'One Rank, One Pension' spadework moving on fast-track, says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

NEW DELHI:31.1.2015

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said his Ministry would finalise modalities for the much delayed 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) scheme by next week and the file would be sent to Finance Ministry for further action. "In principle, it has been approved earlier. Discussions are on to fix modalities... By next week, the view of the defence ministry will be formed," Parrikar told reporters here while declaring that the OROP issue has been fast-tracked and he has already  held several meetings on it. 

As and when the exact implementation status for the scheme is finalised by defence ministry, it will be taken up to the Ministry of Finance,he said. Speaking on the issue last month, Parrikar had said if he could take the satisfaction level (of the retired armed forces personnel) to 80-90 per cent, that should be "a good enough solution".

'One Rank, One Pension' has been a long-standing demand of the over 2 million ex-servicemen in India. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.

The minister, meanwhile, said it has decided not to fight nearly 4,000 disability pension cases pending against his ministry in courts, a move which will benefit thousands of soldiers waging long legal battles.

Asked about concerns expressed by China and Pakistan over the defence agreement signed during US President Barack Obama's visit here and whether India was prepared for a two- front war, Parrikar refused to comment.

He, however, said, "From our side we are trying to create an atmosphere of preparedness for everything. You have to assume the worst and hope for the best," he said.

Asked about concerns expressed by China and Pakistan over the defence agreement signed during US President Barack Obama's visit here and whether India was prepared for a two- front war, Parrikar refused to comment.

He, however, said, "From our side we are trying to create an atmosphere of preparedness for everything. You have to assume the worst and hope for the best," he said.

On a query as to whether the talks being held with the US on controversial agreements like CISMOA, BECA and LSA, he said "more cooperation is good" but did not comment on anything that is in the discussion stage.

He said that if India expands the Defence Trade Technology Initiative (DTTI), it would be advantageous for the country.

The minister said that the next meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council is likely to be held on February 9. "Wherever procedures are proper, I feel that decisions should be quick. I have been pushing very hard for quick decisions. On the merit of each case, decision will be taken," he said 

(Source- The DC/Economic times)

CAN VETERANS SAY THANK YOU MANOHAR PARRIKAR.

Dear Veterans

A time comes in life when everyone needs to make a final push for the issue so dear to him.Same is the case with OROP. Grapevine tells us that Government is sincerely working on the file of OROP. What will finally come is anyone's guess? However our information is that all kinks have been sorted out and full OROP is under active consideration.

 We all know that MOD/CGDA/DESW who are supposed to be working to look after the interest of Armed Forces and Ex-servicemen have been working to dilute the definition of OROP since they can not deny it anymore. Because OROP has been approved by the Parliament and is a statute now.

 

It is only because of the stubborn resistance by all ESM Associations that we have together foiled their attempt to dilute or deny OROP so for. This is the main reason for the delay in issuance of notification.

PM/RM is determined to give OROP and are pushing the reluctant bureaucracy to release the notification but it seems that the politicians need support from all of us to over rule the objections of bureaucracy. That is the reason IESM maintains that proposed rally on 1 Feb 15 is not against Government but to support them to over rule the flimsy objections of the bureaucrats.

IESM has announced a Maha Rally at 1030h on 1 Feb 15 at Jantar Mantar New Delhi to make this final push and to lend a shoulder to politicians to finally over rule the objections raised on OROP by bureaucrats. A large number of ESM from 14 states will assemble at 1030h on 1 Feb 15 at Jantar Mantar New Delhi to send a strong message to MOD that Ex-servicemen are disillusioned with this undue delay in issuance of notification of OROP. Good News is that Group from Tamil Nadu has already arrived at Delhi.

IT IS SURPRISING THAT OROP IS A STATUTE PASSED BY TWO PARLIAMENTS, IS IN THE MANIFESTO OF BJP (PRINCIPLED PARTY), PERSONAL COMMITMENT OF PM( MAN OF HIS WORDS), RM HAS CONFIRMED THAT HE IS FOR RELEASE OF OROP, RS 9500/CRORES ARE EARMARKED FOR OROP BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT THERE ARE HURDLES IN ISSUANCE OF NOTIFICATION. 

 

WHAT ARE THESE HURDLES? DOES IESM HAS TO EXPLAIN THIS TO EX-SERVICEMEN? One relevant questions needs to be asked to veterans who are advising us restrain. 

• Would it have taken one year for a notification if  this measure was for bureaucrats? It would have been issued and paid even by diverting funds from any other major or minor head and nobody would have known this. This notification is stuck just because OROP is for Armed Forces.

Some politically motivated veterans are spreading rumours that the rally has been cancelled. It is mischievous propaganda to reduce the impact of rally.

IESM CONFIRMS THAT THE RALLY WILL DEFINITELY BE HELD AT 1030H ON 1 FEB 15 Jantar Mantar New Delhi TO EXPRESS THE DISCONTENTMENT OF LARGE FAMILY OF ESM. 

Trains and Bus loads of ESM have already started from every state of India to join the Rally.

Ex-servicemen are requested to assemble at 1030h on 1 Feb 15 at Jantar Mantar New Delhi convert shove into big heave.

 

IT IS NOW OR NEVER. BE THERE TO BE COUNTED IN THE FINAL PUSH FOR RELEASE OF OROP NOTIFICATION.

ONE POSITIVE STATEMENT ON OROP FROM RM/MOD WILL MAKE EX-SERVICEMEN HAPPY TO SAY

 

 

      THANK YOU MANOHAR PARRIKAR.

 Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Block N5, Flat no 801

Narmada Block

Pocket D6, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi. 110070
Mobile   09810541222

(Source- Vasundhra blog) 

GOVT REUSED INTERIM RELIEF AND MERGER OF DA

(Source- Govt Employyes blog)

NEED FOR SELF ATTESTATION OF DOCUMENTS – IMPLEMENTATION IN DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

It will be a great relief to veterans if the Self attestation policy recommended by Department of Administrative reforms vide their OM dated 10 May 2013 is implemented in the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.

Of late the Record Offices are insisting Affidavits/Attestation for each and every thing sometimes from a First Class Magistrate and sometimes from a First Class Judicial Magistrate. The procedure for obtaining affidavit from 1st Class Judicial Magistrate is different from a 1st Class Magistrate. A 1st Class Judicial Magistrate cannot be approached without the help of an advocate. Similarly the 1st Class Magistrate of a District Revenue Officer or Revenue Divisional Officer cannot be approached directly for anything. The revenue department’s sub-ordinate officials such as VAO and Tahsildar has to approve before taking any issue to the Revenue Divisional Officer.

Both these procedures are time consuming and expensive. There is no fixed fee prescribed for this purpose by the government. Therefore the veterans are put into great hardship for getting Affidavits. While this is the ground situation, the Record Offices simply send a letter to obtain affidavit from 1st Class Magistrates for each and every thing. For example a small spelling mistake made mostly by some other record office staff in the name of an individual, say Sepoy.Natarajan as per his school certificate is written by record office staff as Natrajan omitting ‘a’ after ‘t’. For this simple alphaphetical mistake made due to the pronunciation in a different way by different people of this country, now the individual has to get an affidavit from a First class Magistrate. Likewise there are so many instances that the veterans are put into great hardship.

For certain documentary evidences, the date of birth given in a school certificate is accepted in many offices Whereas our record offices are insisting original birth certificate in addition to the school certificate. (As per Army Instructions 51/80 AHQ letter No.A/00659/org-8 (I&R) (A) dt.10/10/1991 school certificates can be accepted for all purposes. Since delayed registration of birth is to be done only through legal procedure (Court) it takes minimum 3 to 4 months and a considerable advocate fee. In this situation it is requested that the school certificate may be accepted for date of birth for all purposes.

Similarly, in case of marriage certificate, the record offices are insisting affidavit from magistrate even after producing the original marriage certificate issue by the registrar of marriages of the respective state government.   Of late the need for the veterans to approach their record offices increases day by day due to various reasons.

1. After the introduction of ECHS, the necessity for the publication of Part II order for the child birth of post retirement cases increases.

2. The recent welfare measures announced by the govt. like pension for unmarried daughters, widowed daughters and physically and mentally challenged children of veterans had made the veterans to run for birth certificates, death certificates after a long delay. According to Registration of Births and Death Act 1969, a birth or death if not registered within one year from the date of occurrence, the birth or death certificate can be obtained only through courts which is a lengthy, time consuming and expensive procedure. The newly announced self attestation procedure if implemented in our services, it will be a great relief to the veterans.

3. A 50 years old widowed daughter of an ex-serviceman, suppose if she wants to apply for her father’s defence family pension, then kindly read below what are the certificates she has to produce.

i) The death and legal heir ship certificate of her father.

ii) The death and legal heir ship certificate of her mother.

iii) The death and legal heir ship of her husband.

iv) The marriage certificate issued by registrar of marriages in original.

v) The birth certificate of the widowed daughter of the veteran.

vi) Non re-marriage certificate from the revenue authorities.

vii) Income certificate from revenue authorities.

Thank God, nowadays, the death certificates are issued without much difficulty. In case of issue of legal heir-ship certificate, as there is no clear transparent procedure laid down by most of the state government, the revenue authorities mostly the lower level functionaries of the District collector like the Tahsildhar, Revenue Inspector and VAOs take advantage of the situation and harass the public in innumerable ways. As there is no fixed fee for issue of a Legal heir ship certificate and also there is no clear mandate for the Revenue authorities to issue legal heir ship certificates, the veterans are suffering a lot.

As the revenue authorities always busy with the executive powers of Law and Order, communal peace and various other miscellaneous works entrusted by the district collector from time to time, the job of verification and issue of legal heir ship certificate to any individual becomes secondary. If we raise an issue regarding non issue or delay, then the alternative will be to go to court to get a Succession certificate. This is the practical difficulty in obtaining legal heir ship certificate. There is no relief to the public on this issue in the near future as there is no indication of any new legislation in this regard.

Regarding the marriage certificate for a 50 years old widow, the rules does not allow to issue marriage certificate after the death of the husband. Therefore the widow has to approach the court or RDO to get an affidavit . It is not an easy job for a helpless orphaned widow to get all these certificates.

Similarly, if the birth of the widow was not registered and Part II order is not obtained by her deceased father, again she has to approach court. It looks simple that widowed daughter will be given pension of her father. But practically very few only able to get the pension because of the above hurdles. Many poor families of the veterans do not come forward even to apply.

Moreover, recently, the record offices have introduced another clause that all such applications from unmarried daughters and widowed daughters for pension must be investigated by the Zilla Sainik board and genuiness report must be obtained before forwarding the application to PCDA for issue of PPO. The Zilla sainik offices unduly delay such applications for sending the verification report. In the case of applications from unmarried daughters of veterans, the Zilla sainik board officials do not show any sympathy and humanitarian view, they always look at the applicants with a suspicious eye. Therefore there is lot of delay in forwarding the investigation report to the record office.

The functioning of the state administered Zilla sainik Board is far below the expectations of the veterans in almost all states.

There is an urgent need to change the functioning of the Ex-servicemen Welfare departments. They are not sensitive to the need of the veterans. Kendriya sainik board is another big blank.

For the present, if the service head quarters implement the self attestation procedure immediately and instruct suitable guidelines to all record offices and Zilla sainik boards, it will be a great relief to many more veterans.

As an Ex-serviemen and Social Welfare Trust, we find it very difficult to help poor veterans and their families because of the above mentioned difficulties. We therefore request the Veteran Cell to take up the matter with appropriate authorities for an early implementation of the self attestation policy for the veterans matters.

Punjab and Kerala State governments have already implemented. Tamil Nadu government is silent about this. The Central Government should make it mandatory for the states to implement such reforms for the benefit of its citizens.

(source-indianexserviceman.blog)

Ex-servicemen to take part in Delhi rally

Chandigarh, January 29 (The Tribune News Service)

Ex-servicemen from Punjab will join veterans from other parts of the country at a rally to be held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, in protest against the non-implementation of the promised the “one rank, one pension” (OROP) formula. 

Addressing mediapersons here today, a section of exservicemen flayed the government’s alleged apathetic attitude towards the cause of serving and retired armed forces personnel. Brig KS Kahlon (retd), president of the Punjab chapter of the All-India Ex-Servicemen’s Brotherhood, said about 5,000 ex-servicemen from various parts of the state would participate in the “maha rally” scheduled to be held in Delhi on February 1. 

He said the shortage of manpower in the armed forces had adversely affected the national security. It also led to increased stress and workload on soldiers. The government had failed to address the situation and meet aspirations of those in uniform, he alleged. 

Terming it as the betrayal of ex-Servicemen, Brig Harwant Singh (retd) said despite the OROP having been announced on the floor of Parliament and the Prime Minister personally assuring its implementation several times, lame excuses were being extended to justify the delay.

(Source- The Tribune)

It is not for the soldier to demand; it is for the nation to provide

The country has just celebrated its 66th Republic Day. The ceremony is all about generating a feeling of nationalism. The President, as supreme commander, reviews the Armed Forces and gives the nation an assurance of their ability to defend the Nation. The forces, in turn, reiterate their loyalty to the elected government and their supreme commander.

The most emotional part is the honour that the grateful Nation bestows upon its gallant soldiers who have won laurels with their feats of bravery and, in some cases, have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Nation. This year, President Pranab Mukherjee posthumously honoured Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar with the prestigious Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime military award of the country. The award was accepted from the President by the widows of the two brave soldiers. These brave sons of India laid down their lives combating terrorists in separate incidents in the Kashmir Valley.

While the award of the Ashok Chakra to Major Mukund Varadarajan, AC (Posthumous) was announced on August, 15, 2014, the award for Naik Neeraj Kumar, AC (Posthumous) was announced on January, 25, 2015, along with other gallantry awards for 2014 that included three Kirti Chakra, nine Shaurya Charka and forty eight Sena Medal (Gallantry). Of these one Kirti Chakra, three Shaurya Chakra and 16 Sena Medal (Gallantry) are posthumous. 

Apart from these brave martyrs there have been many soldiers in the years gone by who have sacrificed their lives for the country. The war memorial at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, alone holds the names of over 12,000 fallen heroes. If we get down to making a National War Memorial (that has been pending for long) a full count of the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation post independence will be readily available, and it will be a lot more than what is recorded at the Northern Command war memorial.

The Nation should be more equitable in showing its respect to those who have taken upon themselves the mantle of securing it. The families of all fallen heroes should receive the same attention as received by those who are conferred with gallantry awards since the loss is the same. Moreover, consciousness of the soldier's contribution to the national cause has to be ongoing rather than it being event and ceremony based. The Nation must collectively uphold the respect, morale and fighting capabilities of its soldiers.

It is sad to note that the Armed Forces have been, for quite some time now, embroiled in debilitating and humiliating bureaucratic spats over several issues. The One Rank One Pension (OROP) demand still remains unattended. The Department of Ex-servicemen (DESW) which is charged with the responsibility to look after military veterans does not hesitate from dragging them to court over frivolous cases of disability pension that can well be resolved through in house arbitration. Even more unfortunate is the fact thatit has no compunction in taking such issues right up to the Supreme Court. A demand of the services for representation in the central pay commission is also pending for long.

The defence procurement procedures are so complex that the forces reel under the pressure of being badly equipped and under equipped. The prevailing system is reactive in nature; the National Security Guard got permission to requisition civil aircraft during emergencies only after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. Certain essential weaponry was purchased off the shelf only when a military face off with a foreign power becomes imminent.

The casual attitude of the government negatively impacts the morale of the soldier and erodes his confidence. It leads to avoidable cynicism within the ranks of the armed forces. Due to negativity on the part of a select few all the affection showered by the nation on to its soldiers gets negated.

There is no point in having mammoth establishments like the Ministry of Defence supported by the service headquarters sitting on prime land in New Delhi, while the soldier on ground is suffering due to bad equipment, inadequate pay and pathetic living conditions.

The issue of accountability and transparency is of prime importance in matters relating to defence and security? Keeping the public in the information loop are of utmost importance. The government should not be allowed to hide its inadequacies behind a veil of a self proclaimed need for secrecy. Furthermore, if the forces feel that they are not ready for war they should come out openly with their apprehensions.

If a particular government feels that it can motivate its youth to sacrifice their lives for a salary of Rs 10000/ per month by all means give no more; if the nation feels that we can do without advanced weaponry then the government should call upon the youth to join the Armed Forces and fight with bows and arrows. There is no point in debating these matters endlessly. It is not for the soldier to demand, it is for the Nation to provide!

The soldier's fraternity and the nation have, since long, given up on the capability of the UPA Government to deliver in the domain of national security. With the new government in place, a ray of hope has emerged. It is well known that the defence forces have a special place in the nationalist policies of the BJP led Government, hence, a change for the better is expected.

Time is of essence, decisions must be well considered and opportune. Defence is too serious a matter to be subject to dithering and unaccounted delays. The leadership of the country must be firm and decisive in all matters related to security. In case the new government takes too long to deliver then chances of it also losing its credibility will become very high and the resultant damage will become difficult to control.

(Source- Newkerala.com :By-Jaibans Singh is Editor www.defenceinfo.com)

Modi government missing as India paid homage to braveheart Col MN Rai

New Delhi: Even as India on Thursday paid its last respects to late Colonel Munindra Nath Rai martyred in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central government which claims to have adopted a strong stand on security related issues was conspicuously missing from the scene.

Several senior Army officers including Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag were present to pay homage to Colonel Rai, but no senior minister from the Central government showed up to offer their respects to the martyr or offer condolences to his family.

The cremation took place in the national capital and even with senior ministers including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar present in the city, not even a single representative from the government arrived at the cremation ground to place a wreath on the martyr's mortal remains.

No senior minister from the Central government showed up to offer their respects to the martyr or offer condolences to his family.

Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been claiming to have maintained a tough stand on Pakistan sponsored terror activities and had attacked the Congress-led UPA regime for maintaining a soft stand on security related issues.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had in January 2014 said that India should get at least 10 heads of Pakistani soldier after Indian trooper Lance Naik Hemraj of Rajputana Rifles was beheaded during a border skirmish in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh was killed on the Line of Control and his severed head was allegedly paraded by the Pakistan Army.

While the Uttar Pradesh government announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh for Col Rai's family as he was a native of Derhgava village in Sohaval area of the state's Ghazipur district, the Central government is yet to do so.

Colonel Munindra Nath Rai, the commanding officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, was martyred along with Jammu and Kashmir Police constable Sanjeev Singh in an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Tral area of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening. Commissioned into the 2/9 Gorkha Rifles, the 39-year-old Colonel was honoured with a Yudh Sena Medal on Republic Day, just a day before he was killed in the encounter.

No senior minister from the Central government showed up to offer their respects to the martyr or offer condolences to his family.

IBNLive.com21 minutes ago

Recognition of Good Deeds

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Click to enlarge

This Gorkha soldier, single handedly, without caring for his own safety, held off 40 goons with his knife killing three and injuring eight, who tried to rape a woman in a train. All he got was a memento awarded by his own Commanding Officer. I am sure if his case for a Gallantry Award was taken up, he could very well have got a Peacetime Gallantry Award like Kirti Chakra or Shuaraya Chakra. What a pity?

Belated Information on the Gallant Soldier

Bishnu Shrestha is a retired Nepalese Gurkha soldier in the Indian army and recipient of the Sena Medal for bravery, and the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak medal, both awarded for his gallant conduct during an armed train robbery. Wikipedia

Modi Government is set to big announcement on Budget in view of 7th Pay Commission

Good days will come for Central Government Employees, get 6% dearness allowance

It is certain that 6% increase in DA is guaranteed. Here it is necessary to mention that the DA is increased twice in a year. Central government employees are paid from the first of January and July.  As we're told that the DA is 6 percent of total will be 113%. But it is also a provision that if the DA crossed 100 mark will be merged in the basic salary. The employee unions are pressing hard for the merger of DA in the basic pay. But neither the government nor the Seventh Pay Commission is committed at this point. The government has also not in mood to merge the DA in the basic pay. If that happens, this will be bad news for the employees.

Union workers are now engaged on the expected budget has to be presented in February. Employees are hoping that the finance minister will must bring good day for them. On the other side the employee organizations has started to pressure on government to merge the DA in basic pay. The employees union are also pressing for provision of fund for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission in the budget. Trade union leaders are confident that a big announcement can be in budget . (See the article in picture)

View: Budget demand for Seventh Pay Commission
View: 4 times increase in pay expected in 7th Pay Commission View: 7th Pay Commission may ring report on time

आम बजट पर सातवें वेतन आयोग को लेकर मोदी सरकार कर सकती है बड़ा एलान

नयी दिल्ली,(त्तपस जोशी) 0 1 जनवरी, 2016 2015 से केंद्रीय कर्मचारियों को 6% मंहगाई भत्ता और मिलने की संभावना है।  इस तरह केंद्रीय कर्मचारियों का कुल महंगाई भत्ता 113% हो जायेगा।  मंहगाई भत्ते की लागू तिथि 01.01.2016 01.01.2015 होगी।

मंहगाई भत्ता उपभोक्ता मूल्य सूचकांक (Industrial Workers) से जुड़ा हुआ होता है।  सरकार CPI-IW के पिछले 12 महीने का हिसाब किताब करके महंगाई भत्ता तय करती है।

महंगाई भत्ते की गणना छठे वेतन आयोग द्वारा सुझाये गये फार्मुले के हिसाब से की जाती है।  महंगाई भत्ता गणना आैद्योगिक श्रमिकों के लिए उपभोक्ता मूल्य की 12 महीने की औसर के आधार पर की जाती है।  उपभोक्ता मूल्य सूचकांक (औद्योगिक श्रमिकों), पिछले चार महीने यानि कि अगस्त से नवम्बर और यहाँ तक कि दिसम्बर में भी 253 पर स्थिर बना हुआ है।  उपभोक्ता मूल्य सूचकांक (औद्योगिक श्रमिकों) दूसरे महीनों यानि कि जनवरी, फरवरी, मार्च, अप्रैल, मई, जून और जुलाई में 237, 238, 239, 242, 246 ओर 252 रहा।  मिलता है तो कुलं महंगाई भत्ता 1 1 396 हो जायेगा ।  1 जनवरी से लेकर 31 दिसम्बर, 2014 के बीच औद्योगिक श्रमिकों के लिए खुदरा मुद्रास्फीत‍ि की दर को ध्यान में रखकर अंतिम फैसला लिया जायेगा।  इस प्रकार इस वर्ष औसत महंगाई दर तकरीबन 6.3% रही।

जैसे की मंहगाई दर निरंतर घट रही ऐसा लगाता नहीं कि यह दर 6 के आंकड़े को पार करेगी।  इसलिए यह निश्चित है कि महंगाई भत्ता 6% मिलना तय है।  यहाँ यह बताना जरूरी है कि महंगाई भत्ता साल में दो बार बढ़ाया जाता है।  केंद्रीय कर्मचारियों को इसका भुगतान पहली जनवरी और पहली जुलाई से किया जाता है।

जैसा कि हम पहले भी बता चुकें हैं कि अगर महंगाई भत्ता 6 फीसदी मिलता है कुल महंगाई भ्‍ात्ता 113% हो जायेगा।  लेकिन यह भी प्रावधान है कि अगर महंगाई भत्ता 100 का आंकड़ा पार कर जाता है तो इसे मूल वेतन में मिला दिया जायेगा।  महंगाई भत्ते की मूल वेतन में शामिल करने की मांग को लेकर कर्मचारी संगठन लगातार सरकार से दो दो हाथ कर रहें हैं।  लेकिन न तो सरकार न ही सातवाँ वेतन आयोग इस बात पे हामी भर रहा है।  सरकार भी इस मूड में नजर नहीं आ रही है कि महंगाई भत्ते को मूल वेतन में शामिल किया जाये।  अगर ऐसा होता है तो कर्मचारियों के लिए यह अच्छी सूचना नहीं होगी।

अब केंद्रीय कर्मचारियों की उम्मीद फरवरी में पेश होने वाले बजट पे लगी हुई हैं।  कर्मचारियों को आशा है कि वित्त मंत्री उनके लिए अच्छे दिन जरूर लायेंगे।  उधर कर्मचारी संगठनों ने भी सरकार पर महंगाई भत्ते को मूल वेतन में शामिल करने को लेकर दवाब बनाना शुरू कर दिया है।  कर्मचारी संगठन इस बात को लेकर भी दवाब बना रहे हें कि इस बजट में सातवें पे कमिशन की शर्तों को लागू करने के लिए धन का प्रावधान किया जाए।  ट्रेड यूनियन के नेताओं को भरोसा है कि बजट पर कोई बड़ा एलान हो सकता है।

(Source- CG Employees blog)

A poem by a Serving Officer - Oh India…. Why do I still serve you

Angst of a Serving Defence Personnel

E-mail forwarded to me

Date: Thu, Jan 22, 2015 at 7:33 PM
Subject: Fwd: Oh India…. Why do I still serve you A Poem by a serving Officer

Am sure all of you will go through this poem.

Regards,

J K Kaushik

96th Pilots Course

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Dear All

I received this mail today.  It very beautifully describes the angst of the Armed forces against continuous betrayal by the Country. Worth a read. 

A poem by a young Indian Army Officer.

It has been composed by a fourth generation, 24-year old career officer in the Indian Armed Forces, spurred by the report of the Sixth Pay Commission and an insensitive article written by a 'respectable' citizen of the country in a national daily on the armed forces and the pertinence of the Sixth Pay Commission therein.

This free-flowing verse has not been edited; it's to ensure that the originality of the angst is maintained. After all, when you are in pain, the language of expression is the last thing in your mind

Author Unknown

Quote

“How you play with us, did you ever see?

At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;

I would serve you to the end,

All these boundaries I would defend.

Now you make me look like a fool,

When at Seventeen and just out of school;

Went to the place where they made "men out of boys"

Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…

In those days, I would see my 'civilian' friends,

Living a life with the fashion trends;

Enjoying their so called "College Days"

While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…

But I never thought twice about what where or why

All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.

At 21 and with my commission in hand,

Under the glory of the parade and the band,

I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,

And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.

I stood there with a sense of recognition,

But on that day I never had the premonition,

That when the time came to give me my due,

You'd just say," What is so great that you do?"

Long back you promised a well to do life;

And when I'm away, take care of my wife.

You came and saw the hardships I live through,

And I saw you make a note or two,

And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;

But now I know you'll never be able to see,

Because you only see the glorified life of mine,

Did you see the place where death looms all the time?

Did you meet the man standing guard in the snow?

The name of his newborn he does not know...

Did you meet the man whose father breathed his last?

While the sailor patrolled our seas so vast?

You still know I'll not be the one to raise my voice

I will stand tall and protect you in Punjab Himachal and Thois.

But that's just me you have in the sun and rain,

For now at Twenty Four, you make me think again;

About the decision I made, Seven years back;

Should I have chosen another life, some other track?

Will I tell my son to follow my lead?

Will I tell my son, you'll get all that you need?

This is the country you will serve

This country will give you all that you deserve?

I heard you tell the world "India is shining"

I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling

This is the India you and I will defend!

But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?

You go on promise all that you may,

But it's the souls of your own men you betray.

Did you read how some of our eminent citizens

Write about me and ridicule my very existence?

I ask you to please come and see what I do,

Come and have a look at what I go through

Live my life just for a day

Maybe you'll have something else to say?

I will still risk my life without a sigh

To keep your flag flying high

But today I ask myself a question or two…

Oh India…. Why do I still serve you. "

Unquote

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(SOURCE- AERIAL VIEW BLOG)