A REAL DEGRADATION OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES

The implementation of sixth pay commission has drastically changed the warrant of precedence (WOP) for the Indian Armed Forces.
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The chairperson of UPSC has been upgraded to article 9A over Services Chiefs (at article 12). He/she used to be earlier at article 17 below services chiefs and also below officiating chiefs of the rank of Lt Gens who were on article 16.

Chairperson of SCs and STs were added at article 17. Both these chairpersons are now higher than Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs who are at article 23. Members of SCs & STs placed at same level of Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs at article 23.
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What more to say, even Field Marshal Manekshaw was placed at article 12 below two former civil servants (Brijesh Mishra and Vijay Kapoor). Now, does anyone know what these gentlemen have done for INDIA????
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As was well known, Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs were equated with secretaries to Govt. of India on article 23. However, Note 10(c) of the WOP make an interesting distinction: In official functions held at Delhi, Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs of the Army Staff or equivalent in other services will always rank after the Secretaries to the Government of India.

Following are the deductions:

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1. DIG is now officially equivalent to a Brigadier (Earlier this rank was even junior to a Colonel)

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2. Ministry of Home Affairs has declared that all IPS officers shall attain the rank of DIG in 14 year's service.

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3. Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) is now officially equivalent to the rank of Major General.

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4. Dept of Pers & Trg has declared that all IAS officers shall attain the rank of SAG in 14 year's service.

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5. What would be achievable by 100% IPS officers in 14 years would now be achievable by 7% of defence officers in 28 years.

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6. What would be achievable by 100% IAS officers in 14 years would now be achievable by 2% defence officers in 33 years.

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It is pertinent to mention that the senior most civilian rank in a state was equivalent to a Colonel till just after Indian Independence. But now the insignificant civil posts are being upgraded without any worthwhile justification. Frankly speaking, in actual fact, over a period of time, the Nation has only seen a great and constant downfall only of our BABUS in their day to day functioning. Their corrupt practices have increased by leaps and bounds. The Nation is a witness to the fact that their machinery collapses even with a simple storm, and they helplessly seek the assistance of the Armed Forces even at the drop of a hat. However, their protocol and precedence has kept on rising. It is only a proof of their misplaced ego and they always try and reward themselves for their incompetence and failures in all aspects.

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The result was quite visible on that fateful day of 26/11 which saw loss of hundreds of innocent lives for the fault and inefficiency of a few. Ironically, the blameworthy were undeservingly rewarded by the equally incompetent Government for their disgraceful failure and incompetence by the highest National awards. What a shame? There is however, no need to highlight or justify the courage, bravery and professionalism of the Armed Forces; the entire Nation is quite well aware of it. Unfortuntely, a number of those who fought valiantly during 26/11 episode and lost their lives were ungratefully ignored.

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In actual fact it is our politicians who need to give an explanation for this remarkable erosion of Indian soldier's status over the past sixty two years. The top hierarchy of the Armed Forces ie Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals, no less responsible for maintaining an indifferent attitude and lack of focus towards the respect, prestige and reputation of the Armed Forces. They have virtually failed to restore the pride of their own men whom they command.

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No doubt, now, even they do not send their children in the services who rather prefer entering beauty contests or becoming models and film stars. No one can blame them also, as they are a witness to this constant and regular degradation of the Armed Forces.

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It is high time that we speak up or else GOD only can save this country.

Anonymous