IESM

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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

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

Sunday, May 8, 2011

ECHS procedures

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

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

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

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

Friday, May 6, 2011

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

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/

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Rakky Anti Corruption 01 May at India Gate

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

AFT not a truly Judicial Forum, rules Delhi HC

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

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

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

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

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.
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THE END

4TH CPC RANK PAY ANOMALY COURT JUDGEMENT

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.

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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

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

Monday, April 25, 2011

New IESM members at Jhunjhunu 23 Apr 2011

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

Monday, April 18, 2011

Help in remote Areas by Brig RS Rawat

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

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....

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

Friday, April 15, 2011

Pica at Jantar Mantar 09 Apr 2011..Anna Hazare

Pic at Jantar Mantar 9 Apr 2011..Anna Hazare

Friday, April 8, 2011

Appeal by Brig CS Kamboj

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

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

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

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,

Thursday, April 7, 2011

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

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

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

IESM WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT TO VETERAN ANNA HAZARE

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