Sunday, October 5, 2014

NO OROP NO VOTE IN HARYANA AND MAHARASHTRA ELECTIONS

(SOURCE- E-MAILED BY DINESH BHATIA)

Procedure for payment and re-imbursement of Medical Expenses under ECHS: Processing of online bills by Bill Processing Agency (BPA)

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare's Order regarding delegation of powers of payment and re-imbursement of medical expenses under ECHS: Processin of online bills by Bill Processing Agency (BPA):-

V 22A (10)/2010/US (WE)/D(Res)-Vol-V
Govt. Of India
Deptt of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi 1l0001
Dated the 10th July, 2014
To
Managing Director
Central Organisation
ECHS.
Subject: Procedure for payment and re-imbursement of Medical Expenses under ECHS: Processing of online bills by Bill Processing Agency (BPA)

Sir,
In partial modification of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare letter of even number dated 24th December 2013, on the above subject, I am directed to convey sanction of the President to the following amendment: 
For:
(a) Director, Regional Centre ECHS - upto Rs.3,00,000/-
(b) MD, ECHS . - upto Rs. 10,00,000/-
(c) Joint Secretary, ESW - upto Rs. 25,00,000/-
(d) Secretary, ESW - above Rs.25,00,000/-

Read
(a) Director, Regional Centre ECHS -  Rs. 3,00,000/-
(B) Dy MD, ECHS -  upto Rs. 5,00,000/-
(c) MD, ECHS  - . upto 10,00,000/-
(d) Joint Secretary, ESW - Upto Rs. 25,00,000/-
(e) Secretary, ESW - above Rs. 25,00,000/-

2. The powers delegated within the ministry (bills above Rs. 10 lakhs) will be exercised in consultation with MoD (Finance)

3. This issues with the concurrence of MoD (Finance) vide their ID No. PC 1/33(07)/2011/Fin/Pen dated 4th July, 2014

Yours faithfully,

(HK Mallick)
Under Secretary to Govt. of India

(Source: http://echs.gov.in/images/pdf/Gov/Gov_55.pdf)

ECHS: Revision of delegation of financial powers & for payment and Reimbursement of manual medical bills

Revision of delegation of financial powers & for payment and Reimbursement of manual medical bills. Department of Ex-Servicemen Order for ECHS

25 (01)/2014/US (WE)/D(Res)-Part-I
Govt. Of India
Deptt of Ex-Servicemen
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi 110001
Dated the 4th August, 2014

To
The Managing Director
Central Organisation
ECHS.
Subject: Revision of delegation of financial powers & for payment and Reimbursement of manual medical bills
Sir,
In partial modification to Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 24(03)/2003/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 08 Sep 2003, on the above subject, I am directed to convey sanction of the President to the following amendment to Para 1 of the Appendix



Ser No.Competent Authority Financial’ LimitsConsultation with IFA/ MOD Finance
(a)Station Commander
(i)Lt Col/ColUpto Rs.1,00,000/-No
(ii)BrigUpto Rs.2,00,000/-No
(b)Sub Area Commander/Chief of Staff Area HQ (Maj Gen)Upto Rs.3,00,0000/-No
(c)Dy MD, ECHSUpto Rs.5,00,0000/-Yes
(d)MD, ECHSUpto Rs.10,00,0000/-Yes
(e)Joint Secretary (ESW)Upto Rs.25,00,0000/-Yes
(f)Secretary (ESW)Above Rs.25,00,0000/-Yes


Note : The powers delegated within the Ministry above Rs. 10 lakhs will be exercised in consultation with MoD(Finance) and similarly in ECHS also cases above Rs.3 lakhs will be examined in consultation with their Internal Finance.

2. The other contents of the letter under reference will remain unchanged.

3 This issues with the concurrence of MoD(Finance) vide U.O.No.3(l9)2ool/AG/PD/Fin./Pen dated 23rd June 2014.

Yours faithfully

(HK Mallick)
Under Secretary to Govt. of India

(Source: http://echs.gov.in/images/pdf/Gov/Gov_54.pdf)



Assistance to families of Martyrs: Number of casualties in army, complaints regarding occupy of land allotted

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4284
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2014
ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF MARTYRS
4284 . Birla Shri Om
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-

(a) the total number of casualties in the army during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; 

(b) the existing provisions for providing compensation, facilities and other helps to the families of the martyrs; 

(c) whether the Government has received complaints regarding families of the martyrs and ex-servicemen not being able to occupy the land allotted to them; 

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of such pending cases, State-wise including Rajasthan; and 

(e) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy for timely disposal of the cases relating to martyrs and ex-servicemen and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY) 
number+of+martyrs
(a) State-wise details of army personnel killed (battle fatal casualties only) in various operations during the last three years and the current year are given in Annexure-I. 

S. No.States2011201220132014
1.Andhra Pradesh2240
2.Assam1411
3.Bihar1961
4.Gujarat0101
5.Haryana4582
6.Himachal Pradesh2670
7.J&K8234
8.Jharkhand0000
9.Karnataka4010
10.Kerala0101
11.Madhya Pradesh3221
12.Maharashtra6643
13.Punjab71150
14.Rajasthan10842
15.Tamil Nadu3303
16.Uttar Pradesh109103
17.Uttarakhand9481
18.West Bengal1331
19.Manipur0211
20.Orissa0100
21.Arunachal Pradesh0000
22.Mizoram1120
23.Nagaland1010
24.Delhi0201
25.Chandigarh0000
26.Meghalaya0100
Total:74837026
27.Nepal2110
Grand Total:76847126

(b) Various assistance and compensation like Ex-gratia, Death Cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG), Army General Insurance (death Insurance benefit), Army General Insurance (Maturity Benefit), Leave Encashment, Assistance from Army Wives Welfare Association, Army Central Welfare Fund, Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund & deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, Monthly Pension etc. including one time specific grants & some monthly grants are provided to war widows / dependent children of the martyrs. 

(c) Yes, Madam. However, as the matter related to allotment of land is a State subject, these complaints are forwarded to the respective State Government for appropriate action. 

(d) As per the reports received from the State Governments, the details of State-wise pending cases are given at Annexure-II. 

State
Number of Pending cases
Andhra Pradesh
7
J&K
2
Kerala
15
Karnataka
6
Madhya Pradesh
10
Maharashtra
22
Odissa
3
Punjab
2
Rajasthan
3
Telangana
22
West Bengal
1
Rest of the States
Nil
Grand Total:
93

(e) Efforts are made to expeditiously process the cases relating to payment of compensation and assistance relating to martyrs and ex-servicemen.

*******
Annexure Source: http://164.100.47.132/Annexture_New/lsq16/2/au4284.htm

(Source- CG Employees diary)

EX-SERVICEMEN TO ADOPT NO OROP NO VOTE POLICY


  NO OROP NO VOTE. 
IESM 
WISHES HAPPY DUSSEHRA
AND  
HAPPY DURGA PUJA 
TO ALL MEMBERS.
THE BIG QUESTION IS WETHER
 EX-SERVICEMEN  ARE REALLY HAAPY DURING THIS DUSSEHRA? 
IESM FEELS WE HAVE BEEN
CHEATED BY THE POLITICIANS OF ALL 
PARTIES. BJP IS NO DIFFERENT. 
OROP NOTIFICATION IS STILL NOT OUT. 
ALL ESM IN HARYANA AND MAHARASHTRA
 ARE REQUESTED TO ASK QUESTION  
IN EVERY RALLY TO ORGANISERS
WHERE IS OROP? 
FULFILL YOUR PROMISE OF OROP
BEFORE YOU ASK FOR OUR VOTES.
PLEASE RAISE SLOGANS IN EVERY 
RALLY INCLUDING MODI AND SHAH RALLIES
NO OROP NO VOTE. 
ALL POLITICIANS ARE UNTRUSTWORTY.
IESM WILL ORGANISE RALLIES IN FRONT OF HOUSES OF BJP MPS AND MLAS AND 
BJP PARTY OFFICES
ALL IESM STATE UNITS PLEASE ORGANISE THESE RALLIES
(Source- Voice of Pensioners -Ex-airman blog)

Friday, October 3, 2014

DUSSEHRA/DIWALI GREETINGS

HELLO BROTHERS,

MAY THIS NAVRAATRI BE AS BRIGHT AS EVER,

MAY THIS NAVRAATRI BRING JOY, HEALTH AND WEALTH TO YOU,

MAY THIS NAVRAATRI BRING IN YOU THE MOST BRIGHTEST AND CHOICEST AND LOVE YOU HAVE EVER WISHED FOR,

MAY THIS NAVRAATRI BRING YOU THE MOST UTMOST IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY,

MAY THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BRIGHTEN UP YOU AND YOUR NEAR AND DEARONES

MAY THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TRIUMPH OVER DARKNESS,

MAY THESE FESTIVALS GIVE SADBUDDHI TO THOSE NETAS AND BABUS DEALING IN MILITARY MEN MATTERS,

MAY THE PENDING POLICY OF AF PERSONNEL LATERAL ABSORPTION IN GOVT DEPTS BE CLEARED, WHICH SHALL CHANGE THE FACE OF VETERAN WELFARE.

MAY THE PENDING OROP ORDERS BE ISSUED STRAIGHTAWAY SO THAT WE, THE ESM COMMUNITY CELEBRATE.

G V NARAYANA
EX SGT

IESM MEETING WITH 7th CPC ON 24 SEP 2014


Date: 01 Oct 2014
 
Dear Veterans
 
1. IESM delegation consisting of the following met the 7th CPC for over an hour on 24th Sep 2014.
(a)       Maj Gen Satbir Singh          Chairman IESM
(b)       Maj Gen PK Renjen             Vice Chairman IESM
(c)       Gp Capt VK Gandhi             Gen Sec IESM
(d)       Maj Gen AJB Jaini             Member Gov Body
(e)       Hony Lt K Pandey               Member Gov Body
 
2. The following members and the officials of the 7th CPC were present:-
(a)       Justice AK Mathur             Chairman 7 CPC
(b)       Sh Mudit Mittal                Director 7 CPC
(c)       Sh DK Rai                       Director 7 CPC
(d)       Ms Meena Aggarwal            Secretary 7CPC
(e)       Sh Sameer K Sinha             Jt Sec 7 CPC
(f)       Sh Rajeev Misra                Advisor
(g)       Sh Y Shukla                     Advisor
(h)       Sh Mohinder Singh             Advisor
(i)        Km Vandana Sirvastava        CGDA
 
3. Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Chairman Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) had met members of the Commission earlier in May 2014, wherein recommendations by the IESM in brief were discussed. (Details attached at Appendix A attached).
 
4. A detailed Memorandum to 7th CPC was forwarded by IESM vide our letter dated 11 Aug 2014 (Appendix B att.)
 
5. During the meeting with the 7th CPC on 24 Sep 2014 the following major issues were discussed:-
            
(a) Start of Down-gradation of Defence personnel in 1973 3rd CPC. It was highlighted by the IESM Delegation that the down-gradation of military persons started with 3rd CPC when they were clubbed with the civilian employees. Till 1973, military persons had their own pay and pension regulations wherein, pensions were regulated based on the rank and the years of service. Pension of JCOs/OR were based on 75% of the last pay drawn and officers’ pension was 50% of the last pay drawn, whereas the pensions of civilian employees were worked out based on 33% of the last pay drawn with max Rs 416.50. The pension of the highest rank of defence forces was Rs 1000 pm. The 3rd CPC increased the pensions of civilian to 50% of the last pay drawn and reduced the pensions of JCOs/ORs from 75% to 50%. This resulted in reduction of pension of the defence personnel. It was here onwards that the down-gradation of military personnel started. Rajya Sabha Petition Committee on OROP Chaired by Mr. Bhagat Singh Koshyari in 2011 opined that the decision to club the defence personnel with the civilian employees in 1973 was not a considered decision. IESM emphasized that the 7th CPC should correct the injustice by restoring the pension differential that existed in 1973.
 
(b) Integration of OROP in 7th CPC. The delegation asked the members of 7th CPC that OROP, which has already been sanctioned by the Govt and not yet implemented, should be fully integrated in the 7th CPC. One of the Directors with the 7th CPC Sh. DK Rai brought out that the OROP has relief of only few rupees to the OR/JCOs. The IESM delegation strongly countered the statement and brought out that as per accepted definition of OROP, a Sepoy with 17 years of services stands to gain Rupees 3150 in his basic pension plus DA and not a few Rupees. It was brought out by the Chairman IESM, Maj Gen Satbir Singh that a Sepoy with 17 years of service and Pre 2006 retiree gets a pension of Rs 5,196 pm. With the implementation of OROP, he will get Rs 8350 pm basic plus DA additional. IESM delegation emphasized that 7th CPC must fully integrate OROP, while arriving at the pension of 7th CPC.

(c)  Pension of Widows. It was brought out by the delegation that there are 6.45 lacs defence widows in the country and 85% of them are the widows of OR. Majority of them draw only Rs 3500 pm basic. It was strongly recommended that service pension of the ESM and the family pension should be same. If the spouse dies, the ESM continues to draw his/her pension, but when ESM, dies the pension is reduced to 60% of the ESM pension. Thus, the defence widow is left to fend for herself with her woes increasing many fold. This segment of the defence fraternity suffers the most. 7th CPC was requested to consider this sympathetically and enhance the family pension to the pension of the ESM. A question from Chairman 7th CPC justice AK Mathur that the other services would also demand this increase of family pension, was replied by Maj Gen Satbir Singh that the two cannot be compared. Defence families suffer while the spouse is serving due to the service conditions and continues to suffer more when they are widowed early.

(d) Defence Personnel Retire Early and also Die Early. The age expectancy of government employees was studied by a government agency in the 5th CPC. The following age expectancies were arrived at:-

a)   Civilian Services        77 Yrs
b)   Railway Employees      78 Yrs
c)   Defence Personnel
i)    OR (up to Hav)         59.6 – 64 Yrs
ii)   JCOs                    67 Yrs
iii)  Officers                 72.5 Yrs

It is seen that ORs die approximately 20 years, JCOs 15 years and officers 7 years earlier than their civilian counterparts. There are a number of reason, the most important being body wear and tear during service and stress and strain of life after retirement when their responsibilities are maximum. It was strongly recommended by the delegation, that this aspect must be kept in mind by the 7th CPC while arriving at the pension scales of the defence personnel. This also adds to the logic of award of enhanced percentages of pensions to the defence personnel as existed in Pre 1973.
 
(e) Disability Pension. It was recommended by the delegation that “The present disability pension in cases of discharge/ superannuation/retirement with a disability is authorized only to those personnel who have a disability of 20% or more whereas in cases of discharge on medical grounds, the 20% stipulation stands abrogated. All individuals irrespective of the percentage of disability should be granted compensation. Disability pension needs to be paid in ALL cases of disability and broad-banding of percentages of disability be extended to all (and not just invalided personnel as is the case at present) as the concept of broad-banding is to offset medical subjectivity and mistakes and arbitrary percentages awarded by medical boards and has no connection with the manner of exit from service. Moreover, all disabilities arising during military service, including while on authorized leave, should be deemed as ‘attributable or at least aggravated’ by service unless caused by the person’s own misconduct as is the system prevalent in all major democracies (See Rule 105 of United States Code 38). It may be pertinent to point out that the Rules already provide for such a stipulation (See Rule 5 of Entitlement Rules, 1982) and even the Hon’ble Supreme Court has already ruled in favour of disabled soldiers in this regard in Dharamvir Singh Vs UOI, civil appeal 4949/2013 decided on 02nd July 2013. Only condition to deny disability pension would be if the disability is a result of any misconduct or criminality. There should be a separate'Defence Services Pay Committee' (as promised by the former Prime Minister) comprising members from Defence Services/ veterans and judges from SC/ HC.
 
(f) Common Pay Scale of JCOs and ORs. IESM recommended that common Pay scales should also be extended to JCOs/OR so that they get benefited for the pension.
 
(g) Rank Pay Case. The Govt of India approved the 4th CPC Recommendations of Rank Pay to be added to the basic Pay of officers ranks Captain to Brigadier. This would have had cascading effect on even Maj Gen & Lt Gen and would have, in turn impacted on the pensions of defence officers. Despite the above approval, in the execution stage, this advantage was neutralized by a bureaucratic manipulation, by first deducting and then adding rank pay. This resulted in the basic pay being lowered from the earlier level and had a detrimental effect on each rank with relative equation to other services being lowered. This further had cascading affecting on successive Pay Commissions. After the SC judgment in favour of defence personnel, the Govt has still not fully implemented it. The revisions of pay scales of 4th, 5th and 6th Pay Commissions have not yet been carried out. IESM delegation emphasized that 7th CPC should arrive at the base figures after taking into consideration the complete implementation of the SC judgment and the same be suitably integrated in the 7th CPC recommendations.
 
(h) Rank Pay For JCOs and ORs. Rank Pay should also be extended to JCOs and ORs.
 
(j) Third Assured Career Progression for the Sepoy. Third Career progression authorised to all central government employees by the 6th CPC is not available to the Sepoy of armed Forces since he is retired after 15/17/19 years of service whereas the third promotion is authorised after 24 years of service. It was recommended that this disadvantage be removed by the 7th CPC. Either, he be given promotion after 5/10/15 years of services or he should be given pension of the 3rd promotion.
 
(k) Pensions of Pre 2004 retiree Majors and Selection Grade Lt Cols.IESM brought out that as on today, Armed Forces Officers are not retiring as Majs&selection grade Lt Cols since a time bound promotions up to Lt Col have been introduced. It was recommended that pensions of these categories of officers should be fixed as under:-

      (i)Major should be given pension of Lt Col with grade pay of Majors.
            (ii)Selection grade Lt Col should be given pension of Colonel with grade pay of Lt Col.

(l) Performance Related incentive scheme (PRIS). This scheme was accepted by the 6th CPC, that is 1/3rd of the population of employees can be granted 20% of basic pay as enhancement on account of PRIS. While the scheme has been implemented for the civilian employees and DRDO, the same has not yet been implemented for the defence personnel.
It was recommended that the same should also be extended to defence personnel.
 
(m) Dynamic Assured Carrier Progression (DCAP) For Medical Officers. Medical officers in the central government with 13 years of service and 20 years of service have been granted a grade pay of Rs 8,700 and Rs 10,000 respectively. While the scheme has been implemented for the civilian Doctors, the same has not yet been extended to the medical officers of the Army Medical Corps (AMC). The same was recommended to be implemented for Military doctors also.
           
6. In addition the 7th CPC was requested to sympathetically consider all other recommendation mentioned in our Memo. Important of these recommendations are:-

(a) All anomalies of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th CPCs be resolved to arrive at the base figures for the 7th CPC.
(b) The Basic Pay and Pensions of Defence Personnel should be year-wise 25% higher than their civilian counterparts. Introduce a Common Pay Scale for all Govt of India employees, incorporating an year-wise increase. There will be two tables of basic pay scales one encompassing PB1 and 2; and the other PB3, 4, HAG, HAG+, and Fixed Grade. These would thus cover All Grades from the lowest to the highest. This will bring in simplicity in concept and implementation (Graph Refers).

(c) MSP should be as was recommended by the 6th CPC ie 64% of basic pay for JCOs and ORs and 52% of basic for officers.
 
7. Copy of the updated Memorandum was handed over to the Chairman and members of 7th CPC.
 
8. The aim of the Govt and in turn the 7th CPC, as far as the Defence Forces are concerned, is to so package the compensation in term of pay, pensions, allowances and other service conditions that the most suitable youth is attracted to the profession and shortages of over 14000 officers is made up at the earliest to give the required leadership punch at the cutting edge of the Defence Forces.
 
9. The meeting was held in a very cordial environment and all the members and the staffs of the 7th CPC were very responsive and positive to the issues discussed. IESM thanked the Chairman 7th CPC and members for affording us the opportunity to discuss our recommendation and suggested that IESM will be privileged to answer any query and come again for any discussion.

 
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
 
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email:             satbirsm@gmail.com

(Source-BC Vasundhara blog)