Wednesday, July 18, 2012
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
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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
__._,_.___
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Very Positive development:
Friday, July 13, 2012
Very Positive development: Finally, a time-bound committee to look into, and implement the resolution of anomalies affecting defence personnel and veterans
The defence community would be pleased to know that the Prime Minister’s office has directed the constitution of an anomalies committee to look into many vital anomalies affecting serving and retired personnel and also their families.
The best part of the directions signed this week is that the committee is to submit its recommendations within a month and the implementation of the accepted recommendations may also be announced on 15 August 2012, thereby marking a radical signal of positivity.
Though a chunk of the bureaucracy in the Ministry of Defence was not inclined to let any such committee come through, this has been possible due to multiple channels of Track-II diplomacy and the stellar efforts of the Chairman COSC and the Pay Cells of the three services which evoked direct response from the Raksha Mantri who then took it upon himself to get this committee approved from the Prime Minister personally and directly without being blinded by comments of lower bureaucracy of the MoD.
The only negative offshoot is that the committee does not have any serving or retired military member and that a proper consultative process was not initiated before identifying the anomalies which required immediate examination. Ideally, the stake-holders should have been a part of the process. The Committee shall function under the Cabinet Secretary with the Defence Secretary, Secretary Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Expenditure Secretary and one representative of PMO, as members.
Howsoever we may view the development, many important issues such as Non-Functional Upgradation, enhancement of pensions of widows, One Rank One Pension, enhancement of Grade Pay of Lt Cols / Cols / Brigs, universalisation of scales, grant of HAG+ to all Lt Gens, removal of pay anomalies of other ranks etc have been listed in the charter of the committee. Five anomalies concerning serving personnel and four concerning veterans and pensioners shall be taken up.
It is however surprising that while the PM had directed that the constitution of the committee may be publically announced, the same has not been done by the staff at MoD till date despite the fact that the directions were conveyed by special courier (by hand) to the MoD for immediate action by the
-- Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan Chairman IESM 262, Sector - 17A Gurgaon - 122 001
ESM sitrep 13 July evening
Based on my interaction with the Defence Minister, I had earlier mentioned that he would be recommending to the PM about constitution of a committee to look at some of the pension anomalies. I received a call from the Secretary ESW today confirming that the committee has been formed. Headed by the Cabinet Secretary, it includes Secretaries ESW, Finance, Department of Personnel and another. Some of the issues the Committee would examine are:
• One rank one pension.
• Enhancement of widows’ pension.
• In case a Defence pensioner is getting two pensions, on his demise the widow too would continue receiving both pensions.
• A disabled ward would get pension throughout life and not only up to attainment of adult hood.
• Fixing of the officers’ pension based on minimum of the rank ‘in’ the pay band and not ‘of’ the pay band.
• Putting all Lt Generals in HAG + grade.
There are more issues, the details of which would be known in due course. The Committee has been given one month to complete the assigned task.
While every enhancement in pensions would be welcome, we will continue the struggle till OROP as a concept is implemented.
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan Chairman IESM From Toronto (Canada)
Thursday, July 12, 2012
EMPANNELED HOSPITALS AT NAGPUR
EMPANNELED HOSPITALS AT NAGPUR
Dear General George 1. We just spoke about empanelled hospitals at Nagpur. Mail received from veteran Ramesh Bora is enclosed.
2. There is need to get Super Specialty Hospitals empanelled to ECHS. I looked at the list of CGHS empanelment and I found there are 36 hospitals on the list. I am enclosing the same for your information. You may like to get approval of the Govt. for all CGHS empanelled hospitals deemed to be empanelled to ECHS. Simultaneously, we should either outsource the processing of Bills or introduce automation at more locations and in due course cover the entire country. You are aware that good super specialty hospitals are withdrawing from the ECHS for delay in clearance of their bills.
3. In the mean time local formation i.e. HQ MAINT COMMD IAF may be asked to play an active role in getting the local hospitals to opt for ECHS.
With Regards,
Jai Hind Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570 Email : satbirsm@yahoo.com
Monday, July 9, 2012
OROP as viewed by Gp Capt Gandhi
Some veterans have expressed the view that time has come to take a look at veterans agitation for OROP. Veterans have expressed their concern that the holding rallies, medal returns to the President and sending memorandums to the Govt has had very little effect on the Govt.
While it is true that OROP has yet not been sanctioned by the Govt for the veterans, but agitations spearheaded by the IESM has given dividends in the form of increased pension for our JCOs and ORs. Full parity in pension for all is yet to be achieved. Once OROP is given to veterans all veterans would draw equal pension for same rank and same length of service.
I would like to confirm that agitation spearheaded by IESM has paid dividends as enumerated below OROP has been brought in center stage of the nation. Definition of OROP is now known to all. Govt which was wrongly quoting grant of OROP has now realized that it can not fool veterans by making incorrect statements on the floor of parliament.
Many state Govt have unanimously passed resolution supporting OROP for the veterans. Govt is on back foot and has sent requests to IESM not to return any more medals. Parliamentary committee on defense headed by Sh Satpal ji Maharaj and members of all parties have unanimously recommended OROP for veterans.
Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar and other MsP have been raising grant of OROP in both the houses of Parliament.
Many parties have openly supported grant of OROP at various forums. Rajya Sabha had ordered a committee headed by Sh Bhagat Singh Kothiari. The committee had members from all parties. This committee had heard all the section of society and the Govt view also and had recommended OROP for the veterans. The committee went a step further and negated all the reasons given by Govt. ATR by the Govt on the recommendation of this committee is still pending. IESM is making all out efforts to get this report at the earliest.
Presidents of opposition parties have written to PM for grant of OROP for veterans. However despite above efforts Govt is still not inclined to grant OROP for the veterans and is taking refuge under the pretext that they would like to grant OROP in steps. This is not acceptable to veterans and IESM. IESM is inclined to do brain storming at this stage and is looking for better ideas and dynamic veterans to join in protests and agitations and even to lead them.
Request For Out of the box Solution and volunteers to Lead There is no doubt that veterans need to step up the agitation to ensure that the Government listens and accedes to our demands. IESM believes that its views are not the last word in planning an agitation, secondly its plan is not final word and thirdly modus operandi of agitation can definitely be improved to make it more effective. This is the reason IESM has always been requesting veteran community to give practical suggestions and also take a step forward to lead the agitations in a more effective manner. IESM would be more than keen to follow the group of veterans who would like to lead the agitation with their suggested out of the box solution, and hope that the suggested solution would be more effective and would help shake the Government to accede to veterans' demands. IESM is suggesting this as it believes in brain storming and that every suggestion needs to be considered on its merits and its pros and cons discussed in detail. IESM has only one request that please do not give only solutions but take a step forward to Join/lead veterans in making the agitation more effective. TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS BUT INDIVIDUALLY WE ARE ZERO, ALL VETERANS ARE REQUESTED TO JOIN IN THIS STRUGGLE AND MAKE THE STRUGGLE MORE EFFECTIVE SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACCEDES TO OUR JUST AND RIGHTFUL DEMANDS.
PLEASE NOTE; IESM WOULD NOT BACK ANY SOLUTION WHICH PROPAGATES ANY INCONVENIENCE TO CITIZEN AND DAMAGE TO GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. IESM WOULD FIGHT FOR RIGHT OF VETERANS WITHIN THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF INDIA WOULD SUPPORT ONLY NON VIOLENT AGITATION.
Power of Unity
It is time to put more pressure on the politicians so that they accede to veterans' just demand of OROP and treat the veterans with more respect. All veterans should understand the power of unity and the effect it would have on political scene if we use it more effectively. Time has now come to forget our local leanings and local issues and to take a vow that VETERANS WOULD UNITEDLY WOULD NOT VOTE FOR THE PARTY WHICH REFUSES TO GIVE US OROP AND WHICH DOES NOT CARE FOR ITS SOLDIERS AND VETERANS. SOLDIERS PROUDLY SACRIFICE THEIR LIFE FOR THE COUNTRY SO THAT CITIZEN LEAD A LIFE OF PROSPERITY. HOW CAN WE PERMIT POLITICIANS TO LIVE A POMPOUS LIFE WHEN THEY DO NOT CARE FOR A SOLDIER/VETERAN? IT IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR ALL VETERANS TO JOIN TOGETHER AND MAKE IT A COMBINED FIGHT TO GET OUR DEMANDS.
Power of Vote
There are 23 lacs veterans 11 lac serving soldiers (total no is 34 lacs ) spread over the country. Some parts of the country have dense population of veterans and soldiers while other parts of country have very less density of veterans. Every veterans has power to influence at-least 10 votes that of his close family and friends. This means together we can influence 34*10 = 340 lacs or 3.4 crore votes. And with the proper study of distribution of the veterans and soldiers density, together veterans can influence the result of close to 40 to 45 parliamentary constituencies. It is surprising that veterans are begging the Government to give us OROP with so much of power in hand. WAKE UP SOLDIER AND USE YOUR VOTE DECISIVELY ALL OUR DEMAND WOULD BE MET BY THE POLITICAL PARTIES. LEARN ABOUT YOUR VOTE POWER AND USE IT MORE EFFECTIVELY. IT IS YOU AND YOUR VOTE WHICH WILL DECIDE THE COMPOSITION OF THE NEXT GOVERNMENT . EVERY VETERANS HAS POWER TO DECIDE HIS OWN FUTURE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT VETERANS VOTE TOGETHER IN A BLOCK.
VETERANS HAVE ONE YEAR TO GET TOGETHER AND CONSOLIDATE THEIR VOTE POWER BEFORE NEXT ELECTION. LET US ALL GET TOGETHER AND CHOOSE A GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL TREAT VETERANS WITH HONOUR AND IZZAT. IT IS OUR RIGHT AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO GET IT.
Veterans' conclave
Veterans are requested to give their views on the plan to vote as a block. Based on views of environment and the other associations of the veterans across the country,IESM intends to plan a conclave of veterans sometime in near future to harness voting power of veterans and how to use it effectively to increase veterans' influence in formation of Govt favorably placed to veterans.
WAKE UP VETERANS, UNITED WE WILL WIN. साथी हाथ बढ़ाना साथी रे एक अकेला थक जाएगा मिल कर हाथ बढ़ाना साथी रे साथी हाथ बढ़ाना साथी रे
Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM Gen Sec IESM L - 48, Sector - 25, NOIDA. 201301 Tele no 01204313951 Mobile 09810541222 Pls see IESM latest NEWS on http://www.iesm.org IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE GIVE HIM ONE OF YOURS.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
GRANT OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION TO DEFENCE VETERANS
GRANT OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION TO DEFENCE VETERANS
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
1. This has reference of our letter dated 14.03.2012 addressed to all Members of Parliament and reply received from MoD (Pension Grievances) signed by Mr. Ajay Seth (Accounts Officer) (Copy attached).
2. We are deeply concerned at the way the welfare issues of Defence Personnel are being dealt with by the Govt. Letters to the PM are written only when all efforts to get the issues resolved have not borne results. Mr. Prime Minister Sir, we wish to inform you that we have appealed to every possible authority including your goodself a number of times on the issue. It seems that your staff does not even put up our letters to you since no reply is received which has your approval. Accounts Officers/Section Officers send the routine bureaucratic reply which does not even mention that the PM has considered and the draft of the reply has his approval.
3. One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been strongly recommended by Rajya Sabha Petition Committee and its recommendations were tabled in Rajya Sabha on 19 Dec 2011. Action Taken Report (ATR) by the Govt was due within three months ie by 18 Mar 2012 which is still awaited. The salient features of the recommendations were forwarded to all members of Parliament and others Govt functionaries. These are once again given in succeeding paras.
4. Findings and Recommendations of the Rajya Sabha Petition Committee Report on OROP:-
(a) Concept of One Rank One Pension. OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement, and any future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to past pensioners.
(b) Govt Justification to deny OROP Untenable. The Committee has not agreed with the infructuous arguments offered by the Government to deny OROP to Defense Pensioners/Family Pensioners. The committee observed that the three reasons i.e. Financial, Administrative and Legal, given by Government to deny OROP are untenable and merely a smoke screen to deny the ex-Servicemen their rightful dues. The Committee felt that such injustice to the Defence Forces is only due to bureaucratic apathy.
(c) Historic Perspective Justifies OROP. The Petition Committee observed that not only has the demand of OROP been included in the manifests of all leading political parties but it has also been repeatedly considered by all Central Pay Commission since the 3rd CPC in 1973, numerous committees like Inter Ministries Committees, Group of Ministers and Committee of Secretaries besides two Parliamentary Standing Committees on Defence of 2003 and 2010. In view of the above, the Committee felt that there is merit in the demand for OROP by Armed Forces Personnel.
(d) Bureaucratic Manipulation to Change Established Concept of Military Pensions. The Committee observed that in order to adequately compensate for the uniqueness of the armed forces as distinct from the other Govt servants, the concept of military pensions was historically better and different from that of the remaining Govt Servants. However, this was arbitrarily and without any justification changed by 3rd CPC in 1973. The Committee opined that the Govt has not been able to provide any justification for changing the established concept and reducing military pension and the decision to align military pensions with civilian pensions was an ill considered decision, which gave rise to the demand of OROP.
(e) Uniqueness of Defence Forces- No Commonality with Other Services. The Committee observed that the Govts apprehension that civilian pensioners will also demand OROP is baseless because of tougher and harsher conditions of service of the armed forces vis-à-vis the civilians and there is no commonality between the Defence Forces and other Govt services. The two cannot be equated and the armed forces deserve special dispensation.
(f) Ex Servicemen Discontent is Distressing.“The Committee is distressed to note that the defense personnel of our country have returned their service medals to the President of India because of the Governments' apathetic attitude towards them. The Committee felt that such alienation should not recur and their legitimate and fair demand of OROP be accepted.
(g) Small Financial Outlay. “The Committee noted that out of the total financial liability of Rs 1300 crores for the year 2011-12 in case OROP is implemented fully for all the defense personnel in the country, the liability for the Commissioned Officers would only be Rs 235 crores and remaining for JCOs and Other Ranks. The Committee feels that Rs 1300 crores is not a very big amount for a country of our size and economy for meeting the long pending demand of the armed forces of the country.
(h) Recommendation.
(i) “Keeping in view all the above factors, the Committee strongly recommended that Government should implement OROP in the defense forces at the earliest”.
(ii) Applicability for Future Increases. “The Committee further recommends, for future, the pay, allowances, Pension, family pension, etc. in respect of the defense personnel should be determined by a separate commission so that their peculiar terms and Conditions of service, the nature of duties they are required to perform, etc., which are quite different from the civilian work force, are duly taken into account while taking decision on the same”.
5. This is an important demand of the Defence Forces and has been strongly recommended by almost all PMs, all political parties, three parliamentary committees on Defence. It is not understood as to why the same has not yet been accepted by the Govt? The fact that this issue remains unresolved for a long time and is still being persisted by the Defence Veterans and the three service HQs indicate the importance and genuineness of the demand. This has been duly analysed by the Rajya Sabha Petition Committee which found it totally justifiable demand and strongly recommended its sanction and implementation. The reasons so for given by the Govt and the Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary to deny the OROP have also been strongly rejected by the Petition Committee. .
6. Sir, the Defence Veterans are getting restless due to total apathy and disregard being shown to them. It also adversely affects the serving defence fraternity since most of them have veteran kiths and kins and the fact that they would also be veterans in due course of time. OROP is a concept which in the form of Military pensions existed till 1973 when the 3rd Central Pay Commission clubbed the Defence Personnel with other Civilian Central Services; a decision which the Petition Committee felt was unwise. The Defence Personnel have suffered thrice over; one they were denied their system of Military Pensions, (the pension of Defence personnel were reduced while that of Civilians Counterparts were increased. The highest pension of civil servant till 1970 was Rs 416.50 Pm/- while that of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) it was Rs 1000 Pm/. In 2006, pension for both is Rs 45000/- pm, which means while the pension of Defence highest rank has increased only 45 times, that of civilian highest rank it has increased 108 times). There is just no justification for the same. Thirdly, while Non Functional Upgrade (NFU) has been granted to Group A Central Services and IPS, the same has been denied to the Defence Officers and for other ranks, the Third Assured Career Progression (ACP) sanctioned by the 6th CPC award for all Govt employees, has been denied to the soldier Sepoy who is being compulsorily retired after 15/17 years of service. These are glaring and serious issues of injustice and need to be resolved immediately.
7. OROP is just and fair demand which must be sanctioned immediately. This affects over two million defence veterans and over three lacs widows. The IESM Governing Body is compelled to decide that incase the OROP is not sanctioned by 15 Aug 2012, the protest Movement across the country will be intensified. Sir, this decision though very painful has been forced on the Defence Veterans since concerted efforts for the last over four years have been nullified by the Govt Apathy towards the welfare of Defence Veterans. 8. We earnestly, request you for your personal indulgence and grant of OROP to the Defence Personnel immediately to stop any further alienation, demoralization and anguish to the defence fraternity.
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, - With request for collective intervention PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC Chief of the Army Staff to address the serious shortcomings Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army) and consequent injustice to the South Block, New Delhi-110011 defence forces. OROP must be got sanctioned at the earliest.
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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