IESM RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR..01 Dec 2012

IESM RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR
*******************************
:01 DEC2012

Dear Colleagues,

...

The planned IESM rally was held at Jantar Mantar On December 01. We had advertised the rally widely and great hype had been built up. Unfortunately the attendance of around 3000 was much below expectations. Thankfully, the enthusiasm of those present did overcome the lack of numbers to some extent. As a policy of gradual escalation a vehicle with medals mounted on it has been prepared and is scheduled to go around Delhi and NCR during the coming days. The vehicle was parked on site and drew great appreciation from all. There were many enthusiastic speakers that took the mike and spoke their mind on government’s repeated stonewalling our demand of OROP. Unfortunately, this upset our time schedule and we had to call off our planned march – along with the medal vehicle – on roads around Connaught Place.
On 02 December was the General Body meeting and the elections. There was no voting and all the old members of the Governing Body have been returned unopposed. Colonel KK Malhotra, Hony Captains Bhim Singh and Nagender Singh are the new members of the team. The General Body reaffirmed its resolve to continue with the struggle till our demands are met.
The pension enhancement coming out of the of Rs 2300 Crore that the Govt has sanctioned is expected to be announced by 15 December 2012.

Lt Gen Raj kadyan

rajkadyan8@gmail.com

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INVITATION VETERANS AT JANTAR MANTAR , NEW DELHO 01 DEC 2012

INVITATION 

DEFENCE VETERANS WILL CONTINUE COUNTRYWIDE MOVEMENT AGAINST GOVERNMENT APATHY VISHALEX SERVICEMEN RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI ON 01 DEC 2012- 10 AM

 

Dear Veterans                              Dated : 23 Nov 2012

 

Invitation letter to Media regarding Vishal Ex Servicemen Rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 01 Dec 2012 from 10 AM to 3 PM  dated 23 Nov 2012 is enclosed herewith for your information and wide circulation/publication please.

Jai Hind!!

 

With Warm Regards,

                                                      

 Yours Sincerely,

 

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
 Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-411057                                                

Email:satbirsm@yahoo.com, satbirsm@gmail.com

Dated: 23 Nov 201

INVITATION 

DEFENCE VETERANS WILL CONTINUE COUNTRYWIDE MOVEMENT AGAINST GOVERNMENT APATHY VISHAL EX SERVICEMEN RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI ON 01 DEC 2012- 10 AM

 

Dear Members of the Media,

1.       Peeved by continued apathy of the Government towards their genuine demands, the Defence Veterans plan to continue their protests across the country.  As part of it, an Ex Servicemen Rally will be held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 01 Dec 2012 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

2.       One Rank One Pension (OROP) is a four decades old demand of Defence Veterans. It implies “Defence Personnel with the same rank and same length of service must draw the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement”.  However despite most political parties declaring support for it, and despite many Committees on Defence recommending implementation of OROP for Defence Veterans, the Government has not implemented it.

3.       Unfortunately this is not an isolated case of neglect of Defence veterans’ interests. Many Governmental actions relating to Veteran affairs indicate an institutional indifference and perhaps willful design that is both alarming and demotivating. Consider the following:

a.       The ridiculous situation wherein a Major General draws a pension lower than that of a Lieutenant Colonel- three ranks lower in the hierarchy.

b.      A Havildar drawing a pension less than that of a Sepoy, which is a much junior rank?

c.       A Lieutenant General drawing almost the same pension as a Colonel or a Brigadier, ranks that are junior.  

d.      While all Central Govt employees have been given three Assured Career Progressions by the 6^th CPC, the same has been denied to the “Sepoy” who is compulsorily retired after 15 – 17 years of service and the Assured Career progression to Defence persons are authorized after 8, 16, 24 years of service.  Is it not Gross injustice that a Sepoy is not granted the financial benefit of 3^rd Career Progression before retirement to enable him to get the pension accordingly?   

e.      Non-inclusion of Defence Services in even benefits like Non Functional Upgrades, made applicable to all other Government services EXCEPT Defence Services.

f.        Widows of Defence personnel are invariably left out of accretions in Pensions announced for JCO/OR.

g.       An amazing 39 serious anomalies have arisen in the implementation of even the 6^th Central Pay Commission, causing grave injustice to the Defence Personnel in their status and thus inter-se equation with other Central Services, pay and pensions.

h.      Non implementation of the ‘Rank Pay’ awarded holistically by the Fourth Pay Commission, despite a recent court order.

i.         Periodically falsely claiming grants and benefits to Defence Veterans, without them being granted.

j.        Contesting all judicial orders / rulings favoring Defence Veterans.

k.       Non-inclusion of Uniformed fraternity even in committees set up over matters directly affecting them.

4.       It appears that our Government does not respect the sacrifices made by a soldier-who does not think twice before making the supreme sacrifice. This is a very unfortunate state of affairs.  

5.       As you are aware, Defence Veterans have been depositing their medals with the President to protest the Government’s apathy towards them. 22000 medals have already been thus deposited. Following the Rally on 1 December, the next tranche’ of approximately ten thousand medals will first be taken around to various locations in NCR before being taken to Rashtrapati Bhawan, to make our countrymen aware of the injustice meted out to Defence Veterans.

6.       IESM has great pleasure in inviting you to please attend the rally on 1 Dec 2012 from 10 AM on, and experience firsthand, the angst of the Defence Veterans community.

Jai Hind!!

With Warm Regards,                                                       

 Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM                                                                      

Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
 Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-411057                                                 

Email:satbirsm@yahoo.com, satbirsm@gmail.com

HEALTH CARE EX SERVICEMEN:ECHS PROBLEMS

HEALTH CARE EX SERVICEMEN: ECHS PROBLEMS

NEEDING IMMEDIATE REDRESSAL

 
Dated: 25 Oct 2012

 
Dear Veterans ,          
                                                            

       Letter to RM, three Chiefs and MD ECHS regarding Health Care Ex Servicemen : ECHS problems needing immediate redressal is circulated herewith for further circulation please.

    

 

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570

       Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

……………………….

To 
Shri A.K.Antony
  Defence Minister                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                              Date: 25 Oct 2012
 

HEALTH CARE EX SERVICEMEN: ECHS PROBLEMS

NEEDING IMMEDIATE REDRESSAL

Dear Shri A K Antony,

1.  The ex servicemen contributory health scheme (ECHS) has been in existence for a decade. While it has to an extent ameliorated the healthcare problems of defence veterans, some glaring shortcomings exist. Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) has been actively interacting with defence veterans across India to gain first hand inputs of their experience with ECHS. By now we have enough inputs about these shortcomings, which have been brought to the notice of the Govt, the three Chiefs, AG and MD ECHS on numerous occasions.  Assurances have been given a number of times for redressal of the problems but most of the cases under process which will address some of the inadequacies are still lying in various offices. If expeditious actions are taken to accord the required sanctions, the ECHS health care of its members will see a quantum improvement.  Some of the issues needing immediate redressal are discussed in succeeding paragraphs.

Inadequacy of Funds 

2.  There are approx 35 lacs dependent member of ECHS.  Even if Rs 27000 per member is scaled (as is presently known) the annual budget should be approx 9400 crores.  As against this amount, it is understood that merely Rs 1600 crores have been planned for this year.  This amount is too inadequate to service the ECHS satisfactorily.  Since large numbers of polyclinics are not yet operational and a large number of ECHS members are unable to avail of the facility, and to meet the existing requirements of ECHS, there is an immediate need to bring up allocations to satisfactory levels.

Withdrawal of Empanelled Hospitals Due to Non Clearance of Bills

3. Non availability of funds with the MD ECHS has had a cascading adverse effect on planning and execution of healthcare of ECHS members. Super Specialty Hospitals and other good hospitals are not offering themselves to be empanelled because of the non clearance of their bills in time.  Suggestion was given by IESM to MD ECHS to clear 50 percent of the hospital bills within one week of receipt of the bills and remaining 50 percent be cleared within 30 days, after due evaluation, analysis and verification.  We are told that such a proposal is lying with Secy DESW for a considerable time for approval.  You would appreciate that delays in clearance of such important proposals adversely affect functionality. The same needs to be sanctioned immediately to assist MD ECHS to clear outstanding hospital bills.

4.  A large number of good Super Specialty Hospitals initially empanelled with ECHS, have withdrawn for want of clearance of their bills and the remaining empanelled hospitals are also under financial stress and on the verge of discontinuing empanelment.  Two hospitals in Ludhiana stopped accepting ECHS members.  With personal intervention of MD ECHS they have restarted their service.  Medanta Hospital Gurgaon, an empanelled hospital has also stopped accepting ECHS members because, out of their bills of Rs 5 crores already lying with MD ECHS, only 2 lacs and 15 thousand have been paid.  All hospitals in Mysore and Nagpur had withdrawn their empanelment for nonpayment of their bills.  Life of Lt Gen Raj Kadyan was saved, again with concerted efforts by IESM, MD ECHS and personal indulgence of Dr. Trehan that he was moved to Medanta hospital Gurgaon where his serious condition with 17000 platelet counts and Dengue Fever was managed effectively. Likewise two ECHS members who were to be operated for cancer at Medanta were initially refused admission but finally accepted by the hospital with personal intervention and assurance of MD ECHS for early clearance of their bills.  Why should such a situation be allowed to occur?

5.  The required funds need to be released well in time to ensure smooth execution ECHS.

Listed and Unlisted Procedures

6.  Medical Science has improved considerably and new procedures are introduced to improve the quality of medical care.  These procedures are adopted by various super specialty hospitals.  In order to provide the best available medical care to ex servicemen, there is need to review the listed/unlisted procedures at regular intervals.  It is strongly recommended that any unlisted procedure which has been introduced in the country in the last six months should automatically be included in the listed procedures.  This will enable the ECHS members to avail of the improved medical care. Following examples illustrate this:-

(a)       Robotic surgery has been introduced in our country in many hospitals for many years.  However, the same has not yet been included in the listed procedures of ECHS.   Two cases of cancer patients, one with breast cancer and other with prostate cancer, who were to be operated at Medanta Super Specialty Hospital at Gurgaon (Hr), an empanelled hospital,illustrate the harassment of patients, by not implementing this.  In case of both, undue delay in treatment was caused since the robotics methodology of treatment is not included in Medanta’s contract.  Once Medanta has been empanelled with ECHS, all procedures and specializations being carried out there should automatically be included in the listed procedures. ECHS members should not be harassed and made to run around to get the necessary sanctions.  The ECHS structure and systems should be so improved to automatically include improvements in medical science and technology. Necessary changes in the rates should be regularly incorporated by ECHS every six months.

(b)      Injection Avastin for eye ailment ARMD has been introduced in our country for over a decade.  However, the same is not included in the listed procedures.

Suggested Improvement in Provision of medical Care to ESM

7.  Single window super specialty medical care must be made available to ECHS members.   The referral to the empanelled hospital should be for consultation, investigation, treatment and follow up and there should be no need for the patient to run around to get administrative sanctions.  Checks and audits may be introduced at the time of empanelling the hospital and subsequently by audit teams to ensure no malpractices are allowed to happen.

8.   Some suggestions are made as under:-

(a) Emergency Treatment in Civil Hospital: The Govt. while sanctioning License/ Registration to hospitals should have a clause that defence personnel and ECHS members would be attended to in an emergency at ECHS rates.  The concerned hospital should inform the closest ECHS Clinic/ECHS helpline about the patient.  The designated team of doctors should visit the hospital within 24hrs to assess the condition of the patient. If the patient is in a state to be moved to an empanelled Hospital, the same may be carried out under ECHS arrangements.  If he is not in a position to be moved out of the hospital, then he /she should continue to get treatment at the same hospital and the ECHS should make direct payment to the hospital at ECHS rates.  If any extra charges are to be paid to the hospital, the same should be done by the ECHS and not the patient.  The patient should not have to arrange and pay dues to the hospital.  The case of Brig Mahajan who was, in an emergency, taken to Madanta Gurgaon by his son & was kept in ICU for more than 15 days, is illustrative.  His son had to raise private loans to pay bill of Rs 5, 60,841.09 and only Rs 3, 62,882/- have been reimbursed to him.   He or his son is not in a position to bear the loan amount.  As per terms and conditions of service, a soldier, his/her spouse and dependents are to be given free medical care for life. 

 

(b) MD ECHS should be the authority to operationalise the scheme.  He can seek assistance of any military hospital nearby and other controlling authorities should be done away with.

 

(c) The budget provisions for the ECHS must be made available in the beginning of the year.  Additional projections may be made based on the requirement and sanctioned on Priority.

(d) ECHS member should not have to spend money from his/her pocket to get any special   consultation, investigation, treatment and follow up. ECHS should take care of the same.

 

(e)     The facilities at   military medical establishments should be made available to the ECHS members who should have a choice to go to any one of these  in addition to the empanelled hospitals

Command and Control of ECHS

9.   ECHS should function under the overall Control of AG of Integrated HQ (ARMY) and not under Secy DESW.  All financial and administrative powers be vested with the AG who should be held accountable and answerable to RM & RRM through joint Chief of Staff Committee.

10. All Operational Control (Adm& Financial) of ECHS should be with MD ECHS and he should be accountable to the joint Chiefs of Staff Committee integrated HQ.

11. Technical support on as required basis be provided by  Armed Forces Medical set up at appropriate level.

Obligation of Private Hospitals towards Ex Servicemen

12. Through Govt orders/institutions, it should be obligatory for any private hospital to offer themselves for ECHS empanelment.   This should be incorporated in licence policy.

Review of Authorization  of Medical Specialist Medical Officer and ECHS Polyclinic Staff and their Emoluments

13.  There is need to review the authorizations of Medical Specialists, medical officers and other polyclinic staff and their emoluments.  The existing authorization and their emoluments are inadequate.  We are told that the proposal is awaiting sanction for a long time.  The same must be sanctioned expeditiously.

Availability of Medicines

14. Proposal to procure medicines through civil pharmacy is  reportedly at final stges of implementation. same must be  sanctioned at the earliest.

Enhancement of Financial Powers

15.  The existing financial powers at various levels are too inadequate.   A proposal to enhance these powers is also awaiting sanction for a long time.  The same needs to be sanctioned at the earliest.

Local Purchase of Medicines

16.  All ECHS members need to be authorized to local procure NA medicine from the market and claim funds for the same.   This will greatly improve availability of all prescribed medicines.

17.   May we request you to on priority consider our above suggestions to improve the Healthcare of Ex Servicemen through ECHS.

                                                                                                           

        With Regards,                                                        Yours Sincerely,

Jai Hind

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM                                     

Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
 Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-411057      

Email:satbirsm@yahoo.com,                                                                    satbirsm@gmail.com

Copy to :-

Gen Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC     - With request to                                                          Chief of the Army Staff                                                                      take up the issue with the                                         Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army)                                         Govt                                                            

South Block, New Delhi-110011                                                                                                       

Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, ADC              -do-                                        Chief of the Naval Staff                                                                                                         

Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy)                                                                                      

South Block, New Delhi-110011

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM                    -do-   

Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and                                                                                       

Chief of the Air Staff                                                                                                               

Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Air Force)                                                                              

Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

Maj Gen J George                                                                                                                                                         MD ECHS                                                                                                                                                                   

Central Org ECHS                                                                                                                                                     Mod Lines Delhi Cantt-10

 

 

VISHAL RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI ON 01 DEC 2012

MUST READ – MUST JOIN

“DEFENCE VETERANS AGAINST INJUSTICE”, VISHAL RALLY AT JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI ON 01 DEC 2012

Dear Veterans,                                                                                    Dated : 28 Sep 2012

1. The Govt has not only not resolved 39 serious anomalies in Pay & Pension of Defence Personnel, it has not implemented the judgements of Armed Forces Tribunal & Supreme Court given in favour of Defence Personnel. Recommendations of Rajya Sabha Petition Committee on OROP strongly recommending OROP to Defence Personnel have not been implemented.

OROP issue which has been duly analysed for over 7 months by members of parliament, was assigned to a Committee of secretaries who had earlier given evidence to Rajya Sabha Committee against the grant of OROP. What could be expected from them? PM, RM and the three Chiefs were apprised of it. On 24th Sep 2012 (Evening) the Govt misled the soldiers and the Nation when they announced that OROP has been approved. Infact the approval is nowhere close to the OROP. 

They have removed a serious anomaly of 6th CPC where the bureaucracy had manipulated the recommendation of 6 CPC i.e “minimum of pay of the Rank in the Pay band was changed to Minimum pay of the Pay Band”. For Sepoy to Hav, they have given two years additional weightage which means an increase of only Rs 400 per month. The demand of three Chiefs to include members from the serving and retired Defence personnel in the Committee was not accepted.

2. Our struggle to get Justice therefore, will be continued with increased intensity.

With the above in mind, a Rally has been planned to be held at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 01 Dec 2012 from 1030 – 1530hrs. All ESM who have not deposited their medals are requested to do so in large numbers. 

Medals can be collected area wise and brought to the Rally or individual ESM may deposit their medals at the rally site.

3. Future course of action and resolutions will be collectively passed at the Rally to ensure that we get our due Justice.

This Rally in Delhi is being held to showcase the continued apathy and mistreatment to the military and to impress upon the Government to see the writings on the wall and act fast to address all grievances of Defence personnel expeditiously.

4. In last ten years, the Defence Forces have suffered a lot of ignomies and humiliations due to apathetic attitude of the Govt. and the bureaucracy. The government is mistaken if it thinks that by dragging its feet on the issue of the armed forces dissatisfaction with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, it can make the issue go away.

5. A country that refuses to respect its armed forces will eventually end up getting forces that will not respect the nations' aspirations. A country makes a sacred contract with its soldiers that while he/she will lay down his/her life when called upon to do so, the nation will take good care of his/her and his/her family's needs to the extent its resources would permit.

6. Besides the Rally schedule, it is proposed to take out a March of 3 – 4 Kms on a designated route. It is also planned to prepare a vehicle platform on which gallantry and Distinguished Service Medals number approx 10 thousand which have already been deposited with us by volunteer ESM and a large number which will be deposited on the day of the Rally will be respectfully placed in a “Show Case” separately made for the purpose. This will be placed at the Rally Site and moved along with scheduled March during the Rally. Subsequently, it is planned to move the vehicle alongwith the “Show Cased Medals” at various locations in the NCR for a period of 5 – 7 days. Four volunteer ESM will always escort the medals on the vehicle.

7. IESM Conveners in nearby states i.e. Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal, Uttrakhand, UP who desire to parade the vehicle with Medals in their States may write to IESM HQ, at 543 Sector 23, Gurgaon (Haryana) on mail ID : satbirsm@gmail.com The vehicle would be planned to be dispatched to the volunteer states for a period of 3-4 days.

8. Veterans, their family members and supporters in large numbers are requested to attend the above Rally. As hither to, part reimbursement of transport will be made by IESM. All administrative arrangements will be tied up. All ESM who have uniforms with them are requested to come in uniform, others may wear Mufti Dress with Regimental tie and cap. All those who don’t have Mufti may wear Shirt & trouser.

9. ESM across the country and abroad are requested to send donations with a big heart for logistic management for the above Maha Rally. Cheques may either be deposited in our Bank, HDFC Bank A/C No 06162000001330 or be sent at 543 Sector 23 Gurgaon (Haryana), India 122017.

10. Plan now to keep 01 Dec 2012 free for yourself and the family members and make sure that you all attend the above Rally in large numbers. Your participation is essential to Show Case the collective strength of Defence Veterans to get our due Justice.

11. MUST join the rally to ensure “sure win” against the Injustice. “Manjle Bahut Hongi, Karvan Bahut Honge, Bhirh Wahan Hogi, Jhan Sikandar Honge”

With Regards,

Jai Hind Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570 Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

Letter from PMO office...regarding constitution of a committee

Letter to PM by Maj Gen Satbir Singh..Vice Chairman IESM

Dr Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
10 Parliament House
New Delhi -110011
CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE:
PAY & PENSIONS OF SERVING & RETIRED DEFENCE PERSONNEL

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

1. The fact that you have approved the constitution of a committee headed by Cabinet Secretary on issues of relevance to defence personnel both serving and retired (copy attached) shows your concern to resolve serious anomalies in their pay and pensions and grant them due justice.

2. However, we would like to bring to your notice a few of our serious concerns in this regard as under:-

(a) One Rank One Pension. When a Parliamentary Committee has already looked into the demand of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and recommended the same, would it be ethical for a committee of bureaucrats to examine the same demand? Wouldn’t this send a wrong message? Who is more important to the PM, the voice of elected representatives of a democracy or a body of career bureaucrats? In a democracy should the bureaucracy sit in judgment of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee reports and court judgments? It is pertinent to mention that four of the five secretaries of the newly constituted committee ie Defence, Finance, Expenditure & DESW had appeared before the Petition Committee of Parliament and had given evidence against the grant of OROP. However, the Petition Committee had totally rejected their contention and strongly recommended the grant of OROP. The defence veterans are of the view that these secretaries are likely to repeat their already known view and the outcome of the newly formed committee is a foregone conclusion as far as OROP is concerned. Action Taken Report (ATR) on the Koshiyari Report, which the Govt was required to give by 19 Mar 2012, has not yet been given. Mr Prime Minister Sir, in order to meet the ends of justice, it is strongly recommended that the issue of review of OROP by this committee be taken off from the terms of reference and OROP be granted to all defence personnel in perpetuity based on the recommendation of Rajya Sabha Petition Committee immediately.

..2/- -2-

(b) The second serious concern is regarding non-inclusion of serving and retired defence personnel as its members. You will agree that bureaucrats are perceived to have been behind the systematic down-gradation of status, pay and pensions of Defence Personnel. Otherwise, how one can explain 108 times increase in pension of senior most civilian employ from 1973 to 2006 while the pension of highest defence rank ie COAS has increased 45 times? A Sepoy is compulsorily retired after 15/17 years of service and not granted his 3rd career progression which is available to all other central govt employees. Non Functional Upgradation (NFU) is authorized to Grade A and IPS viz IAS, IFS and not authorized to Defence officers. The defence personnel feel that the main reason of injustice was that they were not represented in 6th CPC, the demand which was strongly made by all the three Chiefs and Joint Chief of Staff Committee but unfortunately not agreed to by the govt. Sir, the present composition of the committee infuses no confidence amongst the defence personnel both serving and veterans. We are of the view that 24 lakh veterans and over 3 lakh widows would not want to have another committee which may reject their most genuine demand of OROP. It is therefore, strongly felt that at least four members be included in the composition of the newly formed committee ie one each from serving Army, Air Force and Navy and one from Ex Servicemen.

7. Mr Prime Minister Sir, you are aware that together the Defence Personnel, serving and veterans, their family members and supporters have voting strength of over six crores. There are over sixty large cantonments and over 250 military stations in the country. Continued apathy and disregard of their genuine demands by the present UPA govt is likely to polarize them against it. They are also getting restless and are no longer wanting to wait for any length of time.

8. In view of the foregoing we request the following:-

(a) OROP issue be delinked from the scope of this committee. Rajya Sabha Petition Committee Recommendations strongly recommending grant of OROP be accepted and OROP in perpetuity be granted to all defence personnel immediately.

(b) For remaining issues, the composition of the committee be amended to include three members from serving defence personnel and one from Ex Servicemen.

(c) Another important issue of reduction of unacceptable large gap between pre 2006 retiree Majors and Lt Col (over Rs 14000/- per month) be included in the terms of reference of this committee.

With Regards,

Jai Hind

Yours Sincerely,



Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Vice Chairman, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement

Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570

Email: satbirsm@gmail.com …3/-

-3- Copy to :-

Sh AK Antony For information and action please. Defence Minister 104, South Block New Delhi

Gen Bikram Singh, - With request for collective intervention PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC to address the serious shortcomings and Chief of the Army Staff consequent injustice to the defence forces. Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army) OROP must be got sanctioned at the earliest. South Block, New Delhi-110011

Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee & Chief of the Naval Staff Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy) South Block, New Delhi-110011

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne PVSM, AVSM, VM Chief of the Air Staff Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Air Force) Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

ANOTHER COMMITTEE OF BUREAUCRATS ...??By Maj Gen Satbir Singh

Dated: 14 Jul 2012 Dr. Manmohan Singh Hon’ble Prime Minister of India 10 Parliament House New Delhi -11

ANOTHER COMMITTEE OF BUREAUCRATS HEADED BY CABINET SECRETARY ON PAY AND PENSIONS OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL INCLUDING ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

1. We are surpresed to know that the Govt has once again constituted another Committee of six secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary to go into One rank one pension (OROP) and other pay and pension related issues of Defence personnel both serving and retired. Why this committee has been ordered sans all logic? The committee of these very secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary was ordered during the last LS Elections. Without assigning any sustainable logic and quoting old references where OROP had been denied, it had rejected the demand of OROP.

2. The Rajya Sabha Petition Committee on OROP comprising MPs from all parties heard all stake holders for over 7 months. Four out of the five secretaries of the newly constituted committee ie Defence, Finance, Expenditure and DESW were called for evidence by the Rajya Sabha Committee. They all, on frivolous reasons gave evidence against the grant of OROP. The petition committee after deliberating on all the evidence brought before it, strongly rejected the reasons put across by these four secretaries to deny the OROP and strongly recommended the grant of OROP and tabled its report in the Rajya Sabha on 19 Dec 2011.

3. It is a travesty of justice that the Govt, which, as per the existing rules and Standard Operating Procedures was required to take decision on the Petition Committee and Action Take Report ie (ATR) by the Govt was due within three months ie by 19 Mar 2012, has not done so, and instead in order to further delay, harass and finally reject OROP, once again has ordered the new committee of the same five bureaucrat secretaries. Sir what can we expect from this committee? They had already rejected OROP and gave evidence against it to the Petition Committee. It is foregone conclusion that, they will again give the same reasons and reject the OROP.

4. Mr. Prime Minister Sir, we had in our letter dated 05 July 2012 requested you to accept the Petition Committee Report on OROP and grant the same to all Defence Personnel at the earliest. We are yet to receive acknowledgement and we do not know whether the letter has been put up to you (Copy enclosed).

5. Sir, we earnestly request you to cancel the constitution of this new committee of bureaucrats, since such a committee infuses no confidence in the Defence personnel both serving and retired. We are of the view that 24 lacs veterans and over 3 lacs widows would not want to have another committee which will reject theirs most genuine demand of OROP.

6. It will be pertinent to mention that the present status of the issues which have been assigned to this committee is as under:-

(a) Non Functional Upgradation. This has already been granted to Gp A services, IPS viz IAS, IFS. It was not extended to Defence Officers for the reasons not known. The only thing known to us is that the 6th CPC had no representation from Defence Forces serving or retired. The Govt has to take a call on it and extend the same policy to the Defence officer for which no committee is required to be formed.

(b) HAG + to all Lt Gen. It is already applicable to Addl Secy, DGPs and 25% of Lt Gen and equivalent. It only needs to be extended to all Lt Gen. Again there is no need for another committee recommendation.

(c) One Rank One Pension. The petition Committee of Rajya Sabha has strongly recommended grant of OROP and rejected the reasons given by four of five secretaries of this committee to deny the OROP. The Govt has to take decision on the Petition Committee Report and inform the Parliament as Action Taken Report. Another committee of secretaries who have given their evidence against the grant of OROP will serve no purpose. Definitely, the Petition Committee of Parliament has far higher status then the Committee of Secretaries. It will be an insult of the Parliament if committee of secretaries is given higher consideration.

(d) Enhancement of Family Pension. This most needy segment of Defnece pensioners was left out when Pensions of JCOS and Ors were enhanced in Mar 2010. It was grave injustice done to them. The reasons subsequently given by the MoD to deny them the enhancement, to say the least sans all logic. RM during IESM delegation meeting had assured that this anomaly will be removed and it had the blessings of UPA chairperson. He later informed that he had cleared the file for enhancement of widows pension, however, Finance Ministry has rejected it. The matter is between RM & FM and needs no review by another committee of secretaries.

(e) Enhancement of Grade Pay of Lt Col/Col/Brig and Removal of Pay Anomalies of Other Ranks. These are the anomalies which have been in detail deliberated upon by the Service HQs and strongly recommended for sanction by the Govt. There is no need to have another review by a committee of secretaries.

7. Mr. Prime Minister Sir, you are aware that together the Defence Personnel serving and retired, their family members and supporters have voting strength of over six crores. There are over sixty large cantonments and over 250 military stations in the country. Continue apathy and disregard of their genuine demands by the present UPA govt is likely to polarize them against it. They are also getting restless and are no longer wanting to wait for any length of time.

8. May we request you earnestly to sanction OROP and other issues assigned to this committee immediately and cancel the newly constituted committee of secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary? If at all the Govt wants to have another opinion before taking the decision, let the Committee of the following be formed immediately to give its report by 08th Aug 2012 as per the schedule of the newly formed committee :-

(a) Chairman - One of the retired chiefs (Gen V.P. Malik, (Recommended by SC for Armed Forces Grievance Redressal Commission (AFGRC))

(b) Members :-

(i) One Serving Vice Chief (From Army/Navy/Air Force)

(ii) One ESM Gen Officer - Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi,

(Recommended by SC for Armed Forces Grievance Redressal Commission (AFGRC))

(iii) Defence Secretary

(iv) Finance Secretary.

With Regards, Jai Hind Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570 Email: satbirsm@gmail.com Copy to :-

Sh. A.K. Antony, - For information and action please. Defence Minister, 104, South Block, New Delhi

Gen Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC Chief of the Army Staff Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army) South Block, New Delhi-110011

Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Naval Staff Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy) South Block, New Delhi-110011

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM Chief of the Air Staff Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Air Force) Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

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