Wednesday, January 31, 2018

THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT BILL, 2012 - A PRIVATE BILL TO BE MOVED BY BY SHRI RAJIV CHANSDRASEKHAR, MP IN PARLIAMENT :: ON 02 FEB 18

DEAR VETERAN BROTHERS,

See the mighty GOOD THING happening on 02 FEB 18, when      Sri RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR MP, moves THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT BILL, 2012 in Parliament, as tweeted by him.

Once a reality, it would be a great boon to the Armed Forces Community, serving, retired and their families. 

OROP is also finds a place in the bill.

The Military Community shall ever be indebted to him for this act of Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP - Sir.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU SIR. MANY MANY THANKS FOR YOUR YEOMAN SERVICE TO THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.


Let us all together pray for its passing in Parliament. 

CLICK AND READ THE BILL LEISURELY.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BILL

SGT GV NARAYANA, AIR VET
BLOGGER
==================================  


  1. I will time permtg move my long pending Pvt Members Bill -The Armed Forces Covenant Bill 2012, in Parl on 2nd Feb. This Bill is the need of the hour to affirm the Nation's commitment to our personnel & their families.
  2.          Read the Bill here:
(SOURCE : FROM TWITTER A/C)
  1. 49 minutes ago


Govt withdraws appeals from Supreme Court against Short Service and Women Officers

In a major morale booster, the issue of denial of promotions and benefits to Short Service and Women Commissioned Officers commissioned before the year 2006 stands resolved with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) withdrawing its appeal filed against such officers today.

On implementation of the recommendations of the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee, the Government in 2004 had accepted the promotions of army officers at 2, 6 and 13 years of service to the ranks of Captain, Major and Lt Col respectively. Though the promotions were made applicable to all commissioned officers, the benefit was later withheld from Short Service and Women Officers due to an internal interpretation by the Army’s Military Secretary’s (MS) Branch. The benefits were also not extended despite a gazette notification by the Ministry of Defence extending the same to all affected officers though no such problem was faced in the Navy and the Air Force.  Later in 2006 when the Short Service Scheme was changed from 5+5+4 years system to 10+4 years system, the benefit was duly extended to those officers who opted for the new scheme resulting in a sharp disparity wherein senior officers were being retired as substantive Lieutenants and Captains while their juniors were reaching the rank of Lt Col.

The discrimination was set aside by the Armed Forces Tribunal on 14.3.2012, but the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Army and the MoD and was stayed and pending since 2012.

A Committee of Experts for reducing litigation constituted by the then Raksha Mantri in 2015, comprising former Adjutant General Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal, former Military Secretary Lt Gen Richard Khare, Punjab & Haryana High Court Lawyer Maj Navdeep Singh, former JAG Maj Gen T Parshad and Kargil disabled veteran Maj DP Singh had however come down heavily upon for the establishment for filing an appeal by observing- “It is not understood as to why beneficial policies are viewed with a pessimistic eye so as to identify or even create prohibitory stipulations or even file appeals when the issue is suitably addressed by judicial intervention”. Adding that the appeal seemed more like a ‘prestige issue’, the panel had asked for its withdrawal observing that the “anomaly was due to a self-created negative interpretation even when the scheme had been approved for all officers by the Cabinet”.

It is learnt that the withdrawal was finally approved last week by Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman and today the appeal was finally withdrawn from the Supreme Court when the case came up for hearing, paving the way for grant of benefits to the officers. About hundred women officers had impleaded themselves in the case. 

It was a privilege for me to be part of this battle, representing some very courageous Women Army Officers, fighting against injustice, arbitrariness and symbolism which tested us on multiple levels. Happy that Truth finally Triumphed and Justice prevailed!

ADV Aishwarya Bhati
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

(Source : Via Gp e-mail from Col NK Balakrishnan (Retd) )

Monday, January 29, 2018

OROP PROTEST AT JANTAR MANTAR ::GEN SATBIR SINGH LETTER OF 29 JAN 2018

                                                                                                                                                             29 Jan 2018

JANTAR MANTAR PROTEST MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE TO JAWANS

Dear Friends,

1.   960 days today since we launched Protest Movement at JM & at other locations across the country to get Justice to the Soldiers. Actual OROP as our first objective remains far away.  Govt has not fulfilled its assurance given to the soldiers by PM.  Instead of correcting the OROP Anomalies which have cascading effect on our Pay, Pensions and Status, Govt has set out to defame, degrade and destroy our Protest Movement.One Man Judicial Committee Report on OROP which was submitted to the Govt on 26 Oct 2016 has neither been made public nor implemented.  After making claims for over two years that OROP has been implemented, Govt has now accepted that full OROP has not yet been given.  What the Govt has implemented is one time increase in pension and not full OROP.

2.    A Sepoy with 17 years of service and his widow are getting, Rs 4296 and Rs 2548 per month less pension respectively than what should be entitled to them if full OROP is implemented. These figures will keep on increasing since the OROP anomalies have cascading effect on our pensions and status viz other Govt Services.  It is for interest to everyone that other democracies of the world pay 15-20 percent more salary and pension to their soldiers than what India pays to it soldiers.  International Kaleidoscope of pay and pensions is under:-

          Edge in Pay and Pensions of defence Forces vis-a-vis Civilian Employees

Ser No
Countries
Notional Edge in salary as service pay or special allowance for military service
Pension Scale with notional edge for military service
(a)
U.S.A
Approx 15 to 20%
50 to 75% of last pay drawn fully protected against inflation.  For civil services the scale is 33.75% of pay as pension.
(b)
United Kingdom
10%
Uniform pension as revised irrespective of rank and date or retirement.
(c)
Australia
#2608 PA military allowance
76.5 percent of day
(d)
Japan
12 to 29% on graded scale
70 percent of pay
(e)
West Germany
5 to 10%
75% of pay
(f)
Yugoslavia
15%
85 % of pay
(g)
Nigeria
5%
80% of pay with national edge of 10% over civil scales.
(h)
France
15%
75% of pay.
(j)
Iraq
10%
70-75% of pay.
(k)
Pakistan
10-15% with other allowances
50-75% of pay with service element military pension
(l)
India
Nil
50% of pay and same is depressed by 6 to 24% in respect of Lt Col & below ranks constituting 90% of the manpower strength of the Armed Forces.

3.    Not  only  this serious disparity, the Govt has restricted financial assistance for education including professional education to the Children of Martyrs to Rs 10000/- per month, a schemes which was introduced after the 1971 WAR  of full financial assistance for their education including professional and higher studies.  This is retrograde step for the pay and pensions of soldiers.

4.    We thankfully accept that the present Govt has accepted the Concept of OROP; however, there are anomalies in its execution which remain to be corrected. The present Govt would have got the credit of honouring its assurance to the soldier, had it implemented full OROP as per the definition given in the Govt Executive orders dated 26 Feb 2014.

5.       The approved definition of OROP by two Governments is given below:-

(a) 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 to beautomatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”.

(b) Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari RAJYASABHA COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS DATED 19 DEC 2011 - "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 to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”.

(c) Report of Committee of Secretaries on OROP-30 Jun 09. Relevant  Extract is as under :-

“One Rank One Pension (OROP) implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with thesame length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”

(d)         Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha dated 02 Dec 2014 (Release ID :112372)

“The principle of One Rank One Pension for the Armed Forces has been accepted by the Govt. 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 to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancement in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.”

5.   I had the opportunity to meet the present RM on 15 Nov 2017 in her office in a very cordial environment and briefed her in detail about the anomalies in the implementation of OROP and other important Issues of Welfare of Defence Personnel are as under. 

(a)    Implementation of Actual One Rank One Pension (OROP).
(b)    Pensions of Defence Widows.
(c)    Pensions of Defence Reservists.
(d)   Ensuring Second Career for the early Defence Retirees till the age of 60 years through the Act of Parliament.
(e)  Improvements in Medical care Scheme ECHS.  The medical procedures which have been introduced in the Country be on ECHS Procedure list within, six months of their being operational in India.
(f)  Dire need to have Veterans Hospitals on the line of other Democracies.
(g)  Need to enhance ECHS Budget to efficiently manage Super Specialty Care for the Defence Personnel and their dependents.
(h)    Need to have Covenant Act of Defence Forces on the lines of UK & other countries.
(j)  Need to expedite construction of Martyrs Memorial at India Gate.  Long delays have already been caused.
(k)  Need to enhance rates of Disability Pension for Defence Personnel.

6.   Having given the details, I would request all members of the defence Family to “Join in” to continue our struggle to get “Respect and Justice” to the soldiers and for restoration of status in all respects as existed on 26 Jan 1950.

7.  You are aware that the Govt has to implement Actual OROP and the opposition has to raise the issues of disparities and shortcomings that exist.  We had supported BJP in 2014 when the party had assured us of implementation of full OROP if it came to Power. Now, since BJP has not implemented full OROP, we have requested opposition ie (Cong and other Parties) to assist in getting actual OROP for the Welfare of Soldiers.  We neither joined BJP in 2014 nor we have joined cong now.  Some ex- servicemen for the reasons best known to them are making subjective comments that the IESM Leadership has joined Congress.  It is for from truth.  IESM and Jantar Mantar Protest Movement is for the Welfare of Defence Family and not for joining any Political Party.

8.   We appeal to all Ex-Servicemen to strengthen the Protest Movement at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the Country by Continuing to be part of it.  Every Ex-serviceman in and around NCR is requested to visit Jantar Mantar atleast once a week to Showcase Solidarity to the Cause of Soldiers.  Likewise, ESM at other locations are requested to conduct meetings at their respective places in support of Respect, Justice, Status, Actual OROP and Removal of Anomalies of 6th & 7th CPCs.

With regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen and Chairman IESM
Mobile: 09312404269, 0124-4110570

(Source : Via e-mail) 

Friday, January 26, 2018

7TH CPC : REVISION OF DISABILITY/WAR INJURY PENSION FOR PRE-01.01.2016 DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL

Dear all Veteran Brothers,

The long awaited disability/war injury pension revision orders, now issued by the DESW(MoD), on 23.1.2018, as published below:-

Now, the PCDA (P) Allahabad issues the implementation orders, to all banks.

BLOGGER.

(Source-DESW Website)
=================================================
No.17(01)/2017/D(Pen/Policy)
Govt of India, Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen WelfareNew Delhi-110011,
Dated 23rd January, 2018
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
Subject- Implementation of Govt decision on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission – Revision of Disability/War Injury pension for pre-1.1.2016 Defence Forces pensioners reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No. 17(01)/2016-D(Pen/Pol) dated 29th October’ 2016 modified vide letter No 17(01)/2017(01)/ D(Pension/Policy) dated 4th September, 2017 for revision of pension of pre-2016 Defence Forces pensioners/ family pensioners in implementation of the Government decisions on the recommendations of the 7th CPC. As per the same, disability element/ liberalized disability element/ war injury element of Defence Forces pensioners have been revised by the pension disbursing agencies by multiplying the existing rate of disability element as on 31.12.2015, by factor of 2.57 to arrive at revised rate of disability element as on 1.1.2016. The Ministry vide letter No 17(01)/2017(02)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 5th September, 2017 have also issued orders for revision of pension including disability element by issue of corrigendum PPO based on notional pay fixed as on 1.1.2016 in the 7th CPC pay matrix corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/ pay band 86 grade pay in which the pensioner had retired. The later order of 5th September, 2017 allows the benefit of broad banding of disability in cases of retirement/ discharge voluntary or otherwise with disability/war injury and additional pension on disability/war injury element to be authorized by issue of corrigendum PPO
2. In partial modification of Ministry’s said order dated 29th October, 2016 as modified, the President is now pleased to decide that in cases where Armed Forces pensioners who were retired/discharged voluntary or otherwise with disability and were in receipt of disability/war injury element as on 31.12.2015, their extent of disability shall be re-computed in the following manner before applying the multiplication factor of 2.57 on existing disability/war injury element to arrive at the revised disability element/war injury element as on 1.1.2016.
3. Rates for calculation of disability where composite assessment has been made due to existence of disability as well as war injury, shall be determined in terms of provision contained in Para 3(b) of Ministry’s letter No.16(02)/2015-D(Pen/Pol) dated 8th August 2016. The amount of revised disability element finally arrived shall be rounded off to next higher rupee.
4. The president is also pleased to decide that quantum of additional pension available to old age pensioners after attaining the age of 80 years and above, shall also be admissible on revised disability/war injury element. The Note below para 12 of this Ministry’s above mentioned letter dated 29th October,2016 stands deleted.
5. The provisions of this Ministry’s above -mentioned letter dated 29th October 2016 as modified vide letter dated 4th September,2017 and dated 5th September,2017 which are not affected by the provisions of this letter, shall remain unchanged.
6. PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad shall issue necessary implementation instructions for implementation of provisions of these orders directly by the pension disbursing agencies.
7. The provisions of this letter shall take effect from 1.1.2016.
8. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their ID No.Part file (i) to 30(01)/2016/Fin/Pen dated 15.12.2017.
9. Hindi Version will follow.
Yours faithfully

S/d,

(Manoj Sinha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India



(Source : Govtempdiary blog)

Thursday, January 25, 2018

E-MAIL IDs OF ALL 50 RECORDS OFFICES : INDIAN ARMY

Dear All,  FYI pl.  

Regards, A Sunder Rajan 

Amit Abha : Many a times, while submitting representations of fellow veterans regarding pension or other issues, it was always felt that Army establishments especially Record Offices don't have official email IDs; but we were wrong. Yesterday, I came across a list of email addresses, which I feel worth sharing: Below is the list E-mail IDs of the Record Offices of the Indian Army. It is easy and fast to communicate with them via e-mail rather than the traditional letter writing method which takes a lot of time: 

1.Arty topchi@nic.in                                        gunnershelpline-army@nic.in 


3. Signals marshal@nic.in                   marssmart@nic.in 

4.ASC (S) rabbit.812@nic.in                    

5. Armd rajwap.884y@gov.in 

9. BEG (R) pushpawali@nic.in
11. AMC comb.heal@nic.in 

12. SIKH LI mykhalsa@nic.in
13. Mech Inf sarathro@nic.in
14. Madras kingofnilgiri@nic.in 
                 blackpompom@nic.in
15. Guards casbike@nic.in
16. Garh Rif bhulla.walli@nic.in
17. JAK Rif zorawar.hunja@nic.in
18. ASC (AT) aman56007@nic.in
19. Punjab drirehome@nic.in
20. Rajput yadunath@nic.in
21. Grenadiers shaktishali@nic.in
22. Mahar vickers@nic.in
24. SIKH Regt sikhrecords-army@nic.in
25. Raj Rif veerbhogya@nic.in
26. Kumaon hill.binsar@nic.in
27. Dogra highlander@nic.in
28. MLI greatgorilla@nic.in                                    warrior.71@nic.in
33. AEC shiksha@nic.in
35. 58 GR khurkri58@nic.in
37. Pioneer racavi.1994@nic.in                                   bang.3012@nic.in
38. PARA jumping@nic.in
40. Assam Regt rhinorecord-meg@nic.in
41. Bihar kalinga@nic.in
42. APTC calcium@nic.in
43. Army Avn avnhelpline@nic.in                                  avnrecords@nic.in
45. Int ranbhumi@nic.in
46. 11 GR 11.gr@gov.in
47. Ladakh Scouts kikisoso@nic.in
48. GRD (G) jala.pahar@nic.in
49. GRD (K) ramngh.788m@gov.in
50. ROIE, Kathmandu roie.ids@nic.in

(Received from YR Raghavan Veteran)

(SOURCE : via gp e-mail)