IESM

Finally ECHS has its own website..Col RP Chaturvedi

2012-02-16T03:18:00.000-08:00

Finally ECHS has its own website. Please visit http://echs.gov.in/

It includes e Mail ids of Region Centres and Tele numbers of ECHS functionaries. There is also a click on for Claim status. This should be a Great help.
Please send in your suggestions for improvement to ECHS, with cc to me if you wish.
Its really a GREAT site. DO visit. You will find answers to all your queries. Cheers. And lots of Good Health.

With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.
Mob: +919891279035
E Mail ID: rpchaturvedi@gmail.com

New members IESM

2012-02-14T01:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Sir

I have registered online the following members today

Mrs Priti Keskar w/o Lt Col Keskar SV
Mrs DH Kumawat from BSF as supporter
Hav More RS
HDFC Bank receipt will follow.

Application forms will follow in due course.

Brgds

Pathak

ECHS Improvement Suggestions Needed ASAP

2012-02-14T00:04:00.001-08:00

From: Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi
Date: 13 February 2012 00:14
Subject: colrpc-choice:836) ECHS Improvement Suggestions Needed ASAP
To:

I am compiling points for improvements of ECHS services, to project them to MD/ AG.
Kindly help by forwarding a) Problems specific to YOUR area (mention Polyclinic location to which point pertains), and b) Suggestions for improvement- Needless to say these should be general in nature and not specific to you personally.
Please let me have these by 1000 hrs Monday 13 Feb POSITIVELY. Thanks.
Also, lastly if YOU have a specific long standing problem that's not been resolved even after your efforts, kindly share details separately- Wednesday on.
The former requirement is time bound. The last para is not. Feel free to write to me.
Those reading this on blog, please respond on my id rpchaturvedi@gmail.com, and not on blog address please. Thanks.

With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.
Mob: +919891279035
E Mail ID: rpchaturvedi@gmail.com

Gratitude

2012-02-07T01:07:00.001-08:00

Dear Mrs Pratibha Kulkarni,

On behalf of the IESM, I express my deep gratitude to you for your generous donation to the cause of the veterans' welfare. You have been kind in doing it regularly. We highly appreciate your exemplary gesture and will ensure that your contribution is used for the intended purpose.

--
Best regards,

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001

Our main aim is to fight for one rank, one pension’

2012-02-07T00:10:00.000-08:00

Cdr Ravindra Waman Pathak

Commander Ravindra Waman Pathak, convenor of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), studied in various schools while travelling with his IAS father. He finished his schooling from Sainik School, Satara and joined the National Defence Academy as a naval cadet in 1965. He joined the Indian Navy in 1969 and saw action during the 1971 war. During his tenure, he specialised in navigation duties and commanded two warships. He was the intelligence and protocol officer at Western Naval Command at the time of his retirement in 1989. Pathak spoke to Kiran Dahitule about IESM, which is a NGO working for the cause of retired defence personnel.

What is the aim of IESM?
IESM was born in 2008 to protest against the injustice meted out to retired defence personnel that has been taking place since 1947 when Jawaharlal Nehru said independent India does not need armed forces until after the sixth pay commission.
Our main aim is to fight for OROP (one rank, one pension), which means same pension for same rank irrespective of the date of retirement. We strongly feel that a separate pay commission for the defence forces should be set up on the lines of other national commissions.

What issues are being tackled by IESM?
One of the major issues that we are handling is injustice against widows and officers. Having increased the pensions of JCOs (junior commissioned officer) and those below them with effect from July 1, 2009, which aims to bring near parity with post 2006 retirees, the Indian government did not give any benefits to widows or the officers.
The officers have been provided relief by AFT (Armed Forces Tribunal) but the government is yet to implement the ruling.
Denial of the right to vote is yet another issue we are looking at. The serving personnel have been denied the right to vote at their place of posting since 1995 after the Supreme Court judgment on the same.

What are the problems faced by ex-servicemen and widows of servicemen and how does IESM plan to resolve it?
The IESM is working at ground level in the following areas: Pension: We liaise with banks and record offices to correct the pensions and payment of dues in time.
ECHS: We have been officially recognised as the liaison between the ECHS (Ex-servicemen contributory health scheme) central organisation and the veterans. We are committed to spread the word about ECHS to veterans and encourage them to benefit from this very good scheme.
We are also working towards improving other benefits like Ayurveda treatment offered to veterans, fixed medical allowance for those living far from ECHS polyclinics, improvement in canteen services and ensuring the right to vote for serving personnel in places of posting. IESM does not work on issues that are at local level.

How can people contact you or how can they become members of your NGO?
For enrolling as members or to get redressal on issues connected with pension one can contact the following:
Cdr R W Pathak, 982329340, raviwarsha@gmail.com Gp Capt SS Phatak, 9421003200, sushan1005@yahoo.com
Lt Col Vinod Patil, 9923701885, bscd5791@gmail.com

Passing away of Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal, MVC

2012-02-02T01:01:00.000-08:00

Subject: Passing away of Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal, MVC

Pl. pass the information that Lt Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal, MVC, PVSM, , ADC passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 83. He was former Army Commander, Lt Governor of Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and a Member of UPSC during this life time.

He was Georgian from Jullundhar School. He was Patron of Georgians Association - Delhi.

s m sundaram

One rank one pension to the armed forces personnel…

2012-02-01T01:23:00.000-08:00

One rank one pension to the armed forces personnel…
Posted: 30 Jan 2012 06:30 PM PST
Parliament of India
(Rajya Sabha Secretariat)
Press Release
Hundred and Forty-second Report on the petition praying for grant of one rank one pension to the armed forces personnel.
The Committee on Petitions of Rajya Sabha under the Chairmanship of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, MP, presented its Hundred and Forty-second Report to the Rajya Sabha on 19th December, 2011 on the petition praying for grant of one rank one pension to the armed forces personnel.
2. The Petition was submitted by Shri Sanjay Prabhu and others, resident of Bangalore and countersigned by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, Rajya Sabha.
3. The Committee during the course of its deliberations interacted with the petitioners, representatives of Departments of Ex-servicemen Welfare (M/o Defence), Expenditure (M/o Finance) and Pensions and Pensioner's Welfare (M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions) and some organizations/individuals.
4. Following are the important recommendations of the Committee:-
4.1 The Committee has taken note of the fact that a sum of Rs.1300 crores is the total financial liability for the year 2011-12 in case OROP is implemented fully for all the defence personnel in the country across the board. The Committee was informed that out of this, 1065 crores would go to retirees belonging to Post Below Officer Ranks (PBOR) while the Commissioned Officers would be getting the remaining i.e. 235 crores. The Committee felt that 1300 crores is not a very big amount for a country of our size and economy for meeting the long pending demand of the armed forces of the country. The Committee understand that this 1300 crores is the expenditure for one year which might increase at the rate of 10 percent annually. Even if it is so, the Committee does not consider this amount to be high, keeping in view the objective for which it would be spent.
(Para 11 of the Report)
4.2 The Committee was not convinced with the version of the Ministry of Finance that the grant of OROP to the defence personnel would eventually generate similar requests from the civilian work force of the country under the Central Government and the State Governments. The Committee feels so because of the quite different terms and conditions of service of the two different categories of employments. The terms and conditions of armed forces are tougher and harsher than the civilian Government employee. On the issue of returning of service medals by the defence personnel of our country to the President of India in view of the Governments' apathetic attitude towards their demand of grant of OROP, the Committee was of the view that our defence personnel should not feel alienated to this extent again and they are not forced to surrender their hard earned service medals in this manner to exhibit their discontent with the government policies.
(Para 11.2 of the Report)
4.3 The Committee also felt that the decision of the Government to bring our defence personnel on the pattern of the civilians with regard to their pay, pension, etc. (from Third Central Pay Commission onwards) is not a considered decision which has caused hardship to the defence personnel and has given birth to their demand for OROP. The Committee understand that before the Third Central Pay Commission, the defence personnel were getting their pay / pension on the basis of separate criteria unconnected with the criteria devised for the civilian work force. That criteria acknowledged and covered the concept of OROP which has been given up after the Third Central Pay Commission.
(Para 11.4 of the Report)
*****

Comments on Asian Age...Brigadier V Mahalingam

2012-01-30T03:47:00.000-08:00

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

Views of Gp Capt Subramanian

2012-01-25T01:55:00.000-08:00

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

Govt ignored military secretary's recommendation on Army chief's age

2012-01-25T01:31:00.001-08:00

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 Times of India-Editor Views of Wing commander (Retd) Shashank Bendre

2012-01-25T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

Ageing Indian Army: Anti- Insurgency/ Counter- Terrorism or a Combat Force?

2012-01-24T01:29:00.001-08:00

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.

Hooda offers war heroes annuity hike

2012-01-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

Defence Service Officers Subjected to Functional Degradation

2012-01-23T01:49:00.000-08:00

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?

SEMINAR OF ESM ORGANISATIONS...Col (Retd) TN Raman

2012-01-23T01:44:00.000-08:00

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.

ANOTHER SPANNER PROPOSED BY UOI: IV CPC RANK PAY CASE

2012-01-13T02:12:00.001-08:00

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

Minimum Pension

2012-01-03T03:04:00.002-08:00

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

Minimum Pension.

2012-01-03T03:04:00.001-08:00

Govt's next battle: Against army chief Ajai Shukla

2012-01-03T02:57:00.001-08:00

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

One Rank One Pension gets buried with Lokpal Bill

2012-01-03T02:55:00.000-08:00

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)

Brig Rattan Nath Sharma..demise...Mahavir chakra

2011-12-26T00:55:00.000-08:00

For a soldier who braved enemy bullets and was decorated with the nation’s second highest gallantry award, losing his life while merely standing on the roadside is a strange twist of fate.
Brig Rattan Nath Sharma was killed after being allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle while he was waiting for a bus near Kharar, near here, yesterday. He succumbed to his injuries today while being taken to the PGIMER.
On a complaint by his son-in-law, Gurpreet Singh, the Kharar police has registered a case of negligent driving against Pankaj, driver of the vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered at the City Kharar police station.
According to information, Brigadier Sharma belonged to Palampur and had come to Kharar for some property matter. He was knocked down by the vehicle yesterday and rushed to a local hospital. It was only after the police found a diary on his person containing the telephone number of a CSD in Palampur that his identity could be ascertained.
He is survived by his wife, a son, who looks after the family estate in Palampur, and two daughters, both doctors. His daughter and son-in-law reached here at around midnight after the family was informed about the mishap.
Brigadier Sharma was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in August 1949, and decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He had been tasked to capture a strong and fortified enemy post situated on a dominating feature. The then Lt-Col Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and courage to achieve the given task.
His cremation is scheduled to take place with full military honours at his native place in Palampur on December 26.
Service: Army
Arm: Infantry
Unit: 21 Punjab
P. Number: IC-5270
Birth: 23 Nov 1926
Medals:
MVC, Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily, Date of Award: 10 Dec 1971 More Details
Educational Institutions:
Permanent Address:
Vatika House
District Palampur
Bundla Tea Estate
Himachal Pradesh
176061
India

Parliament panel favours one rank-one pension

2011-12-23T01:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111223/nation.htm#7

Parliament panel favours one rank-one pension
Says financial liability of Rs 3,000 cr a year incorrect
Vijay Mohan/TNS
Chandigarh, December 22
Recommending the grant of one rank-one pension (OROP) to retired armed forces personnel, the Parliament’s Committee on Petitions has said that it is not convinced with the hurdles projected by the Ministry of Defence in implementing the proposal.
Observing that the financial liability for implementing OROP is Rs 1,300 crore for 20110-12 "which is not a very big amount for a country of our size and economy and also considering the purpose for which it would be utilised", the committee said it is not convinced with the version of the Finance Ministry that implementing OROP would generate similar requests from civilian employees because the terms and conditions of service of the two are vastly different and much harsher and difficult for the military.
The committee, in its report tabled in Rajya Sabha yesterday, also found to be incorrect, the financial liability of Rs 3,000 crore per annum put forth by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (DOEW) for OROP.
Nixing financial, administrative and legal hurdles projected by the DOEW, the committee observed,” The defence services serve the nation with utmost devotion and selflessness but their demands are consistently being ignored, not by the heads of the Armed Forces, but by bureaucrats. It’s a typical example of bureaucratic apathy.” The Committee observed that the demands of veterans, including OROP, were included in the election manifestos of various parties but not given effect
“The findings of the committee were appreciable and pro-veteran,” said Maj Navdeep Singh, a High Court lawyer dealing with service matters. “Even the legal difficulties expressed by DOEW have no legs to stand upon. It claimed that the Supreme Court had upheld the implementation of cut-off dates in pensionary matters in various cases. However, what DESW did not mention is the fact that there are many more decisions, including very recent ones, where cut-off dates have been deprecated,” he added. Further, the committee did not accept DOWS’ claims on legal issues and held that on the contrary.

News on OROP to Parliament...

2011-12-20T03:04:00.000-08:00

Some good cheer for Christmas after all. Read paragraph 10.3 - it
is heartening. Let us hope the UPA govt relents.
Cheers
Carl H Gomes
====================================
forwarded message:

As you are aware the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions accepted a Petition presented by Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament, on Grant of One Rank, One Pension to ex-servicemen and retired defence personnel.

The Petition Committee which held its hearings in May, 2011 has submitted its Report to Rajya Sabha today.

Please click here to read the copy of the Committee On Petitions Report on OROP.

Among others, the Petitions Committee has strongly recommended the Government should implement OROP at the earliest.

You are welcome to share your comments or feedback.

Sincerely

V.Anand

Principal - Public Affairs,

Office of Rajeev Chandrasekhar,

Member of Parliament

Remembering the heroes of 1971 War

2011-12-16T02:52:00.001-08:00

Remembering the heroes of 1971 War
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: December 16, 2011 01:06 IST

New Delhi: Forty years ago, when Lieutenant General AAK Niazi, commander of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan, signed surrender before Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, India's Eastern Army Commander, it marked the end of our subcontinent's most decisive war. In fact, the definitive liberation war in modern world's military history.

Bangladesh was born but about 3,900 Indian soldiers died, 9,851 wounded and 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken Prisoners of War.

"Only two such surrenders have happened in the world, one in Leningrad and another one in Bangladesh. We saw token a surrender of arms by the Pakistani troops, laying down their arms and the Indian people picking them up as mark of surrender," said Air Commodore Mirza Ali.

As the new nation asserted its identity before the world, 1971 emerged as India's finest hour, sweeping away as it did with a master stroke the ravaging blunders of the 1962 India-China conflict.

Awami League's Mujibur Rahman, an India loyalist, became the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh. And pushed to the corner, Pakistan had to sign the dotted line of the Shimla Pact that laid down the peace principles that should govern Indo-Pak relations. The accord also converted the 1949 UN Ceasefire Line into the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan.

Last, but not the least, was the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who emerged an icon for leading the war as she did against world opinion, to prove a point in a way India militarily and diplomatically has never been able to recreate.

Going against the Nixon-Kissinger snubs from the White House, she was able to position the 1971 War as a war for justice, ultimately turning global opinion in her favour.

Aiding her was another stellar personality - Army Chief Sam Maneckshaw - holding his own and refusing Indira as he did to start the war in March 1971. He went forward in December only after ensuring our military had readied itself and the nationalist freedom fighters Mukti Bahini within Bangladesh.

Our current Army Chief General VK Singh fought that war as a Second Lieutenant.
"It was a perfect synergy that was obtained between the political leadership and the military as well the nation. We should not forget all this. I would give great amount of credit to our then Prime Minister. I don't think people have appreciated what she achieved. She was able to get a consensus, she was able to build a world opinion, she was able to ensure that despite our own economic hardships we were able to look after thousands and thousands refugees who had come, and she allowed the military a certain amount of freedom to plan their operations in the best possible manner. It was unmatched leadership. When we look at the military, we were able to work out in great detail what is to be done and I have great pride in saying that it was the best manoeuvre war in the military history of the world. Nowhere in the world have they ever executed a manoeuver war like this. In a short time, we were able to achieve tremendous amount. You don't have wars where you get 93,000 prisoners. You don't have wars where surrenders take place like this," said General Singh.

Exactly four decades later, in a reappraisal of that military campaign in New Delhi this week, the Indian Army funded think-tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies or CLAWS, acknowledged the decisive role Mukti Bahini played in that war.

Mukti Bahini was a hastily assembled force of Bangladeshi students, lawyers and ordinary nationalist citizens - both Muslims and Hindu - who fought alongside Indian military to create Bangladesh.

Is such a war possible in this day and time? Theoretically, yes, in conflict areas where there is large-scale discontent among local people.

"If you have genuine grievances, like Kurds of Baloch, you have areas where the population has reached a stage where they have totally delinked themselves from the state they are part of. If that sort of grievances exist, an external intervention can create, and would create a state," said Alok Bansal, a military scholar.

But people who fought the 1971 War, like Air Marshall Inamdar and General VK Singh, remain sceptical.

"Look at the kind of surveillance capabilities everyone have now. Given that, something like this happening again, I think it's very difficult," said Air Marshal S G Inamdar.

"It depends on circumstances. It depends on how thing would come up. It depends on what are the factors which would guide such kind of a movement coupled with the type of resistance. This is not just a victory which was stand alone. This was a victory along with our brothers in arms from Bangladesh. It was a combined effort and if all these factors were to combine then may be, yes," Indian Army Chief, General VK Singh said.

Those factors may never come together as decisively as in 1971, making a repeat of the spectacular victory almost impossible.

Forty years after their finest military victory, the Indian armed forces are in the midst of another phase of rapid modernisation to meet new-age challenges. And while the challenges still remain about the process of modernisation and its speed, the key question that perhaps confronts India is: Do we have a political leadership as strong as we had in 1971? And is the current political leadership capable of taking bold decision?
Remembering the heroes of 1971 War

Capt Vikram Batra
In a time of war, he became the face of the young Indian soldier who fought ferociously and died fearlessly.
click here for the Video clip of 1999 Kargil war

Forces Law Gazette

2011-12-16T02:48:00.000-08:00

Maj Navdeep Singh

This day, 16th December, is militarily a significant date for the region.
To fill up the vacuum in a very apposite space, I feel pleased today in announcing the release of the first issue of the ‘FORCES LAW GAZETTE’ – a free, non-commercial quarterly newsletter dealing with law & allied issues related to uniformed services of not just India but other democracies as well. Meant more for general reading than use in Courts, the Gazette would consist of three broad categories:
(1) Law Related to Uniformed Services,
(2) Developments & Miscellaneous, and
(3) Contributions & Articles.

The Gazette would remain available through www.lawgazette.net for free download and distribution in pdf format. Of course, the link is also available on my blog Indian Military Info
Bouquets and brickbats are welcome on the comments section on the FLG webpage.
Readers are welcome to distribute and forward this email, and also the Gazette, freely and non-commercially without any inhibition or copyright concerns.
I, the Editorial team and the contributors hope to effectively sustain the concept with the next issue due in March 2012. Contributions in the form of articles are welcome and may be sent to me by email for publication in future volumes.
Thank You,
Major Navdeep Singh
Advocate, High Court

: "SHOT IN THE ARM LIKELY FOR EX-SOLDIERS" - EXPRESS BUZZ (CHENNAI)

2011-12-14T23:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Members,

A news report from Indian Express is reproduced below.

There was never any doubt that the Committee will give a favorable verdict, it is rather unlikely that the GOI will even consider it at this juncture.

You will also recall that the President NFDC had made a presentation before this committee.

warm regards

Navy Foundation Delhi Charter

One Rank, One Pension

"SHOT IN THE ARM LIKELY FOR EX-SOLDIERS"

Ritu Sharma

Dec 15, 2011Express Buzz (Chennai) - [ Front Page ]

NEW DELHI : In a move that can bring joy to nearly 2.5 million retied soldiers, the Parliament Committee on Petitions is likely to favour their demand for 'One Rank, One Pension'.

The report, likely to be tabled in the Parliament next week, will be a vindication of the stand taken by the soldiers who have been running from pillar to post fighting for their rights.

Thousands of ex-servicemen and war veterans returned their gallantry medals protesting the decision of the Ministry of Defence not to grant 'One Rank, One Pension'. Soldiers have been demanding equal pension for personnel retiring from the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement. Persons reitiring before the pay commission cut-off date get less pension than those retiring after the date.

According to sources, the long pending demand has found support as the Committee on Petitions has been considering the petition submitted by Rajya Sabha M.P., Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar and 24 others in October 2010.

" The committee conducted a detailed hearing on the matter by inviting citizen groups, ex-servicemen and government representatives to depose and express their views on the issue. The committee completeed their hearing and the report will be presented during the winter session of Parliament ", sources added.

The petitioners in their argument had said that the demand of ex-servicemen may be considered on the lines of the pension for MPs, which is Rs. 20,000 for all first time members.

OROP- Pension improvement an ongoing process

2011-12-14T02:36:00.000-08:00

PIB Releases Ministry of Defence 12-December, 2011 14:34 IST
One Rank-One Pension
The gap between past pensioners and their youger equivalents retiring from the armed forces does not necessarily keeps widening with every successive pay commission. Over the years several improvements have been made in pension of past pensioners. The pension of past pensioners have revised in accordance with recommendation of each successive Pay Commission, as accepted by the Government. The Sixth Pay Commission had recommended fitment formula and modified parity for past pensioners, in order to reduce the gaps, which were accepted by the Government.
Pension Improvement is an ongoing process and considerable improvements have been made in the pensions of armed forces personnel. The Group of Ministers (GoM) had in 2005 improved the pensionary benefits of PBORs. On the recommendations of PMO, a Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary in June, 2009 to look into the issue of `One Rank One Pension and other related matters. After considering all aspects of the matter, the Committee keeping in mind the spirit of the demand, suggested several measures to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the Government and orders for implementation of all the recommendations have been issued. These are available at www.pcdapension.nic.in.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRaju in a written reply to Dr.RajanSushantand others in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78436)
One Rank One Pension

CSD Depots in Himachal Pradesh
Government of Himachal Pradesh has requested this Ministry for setting up of a CSD Depot in the State in view of the number of Servicemen, Ex-servicemen and their families residing there.
Land measuring approximately 188kanals had been offered by Himachal Pradesh Government in this regard. However, the same was not found to be suitable, since some of it Included khud/nallah which is prone to flooding during rainy season.
It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the time likely to be taken for setting up the Depot at Una in view of the fact that the Government of Himachal Pradesh is yet to identify another piece of suitable land. Once a suitable alternate land is offered by the State Government the proposal will be considered depending upon availability of budget and manpower.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShriVirenderKashyap in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78428)

Sadbhavana Schemes of Army
Projects under Sadbhavana scheme executed by the Army in Ladakh relate to infrastructure, community development, Health care, Human Resources Development, Education, Information Technology and National Integration Tour etc. Since 2009-10, the expenditure incurred is as under:-
(Rupees In Crores)/ Year/ Amount Allotted/ Expenditure Incurred
2009-10/ 6.85/ 6.85
2010-11/ 7.00/ 7.00
2011-12/ 7.00/ 3.34 (till date)
These projects are undertaken in consultation / recommendations of village Sarpanches and district administration and are focused to supplement the requirements of the people in remote and inaccessible areas.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShriHassan Khan in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78425)

Placement of IAF Personnel
A Placement Fair was conducted at Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi on 15th & 16th October, 2011 by the Indian Air Force Placement Cell. A total of 2788 air warriors including 2671 airmen (2035 retired and 636 serving) and 117 officers (87 retired and 30 serving) participated in the event. A total of 38 companies participated in the fair.
666 air warriors were shortlisted for placement during the fair. So far 93 confirmed placements have been reported to Indian Air Force Placement Cell.
Such fairs are conducted as per the requirements of the Indian Air Force from time to time.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri A. Ganeshamurthi in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78427)

Pre 2006 Wg cdr's pension

2011-12-13T02:11:00.000-08:00

From: ambreesh aggarwal
Date: 13 December 2011 00:51
Subject: Good News for pre 2006 retiree Wg Cdrs
To: ambreesh aggarwal

a news to rejoice.....

The Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, has accepted that a pre - 2006 retiree Wg Cdr must get a minimum pension of Rs 25,700/- p.m. IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SERVICE PUT IN BY HIM.

Formal orders / judgment will come in due course.

I, on behalf of my clients as well as on my own behalf, am further taking up for the figure of Rs 26,265/- p.m.

In any case, one round of the battle has been won with 90% success.

The flip side, however, is that the government is already up in arms and would appeal against the order when it formally comes.

regards

Wg Cdr (Retd.) A. K. Aggarwal

Advocate on Record

Supreme Court of India

+919871102287

Reply by Col Lamba..Demand for seventh Pay Commission to beat runaway Inflation

2011-12-05T02:29:00.000-08:00

A CRUEL JOKE WITH COL & BRIG 6th PAY COMMISION
AND ONE RANK ONE PENSION SANCTION

IN INITIAL STAGES OF 6th PAY COMMISSION FORMULATION
GOVERNMENT & SERVICES CHIEF WERE BENT UPON TO GIVE
BETTER BENEFITS TO COL & BRIG. IT WAS THEIR SINCERE EFFORT TO RESTORE IMAGE & BENEFITS TO COL & BRIG.
THE 6th PAY COMMISSION [ BY MISTAKE /OR OTHERWISE] GAVE
BENEFITS TO Lt COL & THEIR EQUALS [PAY BAND-3]. HENCE COL/BRIG WAS PUT ON BACK FOOT AGAIN.
LATER ON MAJ GEN/LT GEN PAY/PENSION WAS ENHANCED,
BUT COL/BRIG AGAIN FORGOTTEN
AFTER SOME TIME LT COL WERE PUT ON PAY BAND-4.
AT THIS STAGE AGAIN COL/BRIG FORGOTTEN
TO ADD FURTHER A DIG WAS ONE TIME JUNIOR TO COL HAS
BEEN PUT AT PAR WITH BRIG. [IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT POLICE HAS GONE ONE RANK UP ALREADY DURING COAS MALHOTRA TIME.HE DID HIS BEST TO REVERSE POLICE ACTION, BUT COULD NOT DO SO & DID NOT UPGRADE RANK OF HIS FORCES.
TO-DAY BRIG EQUAL IS ONLY DIG IN INTER-SE SENIORITY THUS THE BRIG RANK HAS BECOME DEFUNCT FOR GOVT AND COL HAS BECOME JUNIOR TO DIG.
7. IN ONE RANK ONE PENSION CASE
Majors and Maj Gen will be the ones who will get the max benefit, being at
The top of PB3 and PB4 respectively (just like S-28/29 Scale Officers are at
The top of PB4).
LT COL [TS]/SELECTION] HAVE GOT TREMENDOUS JUMP IN
6th PAY COMMISSION & FURTHER UP NOW MOVED TO BAND-4
[BALLE BALLE HO GAI]
8. COL/BRIG CASE FUERTHER WENT DOWN.ALL
THE EFFORT OF GOVT/SERVICES CHIEF TO GIVE BENEFIT
TO COL/BRIG HAS GONE IN REVERSE GEAR.
9. SUPREME COURT HAS ORDERED AFTER 6th PAY COMMISSION
TO HAVE SEPRATE PAY COMMISSION FOR COL/BRIG,
BUT THEIR SEEMS TO BE NO HEAD WAY.
10, COL/BRIG ARE IN FORE FRONT DURING PEACE/WAR AND
WITH DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH MEN.COL/BRIG IS
A KING PIN BETWEEN TROOPS & HIGHER UPS.
KINDLY DONOT LOWER MORALE OF LEADER IN ACTUALFRONT.

--
COL LAMBA

Pension after age 80 yrs etc Wg.Cdr. K.V.Lakshminarayanan

2011-11-30T01:17:00.000-08:00

lakshmi narayanan wrote

Dear Vidyadhar,

This is for the info. of our pensioners, particularly octogenarians amongst us. It also shows how indifferent the babudom is, in matters relating to pensioners.

My pension, until recently, was as per PPO issued by PCDA, Allahabad in 2009. This, PPO was based on MOD letter dated 21 Aug. 2009, which in turn was based on GOI, Ministry of Personnel, Public grievances & pensions ((Dept. of.pensions and pensioners welfare) OM dated 15 Sep. 2008. This communication provided for additional pension for pensioners of age 80 years and more, as percentages of RESTORED PENSION. I was getting this additional old age pension on this basis.
Subsequently, thanks to this medium of communication, I came to know that the Ministry of Personnel Public grievances &pensions had issued another OM on 19th Jan.2010, which amended the additional pension for octogenarians to percentages of FULL PENSION and not RESTORED PENSION.

Somewhat optimistically, I contacted PCDA office, Allahabad to take note of this change and as I am an affected pensioner, requested that my PPO should be accordingly amended.
Not unexpectedly, I got a reply that they will take action only after they get a communication from MOD.
Now I started to wake up the sleeping Ministry. After some informal efforts, I wrote a formal letter. with no results. I contacted my active friend L G Subramanian and also ex-colleague Col.Malhotra. Eventually Malhotra who contacted MOD babus, who were, I guess, beginning to feel the heat of impending tribunal proceedings, promised to take action thereon.

On 11th May, this year, I left for US to be with my children. Till then, I had not received any communication on this matter.

When I returned from the US by end August and looked at my accumulated mail, I was pleasantly surprised to see a communication from PCDA office containing a new PPO dated 21 April 2011 incorporating the amendment to old age pension. The PPO dated 21 April, did'nt reach me till 10th May!! I was not in the country to act thereupon!!

The matter does not end there. Immediately after my return, I contacted my bank, IOB, which is generally friendly, and enquired about the additional pension as per the latest PPO. They were totally innocent about the PPO!. I raised my decibel level. I showed my latest PPO dated 21 April and they took a copy and started working feverishly on the additional dues to me . I do not know whether the bank or Postal dept. or Allahabad is responsible for the hip-up on the last lap!!

Alls well that ends well !! There is a saying which can be translated as "even if God grants a boon, it is the Poojari who delivers it "

My prayers for col. Malhotra's fast recovery.

Wg.Cdr. K.V.Lakshminarayanan

JAGO FAUJI JAGO...23rd Nov 2011

2011-11-23T02:07:00.000-08:00

JAGO FAUJI JAGO

23rd Nov 2011

Dear Veterans

1. The present Government at the centre has not yet accepted our most important demand of OROP. Despite of our protest movement conducted peacefully within the norms of discipline for the past over forty months, the Government has shown no positive consideration to our demands. In a Vishal Rally held at Jantar Mantar organized under the aegis of IESM where ESM and Defense Widows from across the country (18 states) took part, the following resolution was unanimously passed by raising of hands by all present without exception and renting the air with their approval:-

(a) Since the present Government at the Centre has not granted OROP, it has no right to ask for votes from Defense Personnel and their family members.

(b) Accordingly the Defense veterans resolved unanimously that they will not vote for the UPA in any future election either at the State or Centre.

(c) However, if OROP is granted by the Government, this resolution will be null and void or withdrawn.

2. It was also decided to hold rallies in States to Garner support from the Defense fraternity and also other segments of society and organizations. It was decided to initially hold these rallies where elections are taking place in the near future. Accordingly all ESM organizations and ESM in the States and UTs are requested to “Unite” for the cause of OROP which is applicable to all present and future ESM forgetting differences if any, and give wide publicity to the contents of the above resolution across the length, breadth and depth of the country to exert the right pressure on the Government to accept our demand. The states which are going in for election are Punjab, UP, Utrakahand and Himachal, and later Rajasthan, MP and Haryana.

3. One Rally each at the State Capital and other cities where Defense personnel stay in large numbers are being planned. We would require logistic support in kind or in funds to conduct these rallies. All ESM are requested to contribute generously in kind (Transport, Rally Site arrangements, meals, refreshments, tea, water etc) or in funds to enable us to make these rallies a grand success. The cheques may please be made in the name of Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (HDFC A/C No 06162000001330) and either deposit in any branch of the HDFC or send at IESM HQ address “543 Sector 23 Gurgaon (Haryana) 122017.

4. The first of the rallies is being planned at TRICITY (Chandigarh- Mohali - Panchkula) in Dec 2011. The exact date is being finalized in consultation with convener IESM Punjab. The rally in UP at Lucknow has also been planned on 09 Jan 2012.

5. Another aspect which I wish to bring to the notice of all veteran officers for their consideration is about the negligible presence of officers at the rallies. Like in service, the dictum of leading from the front is equally applicable in the lives of Defense Veterans. The veteran JCOs and men still look up to the officers as their leaders to assist them. I am reminded of a fine act of duty which we learnt and executed with scrupulous honesty 45 years back which I am sure was continuing from the past traditions ie as Gunner GPO at the Gun position, I did not take my evening meal till such time all the gun pits had been dug, the guns had been put in the gun pits and all men had had their meals. It had a very strong effect on our men. I implore upon all officers to let us be part of this protest movement to get OROP which has been denied to us for the past over 30 years. Please attend all rallies being held in your city/ district. This is a humble request to my brother officers. All those who cannot attend due to any pressing reasons, please contribute generously to make the protest Movement achieve its goals. History reveals that Movements succeeded when all affected with the cause joined in unison with “Passion in the Heart” and “Fire in the Belly”. “JAGO FAUJI JAGO Join the Protest Movement to Get Justice for Defense Forces”.

6. This letter may please be circulated to the maximum ESM organizations and ESM.

“ZINDGI MILTI RAHE MAR MAR KE MUJH KO BAR BAR,
AUR HOTA RAHOON HAR BAR KURBANE WATTAN”

With Regards,

Jai Hind

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570

Email: satbirsm@yahoo.com

Demand for seventh Pay Commission to beat runaway Inflation

2011-11-23T01:54:00.001-08:00

Main Requirements Demanded from Seventh Pay Commission Report. Living in India surviving the high prices is getting impossible. So the Central government Unions and Associations will be soon coming out with requests for pay scale revisions in 2011.
Usually the Central Pay Commisssion is formed only in every 10 years. But , with the coming of the year 2011, India is in a situation where prices of most of the products needed in day to day life is increasing. Petrol, Gas, Grocery, Provisions, Food prices have gone up sky high. For instance in Chennai the Bus fares are up 100%, milk is up by Rs7 per litre and Electricity which cost Rs1030 for 600 Units will cost a whopping Rs 2350 (billed bi monthly)- just forget using AC otherwise the cost will shoot up by another Rs 5000/.
Government employees under the Central Government has started protests demanding hike in salary. Even though the time for the next Pay Revision Commission has not reached, the Central government employees have decided to ask for a 7th Central pay Commission to be formed. The main requirements that will be requested by the Indian Employee Unions from the 7th Central Pay Commission Report will be as follows,

Salary scales of employees in same posts in all departments should be fixed equally.

Current systems for Job Promotions and Salary increments should be changed to a better one.

Employees who work harder and has great performance track records in service should be paid better salary scales and given promotions , without leaving all promotions based on seniority only.

Appropriate changes should be made to allowances like HRA, TA, CCA .etc.

Transport and Traveling allowances should be renewed based on the current prices of petrol and diesel.
Demand for Seventh Pay Commission

ESM endorses Jan Lokpal Bill

2011-11-14T01:23:00.001-08:00

Ex-servicemen to invite Anna for holding anti corruption rally in Himachal Ravinder Makhaik | November 11, 2011 |
Dharamshala: Ex-servicemen league of Himachal has drawn up plans to invite Anna Hazare for holding an anti-corruption rally in the state.
A former minister and president HP ex-servicemen league Vijay Singh Mankotia let Hill Post know that after holding a two day annual general meeting of the organization, three resolutions were adopted, which included sending out a team to Maharashtra for extending an invite to Anna for holding a rally at Dharamshala.
Endorsing the stand on Jan Lokpal Bill, Mankotia said the state body of ex-servicemen also intended to honour Anna, also an ex-serviceman, with Shan-e-Hind title for the fight against corruption he has been waging.
Our league supports the fight against corruption to expose corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists and work for good governance by ensuring accountability, he said.
The second resolution adopted by the league has condemned the statement of defense minister AK Antony saying that the UPA government could not concede the ‘one rank, one pay’ demand of the ex-servicemen.
For 25 years the union government has been giving a firm commitment about implementing the demand, said Mankotia.
The matter will be discussed at a national conference of ex-servicemen to be held at Delhi on 25th and 26th November.
The third resolution has asked the state government to install the statues of Major Somnath Sharma, the first Parm Vir Chakra, Major Durga Mal and Captain Dal Bhadur at the Vidhan Sabha complex at Tapovan, Dharmshala.
Major Durga Mal and Captain Dal Bhadur were Gurkha members who were part of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj and were hanged by the British rulers in 1945 and 1946.
All the three of these brave sons of India belong to an area that is within a five Kms from Tapovan, says Mankotia. There statues deserve to be part of Vidhan Sabha complex and we will be raising this demand with chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, he said.
Ex-servicemen to invite Anna for holding anti corruption rally in Himachal

Vacancies under Maharashtra Govt

2011-11-13T23:24:00.001-08:00

On Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 18:42, shrikant kulkarni wrote:

Dear sir,

I have just learnt from a very high level reliable source in Maharashtra Govt that there are over 250 vacancies in Forest Dept for contractual engagement (for 2 years at a time renewable till retirement age) for a salary of Rs. 12000/- in position of Forest Guards. These vacancies are reserved for ex-Army personnel and the salary will be in addition to their pension. The positions are open in a few specific places, namely, Yawal in Jalgaon, Chandrapur in Tadoba, and Melghat in Amravati.

In addition, 44 post are reserved for permanent for ST ex-Armymen for absorption as Govt servants till their retirement.

I request this info be circulated amongst concerned army ESM and volunteers be invited to apply. Ads, it is learnt, have already appeared in newspapers.

--
Regards,
Shrikant Kulkarni
Gp Capt (Retd)
9373777092

Report in Indian Express ..IESM Rally 12 Nov 2011

2011-11-13T23:19:00.000-08:00

Report in Indian Express yesterday.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Ex-servicemen-from-city-join-OROP-campaign-in-Delhi/874999/
Ex-servicemen from city join OROP campaign in Delhi

Express news service Posted: Sun Nov 13 2011, 01:11 hrs Pune:

Joining the nationwide campaign for One Rank One Pension, members of Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) from the city participated in a rally in New Delhi on Saturday. With signatures signed with blood and medals in their hands to be returned to the President, over 3,000 ex-servicemen reiterated their demands of One Rank One Pension (OROP), National Commission for the Armed Forces and an Independent and Exclusive Pay Commission for the Armed Forces. Over 10 members from the city had joined the campaign with a few taking part in the delegation that wanted to meet President Pratibha Patil but could not do so.
“This is a serious issue and the government has not been taking due notice of the ex-servicemens’ demands. We now plan to intensify the movement. The ideal outcome of today’s movement will be to go back to our states and build up individual rallies to generate pressure on the government,” said Brigadier (retd) Sharad Luktuke, member, IESM, speaking to Newsline from Delhi. The rally that began at 10.15 am at Jantar Mantar concluded around 3 pm. ---

ESM sitrep 12 November evening

2011-11-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Colleagues,
The planned IESM rally was held today at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. It had more than 2500 ESM and Service families from all over the country. There was palpable enthusiasm in support of continuing with our struggle for seeking justice for the ESM, fronted by OROP. There was also unanimity in demanding that we the ESM start using out voting strength in getting our just demands accepted.
A memorandum was thereafter submitted to the President highlighting the non-grant of OROP and discrimination against widows in not including them in the pension enhancement that was implemented in 2009.
Kudos to Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Group Captain Vinod Gandhi, Wing Commander CK Sharma and other team members for organizing the event in an excellent manner.

Best regards,

Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A
Gurgaon- 122 001

Sixth Pay Commission to apply on pre-2006 retirees also: Central Administrative Tribunal

2011-11-09T02:57:00.001-08:00

Sixth Pay Commission to apply on pre-2006 retirees also: Central Administrative Tribunal
PTI Nov 7, 2011, 06.13pm ISTTags:Sixth Central Pay Commission|Justice V K Bali
NEW DELHI: In a relief to senior citizens, who retired from government service before 2006, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the Centre to re-fix their pension on the basis of recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (VI CPC).

The order will provide relief to thousands of such retired government servants whose pension would increase substantially.

A three-judge bench of CAT headed by its Chairman Justice V K Bali quashed the August 29, 2008 government resolution which amended the recomendations of the sixth pay commission due to which the pre-2006 retirees were getting lower pension than the post 2006 retirees.

The bench passed the orders on a bunch of petitions filed by individuals, their association -- Central Government Pensioners Association -- claiming pension at par with post-2006 retirees on the recommendations of the VI CPC, which took effect from January 1, 2006.

Ads by Google

Rally 12 Nov 2011

2011-11-09T00:44:00.001-08:00

INDIAN EX-SERVICEMEN MOVEMENT

(IESM)
WAKE UP CALL FOR EX SERVICEMEN

IESM RALLY,

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 11, 1000 HRS, JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI

JOIN THE RALLY IN LARGE NUMBERS TO TELL THE GENERAL PUBLIC

THAT EX-SERVICEMEN ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES

EX- SERVICEMEN HAVING TO PROTEST TO DEMAND JUSTICE?
SAD DAY FOR THE COUNTRY!!!

ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

IS OUR RIGHT

SAME RANK+SAME SERVICE=SAME PENSION (WHATEVER BE DATE OF RETIREMENT)
EX SERVICEMEN ARE DISTRESSED AND UNHAPPY ABOUT DENIAL OF OROP
NUMBERS MATTER TO THE GOVT. BECOME IESM MEMBERS IMMEDIATELY. MOTIVATE OTHER TOO.

TO REACH JANTAR MANTAR

FROM NOIDA ALIGHT AT RAJIV CHOWK AND CHANGE TO YELLOW LINE TOWARDS GURGAON AND GET DOWN AT PATEL CHOWK AND WALK TO RALLY.

FROM GURGAON TAKE THE METRO TO RAJIV CHOWK AND ALIGHT AT PATEL CHOWK AND WALK TO THE RALLY 100 M AWAY

JAI HIND!!

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951
Mobile 09810541222

Meeting at Jantar Mantar on 12 Nov 2011

2011-11-07T03:35:00.000-08:00

Dear All VETERANS

It is very unfortunate that some irresponsible veterans are spreading rumours about the existence of IESM and its well meaning actions. These disgruntled veterans are responsible for veterans being divided in small fractions and not able to unite as one single force. I normally do not give any credence to rumours but I am constrained to issue clarification because these rumours are being spread to neutralise the planned rally of IESM on the 12 November at Jantar Mantar.

Few member of IESM had been suspended from the primary membership of IESM because of indiscipline and not keeping the accounts properly. These few disgruntled ex-servicemen have started a breakaway group of ex-servicemen. Sep DS Sheoran calls himself as the President and Col K Bhardwaj as the Gen Sec of the new dispensation. Sep DS Sheoran had been denied membership of IESM because he is not an ex-serviceman as he does not get pension from the defence account which is the minimum condition of being called an ex-serviceman. This breakaway group has started rumours that they are office bearers of IESM. They have also filed cases in the court about their group being the original IESM. The matter is very strongly being contested in the court and very soon the breakaway group would loose the case in the court as all the evidence is in our favour.

Environment is aware of the legal procedure in India that anyone can file any case in Indian courts and let the case drag for years. This breakaway group has also done the same and have been requesting the court for dates to keep the case alive and create confusion in the minds of veterans. IESM has always appeared in the court on the designated dates but to our surprise the breakaway group has been absenting from appearance on one flimsy reason or the other and have been requesting for the fresh dates for hearing with the clear intentions, that is to prolong the case for many years to keep the rumours alive.

IESM office bearers have been maintaining a dignified silence on the wrong doings and ill intentions of the breakaway group and have not been issuing any statements to the environment. I have been constrained to issue clarification because of the runours spread by the breakaway group. This has been necessitated because of the demand from the large number of veterans with whom I interacted during my visit to Punjab on 5 and 6 November 2011. It is important for us to note that IESM is for welfare of all the veterans and have not spoken against any organisation. IESM believes that all organisations are doing good work and are helping the veterans. IESM welcomes and appreciates all ex-servicemen organisation which are taking up problems on behalf of veterans with the Govt.

In view of above following is issued for the benefit of environment and as rejoinder to the rumours.
IESM whose Chairman is Gen Raj Kadyan is working for the benefit of all ex-servicemen and would continue to take up cases of ex-servicemen with the Govt.
IESM is fully functional and has complete control on its activities and bank accounts.
IESM is holding a big rally at 1000h to 1400h at Jantar Mantar on 12 November 2011 Saturday to press for the demand of OROP for the ex-servicemen. Ex-servicemen from all states of India are reaching Delhi to attend the rally. All ex-servicemen are requested to attend the rally in large numbers.
IESM is holding AGM at 1030h to 1400h on 13 Nov 2011 Sunday at AVCC Sector 37 Noida. All members of IESM are requested to attend the AGM in large numbers.
IESM will be leading a delegation of widows to discuss the problem of widows pension with Raksha Mantri on 14 Nov 2011.
IESM will continue to take up issues of ex-servicemen with the Govt.
IESM has more than 16000 members from all states of India and the number is increasing by the day.
IESM has been pledged support by a large number of ex-servicemen organisations, from various states of India, in its fight for justice and self respect of ex-servicemen.
IESM is planning to have rallies in all states of India to air the problems of ex-servicemen to the authorities.
IESM has been able to convince the state assemblies of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to pass unanimous resolution for grant of OROP for ex-servicemen. Effort is on to convince other state Govt to pass the similar resolution.
IESM has been able to convince the Parliament committee on defence to recommend OROP for ex-servicemen. This committee has recommended OROP for ex-servicemen in three different papers to the Govt of India.
IESM along with other organisations has made a strong presentation to petition committee of Parliament to recommend OROP for the ex-servicemen. This committee would submit its report to Speaker Lok Sabha in the winter session of Parliament. IESM is very hopeful that the report would be in favour of ex-servicemen.
IESM has also been interacting with MsP of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to support the case of OROP for ex-servicemen.

IESM requests to all ex-sevicemen to be careful of such rumours and please note that the grand rally of IESM will be held as per program on 12 Nov 2011 at 1000h to 1400h at Jantar Mantar New Delhi. Ex -servicemen from all states of India will be reaching Delhi to attend the rally. All ex-servicemen are requested to attend the rally in large numbers.

ITS NOW OR NEVER ALL VETERANS PLEASE COME FOR THE RALLY AND BE COUNTED.

INDIVIDUALLY WE ARE WEAK BUT TOGETHER WE WOULD BE LIKE A TORNADO AND SHAKE UP ANY LARGE TREE. TOGETHER WE WOULD BE A FORCE TO RECKON WITH.

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951
Mobile 09810541222

IESM_GovBody] Amdalshahpur (Jhajjhar) Rally 23 Oct 2011

2011-10-24T03:26:00.001-07:00

JOB OF TECNICIAN

2011-10-18T03:03:00.000-07:00

From: triloki bhatara
To: IESM ; IESM Pune
Sent: Saturday, 17 September 2011 12:16 PM
Subject: JOB OF TECNICIAN

A job opening from naukri.com for ESMs, especially for ex-IAF technicians.
Gp Capt (Retd) TK Bhatara tkbhatara@yahoo.co.in
Technician
11 Opening(s)
HBE Group

Summary

Experience:15 - 25 Years
Location:Coimbatore, Port Blair, Srinagar
Compensation:Best in industry
Education:UG - Any Graduate - Any Specialization,Graduation Not Required
PG - Any PG Course - Any Specialization,Post Graduation Not Required
Industry Type:Aviation / Aerospace Firms
Role:Maintenance Engnr
Functional Area:Site Engg., Project Management
Posted Date:13 Sep
Job Description
Preventive & Breakdown Maintenance of Air Survillance radar.Required local Ex Air force, Ex Army, Ex Navy Personnel for following location:
Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Sullur, P Blair, Carnicobar, Pune, Tezpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore
Keywords: Radar, Ex - Army, Ex - Airforce, Ex - Navy, Ex - Defense, Ex - Defence
Desired Candidate Profile
Required local Ex Air force, Ex Army, Ex Navy Personnel (non commisioned officer). Experience in Maintenance of Radar is a must.
Company Profile
HBE Group was Founded in the year 1997 with the vision of delivering state of the art solutions for Broadcast Industry .

The organization soon diversified in to high technology area of Aviation with offerings comprises wide range of solution for Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (ATC) and modernization of airports related products

Recently HBE Group has added complete range of meteorological solutions and entered in to Defence segment with syenergical offerings for Air Traffic Management (ATM), Modernization of Airfields (Indian Air force & Indian Navy) and Meteorological solutions and our core strengths entrenched in high tech electronics coupled with IT.

Turnover - USD 60 Millions for FY 2008, Current Headcounts-150.

Major Principals- Tandberg, Harris, Axia, Latens, Visilink, Net Insight, Jampro, RGB, Vaisala, Aerodate, Terma, ST, Sensis, Frequentis, Rapiscan and others esteemed partners……!!!

We have also established a brand independent service company to offer installation, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance activities for high end technical projects. Our state of the art service division is accredited by ISO 9001-2000 certification. You may also visit www.hbeindia.com to get more information.
Contact Details
Company Name:HBE Group
Website:http://www.hbeindia.com
Executive Name:Swati Mittal
Address:Not Mentioned
Email Address:careers@threedis.com
Telephone:Not Mentioned

Visit to Nagpur.by Brig Luktuke/Gp Capt Pathak/Cdr Ravi/Col Patil...new IESM members

2011-09-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

Nagpur Meeting of IESM..by Brig Luktuke/Gp Capt Pathak/Cdr Ravi/Col Patil.

Nagpur Meeting of IESM..by Brig Luktuke/Gp Capt Pathak/Cdr Ravi/Col Patil.

Dear Sir

The Pune Team of Brig Lutuke/Gp Capt Phatak/Col Patil and self returned from Nagpur on 26 Sep after a very very successful visit.

The planning and arrangement and the success of the visit goes to Brig Luktuke who with a lot of patience and perseverance got the officers at Nagpur to arrange a Rally.

At Nagpur Wg Cdr Mukund Limaye and Mrs Anuradha Phadnis with the help of their local team had made excellent arrangements for the rally and our stay.

The newspapers carried news items in advance of the rally and the DSWO Capt Nimse also helped by informing all.Our thanks to Col Suhas Jatkar of RSB who gave approval to the DSWO to help out our team at Nagpur.Capt D R Limsay was also present at the rally.

The rally was attended by about 350 to 400 veterans.We have been able to get a total of 113 members and one supporter who donated Rs 1000/ to IESM.

After the rally TV99 a local Hindi TV channel also interviewed us.

Some photographs of the rally are attached.

On 26 Sep we talked to 42 DSC veterans at the Ambazari OF.THe Officer Commanding had organised the meet well and we were also treated to a much loved "langer" lunch.We expect membership to come from the unit a little letter in bulk.

Besides the Rally Gp Capt Phatak also met the officers ar Airforce command there to brief them about the 11 airman case(Reservist pension)

We were also met by the Manager of CPPC of Bank On India(Shri Kanetkar) He requested us to conduct a training program for BOI officers handling pensions.The training would be at Pune at their training center.
List of Members is attached.

S No RankName

OFFICERS
1CmdeChitanavis U N
2Lt ColOnkar R M
3Lt ColBhaduri AS
4Lt CdrHastak M
5ColPimpalkhute MP
6Wg Cdr Purohit KB
7Gp CaptWannere AG
8Wg Cdr Contractor J B
9Wg Cdr Dantale, CR
Windows
9Mrs Anuradha Deo w/o Maj Deo SM
10Mrs Bharti Thakre w/o Nb Sub Thakre
11Mrs Suchita W/o Hav Thakre AD
12Mrs Kusum W/o Hav Sonule EK
13Mrs Nita W/o Rahan AB
14Mrs Tulsi w/o Hav Lasante, Kondaba
15Mrs Yashodara w/o Sub Adhav D
16Mrs Shakuntala w/o Lt Co Wankhede RS
17Mrs Rupa w/o L/Nk Sharma CP
18Mrs Anjali w/o S/L Gupta SM
19Mrs Pritam Kaul w/o Capt Harbans Singh
20Mrs Swatee w/o S/l Bhisey V
21Mrs Shashikala w/o LNK Bhakre VM
22Mrs Anusaya w/o Sep Raut Annaji
23Mrs Annapurna w/o Sep Vanaskar VG
24Mrs Sarubai w/o Sep Mehar Sudam
25Mrs Vandana w/o Dongre Baburao
26Mrs Ujjawala w/o PO Puriji AG
27Mrs Shobha w/o Hav Deshmukh Rajabhau
28Mrs Shalini w/o Sub Gaikwad Bhimjirao
29Mrs Kusumtai w/o Potanwar Naganna
30Mrs Indumati w/o Dandi Tejrao
31Mrs Archana w/o Nk Kalambe R
32Mrs Ujwala w/o Nk Nimgade R
JCO's
33WOMohod, DS
34JWOKanade ,MP
35Hon CaptBelekar, KN
36Hon LtMate, VM
37JWOPaddalwar, SN
38Nb SubShelke, NM
39SubSawai,SN
40MWOTrivedi, PN
41Nb SubBasole, AT
42Hon F/OGhawghave,NS
43Nb SubTitarmane, GY
44CPOShende, RD
45Hon CaptDhawade, SK
46WOKalbhore GB
47MWOChaurasia,ML
48WOTapas, SG
49Hon Sub MajKowale, CK
OR
50HavPatil RM
51L NKSethu, A
52CplBangalkar,RT
53Hav Wani, DP
54SgtDhadange,DT
55POVyahadkar,MR
56HavTagde,DM
57HavTalekar, BN
58NkZanke, PA
59HavJadhav, PY
60SepBhake, PG
61NkPatil,GB
62NkChakale, DH
63HavNarnaware, GM
64HavSalve, AM
65SepMarkhande, CK
66HavChaware,SK
67NkHole, SP
68NKKhandare, MM
69NkGaidhane,OS
70HavPhulmali, BN
71NkTayade, UB
72HavGabrial,JD
73SeamanDhakane, RU
74NkBaseshankar, LM
75CplGedamkar, VS
76NkSakhare, AS
77NkShendre, AK
78NkGautre,NM
79HavJanbandhu, PK
80Nk TSKarade,AB
81SgtKushwaha, PK
82NkPudige, GT
83CplBhusari, SW
84SepoyRanjane,YP
85NkMohod ,AR
86Sgt Zake, AN
87LNKVittal,P
88HavBagmare, CA
89NkLacharwar,SG
90SgtShirpurkar,OR
91HavDodke,DG
92NkDeo,PD
93NkShirporkurkar, VK
94NkBhure, KR
95NkPathan,MT
96LDFRMotilinge, PN
97HavGaikwad, SB
98NkMahalle, VC
99HavChinchole AM
100NKSomkuwar,NG
101SepShinde, ML
102SepShegokar, AN
103NkSoni, SR
104SgtGadre,MG
105NkWankhede,KB
106SgtOrke, KV
107HavNagose, SS
108NkBhadbhade, MA
109SgtKhatkhede,GG
110SgtThugaonkar AK
111SepLokhande, SL
112SepWagh, SB
113SgtKhedikar, SR
Supporter
114MrSovani AP

Brgds

Pathak

ECHS Gurgaon

2011-09-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

DEAR SIR,
AT THE OUTSET LET ME APOLOGISE ON BEHALF OF MY STAFF FOR THE INCONVENIENCES CAUSED TO YOU ON ACCOUNT OF MEDICINE COLLECTION AT GURGAON POLYCLINIC.NOT WITHSTANDING THE SAME I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE OICs TO ENSURE THAT THE MEDICINES MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE VETERANS TO AVOID ANY INCONVENIENCE.YOU MAY ALSO PLEASE BE INFORMED SIR, THAT A NEW POLYCLINIC WILL COME AT GURGAON SOHNA ROAD SOON WHICH WILL REDUCE THE LOAD AT GURGAON POLYCLINIC AND WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IN FUTURE..
I HAVE ALSO ADVISED THE OIC TO BE POLITE AND COURTEOUS TO THE VETERANS AT ALL TIMES.
I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VALUED FEED BACKS AND CONTINUED SUPPORT, SO THAT WE WILL FURTHER ENDEAVOUR TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM

With Warm Regards,
Yours sincerely

Brig N Balan
Station Cdr
Delhi Cantt
New Delhi
PIN 110010

Welcome new members IESM

2011-09-19T04:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of IESM,

Today I have enrolled the following motivated Officers who have willingly become members of our IESM 'Movement'.

1. 60089-R Cmde PRAMOD KUMAR GOEL 500/= ' pk_goel2001@yahoo.com'

2. IC-8658 Maj R.N.ANAND 500/= ' Tel- 22151453'

3. IC-12053 Lt Col VINOD KUMAR JAIN 500/= ' colvinod2004@yahoo.com'

4. IC-10963 Lt Col P.S.BHATNAGAR 500/= 'Te- 22142203'

5. IC-22967-H Lt Col B.N. Dhingra 500/= ' bhupi43a@hotmail.com'

6. IC-10534 Lt Col YASHPAL DATT 500/= '

Maj Gen A.J.B.Jaini, AVSM
Member Governing Body of IESM
'

Tamil Nadu---> Big Hike in cash component for gallantry award winners

2011-09-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

From THE HINDU. 18 Sep 2011, Page 9.

Big Hike in cash component for gallantry award winners.

The State ( Tamil Nadu ) Govt has increased manifold, the quantum of cash awards for recipients of gallantry awards, as follows :---

Award Present Amount New Amount.
( Rs ) ( Rs )

PVC 22,500 15 Lakhs.

MVC 15,000 10 Lakhs.

Vr C 7,000 7.5 Lakhs

Ashok Chakra 20,000 12 Lakhs.

Kirti Chakra 12,000 8 Lakhs.

Shaurya Chakra 5,000 5 Lakhs.

More Benefits for ESM working in T N Ex-Servicemen Corporation ( TEXCO )

The Tamil Nadu Govt has also announced the following benefits for the 8,500 ESM, employed by TEXCO :--
a ) Insurance cover upto Three Lakhs, under Personal Accident scheme.
b ) Rs 1.78 crore will be invested annually under the Group Superannuation Scheme.

nbs.

Brig SC Malik gets Rs 1 Lac as Donation from Modern Road Makers

2011-09-19T00:38:00.000-07:00

Dear All,
We are truly grateful for this donation given for our common cause.
Thanking Brig SC Malik for his efforts.
Regards,
Gp capt SS Phatak(retd)

************************

From: Ravindra Pathak
To: gove body IESM
Cc: Malik S C ; subhash malik
Sent: Mon, 19 September, 2011 10:46:13 AM
Subject: [IESM_GovBody] Donation from Modern Road Makers [3 Attachments]

Dear Sir

Today i have deposited a cheque of Rs 1,00,000/ received from Modern Road Makers as donation.

This is the second year that we have got this donation and this is only possible due to efforts of Brig SC Malik.

C K Sir:Kindly send the receipt to my address so that i can give it to Brig Malik and it i snot lost like last year.

The C/VC may like to write to Mr Mhaiskar to thank him for his generous support.

Brgds

Ravi

Rank mis-match : some relief !

2011-09-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Rank mis-match : some relief !
"About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age." - Gloria Pitzer

Since the last two years, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs – formerly known as CPOs) had been issuing advertisements for recruitment of Ex-Servicemen on a skewed rank equation. CAPFs were seeking Naib Subedars (GP 4200) to join at GP 2800 level and also Havildars (GP 2800) to join at GP 2000 level. The same was pointed out on this blog and also strongly taken up by me separately with the MHA as well as the AG’s Branch.

It seems that collective efforts have borne fruit to an extent. The CRPF is soon going to undertake a massive recruitment drive for ex-servicemen. I have been informed that a decision has been taken to rectify the rank equation as far as re-employment is concerned. Henceforth all JCOs, including Naib Subedars, would be recruited as Inspectors (GP 4600) while other ranks (including Sepoys) shall be recruited as Head Constables (GP 2400). Further, JCOs would be entitled to a handsome fixed compensation package of Rs 54000/- per month while other ranks would be entitled to a fixed package of Rs 34,000/- per month. Recruitment would be offered to those who have done courses related to explosives, field engineering and IEDs and the deployment would probably primarily be in naxal affected areas.

Goes to show that most of our problems emanate from the reason that we do not even want to try. There are people willing to listen but nothing shall move till we speak. Let us not just watch the show, let us engage ourselves with the problems that stare us in our face, and that includes the overall deterioration of our status and standing in the official hierarchy. We need to keep our eyes open, and most importantly it is the people currently in service who need to play a greater role, rather than people like us who are occupied in other professions and can at best maintain a hawk-eye but only from the side of the ring, rather than from bang in the middle of it !
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 5:12 AM 9 comments
Labels: Grade Pay, Policy and Benefits, Status

Follow up after visit to Bhusaval,Jalgaon etc

2011-09-01T01:58:00.001-07:00

Dear All,
During last two days following cases have been taken up by me with respective agencies including CPPCs:-

1 TS Nk Pundge SC
2 Ts Nk N M Shaikh(2780367)
3 Nk Maruti S Takprere(13874918)
4 Cpl C R Bhat(247762)
5 Nk B M Patil(2773568)
6 Hav M P Patil(14394592)
7 Ts Nk B S Patil
8 Hav A Ramdev Pawar
9 Hon Lt Narkhede(JC 2010114)
10 Nk B T Kolate(1380416)
11 Flt Lt V S Chaudhary(144442)
12 Hon Capt Betal Singh(JC237948)
13 Nk Sudame Lal(14366513)
14 Nk V B Nikam(2757525)
Follow up and actual credit of arrears where due will take a month or so.In all cases I have also asked Banks to give interest for this delay as per RBI circular dated 11 Mar 2011.
Regards,
Gp Capt SS Phatak(retd)
Pune

Visit of Cdr Pathak / Gp capt Pathak and Brig S Luktuke

2011-08-30T03:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Sudheer

Thanks a lot once gain for all that you and your team did and arrangements for us during the visit.

We reached this evening safely.

I can not close this mail without personally thanking Mrs Kumar for the excellent food that she served us the first day.It was all the more tasteful and it was so very Maharashtrian. Those Bharli Wangi were just to good.Thanks.

Can you kindly send me the email contacts of Varangaon team.Also the photos a few selected one's by email please.

In the meantime pls convey my and the teams sincere thanks to the Varangaon team for their spirit and the enthusiasm in general and their concern to be of help to the Veterans.This was our first experience of this kind so far.

Brgds

Pathak

SECY ESW TO RETIRE ON 31 AUG 2011

2011-08-30T03:13:00.000-07:00

NEWS ITEM: SECY ESW TO RETIRE ON 31 AUG 2011

Ms. Neelam Nath to retire on August 31

Ms. Neelam Nath Secretary Ex Servicemen Welfare in the GOI is going to retire on August 31, 2011. She is an IAS officer of 1975 batch who belongs to the Jharkhand cadre.

LIEUTENANT : DID YOU DIE IN VAIN? By Sarvar Bali d/o Brig Pradeep Bali

2011-08-30T03:11:00.000-07:00

LIEUTENANT : DID YOU DIE IN VAIN? Aug 24 2011
A friend from my organisation of yesteryears, Brigadier Pradeep Bali, sent me this piece written by his young daughter, Sarvar Bali. It is pathetic while the nation was engrossed in fighting the wrong-doings of our powers that be... our young ones were laying down their lives unheard, uncared and unsung on the borders. While our soldiers lay down their lives to protect their mother India, her better placed sons are robing her off not only her riches but also her chastity. This young girl, Sarvar Bali, has beautifully penned this piece on youngman's sacrifice in GUREJ SECTOR of KASHMIR on August 20, 2011. What a sad thing while soldiers are laying down lives, the GOI is concentrated on immunising its Prime Minister from investigations on charges of corruption.
Read on...click here
Note
This piece was written by a young Girl, SARVAR BALI, daughter of a serving Brigadier of Indian Army Brig Pradeep Bali.
The girl is barely out of the college, LSR of New Delhi, after graduating in journalism. I believe some corrupted versions of this are available on other various sites on the web where the site owners have not given the credit to this young girl. And some therefore do doubt the authenticity of this authorship and the story. This note is to dispel this doubt.

11 lakh ex-servicemen pensions held back

2011-07-04T00:06:00.001-07:00

http://www.financialexpress.com/printer/news/810535/
11 lakh ex-servicemen pensions held back

Huma Siddiqui

Posted online: 2011-06-30

New Delhi : An allocation of R2,200 crore made in the 2009-10 Budget is lying unspent as the government has failed to figure out how to calculate and disburse pension to retired defence personnel.
After a sustained demand for more than two years from ex-servicemen, who were seeking “one rank, one pension”, the ministry of defence (MoD) decided in 2009 to enhance the pension of nearly 14 lakh defence personnel retiring before 2006. A new regime of Parity in Pensions was put in place and the same was announced in the 2009-10 Budget. The new system is applicable to JCOs and other ranks.

Talking to FE, Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) treasurer Wg Cdr CK Sharma (retd) said, “The amount has been sanctioned for disbursal. However, each individual bank is expected to do the necessary calculation in each case and then do the needful.”
“All these years, the system had been that any time there was a change in the pension rates, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) would issue an amended Preferred Provider Organisation (PPO) for each individual, which would clearly mention the dues of an individual. The government, after the Sixth Pay Commission, has shirked this responsibility and palmed it off to the Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA), which means the bank,” Sharma explained.
According to government sources, so far only 3 lakh out of the 14 lakh ex-servicemen have managed to get the calculation done and get the enhanced pension.
“In some cases, where an individual is fortunate enough to have a bank with a clued-in staff, the work has been done and the money paid. However, as on today, such banks are very few,” . The huge majority have not got the amount due to them as the banks claim they do not have adequate staff to do these calculations, “ pointed out Sharma.
A new software, called Suwigya, has been introduced where an individual can enter his basic information and the software works out the pension dues. According to a official, the basic fact that needs to be remembered is that “a huge majority of the retired jawans from the Army, Navy and the Air Force live in villages and small towns. While a bank manager in Delhi may be guided by people around on how to go about doing these calculations, it is going to be a grave, uphill task for all the others”.

In July 2009, defence minister A K Antony had informed the Lok Sabha: “The government has accepted the recommendations of the cabinet secretary-led panel on ‘one rank, one pension’ and total financial implications on account of benefits to the personnel would be R2,144 crore.”

The committee had recommended inclusion of a Classification Allowance for the Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) from January 1, 2006 and removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from the same date

Senate panel passes bill on job training for military

2011-07-04T00:05:00.001-07:00

Senate panel passes bill on job training
for military
By Steve Vogel,
Published: July 1
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has approved legislation that would require broad job-skills training for all U.S. service members before leaving the military.
The bill, aimed at cutting the high unemployment rate among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was unanimously endorsed by the panel Wednesday.
The legislation would provide “veterans with the broad job-skills training and support they need to break down barriers to employment,” committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said. “For the first time, this comprehensive bill will require service members to learn how to translate the skills they learned in the military into the working world.”
The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 would require all departing service members to participate in the Transition Assistance Program, administered by the Labor Department in partnership with the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The training, now voluntary, includes job-search techniques, resume writing and interviewing tips.
“We ask our military men and women to risk their lives for our country each and every day,” said Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), a bill sponsor. “The least we can do is make sure they don’t have to struggle to stay healthy or get back to work when they come home.”
More than one in four veterans ages 20 to 24 are unemployed, according to Labor Department figures.
The bill would modify federal hiring practices to encourage the hiring of departing service members and would allow service members to begin the federal employment hiring process before their separation from the military. “It will . . . ensure that more veterans have jobs waiting for them when they leave the military by streamlining the path to private and federal employment,” Murray said.
--------------

REHABILITATION DISABLED WAR VETERANS AND OTHER DISABLED PERSONNEL

2011-06-22T01:44:00.000-07:00

REHABILITATION DISABLED WAR VETERANS AND OTHER DISABLED PERSONNEL
We had a meeting with the Executive Director of Punjab National Bank yesterday to consider the useful employment of Disabled Veterans in Villages and urban areas to enable them to earn whilst doing other jobs as well. They were very receptive to the idea and immediately asked us to initiate persons willing to undertake to help themselves. The scheme is as below.
The areas that the PNB is presently interested in is Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, UP, Madya pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. Please give this wide publicity because through this scheme persons whilst at home in Villages could earn more than Rs 3000/- per month. SEED, PNB tie up to roll out micro MFs By Ritwik Mukherjee Oct 06 2010, Kolkata SEED, one of the largest business correspondents in the country working with a number of public sector and private banks, is now well set to get into micro mutual funds across Punjab, Hariyana, Bihar and Rajasthan in association with Punjab National Bank.
SEED- PNB will target people who have already been benefited from SEED’s financial inclusion programmes and other people who don’t have any bank account or access to any banking services.
“We will guide people with the help of banking correspondents about mutual funds and other banking products. Unlike regular mutual funds, micro mutual fund is available in smaller lots like Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Secondly, the criteria such as possessing a pan number as well the 3 years lock-in period will also have certain relaxations in this case. This is because the target in this case is the unbanked/ underbanked population,” Anirban Roy, founder & managing director of SEED, told FC.
SEED is also one of the leading providers of consultancy and implementation services in areas of resettlement & rehabilitation, CSR implementation, microfinance, financial inclusion, infrastructure development, social impact assessment, environment impact assessment and skill development.
SEED, which has so has so far created 1.5 million no frill accounts for various banks and is working towards a mandate size of more than 15 million accounts, is also introducing some microcredit schemes to offer finance to rural people to establish themselves and earn their basic requirements on their own. With the help of skill development classes and other vocational training modules, SEED is aiming at a pan-India microfinance project with several banks and companies, Roy said.
Col H N Handa
President Diwave

High Court ruling can make the Armed Forces Tribunal infructuous

2011-06-22T00:15:00.001-07:00

High Court ruling can make the Armed Forces Tribunal infructuous
Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)

THE defence services had been clamouring for an Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) for decades, essentially because the civilian courts took years and even decades to decide their cases. These inordinate delays had an adverse impact on discipline, morale and functioning of the military. Take just two cases. The Sixth Pay Commission gave Brigadiers more pension than Major Generals. It took the Punjab and Haryana High Court three long years to address this simple anomaly. Some five years later the case is still doing the rounds of the Supreme Court. Air Vice Marshal Masand, with outstanding service record and a pilot of great repute with the Vir Chakra to his credit, was superseded for promotion to the rank of Air Marshal. Long after he retired, he is still fighting his case in the civilian courts. Perhaps his children will have to continue the fight after he has left the scene.

Since the AFT has come into existence, its benches spread across the country have done a commendable job and have been deciding cases, not only with great scrutiny and application of mind, but with equal promptitude. They are moving quicker that the fast track courts, reinforcing the maxim that justice delayed is justice denied.They have been able to decide cases that have been hanging fire in civilian courts for as long as half a century. Though the AFT is established on the lines of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), they differ in one essential aspect in that the AFT reviews cases of defence services which have separate laws and courts of their own. These courts have full judicial powers. The AFT was set up after long prevarication, dithering and delay, recommendations of the law commission and innumerable articles in the national press pressing for its dire need.

The composition of the AFT was worked out with a view to relate it to the composition of the courts whose verdict, besides other service issues, it would also be called upon to review. This was so because civilian courts are generally not conversant with the military's working, systems, ethos, environment, and the circumstances under which it is required to operate and discharge its duties in peace and war. These special conditions require a rigorous law, quite apart from the general civilian laws. There was a time that for this obvious reason, civilian courts were somewhat reluctant to take on the military's cases. However civilian courts, for no apparent reason, now seem to adopt an altogether different approach.

As per the AFT Act, rulings and verdicts of the AFT can be reviewed only by the Supreme Court. The very purpose of setting up the AFT was to provide a dedicated forum for quick redressal of grievances and judicial review of court martial orders with the provision for just a one-stage review (Supreme Court in this case) for armed forces personnel, as disposal of cases in civilian courts took a long time and this inordinate delay impinged on the discipline and good order in the defence services.

The Delhi High Court, in its recent ruling noted that High Courts are constitutionally empowered to review decisions of the AFT, not withstanding the fact that the Armed Forces Tribunal Act of 2007 stipulated that appeals against AFT's orders would rest directly with the Apex Court. A Division Bench comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Suresh Kait further ruled, "AFT, being manned by personnel appointed by the executive, albeit in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, cannot be said to be truly a judicious review forum as a substitute to High Courts that are constitutional courts and the power of judicial review, being a basic feature of the Constitution, under Article 226 and Article 227 of the Constitution is unaffected by the constitution of the AFT." Further, tribunals can perform a "supplemental as opposed to a substitutional" role vis-a-vis the high courts, the bench held.

The AFT was set up to exercise appellate jurisdiction with respect to orders, findings or sentences of court martial and exercise original jurisdiction with respect to service disputes. This ruling puts the very purpose of having an AFT somewhat infructuous and takes us back to square one. It is in fact, a leap forward into the past. It will bring about the same painful and frustrating delays and their impact on the military's discipline and functioning as they existed before the promulgation of the AFT Act. The Delhi High Court, in its infinite wisdom, deep understanding of the Constitution and legal acumen, has turned the very idea and rationale of setting up the AFT on its head.

Now article 227(4) of the Constitution, on which the Delhi High Court has relied in passing the above noted order, provides superintendence of High Court over all courts/tribunals falling in its jurisdiction but it specifically excludes court martial cases. Therefore and quite simply and logically, it cannot have power of superintedence over the Armed Forces Tribunal that has appellate jurisdiction over verdicts of court martial cases. Further when there is specific provision for appeal against verdicts/orders of the Tribunal under sections 30/31 of the Act to only the Supreme Court, then how could a writ petition be entertained by a high court.
High Courts are already overloaded with work and the backlog runs into a million cases and it is to bypass this legal quagmire and the necessity for quick disposal of defence services cases that the AFT Act of 2007 was promulgated by the government as an act of Parliament and as such became a law, where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was in the consultative loop. In case the rulings of the AFT are to be subjected to review by the high courts and later by the Supreme Court then the purpose of establishing the AFT is defeated.

On an earlier occasion, a High Court gave a ruling that court martial should record a "speaking order". Now the composition and working of a court martial is akin to the jury system, which for too obvious a reason does not record a "speaking order". Unfortunately, defence services did not contest this ruling in the Supreme Court and court martial proceedings are now required to be accompanied by a speaking order. The judge advocate, who is on the court martial merely to render advice to the members on purely technical legal issues and has no voting right, is the only one who is qualified to write a speaking order. Consequently the judge advocate has come to exercise undue influence over the court, which in reality and practice has altered the very character and working of the court martial.

To avoid inevitable delays in the finalisation of defence services cases dealt by the AFT, in case these are subjected to review by the High Courts as well, the order of the Delhi High Court must be contested in the Supreme Court by the service headquarters. The need for early disposal of defence services cases hardly needs any emphasis.

The writer is a former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff

MEETING MOD 17 JUNE 2011..disabled war Veterans

2011-06-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

From: DIWAVE Disabled war Veterans [mailto:diwave1@gmail.com]
Sent: 18 June 2011 08:59
To: DELETED

Subject: MEETING MOD 17 JUNE 2011

Dear ALL,

The meeting held in JS (ESW) office on 17 June 2011 does not provide good news for those retained in service in regards their broadbanding of disability. Please see notification attached.

While discussing the delay in issuing government sanctions for revised pension entitlement of pre-96 at par with their civilian counterparts, we were informed by US Malathi Narayanan that as per the latest clarification by DP&PW, BB benefit would not be extended to those retained in service after the injury. She referred to a Gazette Notification dated 22.2.11 by DP&PW to that effect. A scanned copy of the relevant page may be seen at the attachment. The Notification, however, is silent whether it is applicable with retrospective effect, which we doubt very much. We would need to clarify this.

A relevant point also is that with implementation of SC judgment in KJS Buttar's case, where even superannuated / discharged with disability would be deemed to have been invalided out.

Amazing, the far reaching ramifications of this judgment had not sunk in the head of JS (ESW). On realising that this judgment is a game-changer, he said they would have to consider all aspects including possibility of a review by SC, before implementing it.

We will keep you informed. Two DGL's are under preparation by CGDA.
--
Col H N Handa

General HL Kakria Takes Over as DGAFMS

2011-06-06T04:43:00.001-07:00

General HL Kakria Takes Over as DGAFMS
Lt Gen HL Kakria has taken over as the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). Before taking charge as the DGAFMS yesterday, Lt. General Kakria was working as the Director General, Medical Services (Army).
An alumnus of GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, Lt Gen Kakria joined the Army Medical Corps on February 14, 1972. A Post-Graduate in General Surgery and Orthopaedics from the Pune University, the General officer has been a renowned surgeon, teacher and an academician. He has published numerous research papers in various National and International journals. He was awarded the Major General Amir Chand award in 1990 for the best research work in Orthopaedics on Knee Joint injuries. An Executive Member of 'Bone and Joint Decade '(BJD) 2000-2010, Lt Gen Kakria has attained global recognition for his pioneering work in joint replacement and spinal surgery.
During his illustrious career spanning over 39 years, Lt. General Kakria has held key positions including Commandant, Base Hospital Delhi Cantt., Commandant of Artificial Limb Centre, Pune and Commandant of Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune. He has also held the staff appointment of Major General (Medical), HQ Southern Command and later became the Commandant of AMC Center & College. Appointed DGMS (Army) & Colonel Commandant on June 1, 2010, Lt. General Kakria has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1992, Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal in 2002, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2009 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011. DM/PK (PIB Release ID :72444)
General HL Kakria Takes Over as DGAFMS

MOD to be penalised if orders not complied by 05 Aug 2011

2011-06-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Military tribunal verdict brings respite for ex-servicemen
Ajay Sura, May 5, 2011, 05.09pm IST
CHANDIGARH: In an order with the potential of wide ramifications, the Chandigarh bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that the revised pay scales and consequently pensionary benefits on the recommendations of 5th Central Pay Commission to the Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR) should be applicable with effect from January 1, 1996 instead of October 10, 997. While setting a deadline of three months to comply these orders, the military tribunal has also held that if the ministry of defence (MOD) failed to follow these orders, it would be liable to deposit Rs 10,000 to the tribunal as penalty.

With these orders thousands of soldiers who retired from January 1, 1996 to October 10, 1997 would be eligible for higher pay and pensionery benefits as per the recommendations of Ajit Kumar committee of the central 5th Pay Commission. The committee had revised the pay and pensioner benefits of Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR) of Army, Navy and Air Force by removing anomalies.

Bench comprising its judicial member, Justice NP Gupta and administrative member, Lt Gen NS Brar of the AFT of has passed these orders while allowing various petitions filed by the ex-servicemen, Adarsh Pal and others. The petitioners were hailing from various districts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

All the petitioners had retired from January 1, 1996 to October 9, 1997 were receiving lesser pension than those who retired on or after October 10, 997 because the Ajit Kumar committee recommendations were made applicable with effect from October 10, 1997 onwards. The grouse of the petitioners was that the cut off date of October 10, 1997 was not only illegal but arbitrary also as there is no objective and rationality of this cut off date to be achieved. Arguing before the bench, counsel for the petitioner, RC Chatrath contended that said cut off date has no nexus and objective to be achieved and also in view of the fact that the anomaly should be removed from the date it arose rather than subsequent date.

Accepting the contentions, the AFT, for the first time has also made a provision of penalty of Rs 10,000 in its orders, in case of non-compliance of its orders.
Military tribunal verdict brings respite for Ex Servicemen
Comment: The term PBOR is derogatory in nature. MOD drops term PBOR- click here

Welfare Measures for Ex Service Personnel at snails pace

2011-06-01T00:15:00.002-07:00

CM honours ex-servicemen Tribune News Service Dehradun, May 22, 2011
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today reiterated his commitment to work for the welfare of ex-servicemen in Uttarakhand.

Addressing an ex-servicemen’s convention in Dehradun, Nishank said his government had taken a number of measures for the welfare of ex-servicemen. He said a one-time grant for decorated Army personnel had been increased substantially and was the highest in the country. Nishank said even pension of the Second World War veterans had been doubled by his government.

He said six new companies of the Eco Task Force had been constituted to provide employment to the ex-serivicemen. He said Uttarakhand had a large population of ex-servicemen and the government too had allotted free land for the construction of accommodations in Dehradun, Haldwani and the Kotdwar areas.

He said he had launched Antoyodaya Vikas Yatra to get first-hand information of the problems of the people. He said the Atal Khadhyan Yojana had been implemented in the state as relief to the people from rising prices.

The Chief Minister also honoured 102-year-old Dula Devi Gusain, a widow of an ex-serviceman. Another ex-serviceman widow Archana Negi, ex-servicemen Kedar Singh Bhandari and Bachchan Singh Bhandari were also honoured.

Uttarakhand Youth Welfare Board’s vice-president Subhash Barathwal, vice-chairman, Sainik Welfare, Col PD Kuriyal (retd), Capt Digambar Prasad Baloni, vice-president, Twenty Point Programme Implementation Committee, Jitendra Negi, district panchayat member Subhash Bhatt were among those present on the occasion.
CM honours ex-servicemen

Admission for wards of ex-servicemen
Published: May 24, 2011 00:00 IST | Updated: May 24, 2011 04:04 IST CHENNAI, May 24, 2011
A release from the District Collector's office said admission has been reserved for wards of ex-servicemen in B.E. (General) and B.E. (Anna University) and B.E. (Anna University) (lateral entry), besides medicine, arts and science colleges.
Wards of ex-servicemen who are registered in Chennai District may approach the office of the Director of District Ex-servicemen Welfare Assistance in Saidapet. click here

Chib hands over scooters keys to disabled ex-servicemen
Written by Newspoint Bureau Wednesday, 27 April 2011 23:12 Jammu tawi, April 27
Minister for Medical Education R S Chib today said that the government was committed to provide every help to the Rajya Sainik Welfare Board, which he observed is doing excellent job for the welfare of ex-servicemen in the state. He hoped that the Board would achieve new heights in its functioning under the capable patronage of the Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Minister was speaking at a function, organized by Rajya Sainik Welfare Board in connection with distribution of modified scooters to disabled ex-servicemen here today. These scooters have been provided by the Kendriya Sainik Board, Ministry of Defence. Chib said the Rajya Sainik Welfare Board and Kendriya Sainik Board remain at the forefront in extending help to the ex-servicemen. He said the modified scooters provided to the disabled ex-servicemen are a part of series of the welfare measures to extend succor to the former army personnel and their families. He said the Union Government from time to time formulates welfare schemes for ex-servicemen with provisions for housing, scholarship and financial assistance to the wards and widows of army personnel. Referring to his recent meeting with Union Defence Minister, the Minister said that he took up various outstanding issues of ex-servicemen of the state with him. These included exemption of VAT on CSD item, construction of housing colonies and Sainik Bhawan in the state. He said that the Defence Minister assured early redressal of issues projected by him. Giving brief resume of the achievements of the board, Director Sainik Welfare Board Brig (Retd) R S Langeh said the Kendriya Sainik Board provided seven modified scooters for the disabled ex-servicemen of the state last year, adding 17 more such scooters would be provided to the disabled ex-servicemen shortly. Earlier, the Minister handed over keys to the disabled Ex-servicemen Puran Chand and Balak Ram. Among others, Chairman, Ex-services League Maj. Gen. (Retd) G S Jamwal, Zila Sainik Welfare Officer Lt. Col. R L Gangal, besides a number of retired army personnel were present on the occasion.click here

11 per cent Armymen are from Bihar
March 31, 2011 Patna. Army personnel have reasons to feel proud of their Bihari roots as Bihar accounts for about 11 percent of the total Army personnel strength.
Talking to TOI, Bihar Ex-Servicemen League president Col (retd) V.K. Singh said that Bihar had lost a large size of cantonment after its bifurcation from West Bengal and later due to creation of Jharkhand. While about 20,000 troops went to the Barrackpore Cantonment in West Bengal, it lost two training centres located at Ramgargh to Jharkhand. About 7,500 troops went to the Ramgargh Cantonment after creation of Jharkhand, he said, adding even the main canteen service is still located in Jharkhand.
Col (retd) Singh said that the Army from Bihar has to go to Jharkhand to purchase two or four wheelers. Besides, the League members have been paying state tax on each item of defence being transported to Danapur Cantonment from Jharkhand. He said that about 1.5 lakh personnel are in defence service from Bihar. click here

Punjab committed for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen- Capt Balbir Singh Bath
The Minister said that Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) on its part must get the Union Government to resolve the long outstanding issue of 'One Rank One Pension' and further the case of lateral absorption of Soldiers into the Para Military Forces and State police. He said that in Punjab we were in the process of recruiting 1600 Ex-servicemen for taking over the security related duties from the State Police. He said that there was also a need for the KSB to look at the various Central Schemes that benefit the ESM.
Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Secretary Punjab Sainik Welfare Mr. Jagjit Puri, Director Punjab Sainik Welfare Brig. (Retd.) Inderjit Singh Gakhal, Secretary K.S.B Brig. Sudhir Uppal, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) V.K. Jain Director Punjab Sainik Welfare Uttar Pradesh, Brig. (Retd.) R.S. Langeh Director Punjab Sainik Welfare J&K, Brig. (Retd.) J.S. Dulal, Secretary R.S.B Haryana, G.P Capt. (Retd.) R.K. Sharma Secretary R.S.B Delhi, Lt. Col. (Retd.) R.K. Singh District Sainik Board Chandigarh (UT), Maj. (Retd) J.S Puria Deputy Director RSB Himachal Pradesh, Maj. (Retd.) B.S. Negi, Deputy Director RSB Uttrakhand. click here

Ex Service Personnel Welfare News

2011-06-01T00:15:00.001-07:00

Ex-servicemen urged to register their new addresses by May 31, 2011Bhopal: May 28, 2011 (Ataullah Faizan): The Directorate for Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare has urged the ex-servicemen of Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore and Vidisha districts, war widows and dependents of ex-servicemen registered with the District Ex-servicemen’s Welfare Office, Banganga Crossing, Bhopal, to get their correct address registered by May 31, 2011. According to Joint Director Col. V.K. Chaube (Retired), the directorate is unable to make contact and correspondence with a majority of ex-servicemen, widows and dependents on the addresses registered with the District Ex-servicemen’s Welfare Office, Bhopal. Due to this, difficulties are being faced in giving timely information to them about the welfare schemes meant for them and functions held on national festivals and other occasions.
In this context, the directorate has urged ex-servicemen of Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore and Vidisha districts, war widows and dependents of ex-servicemen to get their new addresses, phone number and mobile numbers registered with District Ex-servicemen’s Welfare Office, Bhopal, by May 31, 2011.
Ex-servicemen urged to register their new addresses by May 31, 2011
Comment: Why this urgency and a cut off date? The process should be continous. Updating veteran information is the main task of Zilla, Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Boards

Plan to recruit ex-servicemen as postmen Special Correspondent
VILLUPURAM: The post offices at Kallakurichi and Thirukkoilur have proposed to recruit ex-servicemen as postmen. The interested ex-servicemen, up to 65 years of age, could apply to the Inspector Posts, either at Kallakurichi east sub-division or the Thirukkoilur sub-division. Further details could be obtained from the Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, according to a statement from the Villupuram Collectorate. click here

Ex-servicemen rally evokes massive response in Kupwara Sringar | Wednesday, May 11 2011 IST
An ex-servicemen rally evoked a massive response in the frontier district of Kupwara, once a hub of militants in north Kashmir, a Defence Ministry spokesman today. The rally was organised by 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalion under the aegis of Sector 8 at Krusan, Lolab yesterday. The rally was a part of welfare activity undertaken by Army for the ex-servicemen and veer naries of Kashmir. The rally evoked tremendous response from the retired soldiers of Lolab, who were apprised of the latest welfare schemes that have been launched by the Army for them.
The rally was inaugurated by Officiating Commander, 8 Sector RR who congratulated the ex-servicemen of Lolab for turning up in large numbers and making the event a huge success. He also appreciated and highlighted the role of ex-servicemen in development of Lolab Valley and expressed hope that the younger generation would be inspired by their patriotism and loyalty to the nation and follow in their footsteps.
Representative of Zila Sainik Board, Srinagar and Officer-in -Commander ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme also addressed the rally. They interacted with ex-servicemen and educated them about the various schemes being run for the benefit of ex-servicemen.
Ex-servicemen rally evokes massive response in Kupwara

Military tribunal verdict brings respite for ex-servicemen May 5, 2011, 05.09pm IST TNN[ Ajay Sura ]

2011-06-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

CHANDIGARH: In an order with the potential of wide ramifications, the Chandigarh bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that the revised pay scales and consequently pensionary benefits on the recommendations of 5th Central Pay Commission to the Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR) should be applicable with effect from January 1, 1996 instead of October 10, 997. While setting a deadline of three months to comply these orders, the military tribunal has also held that if the ministry of defence (MOD) failed to follow these orders, it would be liable to deposit Rs 10,000 to the tribunal as penalty.

With these orders thousands of soldiers who retired from January 1, 1996 to October 10, 1997 would be eligible for higher pay and pensionery benefits as per the recommendations of Ajit Kumar committee of the central 5th Pay Commission. The committee had revised the pay and pensioner benefits of Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR) of Army, Navy and Air Force by removing anomalies.

Bench comprising its judicial member, Justice NP Gupta and administrative member, Lt Gen NS Brar of the AFT of has passed these orders while allowing various petitions filed by the ex-servicemen, Adarsh Pal and others. The petitioners were hailing from various districts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

All the petitioners had retired from January 1, 1996 to October 9, 1997 were receiving lesser pension than those who retired on or after October 10, 997 because the Ajit Kumar committee recommendations were made applicable with effect from October 10, 1997 onwards. The grouse of the petitioners was that the cut off date of October 10, 1997 was not only illegal but arbitrary also as there is no objective and rationality of this cut off date to be achieved. Arguing before the bench, counsel for the petitioner, RC Chatrath contended that said cut off date has no nexus and objective to be achieved and also in view of the fact that the anomaly should be removed from the date it arose rather than subsequent date.

Accepting the contentions, the AFT, for the first time has also made a provision of penalty of Rs 10,000 in its orders, in case of non-compliance of its orders

HQ West Comd Sainak Aramghar at Panchkula

2011-05-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

HQ West Comd Sainak Aramghar at Panchkula

HQ West Comd has started a Sainik Aramghar "BASANTAR ", which is just 2 Km from HQ Western Comd at Panchkula.
There are 28 AC rooms with double bed, attached bathroom (@ Rs.350/- per day) and meals are available.
Also 28 Non AC but other facilities are the same (@ Rs250/- per day).
Initial allotment for 3 days, extendable on availability.
For marriages, a max of 10 rooms can be made available.

The address is -
Plot No 1, Sector 2, Panchkula (HARYANA)
Tel: 0172-2585818 OiC & Reception.
OiC: Col A K Tinjani Ph-0-8146998087

Feed BAck OROP...

2011-05-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

From: Dhanesh Chandra Goyal
Sent: 18 May 2011 16:18
To: Brig Kamboj
Subject: RE: OROP - IESM PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
Dear Brig,
It is really heartening that some of are fighting our cause. We are bound to be successful one day. Presently the Govt is concentrating only to face saving against corruption, hence delay.
Regards to those senior officers who are representing us.
Lt Col D C Goyal
Jaipur

From: kameswararao gadepally [mailto:krgplee@gmail.com]
Sent: 17 May 2011 20:05
To: Report My Signal (Chander Kamboj)
Subject: OROP - IESM PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
Dear Brig Kamboj
Congratulations to IESM and its governing body for the illuminating presentation to the Committee on Petitions of the Parliament. It is good that almost all the various groups of Veterans have been involved in the presentation. The qoute by Gen Raj Kadyan is very appropriate and let us hope that it will open the eyes of the bureaucracy and the government to the realities leading to the success of our efforts and grant of OROP. May The Almighty add HIS Blessings for the success of the endeavours in this regard by all Veterans.
regards
yours sincerely
Lt Col (retd) Dr G Kameswara rao
Secunderabad

From: Hirak Nag
Sent: 17 May 2011 19:29
To: "Report My Signal" (Chander Kamboj)
Subject: OROP - IESM PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
Very encouraging and all due to the continious, dedicated and tireless efforts of Gen Kadyan, Gen Satbir, Lt. Kameshwar Pandey, Col RP Chaturvedi, Hav Devi Lal, Brig Kamboj and all the selfless staff of IESM. I am proud to be a member.
Hirak Nag.

Feedback on Presentation to Petition Committee on OROP by Gen YN sharma

2011-05-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and compliments to Gens Kadyan , Satbir and their dedicated Team as also All other Veteran Leaders who have made such forceful presentations on our behalf- truly inspiring and selfless service to Servicemen.
Inspired feedback from Hony Lt Pandey- his write-up is brilliant.
May their example bring the ideal of Veterans Unity/harmony closer to 'being'.
Pray for your success and to the cause of Justice for Veterans.
Best wishes and warm regards
Yoginder Sharma
Lt Gen YN Sharma
Former Army Commander

ECHS...Noida by Col RP Chaturvedi

2011-05-18T01:29:00.000-07:00

I went to Noida polyclinic this morning. It is today, by far one of the best in the country. This transition has come about with the untiring efforts of Col Bhardwaj, the OC Polyclinic, over the past two years. Comfortable sheltered waiting areas, TVs, helpful staff emulating the OC who insists we come inside and sit down, before giving everyone a patient hearing. Waiting time everywhere has come down considerably. Things move smoothly. Really good. I learnt today that the Colonel leaves this assignment over next fortnight, since he has finished his contract of two years. I wonder if he would consider staying on. He tells me that is against policy. Really? I know for one, I and a lot many Noida ESM will be sorry to see him go. AND his successor has a tough task cutout for him to match the standards of courtesy, efficiency and administrative acumen of Col Bhardwaj.
I saw a large crowd waiting to see Medical Specialist. L-O-N-G queues of impatient patients waiting for Darshan of the sole Medical Specialist. Earlier not too long we had two/ three.
Dr (Mrs) Agarwal, the other medical specialist had left some time ago, on superannuation at age 65. When Brig Tiwari expired soon after, she was reappointed and moved in. Queues could now progress faster. Now, moved in the Line of Communication Hqs. We all know the appointment of Doctors is 'Area Hq' Turf. SO, how could MD ECHS make this appointment, Area Hq wanted to know. They asserted their power and could prevail. Dr Agarwal is now out. We are back to the one medical specialist.
The above narrations point to a sad lack of development of the 'service industry' ethos in Fauji organizations that need to be more supportive of the needs of the USER, rather than the insistence on protocol, processes and of course egos. It is nobody's case that the present OC OR Dr Agarwal are indispensable. Only that a 'case by case' study of the situation needs doing. Shortly, we would be expanding the Polyclinic, the erstwhile MI room building has already been vacated and adjustments seem to have started. In the event, having the OC continue the good work would have been a good idea. I don't find it necessary, but must state that Col Bhardwaj is neither known to me earlier than my association with him after I started functioning as Coordinator of the IESM ECHS Division, nor is he going to pay me to write this.
Dr Agarwal. Ditto. If she was a surgeon I would perhaps feel her hand may quiver during a serious stage of an operation. But as Medical specialist, age 65 does not sound too high. Maybe she should have served us another year or two, till we found adequately skilled replacement. Why should there be a gap in the service. And I believe the GOC Delhi Area needs to be requested to review the decision. Again, I can't recall meeting Mrs Agarwal. I don't know her.
Would someone be able to take this forward? Thanks.
I am reminded of an advise I received from my Director when I joined the corporate the first time. "If something is working, Don't touch it".
And if you do touch it, may I advise you to please see the attached chart for suggestions of what to do next.

With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.

IESM PRESENTATION TO THE PETITION COMMITTEE OF RAJYA SABHA

2011-05-17T05:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

Please read the two emails reproduced below.

I am sure this will give you lot of confidence in the efforts being put in by your humble supporters IESM, who are spending sleepless nights to
get justice to YOU ALL INDIAN MILITARY VETERANS.
होंगे कामयाब हम एक दिन - एक दिनIt is time for all of us to support IESM.
Would you please –
Become member of IESM and give them whole hearted support.

You know and we all know – you cannot get very rich by saving those few hundred rupees, which are required to support IESM.
More support you can gather – better are chances of success of IESM.
We need much more momentum to move the political leaders away from the clutches of the Babus, who are bent upon cheating the Defence Services Veterans.

Please help and support IESM.
Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
-------------

From: Satbir Singh [mailto:satbirsm@gmail.com]
Sent: 17 May 2011 14:56
To: CS.Kamboj@yahoo.in
Subject: Fwd: [IESM_GovBody] IESM PRESENTATION TO THE PETITION COMMITTEE OF RAJYA SABHA AND OTHER RELATED UPDATES [9 Attachments]

Dated : 17 May 2011IESM PRESENTATION TO THE PETITION COMMITTEE OF RAJYA SABHA AND OTHER RELATED UPDATES
Dear Veterans

1. The Petition Committee of Rajya Sabha on One Rank One Pension (OROP) invited a number of veteran organizations and a few veterans for the presentation on 16 May 2011. We had requested the Petition Committee to grant us sufficient time to make the presentation to enable us to do justice to the cause. You will be glad to know that our request was accepted. Alongwith us, the Navy Foundation Delhi Chapter and Brig Mahalingam an IESM veteran also made their presentations.
2. Gen Kadyan, Col R P Chaturvedi, Hony Lt Kameshwar Pandey and self represented the IESM. Gen Kadyan made a gripping, impressive, forceful and excellent presentation bringing out all the relevant facts, logic and analysis for the grant of OROP. The members of the committee which comprised Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chairman Petition Committee and Members of Rajya Sabha, Shri Avinash Pande, Shri Rajeev Shukla, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Shri Nandi Yellaiah, heard our presentation fully engrossed and their body language demonstrated their compassion for the soldier. Col RP Chaturvedi, Hoy Lt Kameshwar Pandey made brief forceful comments. I was privileged to add a few points with a couplet commenting on the bureaucracy:-

“Mera Katil hi Mera Munsif Hai, Mere Haq Mein Kiya Faisla Dega”(My Murderer is the Judge, How will he give Judgement in my Favour?)

I appealed to the Hon’ble Members of the petition Committee that Injustice to the Defence Forces must end at the earliest in the interest of the Nation”.
3. The Navy Foundation led by Admiral Harinder made an equally strong presentation highlighting the issue of Non functional upgrades and other promotional avenues and benefits which the bureaucracy has given to itself.
4. We were also privileged to listen to Brig V Mahalingam to a very captivating, factually backed and emotionally charged presentation which was heard by the Committee members in rapt silence nodding in obvious agreement. They commented that during the day’s proceedings they had indeed been exposed to the facts hither to fore unknown to them.
5. We also take the privilege to release IESM Memorandum and Memorandum sent by self with related documents to the Petition Committee. Friends, we are thankful to other veteran organizations ie IESL, All India Ex Services Welfare Association, Naval foundation, IESL Uttrakhand and veterans Gen HB Kala, Gen Vijay Oberoi, Gen Radhakrishnan, AVM R P Mishra, Admiral Alan O’Leary, Admiral Arun Saxena, Brig V Mahalingam for forcefully presenting the case for OROP in their respective memorandums. During our presentation, we were also privileged to hear Mr. Ramachandran Gen Secretary of All India Central Confederation of Pensioners Association speaking in favour of the Defence Personnel. He remarked that if the Defence Personnel are Govt employees, they have to be given employment till the age of 60. In case they are being compulsorily retired earlier, suitable compensation for them is the bounden duty of the Govt.
6. Dear veterans, the time has come for the OROP to be sanctioned. Let us hope the Govt (read bureaucracy) does not derail it any more. As announced earlier, if the OROP is not granted by September 2011, the IESM has planned to carry out “Fauji Gaurav Yatras” in all states of the country starting first with Punjab. The Yatras will cover all the districts of the state. Defence veterans, their members of the families and supporters in large number are likely to take part in Yatras. The aim is to draw attention of the people of India about the ill-treatment of military by successive Govts for the last 62 years. We also plan to collect maximum medals and blood signatures on the memorandum to be deposited with the President of India and inform veterans across the country that those political parties who do not support or work to get us OROP have NO RIGHT TO ask for our votes in any election. Forgetting differences if any, all veteran organizations and individual veterans are requested to join in our crusade to get justice for Defence Forces.
7. We will conduct the Yatras in a peaceful and dignified manner keeping in view the democratic norms and discipline.
“We will succeed”
“God Bless God Speed”

With Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM
Mob: 9312404269, 0124 – 4110570
Email: satbirsm@gmail.com, satbirsm@yahoo.com
Attachment(s) from Satbir Singh9 of 9 File(s)
(The attachments received from Maj Gen Satbir Singh being very large in size, cannot be mass emailed. However these attachments are being placed on the following websites –
“REPORT MY SIGNAL - BLOG” – http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com
IESM UPDATES AND MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION – http://www.iesm.org/
SANJHA MORCHA WEBSITE - http://sanjhamorcha2009.blogspot.com/ )
---------------

From: IESM_GovBody@yahoogroups.com [mailto:IESM_GovBody@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kameshwar Pandey
Sent: 17 May 2011 16:04
To: gove body IESM
Subject:
CONGRATULATIONS ON AN OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION, SIR.

Dear Gen Kadyan Sir,

I am still recovering from the awe-effect of the presentation you made yesterday. To say that it was an outstanding presentation that you made in front of the petition committee would be a huge understatement. IESM is both lucky and proud to have you as our Chairman and I feel privileged to be able to work closely with you. Even the chairman and the other members of the petition committee had no option but to appreciate your presentation. The effect that the presentation had on the committee can be gauged by the remark that they made, "we would like to meet you again during the course of finalization of the committee recommendations." On behalf of our team and as an 'eye-witness' I would like to congratulate you on a remarkable presentation yesterday.

The beauty of presentation lay in the fact that all our claims, our points and our apprehensions were backed by solid, water-tight facts and figures. What was even more outstanding was that these were issues mostly related to war widows, JCOs, NCOs and other ranks - something that was missing from most of the other presentations made before the committee. It was, thus, proven one more time that Gen Kadyan follows the 'subordinates first' rule which so many senior veterans have forgotten.

Some points of the presentation that I want to highlight that Gen Kadyan stressed on:

- The main focus of the presentation was, of course, on One Rank One Pension, its need and its justification.

- Intended and subtle pun on the cunning efforts of bureaucrats for the planned and tactical down-gradation of the military.

- Loved this quote, "mera qatil hi mera munsif hai, kya mere haq mein faisla dega..." which was delivered in an extremely emotional way by Gen Satbir sir which moved everyone sitting in the room.

- I salute the herculean effort put in by Gen Satbir sir as well as Col R P Chaturvedi sir who worked behind the scenes tirelessly which made this presentation a grand success that it was. We must also thank to Hav Devi Lal sahib who is always in the thick of every IESM activity. Hav Devi Lal sahib is an asset for IESM.

Finally, I apologize for taking the mic without your permission to support the points of Sh S S Ramachandran. The chairman, Mr Koshiyari, tried to interrupt him but I was in full agreement with the point raised by Mr S S Ramachandran, that the young lot of firearms trained soldiers, if left dissatisfied, can be misguided by anti national elements and that can be mighty dangerous.

The question before us, therefore, is weather these committees have any vested powers or are they merely an eye-wash and a governments gimmick to buy more time and further delay the issue. A member of the committee was saying that we are here to give you a hearing and that there are many committees above them that might or might not listen to their recommendations. What, then, is the use of all this lao-lashkar? And what should be our course of action?

I once again appreciate the collective efforst of IESM as a unit because of which such presentations and meetings are suddenly happening and everybody is talking about ESM and OROP. What is notable is the fact that IESM was called separately for making the presentation! That said,
लड़ाई लम्बी है. हमें शांति, धीरज और हिम्मत से आगे बढ़ाना है.

Thank you.
Yours truly.

Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)
Governing Body Member Indian ESM Movement
Resi: 230, Pocket-1, DDA SFS Flats, Sector-1,
Dwarka, New Delhi - 110 075
Cell : +91-9811059825

‘Army nurses not at par with officers’

2011-05-16T04:26:00.000-07:00

Chandigarh, May 12
Holding that the Military Nursing Service (MNS) is an auxiliary force, the Armed Forces Tribunal has ruled that MNS officers cannot be granted parity with Army officers.
Disposing of a bunch of petitions filed by MNS officers seeking a higher pay-band and associated benefits at par with Army officers of equivalent rank, the Tribunal observed that the recruitment process and nature of duties of the MNS and Army officers is different and simply because the MNS officers are being granted ranks and perks admissible to combatant soldiers and officers, the position of MNS officers cannot be elevated to that of regular troops.
The MNS officers contended that making a distinction on the basis of being a combat and non-combat force and thereby placing them in a lower pay-band was discriminatory. They also contended that some other branches like education, postal and JAG were also non-combatant, but were granted higher scales. Observing that it was clear from the Army ordinance that the MNS was an auxiliary force and not the main combat force, the Tribunal ruled that the difference between the two is right from the induction into service and this distinction has been kept in view by the government while fixing their pay-band.
Ruling that it was a “total misnomer” to say that the nursing staff are same in status as the regular combat force, the Tribunal also observed that there would be functional and command difficulties in hospitals. Nurses have to work under the directions of doctors and have to follow their command. Directions given by doctors to persons of the same rank and status may cause difficulty in functioning.

Major's anomoly under Radar

2011-05-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

From: Col Mohan
Date: Fri, May 13, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Subject: Letter to RM on Pension anomaly- Majors & Equivalent
Please refer to my earlier mail in Apr 2011.
A copy of the letter received from Shri Antony, RM is attached for your information. I am amazed at the quick response from the RM but have little hope that he would follow it up. This is one of the may similar responses from this gentleman called Antony; and I am not inclined to take him seriously; you may be better informed about this man than I do.
Regards,
Mohan

Rejoinder to Shekhar Gupta.....worth reading

2011-05-16T04:20:00.001-07:00

A letter written by our daughter in response to Shekhar Gupta's middle in Indian Express. Says it all.
Satish Bahri
--- On Sat, 14/5/11, Nandini Bahri-Dhanda wrote:

From: Nandini Bahri-Dhanda
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
To: sg@expressindia.com
Date: Saturday, 14 May, 2011, 4:06 PM
Dear Mr Gupta,
This is in reference to your article- Jantar, Chhu Mantar in IE 14 May 2011.
Frankly I was initially quite bewildered at the hostility from newspapers and its editors, sociologists and intellectuals at Anna Hazare's fast, his demands for modifications and changes etc in the Lokpal Bill, his drawing attention and articulating the general public anger at corruption.
I read article after article of regular contributors and columnists of your newspaper whose writings I had over the years read and enjoyed. Whose opinions I had respected and if I had for some reason disagreed, it had atleast opened my mind to another perspective.
However this time round I have seen the pettiness, the vindictiveness, the disdain, the cynicism of these writers and contributors, including you Mr Gupta.
“The Lokpal Bill is not going to end corruption”....no one claimed it would. It was only a first step in the right direction.
“Who chose these members from the civil society?”... these people volunteered, came forward and offered their services and expertise. Was anybody of stature and repute not allowed to participate?
“This Committee would by-pass the Parliament”... yes it would in the Bill formulating stage but it had to be eventually passed by the Parliament.In most developed democracies citizens do push and articulate bills and laws which are then eventually passed by their Senates, Congress or Parliaments after further debate and discussion.
And then the most hypocritical, inverse snobbery where one of your contributor’s mocked Hazare’s statement that he would never be able to win an election because he did not have the power of money to give TV’s, alcohol or sarees to buy his vote. Hazare’s disain for the Indian voter was dangerous she said, almost fascist!
The gloating that we are a democracy that has thrown out non performing governments 4 times in 64 years is pathetic!It seems most of our intellectuals, sociologists, writers, journalists, editors, industralists are cynical, hardened and a part of the system.
They “enjoy” proximity to the powers that be.
They “enjoy” their largesse, a Rajya Sabha seat perhaps?
They “socialise” with this lot. Some write little bits to keep their worth and value and some offer favours in a quid pro quo.
They are cynical to believe that this is how it is and will remain so.
Mr. Gupta your Jantar- Chhu Mantar is a misplaced piece of writing.
This election did not prove anything except the Indian voter just carries on and on the cycle- exchanging one lot for the other.
We are to put it mildly, a passive democracy.We exercise our vote every 5 years and throw one lot out for the other.DMK this time and the AIDMK last time.In the next elections DMK will be back.Is this a mature, thinking, aware voter?The DMK has looted enough to feed Tamil Nadu 20 times over for seven generations. They have not been punished- they are being “rested” in Karunnidhi’s own words.Did your mature voter ever demand what happens to our money? Where is it being spent? Why aren’t thieving people in prison?No- we simply vote them out.Then allow this lot to loot and plunder and bring the old lot back... ”vibrant” democracy indeed. Are we perhaps mistaking “noisy” for “vibrant”?
I was given to believe that a vibrant democracy is where citizens demand accountability from the people who have been voted in to administer and govern. Where they question and deserve a response.Where citizen groups and pressure groups see that the government “works”.Where the citizen expects justice as a right and not a favour.Where citizens do not have to grovel for what is basically theirs.
An aged man of another era from some remote part of the country, who cannot by any defintion be called cool, came to the Capital and drew the middle class out....and that is what has worried everybody.These were not Jimmy Choo and Armani clad glitterati that could be smirked at.These weren’t your Great Unwashed who could be talked down to.This was the Indian Middle Class Mr. Gupta which has so far been ignored.
I know because I was there.
I met a young man from Badarpur. He had recently filed his tax returns- for the first time he said with some pride. His two brothers were still looking for jobs.He worked 10-12 hours a day, drove back and forth his motor cycle on pot holed roads, returned home to electric outages and no water. He wanted to add a floor to his house but the MCD and police were harassing him......the same old story Mr Gupta...Ghar ghar ki kahani.The MLA of his locality spent 50 lakhs on his daughter’s shamiana and Kalmadi made those crores and crores, Raja made more......his anger was palpable.
I walked alongside a 45 year old single woman with 2 children who ran an export unit in Okhla. There was stinking garbage on her street which was not picked in weeks, electric outages, inspectors who demanded hafta, MCD would not let her raise her boundary wall despite 2 break-ins, no police patrolling. She paid her taxes but what was she getting in return? ...Sheila Dixit had made millions, substandard material was used in flyovers, there were 23000 MCD ghost workers....she was angry.
The word on the street is- Sharad Pawar, why is that man in every cabinet? Who does not know that he could buy India twice over? In another country, another democracy he would be serving a prison sentence. Any scam and his name is there !About Sonia Gandhi, the less said the better. Her son-in law, a costume jewellery businessman can buy The Aman.....??!Who will punish these people? Where is justice?
My parents, in their 70’s walked from Jantar Mantar to India Gate. My father, an ex soldier who has served in the army for 38 years and fought in 4 wars, believes the enemy is within. But then you don’t have much time for ex serviceman either, do you Mr. Gupta?You feel these chaps are paid to lay down their lives and they have no right to ask for higher salaries. Your opinion as been articulated in article after article that they should be there for patriotism and glory.I wonder if you have such advice for Karunanidhi’s brood or Sharad Pawar’s offspring?
This was not Tahrir Square. This was Jantar Mantar swarming with Middle Class India. Not with Anil Ambani and his pals, not with Rahul’s convenient Kalavati.But Jantar Mantar with educated, hardworking Indians who pay their taxes and try everyday- everyday to be honest.Listen to their voice. They are no pushover.....otherwise we may live to regret it.
Incidentally, I don’t recall anyone in Jimmy Choos.
Best regards,
Nandini Bahri-Dhanda

Regarding Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Like father like daughter. Afterall the genes. Its a powerful exposition and I have to agree with Nandini. Incidentally, Satish I didn’t know Shama did the route march too with you from the JM to the IG. Jai ho.
Madhav

From: jaimala gupta
Sent: 14 May 2011 21:08
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Dear Nandani,
An extremely ,well articulated ,hard hitting reply to Shekher Gupta . In a limited circle of people who are actively involved in this campaign , we give his writings a cold shrug saying that he is only doing the bidding of his HANDLERS . We all know who prompts his writings. It is a pity that he has a strong platform of IE to use.
You also have the the fire in you like Putsy and the courage to say so . Great work. Press on regardless. We missed you all the other day at Jantar Mantar and IG . Our whole family was there, 3 gen, which was covered in Amar Ujala.
Love you beta
Mala & jai gupta

From: Murugan Subbiah
Sent: 14 May 2011 22:57
To: Satish Kumar Bahri
Cc: Chander Kamboj; Satbir Singh; milvets militaryveterans
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Congratulations! An excellent rejoinder to Shekhar Gupta. The middle class that assembled in Jantar Mantar are not only the real producers of wealth in this country but also the leaders of local communities. The GDP growth of the country that our Media and politicians boast every day parrot like is due to the hard work and leadership provided by the middle class.History also tells us they were the leaders of successful revolutions.
S Murugan

From: Krishan K Punchhi
Sent: 15 May 2011 00:22
To: Satish Kumar Bahri
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Satish,
Excellent piece.
Apart from wining and dining these journos (read sarkari hacks) and bestowing on them the ill deserved honours + giving them seats in the RS, there is another way they are rewarded. They are given housing plots at throway prices. One such colony for journalists in New Dlhi is known as Gulmohar Enclave. It is close to Green Park and Gautam Nagar. I'm sure there are many more such enclaves in many more cities.
Regards... Krishan

Kudos to Nandini. Wonderful Exposé of Greedy Journalists- like Shekar Gupta's Tribe!

ECHS communications improving..

2011-05-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

A recent exchange of mails wrt ECHS is forwarded For Your Information Please.
Looking at the dates of the initial mail from Gen Satbir Singh, and the last in the chain provides evidence of the seriousness and expediency with which the ECHS Hq responds and takes note of suggestions for improvement. This is a positive sign, so even as we have reason to believe that a LOT is lacking and even MORE needs to be done, it is comforting to know that we have a spirited set up attending to inputs.

With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,

Dear Brig Kamboj, please see trailing mail (Gen Satbirs letter, my follow up and MDs response). Whereas there are problems and improvement is an ongoing process; what is heartening is the fact that we have an extremely caring and supportive Central Org ECHS. Whereas I can see that all questions with regards to Gen Satbirs letter have not been addressed specially with regards to why Army Hosps who have accepted to cater to ESMs cannot provide TOTAL treatment from consultation to post discharge care as required, I am of the opinion that we continue to give feed back and given the present totally positive response, matters will continue to improve. I am also aware that there are a number of veterans who feel that there are faults in the present org structure and micro management will not take us too far; we also need to look at the matter from the Service HQs point of view. Our top Services hierarchy is as committed to this cause as anyone can be. Those of us who have served at the Army HQ level and dealt with the MOD know only too well how Babudom and Netagiri function. These two roadblocks are a 'GIVEN' in any effort that we may make towards improvement in OROP-Pensions-Medicare and every other matter. So we will just have to 'Bash on Regardless'

May i request you to pass this on as a package to the environment.

Brig Sateesh Kuthiala

90 days medicine..easy..??

2011-05-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

Some of you may find this interesting and of some use too.
I faced the same problem last year at INHS Asvini - that's
when I realised that there is nobody worse or more dangerous
than the bureaucrat in uniform. Ironically the doctor was
a lady(?) doctor!
Cheers,
Carl H Gomes

I am forwarding this shocking mail for knowledge of the ESM community about the devil within. Pls share this with maximum people so it can perhaps reach the villians in this story through their friends. Names in this mail should identify who is who; and who did what.
For some of us the Sarkari Custodian attitude never goes away. We LIKE to sit on what is actually entrusted to us for others to benefit from. It is little wonder that origin of most of our problems lies in internecine rivalries/ perceived rankings/ priorities etc, forgetting that at the end of the game, the King and the Pawn go back to the same box. And the 'box' IS indeed the future destination of even the chess pieces in play.

Col RP Chaturvedi
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rajeeve lochan
Date: Thu, May 12, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Subject: ECHS
Cc: Col RP Chaturvedi

Dear Brigadier,
As I am proceeding to USA to be with my son on the night of 19th May, yesterday (11.05.11) I visited ECHS Polyclinic Meerut and approached the seniormost medical officer (Maj Ambuj Goel) and requested for 90 days medicines, he informed that though the orders have been received but they have not been implemented and I should contact the O I/C polyclinic (Col D V Singh). He informed me that medicines for the purpose of going abroad are not authorised/permitted.
He mentioned that medicines for 90 days can only be given to patients of T B, Hypertension and Diabetes and that it has to be approved by the Commandant.
The medical officer made out a prescription and I went to the Commandant (Brig Pareek), I sent the prescription through his P A for counter signatures, first he called for the book and after that he called me and explained to me his financial difficulties and then he informed me that since I was residing locally why I need medicines for 90 days, I informed him that I was proceeding to USA for 6 monthe but I am requesting medicines only for 90 days which is permitted under the rules. Of course he did not take a minute and signed the prescription.
I request confirmation if for proceeding abroad the medicines are authorised or not.
We keep criticising babus and the bureaucracy but I think we in the Armed Forces have more bureaucracy than any where else.
May I have your reply pl. With warm regards.

Wg Cdr Rajeeve Lochan (Retd)
4/205, Rakshapuram,
Mawana Road,
Meerut - 250 001
Phone: 91-121-2623333
Mobile: 91-941-003-1824

Ex Servicemen have a right to protest against injustices

2011-05-11T05:12:00.001-07:00

Reference: IESM AND LAKSHMAN REKHA
Sir,
Congratulations to Gen K M Bhimaya,(Retd) for his brilliant article,sent from USA, which I hope will be read by our politicians, Babus and our own detractors. This is a view from an officer and a gentleman and is a vindication of what our IESM with excellent leadership is doing. Let us wholeheartedly join the Movement not only to project our demands; but join the people like Anna Hazare, to get freedom from the unscrupulous , corrupt and inept leadership provided by nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, criminals which are now joined by religious fanatics and a section of the media . Present leadership of our Defence Services barring a few, have been rendered impotent and made too subservient to their Netas and Babus and it is time for we the serving and retired Veterans in a concerted manner, strive to bring about a change, in National interest. In the process we should never lose our professionalism, apolitical nature and our strong bonds with the common people of India which sustain our Defence Services. The scams involving some of our senior officers and their wives have brought shame and sense of anger among our veterans especially among junior ranks, which is bound to erupt one day, if we continue our apathy towards them. Serving officers in responsible positions must take note of this and make the politicians and Government officials at every level with whom they deal with, to realize the long term adverse implications of this disturbing trend.

The rank and file of Veterans are getting angry with serving and retired officers particularly the senior ranking ones, for not doing enough to ensure their welfare and restore their izzat. Sainik Welfare organizations are now staffed by officers with no dedication to their jobs and getting ineffective and redundant. Even though it is grandly declared by the Karnataka Government that 10% of the government jobs are reserved in Gp A, B, C and D for ESM, not even one job has been given to ESM for several years now and who is there to protest?! The result is that there is no one in the Government, to know and honour their sacred and national duty to look after the welfare of ESM. None of the relatives of politicians and officials are in the Defence Services to know their needs. Why should they care, when someone else is there to make all the sacrifice to keep our Nation secure, so that they can live in comfort?!

Our worthy Chief Minister has enough time to visit many temples/ Mutts/ Religious institutions at public cost and dole out tax-payers money on vote catching gimmick: but he has had no time till now to chair even a single Rajya Sainik Board Meeting as its President, which is supposed to be held at least once a year. Who is there to protest?! At district levels our Deputy Commissioners do not even know that they are Presidents of Zilla Sainik Boards and they are supposed to hold meetings every quarter and supervise the work of Deputy Director in Sainik Welfare Office. They have no time for ESM and all the time for politicians and those who can offer favours. No meetings/ Sainik Rallies are being held in recent years, as in the past even though, funds are earmarked every year. Who is to protest? Who is to question?

Since 2004, some of us because of the apathy of Sainik Welfare Department took the initiative and relentlessly have been trying our very best to get 14 guntas of vacant revenue land covered with lantana bushes near our Sainik Welfare Office to build our ECHS Polyclinic and ESM canteen without success so far. All our letters/ appeals/visits/ Memorandum to the successive Deputy Commissioners/ Chief Ministers/ Governors/ Defence Ministers etc signed by hundreds of local ESM ,have landed up in desk officers’ files gathering dust without any progress. We have met these Deputy Commissioners, Governors, ministers and concerned principal secretaries in their air- conditioned offices. They all speak nicely and give assurances,( probably to get rid of us); but nothing happens thereafter! We do not as per our ethos give Bribe, Beg or Agitate. Are we being side lined because of the virtues we have been displaying as opposed to our civilian counter parts!? Yet the very same government officials sanctioned( as per newspaper reports) a much larger, prime de-notified pieces of land at throw away prizes to the Chief Minister’s and a Cabinet Minister’s sons within a fortnight ! Thank God their political rivals (who are no better) and the Press got together to expose the scam and the injustice was set right; but the said Ministers are firm in their seats.

We had defended the borders of the Country during wars and intervening disturbed peace with tremendous sacrifice. Is it too much to ask for measly 14 Guntas of land for welfare of ESM?! Has our civilian brothers have no sense of gratitude and patriotic feelings? I know, due to rampant divisiveness, this Country of ours will fall like a ton of bricks, if the Defence Services do not perform their duties with much more discipline and dedication than our civilian counterparts. In India, the much hyped pillars of democracy like the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are becoming very brittle, which will crumble without active interest from the people who are sovereign.

Let us join forces with IESM and well meaning people of India to toil till justice is done and Country is saved from utter chaos.
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen C K Karumbaya, SM(Retd)

Brilliantly argued and very persuasively projected.
Heartiest compliments to Gen Bhimayya. He should now take it up to the 'next level' with the IESM Leadership to evolve strategic thrusts and the Movement's plans.
Yogi
Lt Gen YN Sharma, Former Army Commander

ECHS News by Brig Kuthiala..Army Research and Referral Hospital Retrogrades ESM Health Care

2011-05-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

From: brig sateesh kuthiala
To: mdechs@yahoo.com; cs.kamboj@yahoo.in; kuthiala27@hotmail.com
Cc: rpchaturvedi@gmail.com; kulusha1112@gmail.com
Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 9:52:56 AM
Subject: ECHS - LETTER FROM IESM TO CONCERNED AUTHORITIES - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 204/2011 - 05 MAY 2011 (LIST-3)

Dear Gen (MD ECHS),
pl refer to mail below a copy of which has been endorsed to you. Being intimately involved in ECHS matters I would like to fully endorse the views of Gen Satbir. As I have said repeatedly the instances of mil hosps across the Country treating ESMs as an unwelcome load is more than adequately proven. The reasons are also well known . The armed forces medical fraternity feels that, the General Staff has appropriated to itself a function that legitimately belongs to them. This turf war between the two is unfortunately affecting the veteran population. What both sides to this unfortunate conflict fail to realise is that every serving soldier is ' a soon to be ' veteran. What mil hosps fail to realise is that unlike the past where mil hosps were mandated to treat veterans based on availability of facilities and the OC hosps discretion, the situation today is quite different. Veterans today have contributed to the Scheme and can therefore demand medical cover from anyone tasked to provide cover under the scheme, which includes, empanelled hosps AND MIL HOSPS. We already have some ESMs approaching courts and tribunals in this matter. The next most unfortunate step will be ESMs going to Court against the Service hierarchy . THAT WILL BE A VERY TRAGIC DAY but will give our Babu hierarchy another reason to celebrate . Could these views please be passed on to the Chief and AG.
Regards
Brig Sateesh Kuthiala.
----------
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 09:28:07 -0700
From: mdechs@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: ECHS - LETTER FROM IESM TO CONCERNED AUTHORITIES - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 204/2011 - 05 MAY 2011 (LIST-3)
To: kuthiala27@hotmail.com
Dear Brig Kuthiala,

Last month of Apr saw ECHS being the focus of deliberations:
#5&6 Apr-at Chandigarh attended by reps of the three services, AG, Army Cdr, MG-IC-Adms of all Army Commands etc.
#Chief of COSC took up pending ECHS issues with Hon'ble RM.
#25 Apr-Improving Medicare in ECHS-attended by Secy ESW, Secy Def FInance & ECHS. #26 Apr-Meeting with MoD chaired by COAS & Def Secy.
#27 Apr-Managing ECHS- agenda during Army Cdrs' Conf.
#28 Apr-Improving ECHS-review by RRM.

Also on 5 Apr ECHS 24X7 Helpline was launched by Army Cdr Western Comd.

COAS gave absolutely unambiguous directions to entire hierarchy. Armed Forces own ECHS, are the greatest stakeholders and would do all to improve and sustain it. Central Organisation is closely monitoring implementation of the COAS directions.

Offg DG AFMS is aware of the issues raised and has promised full support to ECHS including opening of ECHS wings in MHs where required.

On specifics now, You would recall that AHRR had as per earlier load appreciation only offered to treat Esm for Cardiology, Joint Replacement and Eye. Oncology treatment had not been made available and was ltd to consultation only. Brig AK Dhar and his specialty is overloaded and serving soldiers have to register at the reception and then at malignancy centre and thereafter wait for at least 2 to 3 hours in their turn.

What is not at all correct that for surgery patient has to get drugs and consumables from ECHS. We will resolve the issue immediately. Nothing is required to be carried (just recd a call confirming this from AHRR).

Navy and AF have been insisting on treating ECHS members in their own hospitals. Based on the request from the environment, we had to request them not to so insist as ECHS patients prefer treatment in hospitals nearer home rather than travelling to far away in heartless cities with no support. To enable full capacity utilisation of service hospitals for treating Esm, ECHS has started augmenting them with addl doctors. Gen Mathews (ex Comdt AHRR) has joined at Kochi. Hopefully more would join. Not for the compensation but for service to their brethren.

We are trying to improve things, pushing through odds. Team ECHS is constantly at work. Join in. All are welcome!

Regards
MD ECHS
--------------
From: brig sateesh kuthiala [mailto:kuthiala27@hotmail.com]
Sent: 07 May 2011 09:49
To: kamboj report my sig
Cc: chaturvedi; pandey kameshwar; air marshal rai; satbir vice president iesm; rajkadyan@yahoo.com; rajender rawat
Subject: FW: ECHS - LETTER FROM IESM TO CONCERNED AUTHORITIES - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 204/2011 - 05 MAY 2011 (LIST-3)

Dear Brig Kamboj, please see trailing mail (Gen Satbirs letter, my follow up and MDs response). Whereas there are problems and improvement is an ongoing process; what is heartening is the fact that we have an extremely caring and supportive Central Org ECHS. Whereas I can see that all questions with regards to Gen Satbirs letter have not been addressed specially with regards to why Army Hosps who have accepted to cater to ESMs cannot provide TOTAL treatment from consultation to post discharge care as required, I am of the opinion that we continue to give feed back and given the present totally positive response, matters will continue to improve. I am also aware that there are a number of veterans who feel that there are faults in the present org structure and micro management will not take us too far; we also need to look at the matter from the Service HQs point of view. Our top Services hierarchy is as committed to this cause as anyone can be. Those of us who have served at the Army HQ level and dealt with the MOD know only too well how Babudom and Netagiri function. These two roadblocks are a 'GIVEN' in any effort that we may make towards improvement in OROP-Pensions-Medicare and every other matter. So we will just have to 'Bash on Regardless'

May i request you to pass this on as a package to the environment.

Brig Sateesh Kuthiala

ECHS procedures

2011-05-08T23:42:00.001-07:00

From: anand gupta [mailto:akgupta2005@yahoo.com]
Sent: 07 May 2011 10:12
To: "Report My Signal" (Chander Kamboj)
Subject: PERSONAL FOR BRIGADIER KAMBOJ

7th May 2011
Dear Brigadier Kamboj,

ECHS procedures appear to be designed to cater for meticulous paper work and procedural niceties, rather than facilitating patient care.
We have excellent in-house facilities for work study & management analysis within the armed forces.
Defence Institute of Work Study Mussoorie & College of Defence Management Secunderabad are two such.
Many more might have come up since my retirement 21 years back.
It should be easy to appoint one or more studies to provide health care for veterans with minimum fuss and inconvenience, yet meeting all norms for financial propriety and economy.
You may consider suggesting to the core group of IESM to consider this suggestion.
Though advanced in age and not in good health, I promise to help the studies in whatever way I can.

Regards,

Anand

DATA OF WAR DISABLED/BATTLE CASUALTIES--OTHERS

2011-05-08T23:41:00.001-07:00

From: DIWAVE Disabled war Veterans [mailto:diwave1@gmail.com]
Sent: 05 May 2011 08:41
To: DELETED
Subject:DATA OF WAR DISABLED/BATTLE CASUALTIES--OTHERS

A few years ago, when we, representing the Disabled War Veterans, requested for certain measures both in regards Pay & Allowances and the initiating of welfare measures for such categories of personnel, to the Parliamentary Commission, we were rather surprised at MOD & Service HQ's indicating to them that they were totally unaware of the number of Battle/War Casualties as no records were maintained.

You are aware that proper statistics and data would help greatly especially when calculating the expense to the ex-chequer to enable any measures getting past the MOD Finance and the decision making process.

With the assistance of the Adjutant General Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal and Lt Gen B V Nair, DG DCW, we undertook this gigantic task of obtaining and collating data of such personnel. We are thankful to all the Colonel's of Regiments, Centre Commandants and Record Officers to have delved into their past records and produced the desired data. This Data, duly compiled in 4 Volumes has been handed over to the DG DCW, Md ECHS and Secretary (ESW) for future planning purposes.

However, our task does not end here. The Data of officers is not fully available especially of those serving, those voluntarily retired from service and others.
This is an appeal to all officers who are known to you or see this mail to send me the data in regards themselves in the attached format to enable us to compile the same and forward it to the Authorities. It could then be compared with their own records!!
Those on E Mail could send it to diwave1@gmail.com and others could post the same to us at B6/6 DLF City, Phase 1, Gurgaon 122002

--
Col H N Handa
President Diwave
B6/6 DLF City, Phase 1,Gurgaon 122002
Tele: 0124-4051570, Fax: 0124-4051572
Mob: +919811920190, Mail: diwave1@gmail.com
----------------

Family Pension pre 2006 by Brig RS Rawat

2011-05-08T23:40:00.001-07:00

From: rajender rawat [mailto:rsrawat47@hotmail.com]
Sent: 06 May 2011 20:13
To: rdoaindia@gmail.com; ieslhq@airtelmail.in; cs kamboj; Sarath Chand
Subject: Family Pension pre 2006
Importance: High

Sir,

1. For some time we have been helping widows get the FP as specified in Annex III of 6CPC. We have been discussing the rationale of the FIXED SCALES specified for JCOs/ORs ever since Circular 430 was issued by GoI. The following are the obvious observations that must have also captured your attention.
(a) The FP based on 6CPC was beneficial when Annex I & III of 6CPC are into account.
(b) When Circular 430 was issued, upwardly revising Basic Pension(BP) of all ranks up to Sub Majs, the very parameter for calculating the FP undergoes a change. Yet, the erstwhile scales of Annex III continue to be applied.
(c) Consequently, Sepoys & TS Nks benefit marginally while all the rest stand to lose.

3. Circular 430 has rightly included additional categories like TS Naik, Hony Havs & Hony Nb Subs. These categories are missing from Annex III. So, what does the widow of these soldiers get as FP?

4. Since widows are a hapless, helpless, unheard & inarticulate section of our fraternity, we need to examine the undermentioned details by your experts to ascertain if our contention of INJUSTICE to widows is indeed well founded & project the same to the right quarter.

5. Please note that OROP for widows is still a distant dream as it is for the rest of pre 2006 pensioners. We hope FP too will deserve similar, if not more attention in our bid to get OROP.

6.Any errors in the Charts presented may be intimated to us.

RS Rawat
Brig retd
UESL

Letter to PM By Lt Cdr Avtar singh

2011-05-08T23:39:00.001-07:00

From: AVTAR SINGH [mailto:avtarsingh119@hotmail.com]
Sent: 06 May 2011 12:55
To: CS Kamboj
Subject: Letter to Pm

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,

I have written this letter to PM and posted today.

I considered apt you may publish it in RMS Blog

Regards

Avtar singh
Lt cdr Retd
6-5-2011
--------------Lt Cdr Retd Avtar Singh Tel 22789657
317 pocket E Mayur Vihar Phase II M 99712 59010
Delhi 110091

To,
Shri Manmohan Singh
Honourable Prime Minister of India,

Dated 04 May 2011

Sub. Pension Lt Cdrs and equivalent
Sir,

1. It is too much to expect that this letter would attract your attention, but Sir I shall be happy if some of your trusted aide reads and act upon it.

2. I am a retired naval officer of the rank of Lt Cdr, aged 78 years and at the fag end of my life.

3. When I look back at my life, I sense a great degree of satisfaction. From a boy aged 16 years when I joined Indian Navy in 1950, to 1990 when I retired after 40 years of naval service. I consider myself to be fortunate to have received support both during my service career and thereafter, as a pensioner the pension being my livelihood
4. I am currently in a strange situation viz struggling to get justice from the government. My demand is simple “To give me what six central pay commission has recommended and what Union Cabinet under a resolution as approved’

5. My struggle started with an RTI with Naval HQ on 26-11-2008 and is continuing. My letters dated 28 March 2011, 7 April 2011 and 20 April 2011 all addressed to you are relevant.
.
6. Currently to draw the attention of PMO I have posted 34 post cards on daily basis reminding PMO about my case. In these letters I have quoted the opinion of constitutional authorities like CAG, CGDA and two letters from Honourable minister Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal. All the above letters are in agreement with my cause.

7. To get my legitimate amount of pension I have knocked at the door of the service HQs,MOD, MOF CGDA and PCDAs, but I have not got justice.
8. Since I could not get favourable decision from the concerned officer I along with 139 fellow ranking officers all over the country (from tri services)

decided to file a petition (OA 24/2010) with Armed forces Tribunal Principal
Bench Court No 1 at Delhi.

9. The above case was heard by Mr Justice A K Mathur and vide order dated 14 Sep 2010 the judgement was passed in my favour. Another 15 identical petitons were filed by my fellow ranking officers which were clubbed under two separate judgements. These petitions too were admitted. It is a very rare that three different benches of judiciary give any identical verdict
10. It is over 8 months and yet the decisions of AFT has neither been challenged nor implemented.. The delay in filing the appeal in my opinion is only to frustrate senior citizens to death both physically as well as financially. It is pertinent to mention that five petitioners have died waiting for justice not to talk about others who do not form part of the petitions.

11. Respected Sir the six cpc finding took effect from 1-1-2006 and we have crossed half way mark. We are nearing the formation of seventh Pay commission, but I have not been able to enjoy the fruit of the sixth cpc.

12. I earnestly and most humbly pray to you to give a wake up call to the concerned Officer who is enjoying KUMBHKARAN sleep

12 Dear PM Sir, I now write to you with a heavy heart and state that to draw your attention

( a) I would not and am not qualified enough to fit into the shoes of ANNA
HAZARE.

(b) I do not want to immolate my self in busy market or

(c) Throw myself in front of VVIP car but

(d) As a law abiding person continue reminding you on daily basis through post card till I breathe last or till I get justice.

13 Finally I am not disheartened about happening as I believe that one should only be surprised if one get speedy justice, and not feel disheartened if he does not get justice as this is a very common with our administrator call it KUMBHKARANS

14 May I expect a reply from someone under you Sir

With best regards

Yours truly,
AVTAR SINGH

Anti corruption rally at India Gate on 01 May 2011 by Col Anand

2011-05-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

From: Col Anand [mailto:elkayanand@gmail.com]
Sent: 05 May 2011 15:55
To: Report My Signal (Chander Kamboj)
Subject: IESM MEMORANDUM RE OROP + IESM UPDATE - Maj Gen Satbir Singh

Dear Brig Kamboj Sir,

The photographs of so many memebers of IESM were very encouraging and depicted their undying spirit towards a very important and vital national cause of eradication of corruption. I am putting up a few selected ones in my blog as well. Hats off to Maj Gen PK Renjen and his family. Sir, your own photograph in the end of it all takes the cake. Hats off to you also, for your indomitable spirit in the service of the nation and the defence veterans. (Please do not edit expression of my humble gratitude toward you. I have saved youir photograph for future use.

Incidentally, following three comments have been received on my blog "India of My Dreams" at the link below. http://www.indiamydreamland.blogspot.com/. May I request you to convey them to the person concerned so that, if felt and considered beneficial for officers of these categories, the gist could be conveyed as a corrigendum to the Petition sent for OROP from IESM side. It may help some officers if their argument appeals to the chairman.

Comment No 1
"Lt Col A B G Reddy has left a new comment on your post "IESM MEMORANDUM RE OROP + IESM UPDATE - Maj Gen Sa...":
If the leaders of the IESM have not incorporated the following aspect in that petition ,u r requested to do the needful-
consequent to abolition of 2/Lt rk and re-designation of appts of coy and unit cdrs to rks of Lt Col and Col ,there is need to appropriate equation of past pensioners with present rks in that OROP concept and approach.that is ,earlier Lt to Capt, Capt to Maj, Maj to Lt Col and Lt Col to Col . If services HQ are not doing anything about it and if IESM also overlooks this aspect ,we would back to same situation of monumental omission/blunder.
I did send some e mails on this aspect to u and others, but i dont find this aspect in these projections. FUNDAMENTAL,THOSE UNIT CDRS OF RK OF LT COL WHO FOUGHT THE WARS OF 1947,1762,1965 &1971 AND DEFENDED THIS COUNTRY AND GIVEN ALL THE NAME AND FAME TO DEFENSE SERVICES CANNOT BE SIMPLY OVERLOOKED BY PRESENT LOT WHO ARE BASKING IN ALL THAT GLORY AND FAME.Similarly,earlier platoon and coy cdrs of rk of Capt &Maj must be equated to present rks of Platoon &coy cdrs of rk of Maj and Lt Col. without this aspect the presentation would reflect omission and bias.please therefore,introspect and modify.
kindly , forward this contention to that special petition committee"

Comment No 2

A R GANGA said...

the core and fundamental issue is pay fixing done by all those involved in that act.it is worse than match fixing in sports& games ,particularly in cricket and other fixing acts in the country.
THE FUNDAMENTAL RULE AND PRINCIPLE OF INTEGRATED PAY SCALE , THAT INTEGRATED PAY IS PROPORTIONAL TO LENGTH OF SERVICE FOR ALL OFFICERS UP TO RANK OF BRIG HAS BEEN SHAMELESSLY ABUSED AND VIOLATED BY THOSE WHO DESIGNED AND DEVISED THE FIXATION FORMULA AND PRINTED IN THAT SAI 1987. THAT SHARMA JI WHO WAS IN THAT GROUP CALLED PC CELL WAS THE ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER . HE WAS EVEN BOASTING OF HIS GREAT SKILL OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT A JUNIOR RK OFFICER WITH 30 YRS OF SVC GOT LESS INTEGRATED PAY THAN AN OFFICER OF HIGHER RK WITH 15 YRS OF SVC.THAT WAS THE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM CREATED/ABETTED BY AG BR.MANUMENTAL -HIMALAYAN BLUNDER AND CRIME.THE RESULT IS GENERATIONS ARE ADVERSELY EFFECTED. THAT SHARMA JI RETIRED AS ARMY CDR.THAT BLUNDER COULD NOT BE RECTIFIED OR CORRECTED BY SO MUCH OF STRUGGLE ,SACRIFICES AND EFFORT.
ALL THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT BLUNDER ARE LIVING AND AROUND US.WHAT A IRONY ?.
01 May, 2011 23:24
Comment No 3

"a r ganga has left a new comment on your post "4th Pay Commission Rank Pay Anomaly: GOI Again Mov...":

very good analysis with the facts highlighted.one very important and very relevant point is over looked -

a. the rks of officers of past are to be read/equated with present rks , with abolition of 2/Lt rk and and re-designation of rks of appts company commander and unit cdr. , namely- former Lt Col to Col, Maj to Lt Col,Capt to Maj,Lt to Capt.

b. these changes have been introduced since 1980. if these are not suitably modified/equated, there will be another monumental blunder and grave injustice to past pensioners. as it appears AHQ and these veteran org are simply overlooking this as they are not personally effected i only hope these people at the forefront of the movement take notice and accordingly incorporate in their OROP presentations , re-presentations and agitations.

i request all those who read this to express this in various forums.
Posted by a r ganga to India of My Dreams at 05 May, 2011 13:39

In future also I would keep sending similar comments to you for further dissemination. I am sure you would convey them to the appropriate persons of the Governing Body.

With kind regards

Col LK Anand (Retd).
http://www.indiamydreamland.blogspot.com/

Rakky Anti Corruption 01 May at India Gate

2011-05-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

AFT not a truly Judicial Forum, rules Delhi HC

2011-05-03T04:55:00.001-07:00

AFT not a truly Judicial Forum, rules Delhi HC

Empowers HCs to review tribunal orders Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service, Chandigarh, April 27

In a ruling that has wide ramifications on adjudication of service disputes pertaining to the Armed Forces personnel, the Delhi High Court has ruled that the High Courts are constitutionally empowered to review decisions by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT). The Armed Forces Tribunal Act 2007 had stipulated that appeals against AFT orders would lie directly with the Supreme Court.

“The AFT, being manned by personnel appointed by the Executive, albeit in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, cannot be said to be truly a judicial review forum as a substitute to HCs that are constitutional courts and the power of judicial review, being a basic feature of the Constitution, under Article 226 and Article 227 of the Constitution is unaffected by the constitution of the AFT,” a division bench, comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Suresh Kait ruled yesterday.

“Further, Article 227(4) of the Constitution takes away only the administrative supervisory jurisdiction of the HCs over the AFT and does not impact their judicial supervisory jurisdiction. Thus, decisions by the AFT would be amenable to judicial review by HC under the Article 226 as also the Article 227 of the Constitution,” the bench further ruled.

Tribunals can perform a “supplemental as opposed to a substitutional” role vis-a-vis the HCs, the bench held. The AFT was set up to exercise an appellate jurisdiction with respect to orders, findings or sentences of court martial and exercises original jurisdiction with respect to service disputes. The purpose behind it was to provide a dedicated forum for quick redressal of grievances to the armed forces personnel as disposal of cases in the high court took a long time.

The bench held that the right to file an appeal before the SC created as mentioned in the Act meant that the right to appeal to the Supreme Court is not a matter of right, but a matter of discretion to be exercised by the AFT. Further, the discretion of the AFT is limited only to a point of law of general public importance and not every point of law that may have arisen during proceedings.

The HC’s order has also kicked up a debate in legal circles. Some lawyers say that it would be easier for litigants to file appeals against the AFT orders, as it was procedurally, psychologically, financially and physically easier and faster to approach a HC than the SC. Others are of the opinion that if appeals against the AFT orders lie with the HC, then the very purpose of setting up the Tribunal is negated as the HC would again be burdened with additional cases, besides further lengthening the judicial process and disposal time.

Nitin Pai's article in Business Standard

2011-05-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Veterans

I'm glad to read the comments of Admiral Harinder Singh and General SK Bahri on Mr. Nitin Pai's article in Business Standard (RMP 192/2011 - 29 Apr 2011)

The gradual slide in Defence Forces' status versus babus and police services is a result of our own ineffective leadership. Everytime the babus kick us with okay from politicians, we have taken it lying down. We have not realised that we are being treated as sentries and chowkidars and not guardians of the nation. I have been yelling at every forum that the fault lies with us because our Chiefs' forget that they are still the tigers even though without teeth and claws. Nothing will change as long as politicians are fire-walled by babus. Petitions, dharnas, fasts, supporting Anna Hazare against corruption et al will not help. There is only one mantra for us: Iqbal's famous lines ... Khudi ko kar buland itna ...

I have said it many times and I say it again: one statement from the Army Chief on the state of the nation will make all babus and politicians run for cover. And if the top brass of all three services stand together to thwart any attempt to dismiss the Chief, Defence Forces would regain their legitimate place as the strongest national pillar among legislature, executive, judiciary and media.

Bravery does not happen only on the battlefield.

Veteran Ram Gulrajani
Chennai.

Nitin Pai: The case for military diplomacyBusiness Standard 18 Apr 2011
One reason to go to a prestigious institution like IIM or Harvard is for the contacts you develop there. Now imagine after you come back from such a school, your employer — out of the fear that corporate secrets would leak to competitors — forbids you from maintaining any contact with your former classmates. Yet that is exactly the case with our defence officers, who are not permitted to even exchange emails with their former classmates without the approval of their respective service headquarters in New Delhi.

The paranoia underlying such an indiscriminate policy not only embarrasses individuals but also the nation. The world’s largest democracy trusts its officers with deadly weapons but doesn’t trust their sense of discretion. It also damages its own return on investment, for the officers who return from the world’s best military academies abroad bring back only the knowledge, not the social networks that could serve the nation’s interests. This is but one manifestation of India’s overall denial of a place for the armed forces in foreign policy. Apart from a very small number of mid-ranking officers who work together on a limited number of issues, the two anchor tenants of South Block, the ministries of defence and external affairs, might well be on two different planets.

But why do we need military officers to engage in diplomacy? Well, not only does the nature of contemporary international politics call for it, but other important nations practise it. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff of the US and the four-star generals that head its theatre commands are important players in operationalising Washington’s foreign policy around the world. The Pentagon’s foreign policy resources are comparable to the State Department’s. Look around the neighbourhood. The armed forces are key players in politics and security policies of all our neighbours, from China to Indonesia, from Pakistan to Myanmar. Further afield in Southeast Asia, it is not uncommon for retired military officers — like Indonesia’s President Yudhoyono — to occupy high political leadership positions.

Given our own firm believe in civilian supremacy over the armed forces, we are clearly uncomfortable with the sometimes dubious role the military plays in domestic politics in other countries. However, to pretend that other countries should operate by our domestic norms is unrealistic. Generals Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Than Shwe and Chen Bingde and their colleagues shape their nations’ policy towards India, we like it or not. Engaging them purely on civilian diplomatic terms, if at all, fails to engage their military establishments. Similarly, joint exercises and military-to-military cooperation arrangements only cover professional military matters. India does not engage in military diplomacy in any meaningful form.

This is part of the reason why India finds itself in a bind with respect to Pakistan, where it needs to engage the real power centre but finds itself with no means to. It is not a matter of matching protocol, for it is not purely military matters that we wish to discuss with General Kayani. Washington, in comparison, handles this a lot better through Admiral Mullen and General David Petraeus, the CENTCOM chief, who are the primary interlocutors with the Pakistan army. Given that these admirals and generals are engaged in diplomatic activities of serious importance to India, can we afford to stay out of the military diplomatic loop?

This is not to say that New Delhi must set its generals and admirals off on diplomatic missions next week. Rather, India must make military diplomacy part of its foreign policy toolbox and create the capacities, structures and processes necessary to put it into action.

Diplomacy must enter the syllabuses of our military academies. Trained military officers must be deputed to Indian embassies and missions around the world, both to add to the numbers of defence attaches as well as to perform non-military functions. Not only will this expose military officers to the conduct of diplomacy but also address another problem — the inability of the Indian Foreign Service to ramp up its numbers fast enough to meet the growing demand. Furthermore, the socialisation of defence and foreign service officers through such postings will create benefits in the long term, in terms of greater understanding and policy coordination.

What about structures? As the late K Subrahmanyam consistently argued, India must restructure its armed forces along the lines of the US, with a joint chiefs of staff and tri-service theatre commands. Like it has done for the US, such a structure will lend itself to the conduct of military diplomacy.

However, while we wait for the political and defence establishments to develop an appetite for major reforms, it is possible to make adjustments to the existing structures to get some mileage. Why not make a senior defence officer the National Security Advisor? Why doesn’t the National Security Council have senior military officers in top leadership positions? Indeed, a general in the NSC can well be the point person to engage the Pakistani army establishment.

In the meantime, perhaps we can allow our defence officers to keep in touch with their foreign friends.

The author is founder and fellow for geopolitics at the Takshashila Institution and editor of Pragati – The Indian National Interest Review_

Jhunjhunu rally after thoughts

2011-05-03T04:29:00.001-07:00

Dear Kamboj Sir,

I wish to write in response to the email written by Gen Secy, IESL about the Jhunjhunu Rally Sitrep.

It is rather amusing how you deal with something like this. When you have to defend an absolute truth, something that occurred in front of fifteen hundred people. I shall, however, begin nevertheless.

So IESL is the river and everything else is a nallah/tributary? Fair enough. Even if I agree to it for a moment, one needs to take one step back and think why o why were the nallahs needed if the river was able to quench everyone's thirst? This so called river left ESM across the country high and dry. Empty words, false promises, personal agendas and what not. And that is why concerned ESM said, to hell with it, we'll just help ourselves. And that is how IESM was born.

But that story, of course, has been told by many, many times. And I do not expect 'the river' to understand or appreciate it.

What is most amusing is the fact that the 'size' of the organization is always a centre point of the discussions. Shouldn't 'what we have done and what we want to get done for ESM' be the centre point of our discussion? I do not remember anyone from IESM talking about our size or how magnanimous we have become. Although we are always found talking about what our plans are, our goals our forthcoming endeavours and how we plan to bring about a positive change in every ESM's life in the country.

I would very much appreciate if, instead of their size and strength, the other ESM Organizations would talk about what they are doing for OROP, enhancing the AFT vested powers, the Rank Pay cases, the Petition Committee, Widows Pension, ECHS related problems and the list is endless. Why would they not talk about the real issues that affect real ESM and their families? IESM would be the first organization to congratulate them if they can really get any of these issues sorted.

And for the lies that have been mentioned in the email, I might as well not go there! Brig. Kartar Singh was with us, travelled with us and all along we were discussing matters concerning the welfare and unity of ESM. With respectable, honourable veterans like him, we can hope for a future where all ESM organizations can be one and would together work towards the betterment of ESM. Surely we must realize sooner than later, that in the larger good for the ESM community lays our own good. There is no other way to it really. And while there were actually more than fifteen hundred attendees at the rally (you can actually count more than half in the photos itself),we do not care if there were five hundred or even five. If we were able to give them hope, strength and assurance that we are watching their back - I say it’s a job well done.

So this is my appeal, my request to IESM, IESL and every other ESM organization my voice is reaching out to -- our efforts, our actions and our policies must be targeted towards reaching out to and for the welfare of that retired soldier living in an unknown village, living an unknown life, unknown to what his life could be if the powers that be recognized that he too exists... Our name matters not, the name of our organization matters not, what maters is the positive trail we leave behind us.

Good luck, God bless and Godspeed...

Kameshwar

--

Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

Governing Body Member
Indian ESM Movement

Resi: 230, Pocket-1,
DDA SFS Flats, Sector-1,

Jhunjhunu rally after thoughts

2011-05-03T04:29:00.000-07:00

One Rank One Pension – An Approach by R Adm Alan O'leary

2011-05-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

By Rear Admiral Alan O’Leary (Retd)

Ex -Chairman PARC Sixth CPCIntroduction:

1. For sometime past, I have contemplated putting my thoughts together on OROP (One rank, one pension) and penning them down, in such a way that the reader could appreciate the nuances of the subject, that would eventually lead to some of our intellectuals ,examining the issue in its entirety and determining a way ahead. It would be presumptuous on my part to assume, that I could put all the facts down, but am attempting to focus on the main issues, that I feel could be brought into our case. I would like to place on record, that I am in full agreement with the article written by Group Capt AG Bewoor, on 21 Mar 11, that was circulated on the IESM network. Complications - OROP:
2. OROP, is not a simple issue, which has been further complicated by the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, in a similar fashion as was done in the Fourth Pay Commission, when a vertical Pay Band, created ostensibly, to address stagnation in the ranks of Armed Forces officers, up to the rank of Brigadier, laid the cornerstone for denigration of ranks, within the Armed Forces. This happened, because Rank pay was introduced up to the rank of Brigadier but was subsumed from the replacement scale, instead of being given over and above the replacement scale (this is the famous Major Dhanapalan case for which a final decision is awaited from the Supreme Court). Furthermore, because Major Generals and above did not get Rank pay, those Major Generals who retired prior to the fourth CPC, found their pensions lower than that of a Brigadier, which was much later brought at par. Some justice.
3. The Sixth Pay Commission, introduced pay promotions, for the All India Services and the Organised Group A services, on a non-functional basis up to the HAG Grade, but did not consider it fit to extend this largesse to officers of the Armed Forces whose pay traditionally was at par with the Organised Group A services.
Functioning of the Pay Commission:
4. I will not delve on why OROP is required. This aspect has been clearly brought out by Group Capt Bewoor. One aspect of his article however is worth mentioning and I will restate it. He, like all members of the Services Pay Cells, in the Sixth Pay Commission, always wondered why, the Pay Commission (and subsequently those same individuals, who continued to function in the Finance Ministry, after the Pay Commission was wound up) in examining the issues relating to Fauji's, came out with solutions, “crafted with deliberate cussedness and meanness". All Pay Commissions (3, 4, 5 and 6) had Armed Forces Pay Cells that interacted with the Pay Commission. Some to a greater extent and some to a lesser extent. I understand that in the Fifth Pay Commission, there was hardly any interaction. What was common in all cases, however, was the fact that the Armed Forces Pay Cells, had dedicated and competent Officers, who did their homework and in no time at all, could present their cases, or clarify issues to the Pay Commission.
5. The Pay Commissions were always headed by an eminent Jurist, but there was no opportunity given to the Armed Forces Pay Cells, to clarify issues or to defend themselves, during the proceedings, with him present. The whole exercise was carried out behind closed doors at the whims of bureaucrats in the commission. The Armed Forces were never informed of the devious methodologies being determined, that would always put them on the back foot. If they were, I am sure many of the anomalies could have been easily resolved, before the recommendations were finalised. The Sixth CPC even boasted, that for quicker decision making (and secrecy) their Officer complement was kept to a minimum. Their final recommendations, were given to the Armed Forces Pay Cells the night before the recommendations were placed in the public domain, at a dinner hosted by them, at the India International Centre. I am saying this, so that the reader can understand, why it was necessary for the Armed Forces Pay Cells, to try and get back what was denied in the first instance. Furthermore, as I already stated, the same individuals who crafted the Sixth CPC recommendations, were promptly appointed to the Finance Ministry, so that they could continue their mission to sidestep and deflect our objections, which they did with considerable success.

Unfinished agenda of the Sixth CPC:
6. In my first e-mail, I had mentioned, that there were two issues that bothered me the most and which were swept under the carpet. The first, concerned the status of Lt Colonels, who being in a higher Pay Scale compared to civil servants (equivalent to Commandant in the Para military services) prior to the Sixth CPC, were given a lower Grade Pay of Rs 8000, instead of Rs 8700. The second and equally vital issue was the introduction of a methodology to isolate the Service Officer from the largesse proposed for Organised Group A Officers. The latter, would ensure that during the currency of the Sixth CPC, almost all officers of the Organised Group A services, would cross the rubicon of Pay Band 4 and move to HAG, whereas 99% Service Officers will be stuck in Pay Band 4. Sadly, though the PARC had got the COSC approval (July 2008), to place on record the objections of the Armed Forces to the Government, this has not been progressed. This, if not ironed out, will have very serious consequences for the Pay equivalence and status of Armed Forces Officers in the future. It also means that the Civil Services have taken our lead and given unto themselves OROP, which is at the moment enjoyed by Lt Generals and above, who are placed in HAG and HAG +. A mere 0.02% of the Officer cadre in the Armed Forces, vis a vis 100% of Officers from the Organised Group A services. I would also like to point out, that PARC had fought and brought Lt Generals (non C-in-C) into HAG. They were earlier also in Pay Band 4. Thus, within the same Pay Band, the difference in pay (Lt Col to Lt Gen), were the increments on account of length of Service and Grade Pay. For pensions for those who retired prior to 1 Jan 2006, the difference in pension between a Lt Colonel and Lt General was half the difference of Grade Pay. This changed only subsequently for Lt Generals (non C-in-C).

Pay promotions for IAS Officers and other Organised Group A services on a Non-Functional basis:
7. The Govt have approved the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, (Art 3.3.12, Page 174, of the Sixth CPC recommendations) which states, “The Govt. should consider batch-wise parity while empanelling and\or posting at Centre between respective batches of the IAS and other Organised Group A services, with the gap being restricted to 2 years. Whenever any IAS Officer of a particular batch is posted in the Centre to a particular grade, carrying a specific grade pay in PB 3 or PB 4, grant of a higher Pay Scale on non-functional basis to officers belonging to batches of organised Group A services, that are senior by two years or more, should be given by the Government”. Subsequently, the Govt. have also clarified that an Officer in the civil services, who has completed 5 years in the SAG grade will be given a pay promotion to the HAG scale on a non-functional basis.

8. In connection with the above, I would like to add that a Joint Secy to the Govt of India and a Major General equivalent, are SAG officers, but in protocol are higher than SAG officers of the Organised Group A services, who are not appointed to the post of Joint Secy to the Govt of India. This means, that an Organised Group A Service Officer, will attain SAG grade in 18 years (2 years astern of the IAS). He will not be equivalent to a Major General in protocol but would move up to the HAG grade (Lt General) on a non functional, pay promotion basis in 23 years, whereas a Brigadier if selected, is promoted to Major General in 32 years (SAG grade) and in most cases will retire in that grade. A mere 30% of Major Generals will attain HAG grade. The other Major Generals retiring in the SAG grade even though they may have completed 5 years of service in that grade. Is such a gross disparity acceptable to the Armed Forces?

9. The above provisions, made by the IAS for themselves and the Organised Group A services, will keep them laughing all the way to the bank, not only in their service career, but also in their retirement. These provisions facilitate them leap frogging to higher posts on a non functional basis, with the pay of higher posts, whereas the Armed Forces Officer stagnates in rank and at the end of it all, 99% will retire in Pay Band 4.The question is, how is it that pay promotions on a non functional basis, are within the realm of reasonability, when it pertains to the IAS and Organised Group A services, but is absolutely unacceptable for the Armed Forces. This disparity and bias I am sure, is without precedent anywhere in the world. One of the specious arguments used by the Finance Ministry is that, consequent to the AVS Committee report, Majors are promoted to Lt Colonel in 13 years, by time. How unholy an unorthodox, but are they able to explain how they have gone even further for the civil services in their proposals at Article 3.3.12. Is it an acceptable logic that IAS Officers are mature enough to attain the SAG grade in 16 years (maximum), whereas Armed Forces officers need 32 years to reach the same level?. Yet another oft repeated, half truth, is that Armed Forces officers are commissioned at the age of 20 years and IAS Officers join at 28 years. In other words, the Armed Forces Officer has to pay the price of qualifying earlier, after meeting the graduation criteria and also getting through the Services Selection Board and still losing out to the Organised Group A services Officer. What they conveniently gloss over, is that they enjoy a full career up to 60 years and beyond, whereas 99% of Armed Forces officers, retire between 54 to 58 years. Furthermore, the IAS lobby ensures that 90% of their kin continue to serve in various capacities in the Government up to the age of 65 and beyond. A case for raising the retirement age of Civil Government servants to 65 years is in fact being currently considered by the DoP&T.

10. One aspect, always brought out by the Finance Ministry, is that all those who joined the Civil Services, post 1 January 2004, will be governed by a New pension scheme that is self contributory, unlike the Armed Forces that continue to enjoy a pension scheme. First of all, nobody can say for certain, that there will be no change of policy in 2024. Secondly, this does not make martyrs of those who joined the Civil Services, before 1 January 2004 for which they need to give themselves fast track pay promotions and eventually the highest slab to retire from.
Key Issues-OROP:
11. The following are the main reasons for OROP: -
· Giving the Armed Forces officer, the same pay promotions on a non-functional basis, as approved by the Govt, for the All India Services and the Organised Group A services (Article 3.3.12 of the Sixth CPC report).
· Reducing the disparity in pensions, between those who retire in the currency of a Pay Commission and those who retired earlier.
· Ensuring that an Armed forces officer is correctly compensated for his length of service and rank in which he retired (Comparable to the Organised Group A services).
· Rationalising the pension gaps between ranks, with special emphasis on those ranks in which a large number of officers retire (Major and Lt Col).
· Bridging the pension gaps, resulting from the skewed imbalance, caused by adjusting all ranks from Major General and below, within Pay Band 3 & 4. This is further compounded, as pre 1 January 2006 pensioners, are brought down to the minimum of the Band in which they retired and the difference in pensions being half the difference of Grade Pay.
· Addressing the issue of Armed Forces officers, stagnating below, Joint Secy level, due to their traditional rank structures and denying them pay promotions, at par with the changes invoked for the All India Services and Organised Group A services. This, despite the fact that successive Pay Commissions have ruled that parity needs to be maintained between the Armed Forces and the Organised Group A services.
· Stepping up (notionally) the pensions of Majors who retired in the previous pay commissions and who are now affected in their present pensions, which are based on 13 years of service, whereas these officers in the past had served at least 20 years before they took premature retirement.
· Protection to retired Armed Forces officers whose pensionary status has been reduced, consequent to Cadre reviews of the Organised Group A services, thereby upsetting the parity that existed at the time of their retirement (Status of a Lt Col, who retired prior to the Sixth CPC, was higher than a Commandant in the para military forces. There is thus no reason why, these officer’s pension should now be lower than a Commandant of the para military forces).

Pension Structure:
12. Consequent to adjustments, post the Sixth CPC report, the levels of pensions for various ranks in the Officer Cadre, as also family pensions, have been promulgated vide a MoD letter of 15 Nov 2010. These are indicated below –
SerialRankOfficer’s PensionFamily Pension
(a)Lt (Army)Rs 13,500Rs 8,100
(b)Capt (Army)Rs 13,850Rs 8,310
(c)Major Rs 14,100Rs 8,460
(d)Lt Col Rs 25,700Rs 15,420
(e)Col Rs 26,050Rs 15,630
(f)BrigadierRs 26,150Rs 15,690
(g)Major GeneralRs 26,700Rs 16,020
(h)Lt GeneralRs 36,500Rs 21,900
(j)Army CommanderRs 40,000Rs 24,000
(k)Army ChiefRs 45,000Rs 27,000

13. The table indicates qualifying service from 10 years to 30 years and the amount of pension indicated is inclusive of the Rank weightage admissible that varies from 9 years for Lt (Army) to 3 years for a General.

Service required for maximum pension:
14. Pension in a rank, varies depending on the length of service that plateaus at different levels, depending on the Rank in which the Officer retired, as shown below
(a)Lt(Army) to Capt (Army)24 Years
(b)Major25 Years
(c)Lt Col(TS)28 Years
(d)Lt Col (Select)26 Years
(e)Col(TS &Select)26 Years
(f)Brigadier28 Years
(g)Major General and above30 Years

15. From the above it is obvious, that the Pay Band structure coupled with a methodology of adjusting pensions at the minimum of the Pay Band in the subsequent Pay Commission is designed to cause dissatisfaction in the Armed Forces, but is perfectly suited to the changes invoked by the Sixth CPC for the AIS and Organised Group A Services, where officers will stagnate (if this is the correct term) at the highest levels, all crossing the HAG barrier, whereas, in the Armed Forces 99% officers will stagnate in Pay Band 4.

Fault lines in the pension structure:
16. These are indicated below-
· The difference of pension of a Lt Col ( Select) who retires after 26 years of service is only Rs. 1,000 less than a Major General with over 30 years service
· The difference in pension between a Col (Battalion Commander) and a Brigadier (Brigade Commander), who retired before 1 Jan 2006, is Rs 100. (3 cone ice-creams or one bottle of rum and a packet of Lays)
· The difference in pension between a Lt Col and Brigadier, who retired prior to 1 Jan 2006, is Rs 450. And the rank of Brigadier is attained after an officer qualifies two promotion Boards.
· Artificial gulfs have been created between Majors and Lt Colonels (Rs 11,600) and also between Major Generals and Lt Generals, non C-in C (Rs 9,800). The question is whether the convenience to adhering to artificially created barriers is logical and acceptable.
· For ranks at the bottom of the scale (PB - 3 and higher), the pensionary awards are reasonable i.e. in the ranks of Lt (Army), Lt Col, Lt Gens and above. Offcourse as brought out earlier, the Armed Forces need to press for an enhancement of Grade pay of Lt Col from Rs 8000 to Rs 8700,which was a faulty and arbitrary dispensation, when it became inevitable for the Govt to bring Lt Col's to Pay Band -4.
· For ranks not mentioned above, the pensionary awards should have been spaced out more evenly for pensions. In this connection, the Sixth CPC found no difficulty in creating four Pay Bands above the SAG scale i.e. HAG, HAG+, Secy to the Govt of India and Cabinet Secy scales. However, they only devised a single scale below SAG, which has caused so much heart burn in the Armed Forces, since 99% officers currently retire in that scale, as against 100% IAS officers who go up to the Apex scale.

Recommendations on OROP:

17. In my opinion, on first principle, the Armed Forces Officer, must be given the same benefits sanctioned by the Govt for officers of the organised Group A services, as successive Pay Commissions have ruled that, there should be pay parity between officers of the Armed Forces and the Group A services in general and the Indian Police, in particular. Even the Sixth CPC, have not made any comment to the contrary. Further, this needs to be done, immediately, as there is no justification whatsoever, for stymieing pay progression of an Armed Forces officer, on a non- functional basis(not linked to the extant rank structure) for pay enhancement up to the HAG level. It is only then that we can achieve a true OROP. Since this is an acceptable principle for the AIS and the Organised Group A services, there is no rationale for excluding Armed Forces Officers from this scheme. Ofcourse, it will actually benefit officers who will retire in the future, yet it will have to be taken into account, for pension fixation for those who retired before the next CPC. It may be relevant to point out that Lt Gens(non C -in C ) were placed in PB -4,by the Sixth CPC, but were subsequently raised to the HAG + scale after hardnosed negotiations, notwithstanding the fact that they were not in this scale, when they retired. Hence there is no reason, why Colonels and Brigadiers cannot also finally attain the HAG grade prior to retirement. This will only place them at par with their counterparts in the Group A services. Furthermore, a precedent exists in the fifth CPC, where Brigadiers owing to Rank Pay, drew more pension than a Maj Gen.

18. I believe that the dividing line for promotions in the Armed Forces is extremely fine and with promotional posts so limited, even outstanding Officers are not promoted, due to deep selection. We therefore cannot lose this opportunity of also taking Colonels and Brigadiers to the HAG scale, on a non - functional, pay promotion basis. In the Armed Forces, the rank and command structures are well defined and understood. Even today, a Colonel serving in the glacier or, a Capt(Navy) from the Aviation or submarine arms, would draw more pay in real terms than a Maj General or a Rear Admiral from the the general service. But that does not dilute the command structure. Yet, I know that there will be some reservations amongst the top management of the Armed Forces to accept this, whose doubts will be fuelled by those in the Finance Ministry. However could those at the helm of the Finance Ministry, then explain their actions with regard to the assured career progression from Pay Band -3, up to the HAG scale, for themselves and also for the Organised Group A services? My biggest fear is that if this anomaly is not corrected, then in the next Pay Commission, these differences will be fully exploited to further dilute, the status and pay of Armed Forces officers. This therefore requires immediate correction.

19. Notwithstanding the above, we need to also readjust pensionary benchmarks, for our retired fraternity, so that the differences in pension compensate a retired officer meaningfully, for his length of service and rank, in which he retired. Also, protecting the officers who retired, before changes in the time spent in the lower ranks was reduced, post the AVS Committee report. The methodology, of bunching various ranks and bringing them down to the minimum of the Pay Band, is clearly unsuited to the Armed Forces. Horizontal bands or striations are necessary and desirable. Taking into account the table at para 12 above, the following minimum pensions are suggested:-
(a) Lt(Army) - Rs 13,500.(No change, as an officer who retired in this rank, would have spent, only 3-4 years, as a commissioned officer)
(b) Capt (Army) - Rs 16,500. (As an officer in this rank would have spent 11 years as a commissioned officer)
(c) Major - Rs 19,500 (An officer who retired in this rank, would have at least completed time for pension i.e. 20 years)
(d) Lt Col - Rs 25,700. (No change, as this pension is given to a Lt Col, who has completed 26 years of service)
(e) Brigadier - Rs 31,500. (An officer who retired in this rank, even prematurely, would have completed at least 32 years of service)
(f) Major Gen - Rs 33,500. (This pension is recommended as less than 1% of Armed Forces officers attain Flag Rank)

OROP -Other Ranks:
20. In this paper, I have not discussed this subject, as there are many other factors that are quite different as compared to Officers. Firstly their careers are truncated to a far greater extent. Secondly, although their pensions are decided at the top of the scale in which they retired, even with the assured career progression approved by the Sixth CPC, they may not be able to get the third pay promotion before they retire, unlike civil servants. Consequent to the Sixth Pay Commission awards, there were positive changes made to the modified assured career progression methodology for civilians that have so far not been made applicable to the other ranks of the Armed Forces. This is therefore a subject that needs to be considered separately, which will follow in a subsequent article.

Conclusion:
21. This paper seeks to bring out issues that, if not corrected, will result in a sense of despondency and disillusionment amongst the officer cadre of the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces officer does not desire more compensation, either in his service career or after his retirement. He just wants, what justifiably should have come his way, without having to fight for his rights. Lowering of his status and thereby his pay, without a valid reason, cannot help keep his morale high. Unfortunately the Armed Forces have never shown the resolve they display in battle, as do when it comes to matters pertaining to their pay and perks. This is all the more reason, why they should be treated with the respect that is their due.
----------
THE END

4TH CPC RANK PAY ANOMALY COURT JUDGEMENT

2011-05-03T04:23:00.001-07:00

4th Pay Commission Rank Anomaly: GOI Prays before the Supreme Court
PROGRESS 4TH CPC RANK PAY ANOMALY COURT JUDGEMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union of India has moved an application in SC for Directions seeking Modification/ Directions/ Recall of Order dated 8th March 2010 regarding their Rank Pay Case.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA- THE PRAYER
It is, therefore, most humbly and respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to pass the following orders:-
(a) Recall the order dated 8th March 2010.
(b) Upon notice, re-hear all the cases on merits.
(c) Admit Writ petition Nos. ... grant rule and hear them finally.
(d) Call for the records of the Writ Petitions filed in the various High Courts and after the completion of pleadings, hear the same finally.
(e) Pending further orders on the application grant an ad interim stay of the order dated 8th March 2010.
(f) Pass such other and further orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the present case.
Filed by: Advocate for the petitioner
Settled By: Sh Gopal Subramanium, Solicitor General

Comments:
This is another delaying tactic route taken by bureaucrats to confuse the Politicians and the Public. Intention of GOI is to deny the Military fraternity their dues and stall the implementation of the Judicial Rulings. The Army, Navy and Air HQs seems to have no visible influence to ensure justice for its ESM! . The only Veteran who has got his entitlement is Maj Dhanapalan

2. All Offrs including serving officers commissioned from 1/1/86 upto 31/11/05 are also affected. Therefore respective Service HQs must counter this move by babus.

3. The judgement has far reaching consequences. The Pay and Allowances and pension 4th and 5th Pay Commission would have to be worked out afresh. The Govt has no grounds to make prayer to recall the judgement. We must fight this case forcefully.

=================================================================================

IESM MEMORANDUM IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INPUTS SOUGHT WITH REFERENCE TO PETITION PRAYING FOR GRANT OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION TO THE ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL

2011-05-03T04:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Veterans

1. We thank the large number of veterans who have given us valuable suggestions for drafting the memorandum for the Petitions committee. This is to inform you that IESM memorandum duly incorporating the suggestions from veterans has been submitted to the petition Committee. The same will be made public once the Petition Committee has seen it.
2. Gen Raj Kadyan, our Chairman has written a letter to the UPA Chairman Mrs Sonia Gandhi regarding, enhancement of Widows’ pensions and has sought time and date when the group of widows could meet her and present her with their memorandum.
3. The time has come for the OROP to be sanctioned. Let us all join together to give strong push forward for the cause. The Govt will have to address the grave injustice done to the Defence Forces. The injustice is so deep and the cause is so strong that our genuine demand cannot be set-aside by the Govt any more.
4. The monsoon session of the Parliament starts on 14 Jul 2011. An intense pressure needs to be built on the Govt to see reasons to the genuine demand of OROP. We have multipronged activities simultaneously planned for the same. May we request the veterans having flair for writing to write articles for various news papers, magazines etc. We also request our veterans who have contacts with the media for coverage.
5. If the OROP is not granted by the Govt by then, the IESM has planned series of “Fauji Gaurav Yatras” in various states starting with Punjab in Sep – Oct 2011. The Yatra will cover all districts of the State. Conveners at all levels may kindly start thinking about it with an aim to execute “Fauji Gaurav Yatra” meticulously as per the Fauji Precision.

With Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman, IESM
Mob : 9312404269,0124 – 4110570
Email : satbirsm@gmail.com, satbirsm@yahoo.com

New IESM members at Jhunjhunu 23 Apr 2011

2011-04-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

Respected Sir,

The Newly joined members of IESM at Jhunjhunu on 23 Apr 11.

Capt Jai Pal Singh
H/Capt Joki Ram
H/N/Sub Kanhaiya Lal
H/Capt Vidya dhar
H/Capt Balbir Singh
H/N/Sub Rattan Singh
Sub Amilal Verma
Sub Subhash Chandra
N/Sub Hem Raj Singh
Sub Maj Girdhari Lal
H/Capt Jai Narayan
Sub Mahabir Singh
Sub Satya Narain
Sub Aladin Khan
Sub Mali Ram
Sub Ramnath
H/Capt Liaqat Ali
Sub Imad Ali
H/N Sub Shamsher Ali
H/ Capt Prabhu Singh
Sub Ali Hasan Khan
Hav Hari Singh Dhau
Hav Mohd Yasim Khan
Nk Harish Chandra
Dfr Dariya Singh
Hav Jita Ram
Sep Ramautar
Nk Ram Kumar
Gdr Asmat Ali Khan
Hav Subhash Chander
Nk Abbas Ali
Hav Hari Singh
RFN Ram Saroop
Hav Bachan Singh
Hav Sattar Ali
Nk Nathu Sinh Shekhawat
NK Birbal Singh
PNR Hanuman Singh
RFN Gpal Singh
Hav Shivlal Lal Singh
Hav Mustak Ali Khan
Hav Sultan Singh
Sep Ram Nath

Regards,

Kameshwar

--

Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

Governing Body Member
Indian ESM Movement

Help in remote Areas by Brig RS Rawat

2011-04-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

From: rajender rawat [mailto:rsrawat47@hotmail.com]
Sent: 14 April 2011 22:09
To: cs.kamboj@yahoo.in
Subject: FW: Draft of Letter to CDA for incl name and DOB spouse
Importance: High

Dear Sir, It was perhaps almost 2 years ago when I chanced upon the need to have the DOB of my wife endorsed in IHQ as also in a Corr PPO to be issued by the PCDA (Pension) so that when the time inevitably will come my wife will not have to knock the doors of Soldier Board & other ESM offices for assistance. Many very senior offrs took offence to this initiative stating that AG's Br already has this data. So, many, still to this date have taken no action.
The point I wish to highlight is that we at UESL have lost count of how many cases we have taken up with the IHQ, who, have been prompt enough to fwd the necessary letter to PCDA ( Pension) for issue of the Corr PPO. However to date, except for two cases, no one has been issued the Corr PPO.
The initial hurdle with the PCDA ( Pension) was that a LPC cum Data Sheet had NOT been submitted. This was a new requirement as perhaps the good official at Allahabad did not want to browse through a maze of documents that we had to meticulously prepare & submit. Fair enough! The Data Sheet was prepared & forwarded. Still there has been no Corr PPO OR an ack. Perhaps the office is overloaded.
After all what is the great fuss that we are making over this subject - one may ask? This is why:-

(a) Smt Durga Maya Rai was paid approx Rs 2 lakhs as Addl Pension.
(b) Smt Rekha Rawat's LTA were paid to her son Col SPS Rawat.
(c) Widow of late Lt Col Kundan Singh Rawat was paid over Rs 1 lakh as Additional Pension.
(d) After over 6 months Smt Gayatri Gusain has still not been paid her Addl Pension. The GOI letter states that the bank will pay Addl Pension on submission of proof for a period of 6 months. This has NOT been done by Allahabad Bank till this aspect was brought to their notce. A total of over 10 trips have been made by me to this bank to resolve her FP & Addl Pension. Still no Addl Pension has been paid. A letter was written to PCDA (Pension) who promptly wrote back to IHQ to mail the LPC cum Data Sheet. Now at this end we are preparing the same for submission. Why are we doing this? Is this our job? If we don't who else will? AND if we do not then someone else will avail the LTA. How tragic - a widow will not be able to use the money meant for her during her life time.

The examples show how widows have got thier dues after our active intervention. Who is supposed to do all this?

Now I wish to come to the final point. PLEASE SEE WHAT THE INDIAN NAVY IS DOING & LEARN A LESSON. The NAVAL FOUNDATION has taken the initiative to post the attached application to all offrs who retired before 2006. Their procedure is simple with no hassles. PLEASE peruse this & compare it with the docus needed by PCDA (Pension). The former is simpler. Why are we being asked to present sheets of paper? Let me state here that IF the very first docu eg the easily obtained PAN Card has a fudged date no one will find out - neither the bank, Notary, Service HQ or PCDA Pension - all of who countersign it as correct! So, what kind of authentication & value addition is being accrued by preparing this document? Let us make it simple like the Navy has done.

KINDLY READ THE MAIL FWD & SEE HOW SIMPLE THE NAVY HAS MADE THIS PROCESS
Rgds
Brig RS Rawat
Vice President UESL

DEVOTED VETERAN WORKING IN REMOTE AREAS

2011-04-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

From: rsrawat47@hotmail.com
To: kuthiala27@hotmail.com
Subject: REPORT BY A DEVOTED VETERAN WORKING IN REMOTE AREAS FOR INDIAN MILITARY VETERANS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 163/2011 - 10 APR 2011 (LIST-3)
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:17:30 +0530

Thank you Sir.
This is my second foray as part of "Farthest First". The earlier one was to Pipalkjoti in end Dec.

We have helped 45 plus 16 ESM in these remote areas till now.

The banks have great faith in me. Every case sent by me is is settled promptly even by the CPPC Cell Dehradun. Even PNB Zonal office attaches great significance to my recommendations.

I have so far drawn approx Rs 1.5 cr from the banks in favour of ESM _ AT NO COST TO THEM & always at my cost as I do all errands for them in my car - even visit to the hills. Got my dad Rs 9.27 lakhs as arrears! Helped several Maj Gens get their arrears where they were awarded 10% penal interest. Most of the were unaware of the order & totally unaware of MS Excel & formulas.

I have helped several at Gurgaon too - latest case is of a Lt Col 's widow Mrs Reoti Charasia who I have been informed has been paid Rs 4 lakhs.

I can thank honest upright elders like you under whom I served.

I appreciate your letter on OROP.
Warm rgds
Raju Rawat (Brig RS Rawat, ESL Uttrakhund)

Some views....

2011-04-18T04:09:00.000-07:00

Ex-servicemen in another combat
Sharan Poovanna Express News Service First Published : 12 Apr 2011 03:01:01 AM
BANGALORE: Defence personnel dedicate themselves to the country. Day and night, they guard the borders and save the people from enemies. They are recognised by the government and the society for their great contribution to the country with awards and medals.
However, once they retire, they face many problems. Undeterred, these retired officials continue to fight like they did on the battlefield. They have, so far, received nothing more than empty assurances.
"We have been fighting for One Rank One Pension," stated Wing Commander (Retd) Ashok Gupta. Terming the decision of the government to deny them their right as the "funniest thing in the world", he said the entire ex servicemen fraternity had voiced its concerns but the government continued to ignore them.
One Rank One Pension
Explaining the concept, he said a Colonel-rank officer in the army today gets more pension than that of a Major General who retired 15-20 years ago.
"We in the army follow hierarchy, but if a junior ranked official gets more pension, then what is the use of a higher rank?" he questioned.
Adding to this, Lt Col Satwant Singh, Secretary of the Delhi based Retired Defence Officers Association (RDOA), expressed his displeasure and said this trend was funny at best and preposterous at worst.
Informing that retired officers from across the nation have even surrendered their gallantry medals, he said: "Defence personnel have put their lives on the line to earn those medals, which acknowledge and appreciate their work. But if the same people are willing to give away this, it only shows how pained they feel about being treated this way."
Grant of Rank Pay
On June 10, 2010, Major General Mrinal Suman wrote: "The growing adversarial relationship between the government and ex servicemen is a matter of grave concern. For the past few years, an impression is gaining ground that the government is becoming increasingly intolerant and biased against ex servicemen and is treating them unfairly. The military is an instrument of the government. How can a government let itself be seen as an adversary of its own constituent?" He added: "They do not seek favour or pity but ask for compassion, understanding and equity. They want their government to acknowledge the severity of their service conditions and their contribution to nation safeguarding." Lt Col Satwant Singh stated that the fourth Pay Commission had granted Rank Pay in addition to basic pay for officers up to the rank of Brigadier. However, he added, while fixing pay in the integrated scale, an amount equal to the Rank Pay was deceitfully deducted by the bureaucrats from the total dues, thereby causing heavy financial loss to the officers.
"It was an act of betrayal of the trust of the armed forces. No other country in the world is known to have conspired and connived so blatantly to deprive its own soldiers of their rightful dues," Major General Suman added.
Systematically deprived
Lt Col Savant compared an army man's retirement plan with a civilian's. He said civilians can work until their retirement age and hence can avail the full pension. "A Lt Colonel and Colonel retire at 54, Brigadier at 56, Major General at 58 and so on", he said and added: "That's the system which forces them to retire and hence, they would not be able to get the full pension."
Shortchanged
He said Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other such services had the provision of promotions that would guarantee them a minimum post of secretary in their service.
"It takes an officer more than 33 years of service to become a Major General in the Army, which is equivalent to that of Joint Secretary cadre. But any IAS officer will reach a minimum of secretary cadre within 1622 years of service," he said and added that only five per cent of officers in the Army would reach this position as compared with their civilian counterparts.
Disability pension
"We are not even given disability pension on the same lines as the civilian services," Lt Col Savant added.
Even the Supreme Court has directed the government to ensure that the same services are given to defence personnel but it is yet to be implemented by the government.
"There are over 4,000 cases pending in the Armed Forces Tribunal," he said and added that ex-servicemen were still being made to run from pillar to post to claim their rights.
Big steps
These brave soldiers were given some respite when Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrashekar gave a presentation on 'One Rank One Pension' to the Petitions Committee of the Parliament. The Petition Committee will now meet to discuss the petition and issue advertisements in leading newspapers to seek comments and suggestions from the public. The Committee will then consider all letters and suggestions and take the matter for consideration.
Ex-servicemen in another combat
Fake democracy at work. Electoral reforms?
Cash-for-votes in Tamil Nadu polls

Pica at Jantar Mantar 09 Apr 2011..Anna Hazare

2011-04-15T02:59:00.000-07:00

Pic at Jantar Mantar 9 Apr 2011..Anna Hazare

2011-04-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

Appeal by Brig CS Kamboj

2011-04-08T02:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

It is a great pity that in spite of repeated requests by IESM to All Indian Military Veterans, in and around NCR, out of over 1.5 lakh veterans just two or three veterans show their face at Jantar Mantar and they too come and go after spending hardly few minutes – as if they had come for sightseeing.

All military veterans in and around NCR need to re-examine – do they still have blood running through their veins or has it turned into water!!!
If you are still interested in the welfare of the country – please do visit Jantar Mantar and support IESM in its mission to support Anna Hazare.

Please do read fresh appeal of IESM appended below and cooperate – PLEASE.
DO NO LOOK FOR EXCUSES TO BE ABSENT FROM JANTAR MANTAR.
BE A PROUD SOLDIER AND BE AT IESM TENT TO SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE.

DO SO WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
------------

Long Live Veteran Anna Hazare

2011-04-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Chander,
A small write up is attached. May I request this on the RMS and all other affiliated groups. Chhikara Brig RS Chhikara, Secy Gen, Netaji Subhash Foundation Trust and a devoted member of IESM IS IT OUR DEMOCRACY THAT IS TO BLAME FOR THE SORRY STATE OF INDIA?
I have been witnessing the revolution at Jantar Mantar since yesterday and have listened to responses on TV debates. The Executive and the legislature are worried about losing what they consider their rights and their exclusive space. One basic premise of their responses runs as follows:
We are a democracy with a constitution and nothing can be done or even attempted out side the constitutional frame work. Legislative, Judiciary and Executive alone can make laws, change the constitution, adjudicate constitutional disputes until it is amended and execute laws through procedures and rules laid down by the executive. Civil Society and the citizen at large have no locus standi in decision making once they have sent their pseudo representatives to the legislature.
The following beg serious consideration.

Whose constitution is it? Is it of WE THE PEOPLE or is it of we the legislature?
Who is the sovereign? The Citizen or the MP/ MLA or the PM/ Cabinet?

Does the legislature indeed represent the majority as should be the case in a democracy? Most Win with 15 to 20% of total votes cast.

Do the voting citizen have any say in selecting candidates? Does he have a real choice of selecting? Parties allot tickets through an opaque mechanism.

Is the elected legislator free to work in the best interest of those who he pretends to represent? Or is he subservient to Party whip or his own political interest?

What recourse does the voting community have to correct an errant legislator who manages to get elected on promises he is neither sincere about nor capable of working for?

Does he have the right to recall?

Does our democracy enable citizens to get laws they wish passed? Is referendum not their right especially when his interests are obviously at variance from those of the elected legislators?

Are we not stake holders in our own governance in a democracy ‘of the people for the people and by the people’? People as in the public and as in the Civil Society.

Our legislature has a vested interest in Corruption and power of patronage. Are they our patrons or are they our servants? The question reverts to who is sovereign he or we?
Anna’s agitation as it is being termed is only the starting point for getting answers to these very basic questions in the public mind. It can not stop here because the root causes of the maladies of mis- governance and corruption lie, not in the lok Pal Bill not being in position. It lies with our Electoral System, with our Party System indeed with our democracy. The politician has to find his rightful place as a servant of society who must work for the common good of the majority and for the maximum good of the nation. His own survival (Not his best political interest) must be co terminus with the best interest of the people of India. To that end this movement must aim at rectification of our democratic system. The constitution is sacrosanct only so far as it serves the interest of the people who have adopted it for themselves. A stage of despair and frustration has reached the stage where People don’t give a damn for being called a Democracy. They would rather exchange it with good governance with or without the falce glory of being called the largest democracy in the world.
Long Live Veteran Anna Hazare
Long Live Veteran Solidarity with Anna.
Veterans need to support the Second War of Independence from Corrupt Rule.
Comment: If one answers all the above questions sincerely then one deduces that our Democracy is a Fake and a Farce. Even Banana Republics fair better!

Mail from Col Desai ..Kolhapur

2011-04-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

From: Vishwasrao Desai
Date: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 21:03
Subject: Re: [IESM-595] Re: [IESM_Group:116] REPORT OF 5 APR 11 FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
To: raviwarsha@gmail.com

I am an active member of the local ( Kolhapur ) unit of Anna
Hazare Anti Curruption unit, and participating in the moment.I am
trying to get the local Ex servicemen involved

Col Desai

REPORT OF 7 APR 11 FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

2011-04-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Veterans

7 April is the third day of fast of Veteran Anna Hazare. He is in good health and is steadfast in his resolve to continue till Govt agrees to the demands for an effective LokPal bill. Three social activist who were supporting veteran Anna Hazare and were also observing fast felt uncomfortable and their health deteriorated in Delhi heat. These social activist had to be hospitalised.

The mood at the venue is upbeat and veteran Anna sahib is fighting fit for the long battle with the Government. It is understood that Government mediators are in contact with the team and are trying to find a solution. Hopefully a workable solution would be found soon. Veteran Anna Hazare has already refused to head the committee to be set up for drafting the bill. He has proved that he is a social activist in true sense and is not after any post or office.

More than two hundred veterans have visited the IESM tent every day and signed their support for the cause. Some pictures are attached. IESM WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TO THE ANTI CORRUPTION CRUSADE OF VETERAN ANNA HAZARE
Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,

LET US REVIVE OUR OLD MORAL TRADITIONS TO END CORRUPTION FROM ROOT BY SUPPORTING CAUSE TAKEN BY ANNA HAAZARE AN EX SOLDIER FROM A S C

2011-04-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

LET US REVIVE OUR OLD MORAL TRADITIONS TO END CORRUPTION FROM ROOT BY SUPPORTING CAUSE TAKEN BY ANNA HAAZARE AN EX SOLDIER FROM A S C
Brig(Retd) K.G.BEHL,
President Dehradun Ex-Services League
and
President AICC UttarakhandWhile paying homage on 23 Mar 2011 to Martyrs Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukh dev and Raj Guru who sacrificed their lives, on that day, a novel idea sprouted to end corruption. as our martyrs did to remove slavery by their dedication and devotion to create awareness amongst the people by telling that they are slaves and they have to remove it by throwing out British Govt. by sacrificing their lives. They took a pledge to remove slavery and asked every one to do so as it would keep the idea of removing slavery alive all the time and remind that they have not to cooperate with British till they leave the country. Accordingly, it was decided on Martyres Day that each one of us should pledge in writing that he/she will not indulge in corruption come what may. Hence forth, neither will they accept nor give any gratification to do or get done any work which tantamount to corruption.

Today the ruler is Corruption, which has permeated every where including Govt., politicians, bureaucrats or rather all parts of the functioning of the institutions/offices framed under the constitution of India making every one its slave. This slavery of corruption has to be removed at all costs. All of us have to stand united to remove this evil. Anna Hazare is setting example by sitting on fast till end, to force Govt. to act and put up Jan Lok Pal Bill with suggested modifications and get it passed in Parliament so that start may be made to end corruption. The bill will act as adeterrent and instill fear against corruption. Those in Delhi or areas around can join to support Anna Hazare AT 1000 hrs at Janter Mantar New Delhi on 5TH April 2011.

Anna Hazare was a soldier. Driving one of the vehicles in the Convoy during 1965 Indo-Pak war, which was strifed by the Pakistani aircrafts leaving practically all his colleagues dead. Anna treated this as second life which he dedicated for the wellbeing of the society. Whatever gratuity he got from Govt. he spent for the welfare of the people and transformed the village into an ideal village. He lead a simple life. As a bachelor, an ascetic, he has no possessions, no bank balance and lives in a temple. He is a living Mahatma Gandhi.

He lead many delegations and observed fast many times, which forced govt. to change some of their orders which are against the public.
Let all of us at Dehradun INCLUDING ALL Ex-Servicemen of Doon Valley lend full support to this noble cause to liminate corruption by attending rally at Gandhi Park from 5 to 7 PM on 5TH Apr. 11 by lighting a candle. In addition we can send our above Pledge to Anna Hazare that henceforth we will not indulge in corruption come what may. Copies of the pledge will be available on the ground for those who wish to sign. This pledge will become a deterrent to corruption when confronted with such situations.
The cause is being supported by a number of leading social & welfare societies of the town.

Lt Col B M Thapa, VeteranGeneral SecretaryDehradun Ex-Services League

IESM WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT TO VETERAN ANNA HAZARE

2011-04-06T00:52:00.001-07:00

From: IESM_GovBody@yahoogroups.com [mailto:IESM_GovBody@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi
Sent: 05 April 2011 20:18
Subject: [IESM_GovBody] Anna Hazare's Fast [3 Attachments]

[Attachment(s) from Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi included below]
IESM today joined Anna Hazare's historic fast for a Jan Lok Pal Bill. Some pictures are attached.
I will be manning the fort tomorrow- all day. Addressees of this mail are requested to come and join me. There are things we can talk and plan. Do come.

With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.
Mob: +919891279035
Skype: rakesh.prasad.chaturvedi

MINUTES OF MEETING OF GOV BODY AT 1730H ON 18 MAR 2011 AT VK NEW DELHI

2011-03-28T03:33:00.000-07:00

MINUTES OF MEETING OF GOV BODY AT 1730H ON 18 MAR 2011 AT VK NEW DELHI
Following members attended the meeting;
1. Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan PVSM, AVSM and VSM Chairman
2. Maj Gen Satbir Singh SM Vice Chairman
3. Maj Gen PK Renjen AVSM
4. Brig CS Kamboj VSM
5. Col Kirit Joshipura
6. Wg Cdr CK Sharma Treasurer
7. Col Rakesh Chaturvedi
8. Cdr Ravi Pathak On skype from Pune
9. Cdr SS Ahuja Jt Secretary
10. Hony Lt K Pandey
11. Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM Gen Secretary
12. Lt Cdr SS Beniwal Guest in attendance

Following points were discussed:

1. Debrief on core Gp meeting 5 March 2011; Gen Secretary briefed all on the core group meeting held on 5 March 2011 and explained that the total expenditure on the core gp meeting was Rs 8293. It was also brought out that despite reimbursing the fare for the conveners; the strength of members attending the meeting was very less. The members opined that it could be because IESM is only reimbursing the train fare and not the stay for the conveners. It was therefore decided that the conveners would be reimbursed for their to and fro 2 AC train fare plus Rs 500 the meeting as incidental expenditure.
2. Debrief on the IESM Rally on 6 March 2011 at Jantar Mantar; Gen Secretary briefed all on the IESM rally held on 6 March 2011 at Jantar Mantar from 1000h to 1530h. The rally was attended by more than 6500 veterans from 16 states of India. The mood in the rally was upbeat and all veterans were determined for a long fight for OROP. Arrangements in the rally were good. The expenditure on the rally was Rs 221690/. MOM of the rally has been issued.
3. Legal case to be filed for Mil pay; The detail discussion on the issue was held, and despite the fact that a decision was taken in the 8 Jan 11 meeting to file the case for Mil Pay (OROP), it was opined that there is a need for more discussions and advise from legal experts before filing the suit. It was decided that IESM should go ahead and prepare the case for OROP.
4. Filing of PIL in Supreme Court for not implementing the decision of the court orders; It was decided that enough data was not available to file a contempt of court case against Government. It was decided to gather specific cases and then press for the PIL against Government for not implementing the judgment of Supreme Court orders. It was decided to form a team to study and suggest action taken on the issue. The team would comprise of
· Lt Cdr SS Beniwal
· Col Oberoi
· Gp Capt VK Gandhi
5. Status of AFGRC; It was noted with concern that AFGRC has yet not started functioning. These are tricks Government plays with courts and veterans. It would be better to file an RTI rather than a PIL.
6. Status of Major’s pension; It was decided that all help would be provided to the veterans fighting the case.
7. IESM stand on India against Corruption; It was decided that IESM would support the agitation of veteran Anna Hazare and India against corruption group. Gen sec would make a roster for the veterans who would join the agitation on Jantar Mantar. All state conveners would be asked to support the agitation organized by the group in state capital.

There being no other point the meeting was closed at 2030h

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM (Retd)
Gen Secretary IESM
20 March 2010
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951

A CLEAR VICTORY STAMP OF IESM ON THE LATEST REPORT SUBMITTED BY STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE

2011-03-28T00:51:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

The email from Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Vice Chairman IESM, and the enclosures received with it appended below, will make it very clear to you all that it is the efforts of IESM that Standing Committee on Defence has submitted two successive reports in favour of Indian Military Veterans.

Dear friends – it is time that those Indian Military Veterans, who had doubt about the success of IESM in its ops, to do serious rethinking.
If you are genuinely interested in getting justice for Indian Defence personnel – serving and retired, please come forward and support IESM whole heartedly

We also appeal to all the ESM Organisations, to stop the policy of pleasing the Babus and toeing their line of thinking.

Those organisations who talk of “Not Crossing the Lakshman Rekha” are doing so for their personal benefits and bluffing the Indian Military Veterans.

Those Military Veterans, who are in position to help and make all ESM Organisations talk the same language must come forward now.

The Babus cannot sustain a joint onslaught by All Indian Military Veterans if we all speak the same language.
Yes all ESM Organisations are welcome to have their own banners and posters at the next rally of Indian Military Veterans – but we all must speak the same language.

We assure Indian Military Veterans, that IESM has done nothing in the past nor will it do anything in future, which is not in keeping with the Military Ethics.

So why talk of “Not Crossing the Lakshman Rekha” – you are bluffing the Indian Military Veterans for your personal benefits.

Dear Senior Indian Military Veterans – it is time for you to come forward and help and unite all ESM Organisations.

IT IS NOW OR NEVER

Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
(PS – The press release of the Standing Committee for Defence has been deliberately put before the email of Gen Satbir)
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