1 / Gp A offrs of Civil Services and the Defence Services Officers which has been acknowledged by different Pay Commissions in their reports. In such a case, the differential behaviour of 6 CPC not only disturbs the financial parity, it pushes down the defence services in status as even directly recruited officers of Gp B services attain a better pay and promotional avenue and manage to reach the level of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen before retiring. In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/ BSF/ ITBP too can beat Defence Services Officers when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary/ Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt/ DSP in 8 yrs. All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offr like Stn Cdr. In a specific case a Civ Chief Engineer of MES has started considering himself senior to a COS due to NFU and started saying so all around. Such problems will only increase in future. Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution. If our top brass stands up united on this issue, the Government will have to accept it. Service HQs are aware of this issue and had sent a proposal to MoD, but it has been rejected. However, the issue needs a more forceful pleading duly backed by Service Officers unanimously.
8. Benefits of NFU: It will not only benefit the officers facing stagnation at the level of Lt Col, Col, and Brig, but will also benefit senior offrs like Maj Gen and Lt Gen who otherwise pick up their ranks in 29 yrs and 35 yrs respectively, as they will too start drawing the pay of Maj Gen in 19 yrs of service and that of Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service.
9. What can you do: Don’t accept ‘fait accompli’, Spread awareness, as knowledge is power. Apprise more and more officers about this discrimination. Raise it in appropriate forums to escalate its level and let the top brass take it up as seriously as PB-4 issue with the govt for IT IS, AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE. It not only affects pay, it also affects status. So please do your bit, at least ask for it from your seniors. If you have anything more to add to this article, which is relevant and factually correct, please go ahead and add on for the benefit of all, and circulate this in your yahoo/ google/ any other groups of various courses/ batches on the internet.
CAN ANYONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
ISSUE OF NFU (NON FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION) NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION
1. All Defence Offrs, please be informed that Offrs of other services with whom you interact on functional basis, like MES Civ Offrs, GREF Civ Offrs, Offrs of BSF, CRPF ,ITBP, Def Accts(IDAS), Test Audit(IA&AS), Ord Factory Bd etc, will now get the salary and grade pay of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen (GP Rs 10000/-) in 19 yrs of service, and will draw the pay of Addl Secretary to Govt of India which is equal to a Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/-) in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
2. The above condition has been brought about consequent to acceptance of 6 CPC recom on NFU by GoI, wherein it recommended that whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4,the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre. Hence if an IAS officer becomes Joint Secretary in 17 years of service the offrs of Org Gp A Service(like the ones mentioned in Para 1) will start drawing the salary of Joint Secretary in maximum of 19 years of service and similarly that of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen in 30 and 32 yrs resp.
3. Why is it not applicable to Def Offrs: Because as per Govt of India Defence Officers are NOT part of Organic Gp A Services and the above recommendation is applicable to only to the latter.
4. If Def Offrs are not part of Org Gp A service then what are they: They are just ‘Commissioned Officers’.
5. If all the above is correct then who all form part of Org Gp A Services and then how come Defence Officers are bracketted as Class 1 offrs: Central Civil Services mainly include AIS (All India Services, namely, IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) and Org Gp A service. There are a total of 58 services forming part of Org Gp A service. Defence Officers are not part of Civil Services but have been broadly kept at par with Gp A Offrs of Civil Services(erstwhile known as Class 1 offrs) by various Pay Commissions. The reference to same since independence.
6. Background to recommendation of NFU for Org Gp A Service as per 6 CPC:
(a) The Sixth CPC observed that there is a conventional edge of two years between IAS and other AIS/ Central Group A services and stated that though the Fifth CPC had taken the view that the edge need not be disturbed, in practice, however, the gap of two years (for posting to various grades in the Centre in form of empanelment of IAS officers and promotion for other Group A officers), has increased in respect of many organised Group A services.
(b) The sixth CPC felt that this is not justified as Organised Group A services have to be given their due which justifiably should mean that the disparity, as far as appointment to various grades in Centre are concerned, should not exceed two years between IAS and organised Central Group A services. It recommended that the Government should, accordingly, consider batch-wise parity while empanelling and/or posting at Centre between respective batches of IAS and other organised Group A services with the gap being restricted to two years.
(c) Therefore whenever any IAS officer of the state or joint cadre is posted at the Centre to a particular grade carrying a specific grade pay in Pay Bands PB-3 or PB-4, the officers belonging to batches of Organised Group A services that are senior by two years or more and have not been promoted so far to that particular grade would be granted the same grade on a non functional basis from the date of posting of the IAS officers in that grade at the centre.
(d) The higher non-functional grade so given to the officers of organised Group A services will be personal to them and will not depend on the number of vacancies in that grade.
(e) These officers will continue in their existing posts and will get substantial posting in the higher grade that they are holding on non functional basis only after vacancies arise in that grade. This will not only ensure some sort of modified parity between IAS and other Central Group A services but will also alleviate the present grade of disparity existing between promotional avenues available to different organised Group A services.
(f) The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .
7. Why should the def offrs get NFU: Because for the following reasons:
None of the Org Gp A service faces as much stagnation as the Armed Forces officers because of its pyramidal structure. In fact, on the contrary, most of the Gp A service offrs, as it is, reach the level equal to Addl Secretary due to cylindrical structure of promotion of their service. Only issue for them is,’ in how many years’. In comparison, 97% defence officers retire at the levels below Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen. Hence, if the logic of giving NFU to Org Gp A offrs is stagnation, then, no one deserves it more than the Armed Forces Offrs.
Traditionally, since independence, there has been a broad parity between the Class 1 / Gp A offrs of Civil Services and the Defence Services Officers which has been acknowledged by different Pay Commissions in their reports. In such a case, the differential behaviour of 6 CPC not only disturbs the financial parity, it pushes down the defence services in status as even directly recruited officers of Gp B services attain a better pay and promotional avenue and manage to reach the level of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen before retiring. In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/ BSF/ ITBP too can beat Defence Services Officers when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary/ Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt/ DSP in 8 yrs. All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offr like Stn Cdr. In a specific case a Civ Chief Engineer of MES has started considering himself senior to a COS due to NFU and started saying so all around. Such problems will only increase in future. Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution. If our top brass stands up united on this issue, the Government will have to accept it. Service HQs are aware of this issue and had sent a proposal to MoD, but it has been rejected. However, the issue needs a more forceful pleading duly backed by Service Officers unanimously.
8. Benefits of NFU: It will not only benefit the officers facing stagnation at the level of Lt Col, Col, and Brig, but will also benefit senior offrs like Maj Gen and Lt Gen who otherwise pick up their ranks in 29 yrs and 35 yrs respectively, as they will too start drawing the pay of Maj Gen in 19 yrs of service and that of Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service.
9. What can you do: Don’t accept ‘fait accompli’, Spread awareness, as knowledge is power. Apprise more and more officers about this discrimination. Raise it in appropriate forums to escalate its level and let the top brass take it up as seriously as PB-4 issue with the govt for IT IS, AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE. It not only affects pay, it also affects status. So please do your bit, at least ask for it from your seniors. If you have anything more to add to this article, which is relevant and factually correct, please go ahead and add on for the benefit of all, and circulate this in your yahoo/ google/ any other groups of various courses/ batches on the internet.
CAN ANYONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
SEMINAR OF ESM ORGANISATIONS...Col (Retd) TN Raman
AN APPROACH PAPER
SEMINAR OF ESM ORGANISATIONS
( Col (Retd) TN Raman)
Introduction
1. I thank all the Veterans who have responded to my appeal for a Seminar of all ESM Organisations. At the outset, I wish to clarify that there was & is, no intention of floating any New ESM Organisation in the form of a Federation. The concept of Federational approach to be adopted by the existing ESM Organisations is the most important factor to be considered. This concept will help the ESM Organisations, which are working for the same cause with divergent views & methods, to harness their strength in Unity, focus the attention at National level to the real problems of the ESM as a community & act in unison to achieve our goals.
2. The idea is not to break up any Organisation to form a new one. Instead to allow each Organisation to flourish on its own slated path, bring about the cohesion that is required to build up a National level challenge to the arbitrary decisions of the Govt in power.
3. How to achieve this objective is what to be discussed in the Seminar. Such an ideal situation cannot be wished for, unless the major ESM Organisations come together & debate.
Points for Discussion in the Seminar
4. The proposed points for discussion in the Seminar are given below.
a. Projection of our demand of OROP. This was the main issue which dominated the entire struggle of IESM over the last year, which led to various forms of protests including the Return of Medals. Though it could galvanize the emotions, sympathy & the spirit of the ESM as a whole & projected a nascent IESM to lime light, it could not muster the numbers required to dominate the proceedings. With the result, some of the leading ESM Organisations could not see eye to eye with the concept of OROP as envisaged by IESM. The result was the OTI or PIP concept the Govt managed to push through. Since the time for post mortem is over, what should be our future strategy? Are we capable of achieving this by the present form of dissipated protests by individual Organisations & a few interviews in the Electronic Media? Or is there a requirement of synergising our efforts into a single forum, however loosely knit & by whatever name we may call it?
b. ESM Welfare. The present ESM Welfare set up, both at the Centre & States level are well known to all of us. We are also aware of the enormous funds that are available for this activity. We are also aware that all ESM Committees floated by the Centre or the States are dominated by non ESM members. What should be our Road Map for the future ESM Welfare Management?
c. ECHS. The subject of medical facilities to the ESM & their dependents, or the lack of it is the predominant issue today. Various Seminars & Interactive Sessions are being held Nation wide. But the benefits have not trickled down to the Rural Areas. How to revamp the system?
d. Second Career for the Veterans. We have discussed various probable avenues for the assured employment of Veterans till the age of 60 years. But no concrete proposal, which is implementable, has emerged so far. Can we jointly submit a paper to the Govt on this issue?
Conclusion
5. The above mentioned points are only a few that require detailed discussion & decision taken. There may be some more points which require urgent resolution. It is unfortunate that the enormous potential of the ESM Community in Nation Building & other constructive tasks has not come to light so far. All this can be achieved only by us all joining our hands together. Not necessarily in the literal sense. But, emotionally & morally.
6. I am not the first one to moot the idea of a Seminar. Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Maj Gen RN Radhakrisnan, Maj Gen Inderjit Kashyap & a few others had already found the necessity of the same. I am trying to give a shape to their thoughts.
7. You comments, views & suggestions would be of great help to me.
Veteran Raman
The mail below was addressed only to the Core Group, IESM, some three weeks back.
SEMINAR OF ESM ORGANISATIONS
( Col (Retd) TN Raman)
Introduction
1. I thank all the Veterans who have responded to my appeal for a Seminar of all ESM Organisations. At the outset, I wish to clarify that there was & is, no intention of floating any New ESM Organisation in the form of a Federation. The concept of Federational approach to be adopted by the existing ESM Organisations is the most important factor to be considered. This concept will help the ESM Organisations, which are working for the same cause with divergent views & methods, to harness their strength in Unity, focus the attention at National level to the real problems of the ESM as a community & act in unison to achieve our goals.
2. The idea is not to break up any Organisation to form a new one. Instead to allow each Organisation to flourish on its own slated path, bring about the cohesion that is required to build up a National level challenge to the arbitrary decisions of the Govt in power.
3. How to achieve this objective is what to be discussed in the Seminar. Such an ideal situation cannot be wished for, unless the major ESM Organisations come together & debate.
Points for Discussion in the Seminar
4. The proposed points for discussion in the Seminar are given below.
a. Projection of our demand of OROP. This was the main issue which dominated the entire struggle of IESM over the last year, which led to various forms of protests including the Return of Medals. Though it could galvanize the emotions, sympathy & the spirit of the ESM as a whole & projected a nascent IESM to lime light, it could not muster the numbers required to dominate the proceedings. With the result, some of the leading ESM Organisations could not see eye to eye with the concept of OROP as envisaged by IESM. The result was the OTI or PIP concept the Govt managed to push through. Since the time for post mortem is over, what should be our future strategy? Are we capable of achieving this by the present form of dissipated protests by individual Organisations & a few interviews in the Electronic Media? Or is there a requirement of synergising our efforts into a single forum, however loosely knit & by whatever name we may call it?
b. ESM Welfare. The present ESM Welfare set up, both at the Centre & States level are well known to all of us. We are also aware of the enormous funds that are available for this activity. We are also aware that all ESM Committees floated by the Centre or the States are dominated by non ESM members. What should be our Road Map for the future ESM Welfare Management?
c. ECHS. The subject of medical facilities to the ESM & their dependents, or the lack of it is the predominant issue today. Various Seminars & Interactive Sessions are being held Nation wide. But the benefits have not trickled down to the Rural Areas. How to revamp the system?
d. Second Career for the Veterans. We have discussed various probable avenues for the assured employment of Veterans till the age of 60 years. But no concrete proposal, which is implementable, has emerged so far. Can we jointly submit a paper to the Govt on this issue?
Conclusion
5. The above mentioned points are only a few that require detailed discussion & decision taken. There may be some more points which require urgent resolution. It is unfortunate that the enormous potential of the ESM Community in Nation Building & other constructive tasks has not come to light so far. All this can be achieved only by us all joining our hands together. Not necessarily in the literal sense. But, emotionally & morally.
6. I am not the first one to moot the idea of a Seminar. Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Maj Gen RN Radhakrisnan, Maj Gen Inderjit Kashyap & a few others had already found the necessity of the same. I am trying to give a shape to their thoughts.
7. You comments, views & suggestions would be of great help to me.
Veteran Raman
The mail below was addressed only to the Core Group, IESM, some three weeks back.
Friday, January 13, 2012
ANOTHER SPANNER PROPOSED BY UOI: IV CPC RANK PAY CASE
The UOI has suggested another 'spanner' to cause delay in the IV CPC rank pay case.In its affidivit filed the UOI says that the Central Govt is open and willing to constitute an independent commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to examine the correctness of the implementation of the recommendations by IV CPC related to rank pay as given in para 28.113 of its report and to make recommendations for further improvements to the proceedure for disbursement of pension to retired Armed forces personnel based on Govt orders subsequent to VI CPC recommendations
THIS IS PURE HOGWASH AND ONLY TO DELAY MATTERS. RDOA IS NOT GOING TO BUY THIS LINE OF ACTION.
Further it says:Apart from the enormous financial implications, actual implementation of the Hon'ble Court's order would involve the following stages;
(a) Revision of pay of offrs on 1/1/1986, 1/1/1996, and 1/1/2006 with simultaneous revision of all pay linked allowances/benefits.
(b) Calculation of DA on slab basis from 1/1/1986 to 31/12/1995 is time consuming
(c) Revision of retirement benefits (gratuity, leave encashment)of offrs retiring after 1/1/1986
(d) Revision of pension on 1/1/1986, 1/1/1996, 1/1/2006.
(e) Revision of family pension based on revision of pension of offr
(f) Payments to be made to legal heirs of deceased offrs
(g) Interest @ 6 % per annum for upto 24 yrs in each case will have to be calculated and paid.
This would be a protracted exercise taking a lot of time and involving huge manpower as each case will have to be examined/ calculated individually.
RDOA comment. UOI is responsible for this faux pas and should do the needful and pay the offrs their legitimate dues. The Court should raise the penalty to 18% for causing unnecessary delays in implementing court orders.
Next hearing is due on 18 Jan 2012
THIS IS PURE HOGWASH AND ONLY TO DELAY MATTERS. RDOA IS NOT GOING TO BUY THIS LINE OF ACTION.
Further it says:Apart from the enormous financial implications, actual implementation of the Hon'ble Court's order would involve the following stages;
(a) Revision of pay of offrs on 1/1/1986, 1/1/1996, and 1/1/2006 with simultaneous revision of all pay linked allowances/benefits.
(b) Calculation of DA on slab basis from 1/1/1986 to 31/12/1995 is time consuming
(c) Revision of retirement benefits (gratuity, leave encashment)of offrs retiring after 1/1/1986
(d) Revision of pension on 1/1/1986, 1/1/1996, 1/1/2006.
(e) Revision of family pension based on revision of pension of offr
(f) Payments to be made to legal heirs of deceased offrs
(g) Interest @ 6 % per annum for upto 24 yrs in each case will have to be calculated and paid.
This would be a protracted exercise taking a lot of time and involving huge manpower as each case will have to be examined/ calculated individually.
RDOA comment. UOI is responsible for this faux pas and should do the needful and pay the offrs their legitimate dues. The Court should raise the penalty to 18% for causing unnecessary delays in implementing court orders.
Next hearing is due on 18 Jan 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Minimum Pension
Minimum Pension.
Wef 01-01-06 the minimum rates of pension for various
types of pension for are as follows:-
(a) Retiring & Ordinary family pension - Rs 3500/- PM + DR
(b) Special &Liberalised family pension - Rs 7000/-PM + DR
(c) Min Disability element for officers (for 100% disability, - Rs 8100/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(d) Min Disability element for other ranks (for 100% disability, - Rs 3510/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(e) Min Disability pension (total of service +disability element) - Rs 7000/- PM + DR
For permanent Disability not less than 60%
(f) Min war injury element for officers (for 100% disability on - Rs 16200/-PM+ DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(g) Min war injury element for other ranks (for 100% disability on - Rs 7020/- PM + DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability
Wef 01-01-06 the minimum rates of pension for various
types of pension for are as follows:-
(a) Retiring & Ordinary family pension - Rs 3500/- PM + DR
(b) Special &Liberalised family pension - Rs 7000/-PM + DR
(c) Min Disability element for officers (for 100% disability, - Rs 8100/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(d) Min Disability element for other ranks (for 100% disability, - Rs 3510/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(e) Min Disability pension (total of service +disability element) - Rs 7000/- PM + DR
For permanent Disability not less than 60%
(f) Min war injury element for officers (for 100% disability on - Rs 16200/-PM+ DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(g) Min war injury element for other ranks (for 100% disability on - Rs 7020/- PM + DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability
Minimum Pension.
Minimum Pension.
Wef 01-01-06 the minimum rates of pension for various
types of pension for are as follows:-
(a) Retiring & Ordinary family pension - Rs 3500/- PM + DR
(b) Special &Liberalised family pension - Rs 7000/-PM + DR
(c) Min Disability element for officers (for 100% disability, - Rs 8100/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(d) Min Disability element for other ranks (for 100% disability, - Rs 3510/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(e) Min Disability pension (total of service +disability element) - Rs 7000/- PM + DR
For permanent Disability not less than 60%
(f) Min war injury element for officers (for 100% disability on - Rs 16200/-PM+ DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(g) Min war injury element for other ranks (for 100% disability on - Rs 7020/- PM + DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability
Wef 01-01-06 the minimum rates of pension for various
types of pension for are as follows:-
(a) Retiring & Ordinary family pension - Rs 3500/- PM + DR
(b) Special &Liberalised family pension - Rs 7000/-PM + DR
(c) Min Disability element for officers (for 100% disability, - Rs 8100/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(d) Min Disability element for other ranks (for 100% disability, - Rs 3510/- PM + DR
Proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(e) Min Disability pension (total of service +disability element) - Rs 7000/- PM + DR
For permanent Disability not less than 60%
(f) Min war injury element for officers (for 100% disability on - Rs 16200/-PM+ DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability)
(g) Min war injury element for other ranks (for 100% disability on - Rs 7020/- PM + DR
retirement/Discharge, proportionate reduction for lesser disability
Govt's next battle: Against army chief Ajai Shukla
Govt's next battle: Against army chief
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi January 1, 2012, 0:13 IST
The UPA government, still smarting from the Lok Pal Bill fiasco in the Rajya Sabha, already contemplates its next battle. Business Standard has learnt that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General V K Singh, plans to petition the Supreme Court on Monday after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) yesterday rejected his statutory complaint asking for his date of birth to be reconciled.
The army chief contends (supported by 19 documents, including matriculation and birth certificates) that he was born on May 10, 1951. That makes him eligible to serve till May 31, 2013, when he would retire after completing 62 years that month. The Adjutant General’s (AG’s) Branch, the army’s official record keeper, supports that date. But the Military Secretary’s Branch, which handles promotions, has him born on May 10, 1950 and, therefore, due for retirement on May 31, 2012. The MoD has ruled that the latter date is correct.
“The chief will leave on January 5 for an official visit to Myanmar. Before that, he would like to file his writ petition, to which he is entitled as a citizen of India,” says a close aide to Singh.
Sources close to Singh describe him as “extremely bitter” at the government’s “backstabbing” over this issue. They say Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was mediating with the army chief on behalf of the government. After Singh refused the offer of a post-retirement ambassadorship or governorship, retorting that this was a matter of honour, Mukherjee is said to have asked the chief to wait till January 16, 2012, when a face-saving compromise would be worked out. To the army chief’s surprise yesterday, the government rejected his petition.
Approached for comments, Mukherjee’s office admitted the finance minister met Singh yesterday, in a closed-door one-on-one meeting. But the official denied that the date-of-birth issue was discussed. “So many people discuss different things with the finance minister. We cannot reveal what they talked,” the official said.
Govt's next battle: Against army chief
COAS to resign ahead of tenure?
General Singh is consulting legal experts, including three former Chief Justices of India, and they have strongly supported him. Sources say the Army chief has two options: Either to go to the Armed Forces Tribunal, or move to Supreme Court directly. The Supreme Court is already hearing a Public Interest Litigation over the issue.
Sources also say that General Singh has also not ruled out resigning ahead of his tenure ending on May 31, 2012 - the date which the government has now decided.
Read more at: click here
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi January 1, 2012, 0:13 IST
The UPA government, still smarting from the Lok Pal Bill fiasco in the Rajya Sabha, already contemplates its next battle. Business Standard has learnt that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General V K Singh, plans to petition the Supreme Court on Monday after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) yesterday rejected his statutory complaint asking for his date of birth to be reconciled.
The army chief contends (supported by 19 documents, including matriculation and birth certificates) that he was born on May 10, 1951. That makes him eligible to serve till May 31, 2013, when he would retire after completing 62 years that month. The Adjutant General’s (AG’s) Branch, the army’s official record keeper, supports that date. But the Military Secretary’s Branch, which handles promotions, has him born on May 10, 1950 and, therefore, due for retirement on May 31, 2012. The MoD has ruled that the latter date is correct.
“The chief will leave on January 5 for an official visit to Myanmar. Before that, he would like to file his writ petition, to which he is entitled as a citizen of India,” says a close aide to Singh.
Sources close to Singh describe him as “extremely bitter” at the government’s “backstabbing” over this issue. They say Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was mediating with the army chief on behalf of the government. After Singh refused the offer of a post-retirement ambassadorship or governorship, retorting that this was a matter of honour, Mukherjee is said to have asked the chief to wait till January 16, 2012, when a face-saving compromise would be worked out. To the army chief’s surprise yesterday, the government rejected his petition.
Approached for comments, Mukherjee’s office admitted the finance minister met Singh yesterday, in a closed-door one-on-one meeting. But the official denied that the date-of-birth issue was discussed. “So many people discuss different things with the finance minister. We cannot reveal what they talked,” the official said.
Govt's next battle: Against army chief
COAS to resign ahead of tenure?
General Singh is consulting legal experts, including three former Chief Justices of India, and they have strongly supported him. Sources say the Army chief has two options: Either to go to the Armed Forces Tribunal, or move to Supreme Court directly. The Supreme Court is already hearing a Public Interest Litigation over the issue.
Sources also say that General Singh has also not ruled out resigning ahead of his tenure ending on May 31, 2012 - the date which the government has now decided.
Read more at: click here
One Rank One Pension gets buried with Lokpal Bill
hr singh - canada
Indian defence pensioners owe a gratitude to the Petition Committee of Rajya Sabha headed by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar MP for recommending the government to implement One Rank One Pension(OROP) in defence forces. It is an historic decision for which the defence pensioners had been demanding that all defence pensioners should get similar pension for putting in equal numbers of years of service and retiring at the same rank irrespective of the date of retirement. A glaring example of disparity and discrimination during the implementation of fourth CPC recommendation when the rates of pension of a Captain like me with 16 years of service were less than a L/Corporal with equal years of service retiring under the same pay commission. My pension with 16 years of service was fixed as Rs. 437/pm whereas pension of the following ranks with 16 years of service and retiring under the same pay commission was fixed as follows: MWO-1031, WO-941, JWO-809, SGT-592, Corporal-521, LAN CORP-455. One can imagine the height of discrimination. Hope the government will soon end the disparity
Implement one rank, one pension: Par panel to govt
Last Updated: Monday, December 26, 2011,
In its report, the Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee said the financial liability of Rs 1,300 crores is not very big amount to deny the parity in pension, the release said. The Committee rejected Finance Ministry's apprehension of that acceptance of the demand for equal pension to personnel of equal rank and equal length of service will trigger similar request from other government employees. The Committee pointed out that "terms and conditions of defence personnel and civil servants are vastly different and said the demand of armed forces personnel demand for OROP was unresolved due to bureaucratic apathy".
The Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions is headed by Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP)
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