Earlier, the Govt of Panjab issued a simple and non-complicated orders in respect of their employees. Now theTamil Nadu implements one man commission report, order issued.
Consequent to the approval of the recommendation made by the one man commission's report to rectify pay anomalies in respect of state govt. employees, the Finance Ministry accordingly issued the following order.
PLEASE VIEW THE G.O. HERE
(SOURCE - pay commission news)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Views of Admiral Arun Prakash on OROP
Once he doffs his uniform, an ex-Serviceman (now re-designated Armed Forces Veteran) is technically liberated from the restraints of military discipline, and is free to adopt the demeanor and behaviour of any civilian on the street. But deep inside, the veteran’s soul cringes at the thought of conducting him self in a manner which, in earlier days, he would have associated with civilian agitators and unbecoming of his uniform. But it seems that he has been left with no choice.
He has found that the staff of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, created in 2004, is staffed 100% by civilians, who either do not comprehend or are indifferent to his problems. Therefore his representations to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) gather dust for years, before being dismissed in a perfunctory and bureaucratic manner. One rank one pension (OROP) has been a major demand of the veterans, which has been hanging fire with the government for many years. Assurances have been given by successive governments – only to be reneged upon.
Despite repeated pleas by the Chiefs of Staff, based on bitter experience of the past, the government in 2005 adamantly refused to appoint a Service representative on the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC). As expected, the Commission’s report contained flaws, anomalies and, as some believe, many provisions deliberately incorporated by the bureaucracy to depress the pay and status of armed forces personnel vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts. At the repeated behest of the Chiefs, the government reluctantly convened a committee to review the anomalous CPC recommendations; again, inexplicably, without any armed forces representation. Predictably, the committee failed to resolve many tangles and left the serving as well as retired personnel dissatisfied. On a number of issues relating to pension and allowances the veterans were left with no choice but to approach courts of law. After years of expensive litigation the courts did give gave redressal, but the MoD fought them tooth and nail through appeals to higher courts. In two instances where the Supreme Court eventually gave decisions in the veteran’s favour, the government of India has stubbornly refused to implement them! Can there be a more blunt expression of contempt for its soldiers, sailors and airmen by the State? Yes there can.
In April 2008, the frustrated veterans started resorting to demonstrations in the heart of the national capital, as well as in many states to press their demands. Then they graduated to "relay fasts" at Jantar Mantar, and this was followed by the melodramatic gesture of signing petitions in blood. The participants in all these events ranged from retired jawans and JCOs to General Officers, and they all braved the bitter cold, blistering sun or rain to convey their unhappiness in public. When the government studiously ignored their pleas, they thought that they would take the "ultimate step": i.e. surrender their hard-earned and battle-stained medals to the Supreme Commander; the President of India.
Every commissioned officer of the Indian armed forces swears an Oath of Allegiance which contains the words: "…that I will obey all commands of the President of the Union of India…..even to the peril of my life…" The veterans were confident that the exalted person, unto whom they had sworn this blood-oath, at a tender age, would be deeply concerned that the nation’s soldier, sailors and airmen were driven to such an extremity. And that she would enquire why they were returning their hard-won medals. After all, many of their dear comrades had redeemed this solemn oath by making the supreme sacrifice to defend the Motherland…even to the peril of their lives. But what happened when successive delegations of veterans arrived at the portals of Rashtrapati Bhavan to surrender their medals to the Supreme Commander has shaken all of us to the core. They were met by low level functionaries who received their medals and sent them away. The medals were then packed in cardboard boxes and sent off to the MoD to be stored in a dusty basement.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan appointment diary will, on any day, show that dozens of citizens from every walk of life in this great democracy are freely granted audiences with their President. The fact that our Supreme Commander has, for two years, either not found the time, or not deemed it appropriate to spare a few minutes to meet the veterans who regularly show up at Rashtrapati Bhavan is a sad commentary on the standing of the armed forces in India. The cue has, obviously, been provided by the politicians, who have shown equal disregard and disrespect for the nation’s loyal and patriotic veterans.
The US President misses no possible opportunity to repeatedly convey gratitude to the nation’s Servicemen for defending the country’s freedom and for making sacrifices in its cause. Since assuming office Obama has made it a point to review the passing-out parades at every Service academy. He has used each occasion to make important national policy statements while addressing the Cadets and Midshipmen; such is the regard and respect that the USA holds its Servicemen in.
Like every year, on 15th August 2010 too, all veterans listened raptly to the PM addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort. But we listened in vain. He spoke of many issues but there was not a word about the armed forces; no mention of those who died in action or those maimed for life, or the widows, orphans and grieving parents our soldiers leave behind, ever so often. Military veterans, world-wide are objects of spontaneous respect, affection and admiration because, like the flag, they are national symbols of courage, patriotism and sacrifice; a segment deserving of special consideration by the people and the government. An additional reason is that the nation’s 30 lakh Veterans retain an umbilical connection with the serving personnel; they hail from the same regions or neighbouring villages and many come from extended families, whom they meet when on leave. Every serviceman knows that in a few years he will become a veteran.
During the last general elections, an attempt was made to politicize Veterans issues, and seek support of one political party or the other. In this age of instant news, the essence of whatever happens at Jantar Mantar, India Gate or Rashtrapati Bhavan will be seen and heard almost instantly by the men in uniform.
India’s democracy requires that the armed forces must remain proud, professional and totally insulated from politics. The grievances of our Veterans, must, therefore, be handled with far more sensitivity and responsiveness, than they, so far, have. The need of the hour is to defuse their sense of resentment at the seeming neglect by the government. In a democracy this is easily done – by discussion and dialogue.
We must never again allow our Veterans from taking to the streets, and the best means would be to constitute a multi-party Parliamentary Commission to examine and address the full gamut of Veterans’ issues and grievances on a long-term basis. - By Adm. (Retd) Arun Prakash
===========================
(source-IESM website)
SC wants separate pay panel for forces
Pointing out that many of the armed forces personnel have returned their medals due to non-redressal of their grievances, the Supreme Court today asked the government to consider setting up a separate Pay Commission for both serving and retired members. “We feel this is necessary as the Armed Forces personnel have many grievances which they feel are not being properly addressed by the Union Govt. Many have even returned their medals,” a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and TS Thakur said in an order.
The Bench asked Attorney General GE Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to forward the suggestion to the government and get its response by October 18, the next date of hearing. The court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by some serving and retired army officers challenging the government’s refusal to accord them enhanced “rank pay” as recommended by Fifth Pay Commission.
The AG and the SG “were present on behalf of the Central government.
We have made certain suggestions to them regarding setting up of an independent commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge for looking into all the grievances of the serving and former members of the Armed Forces,” the Bench noted in the order, marking a copy each to the AG and the SG. Earlier during the arguments, the Bench slammed the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. “The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country,” it remarked.
Noting that the Army people who were a disciplined lot could not go on agitation like others, the Bench said forcing them to fight for their salaries was not good for the country. Citing a senior officer who burnt his artificial limb in frustration, the Bench asked the AG and the SG: “Why do you allow such things?”
The present Pay Commission headed by bureaucrats was perhaps unable to understand the problems of the personnel, the apex court observed and felt that setting up a separate commission would provide a channel for them to vent out their feelings.
The Bench slammed the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. “The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country,” it remarked.
===========================
(source - The Tribune)
The Bench asked Attorney General GE Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to forward the suggestion to the government and get its response by October 18, the next date of hearing. The court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by some serving and retired army officers challenging the government’s refusal to accord them enhanced “rank pay” as recommended by Fifth Pay Commission.
The AG and the SG “were present on behalf of the Central government.
We have made certain suggestions to them regarding setting up of an independent commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge for looking into all the grievances of the serving and former members of the Armed Forces,” the Bench noted in the order, marking a copy each to the AG and the SG. Earlier during the arguments, the Bench slammed the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. “The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country,” it remarked.
Noting that the Army people who were a disciplined lot could not go on agitation like others, the Bench said forcing them to fight for their salaries was not good for the country. Citing a senior officer who burnt his artificial limb in frustration, the Bench asked the AG and the SG: “Why do you allow such things?”
The present Pay Commission headed by bureaucrats was perhaps unable to understand the problems of the personnel, the apex court observed and felt that setting up a separate commission would provide a channel for them to vent out their feelings.
The Bench slammed the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post for getting their salary disputes resolved. “The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country,” it remarked.
===========================
(source - The Tribune)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Form separate Pay Commission for armed forces: SC to govt
New Delhi Slamming the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post on their salary disputes, the Supreme Court today directed the government to examine the idea of setting up a separate Pay Commission for both serving and retired personnel of the armed forces. A Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and T S Thakur, asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to seek instructions from the government as to whether it was open to the idea of a separate pay commission that could be headed by a retired Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court. "The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country,\" the Bench said quoting Chanakya\'s advise to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
The apex court said the sane advise of Chanakya was valid even today and it was unfortunate that army personnel are forced to knock the doors of the court for rectifying their salary anomalies. \"Army people are a disciplined lot. They cannot go on agitation like others. They should not be forced to fight for their salaries, it is not good for the country. \"It is very unfortunate that today many army people are unhappy. I know thousands of army personnel returning their medals in protest. There was an instance when a senior officer frustrated with the government\'s approach, even burnt his artificial limb as a protest. Why do you allow such things?\" the Bench said.
The apex court made the remarks while dealing with a petition filed by certain serving and retired army officers challenging the reported refusal of the government to accord them enhanced \"rank pay\" as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. Counsel Kailash Chand and Ramesh K Haritash appeared for the army personnel. Though Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium tried to make his submission, the Bench pointed out that in recent years a number of armed forces personnel were moving the courts to get their salary grievances addressed.
\"The present Pay Commission for them is headed by bureaucrats. They may not be able to understand their problems. It is a burning issue. Why don\'t you allow them to let their steam out by appointing a Commission instead of making them move from pillar to post. You can appoint a retired Chief Justice of India or a retired Suprem Court judge,\" the Bench said.
Responding to the suggestion Subramanium said he would seek instructions from the Government on the court\'s suggestion for a separate Commission within four weeks. Accordingly, the apex court recorded the undertaking and posted the matter for further hearing to October 18.
======================
(source-express india)
The apex court said the sane advise of Chanakya was valid even today and it was unfortunate that army personnel are forced to knock the doors of the court for rectifying their salary anomalies. \"Army people are a disciplined lot. They cannot go on agitation like others. They should not be forced to fight for their salaries, it is not good for the country. \"It is very unfortunate that today many army people are unhappy. I know thousands of army personnel returning their medals in protest. There was an instance when a senior officer frustrated with the government\'s approach, even burnt his artificial limb as a protest. Why do you allow such things?\" the Bench said.
The apex court made the remarks while dealing with a petition filed by certain serving and retired army officers challenging the reported refusal of the government to accord them enhanced \"rank pay\" as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. Counsel Kailash Chand and Ramesh K Haritash appeared for the army personnel. Though Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium tried to make his submission, the Bench pointed out that in recent years a number of armed forces personnel were moving the courts to get their salary grievances addressed.
\"The present Pay Commission for them is headed by bureaucrats. They may not be able to understand their problems. It is a burning issue. Why don\'t you allow them to let their steam out by appointing a Commission instead of making them move from pillar to post. You can appoint a retired Chief Justice of India or a retired Suprem Court judge,\" the Bench said.
Responding to the suggestion Subramanium said he would seek instructions from the Government on the court\'s suggestion for a separate Commission within four weeks. Accordingly, the apex court recorded the undertaking and posted the matter for further hearing to October 18.
======================
(source-express india)
SC for panel to fix jawans grievances -It Invokes Chanakyaniti,Tells Govt To Keep The Army Happy Or Invite Peril
New Delhi: Concerned over growing discontent among serving and retired armed forces personnel, highlighted by recent incidents of return of medals,burning of artificial limbs and fatricidal assaults,the Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Centre to adopt Chanakyaniti keep Army happy. We feel that armed forces personnel have many grievances which are not being properly addressed by the Union government, it said and suggested setting up of an independent commission headed by a retired judge to look into such complaints.
It will be a forum where they can air their grievances and look into anomalies in pay fixation.It will be one place where they can address their grievances,at least they do not have to run from pillar to post, the Bench said and sought a response from the Centre by October 18.The Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur made few bones of its solidarity with the soldier.Armed forces are disciplined,that is the reason why they do not protest or hold violent rallies.But they are returning medals in thousands and some have even burnt their artificial limbs in protest.They have done so much for the country.But they get a feeling now that bureaucrats do not hear them, it said.
It identified lack of grievance redressal mechanism as the key reason behind such unusual behaviour.So concerned was the Bench that it had come prepared to the court with a page downloaded from the internet,from Chanakyas advice to Chandragupta,asking the king to take good care of the army since it was crucial for the security of his kingdom.Handing over the page to attorney general G E Vahanvati and solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam,the Bench requested them to impress upon the government the need for setting up a forum headed by a retired SC judge whom the personnel could approach with their grievances.Though Vahanvati and Subramaniam reassured the SC about the measures put in place for the purpose,the Bench observed that the issue could blow up if it was sought to be brushed under the carpet.
The order came on a writ petition filed by a dozen retired Army generals and colonels who were demanding their entitlement to rank pay under the Fourth Pay Commission.Arguing for the petitioners,advocate B B Trikha said almost 60-70,000 personnel in the defence forces were being deprived of this for over two decades.We are not begging but claiming entitlement of our hard earned money when we served in the force, Trikha said.Subramaniam said the rank pay ranged from Rs 100-1,200 per month depending on the rank,but since the amount was claimed from the time of Fourth Pay Commission,its implementation had implication on all ranks apart from the financial burden.
===========================
(source-toi)
It will be a forum where they can air their grievances and look into anomalies in pay fixation.It will be one place where they can address their grievances,at least they do not have to run from pillar to post, the Bench said and sought a response from the Centre by October 18.The Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur made few bones of its solidarity with the soldier.Armed forces are disciplined,that is the reason why they do not protest or hold violent rallies.But they are returning medals in thousands and some have even burnt their artificial limbs in protest.They have done so much for the country.But they get a feeling now that bureaucrats do not hear them, it said.
It identified lack of grievance redressal mechanism as the key reason behind such unusual behaviour.So concerned was the Bench that it had come prepared to the court with a page downloaded from the internet,from Chanakyas advice to Chandragupta,asking the king to take good care of the army since it was crucial for the security of his kingdom.Handing over the page to attorney general G E Vahanvati and solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam,the Bench requested them to impress upon the government the need for setting up a forum headed by a retired SC judge whom the personnel could approach with their grievances.Though Vahanvati and Subramaniam reassured the SC about the measures put in place for the purpose,the Bench observed that the issue could blow up if it was sought to be brushed under the carpet.
The order came on a writ petition filed by a dozen retired Army generals and colonels who were demanding their entitlement to rank pay under the Fourth Pay Commission.Arguing for the petitioners,advocate B B Trikha said almost 60-70,000 personnel in the defence forces were being deprived of this for over two decades.We are not begging but claiming entitlement of our hard earned money when we served in the force, Trikha said.Subramaniam said the rank pay ranged from Rs 100-1,200 per month depending on the rank,but since the amount was claimed from the time of Fourth Pay Commission,its implementation had implication on all ranks apart from the financial burden.
===========================
(source-toi)
Form separate Pay Commission for armed forces: SC to govt
Slamming the Centre for making army personnel run from pillar to post on their salary disputes, the Supreme Court today directed the government to examine the idea of setting up a separate Pay Commission for both serving and retired personnel of the armed forces. A Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and T S Thakur, asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to seek instructions from the government as to whether it was open to the idea of a separate pay commission that could be headed by a retired Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court. "The day the soldiers are forced to fight for their salaries, it would be a sad day for the country," the Bench said quoting Chanakya's advise to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The apex court said the sane advise of Chanakya was valid even today and it was unfortunate that army personnel are forced to knock the doors of the court for rectifying their salary anomalies.
"Army people are a disciplined lot. They cannot go on agitation like others. They should not be forced to fight for their salaries, it is not good for the country. "It is very unfortunate that today many army people are unhappy. I know thousands of army personnel returning their medals in protest. There was an instance when a senior officer frustrated with the government's approach, even burnt his artificial limb as a protest. Why do you allow such things?" the Bench said.
The apex court made the remarks while dealing with a petition filed by certain serving and retired army officers challenging the reported refusal of the government to accord them enhanced "rank pay" as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. Counsel Kailash Chand and Ramesh K Haritash appeared for the army personnel. Though Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium tried to make his submission, the Bench pointed out that in recent years a number of armed forces personnel were moving the courts to get their salary grievances addressed.
"The present Pay Commission for them is headed by bureaucrats. They may not be able to understand their problems. It is a burning issue. Why don't you allow them to let their steam out by appointing a Commission instead of making them move from pillar to post. You can appoint a retired Chief Justice of India or a retired Suprem Court judge," the Bench said.
Responding to the suggestion Subramanium said he would seek instructions from the Government on the court's suggestion for a separate Commission within four weeks. Accordingly, the apex court recorded the undertaking and posted the matter for further hearing to October 18.
=====================
(source-Deccan Herald)
"Army people are a disciplined lot. They cannot go on agitation like others. They should not be forced to fight for their salaries, it is not good for the country. "It is very unfortunate that today many army people are unhappy. I know thousands of army personnel returning their medals in protest. There was an instance when a senior officer frustrated with the government's approach, even burnt his artificial limb as a protest. Why do you allow such things?" the Bench said.
The apex court made the remarks while dealing with a petition filed by certain serving and retired army officers challenging the reported refusal of the government to accord them enhanced "rank pay" as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. Counsel Kailash Chand and Ramesh K Haritash appeared for the army personnel. Though Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium tried to make his submission, the Bench pointed out that in recent years a number of armed forces personnel were moving the courts to get their salary grievances addressed.
"The present Pay Commission for them is headed by bureaucrats. They may not be able to understand their problems. It is a burning issue. Why don't you allow them to let their steam out by appointing a Commission instead of making them move from pillar to post. You can appoint a retired Chief Justice of India or a retired Suprem Court judge," the Bench said.
Responding to the suggestion Subramanium said he would seek instructions from the Government on the court's suggestion for a separate Commission within four weeks. Accordingly, the apex court recorded the undertaking and posted the matter for further hearing to October 18.
=====================
(source-Deccan Herald)
Monday, September 6, 2010
HONORARY GP CAPT RANK TO SACHIN TENDULKAR
ALL VETERAN BROTHERS MAY LIKE TO CLICK THIS VIDEO AND SEE, THAT THE IAF HAD HONOURED SACHIN TENDULKAR WITH A HONOARY RANK OF GP CAPT RANK ON 3.9.10.
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