Dr Manmohan Singh
PAY & PENSIONS OF SERVING & RETIRED DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
1. The fact that you have approved the constitution of a committee headed by Cabinet Secretary on issues of relevance to defence personnel both serving and retired (copy attached) shows your concern to resolve serious anomalies in their pay and pensions and grant them due justice.
2. However, we would like to bring to your notice a few of our serious concerns in this regard as under:-
( b ) The second serious concern is regarding non-inclusion of serving and retired defence personnel as its members. You will agree that bureaucrats are perceived to have been behind the systematic down-gradation of status, pay and pensions of Defence Personnel. Otherwise, how one can explain 108 times increase in pension of senior most civilian employ from 1973 to 2006 while the pension of highest defence rank ie COAS has increased 45 times? A Sepoy is compulsorily retired after 15/17 years of service and not granted his 3rd career progression which is available to all other Central Government employees. Non Functional Upgradation (NFU) is authorized to Grade A and IPS viz IAS, IFS and not authorized to Defence officers. The defence personnel feel that the main reason of injustice was that they were not represented in 6th CPC, the demand which was strongly made by all the three Chiefs and Joint Chief of Staff Committee but unfortunately not agreed to by the govt. Sir, the present composition of the committee infuses no confidence amongst the defence personnel both serving and veterans. We are of the view that 24 lakh veterans and over 3 lakh widows would not want to have another committee which may reject their most genuine demand of OROP. It is therefore, strongly felt that at least four members be included in the composition of the newly formed committee ie one each from serving Army, Air Force and Navy and one from Ex Servicemen.
7. Mr Prime Minister Sir, you are aware that together the Defence Personnel, serving and veterans, their family members and supporters have voting strength of over six crores. There are over sixty large cantonments and over 250 military stations in the country. Continued apathy and disregard of their genuine demands by the present UPA Government is likely to polarize them against it. They are also getting restless and are no longer wanting to wait for any length of time.
8. In view of the foregoing we request the following:-
(a) OROP issue be delinked from the scope of this committee. Rajya Sabha Petition Committee Recommendations strongly recommending grant of OROP be accepted and OROP in perpetuity be granted to all defence personnel immediately.
(b) For remaining issues, the composition of the committee be amended to include three members from serving defence personnel and one from Ex Servicemen.
(c) Another important issue of reduction of unacceptable large gap between pre 2006 retiree Majors and Lt Col (over Rs 14000/- per month) be included in the terms of reference of this committee.
With Regards,
Copy to :-
Gen Bikram Singh, - With request for collective
Chief of the Naval Staff
Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne
GOOD YOU HAVE DELETED UNWARRANTED LETTERS. MY SINCERE THANKS FOR THAT .IT IS GOOD YOU CARED FOR MAJOR BUT HOW YOU FORGOT YOURS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAJ GEN & LT GEN PENSION RS 9800 . SIMILARLY HONY CAPT IS GETTING MORE THAN REGULAR LT .DEGRADATION OF CLASS I OFFICER & MANY MORE WHICH I GAVE TO PM.RM,ALL CHIEF EXTRA
ReplyDeleteMEMBER EX SERVICEMAN > NOT AS RECOMMENDED BY YOU IN YOUR EARLIER LETTER AS THEY DO NOT ABOUT THEIR PENSION WHAT THEN THEY CAN DO FAR OTHERS
BEST OF LUCK HOPE FOR BEST
Another committee of bureaucrats ...?? By Maj Gen Satbir Singh dated: 14 Jul 2012
ReplyDelete1. Comment No 1: There is need to correct rejection by superior committee no one wants to go to jail like Raja 2G scam.
2. Comment No 2: This is the reason PM has given time bound by 12 Aug,2012 & hopefully announce on 15 Aug,2012.
3. Comment No 3: Terms & reference is clear direction for work, you can take as ack
4. Comment No 4 : Kindly do not give foolish idea if you are friend of OROP. Do you know pension is dependent on pay scale. If pay scales are wrong then its correction is first then pension is to be corrected accordingly. AFT has given revision of pay of Hon offr, Capt & Maj. Govt has accepted anomaly in pay scales of Lt Col/Col/Brig. Selection grade officers Col [selection] & Brig are to be placed in HAG scale, Maj Gen to be placed in present Lt Gen scale, Lt Gen to be moved to HAG+ scale so that Col [ selection], Brig, Maj Gen can be suitably placed in HAG scale. So far which rank pension OROP you are asking for. Once pay is revised by committee only than the OROP can be sanctioned. So kindly withdraw your letter & do not create problems for all.
5. (a) Non functional up gradation.
Comments No 5(a): air force & navy was willing for it,but army short sighted general rejected it. So how rm is to be blamed for your bad doing.
(b) Comment No 5(b): yes financial matters require supportive action. So this committee will do. It is not like a bania ledger or regimental account. It is a public account.
(c) comments 5(c): there is a need to correct rejection by superior committee no one wants to go to jail like Raja 2G scam.
(d) enhancement of family pension. Comments 5(d):Yes, financial matters require supportive action. So this committee will do. It is not like a bania ledger or regimental account. It is a public account.
(e) enhancement of grade pay of Lt Col/Col/Brig and comments 5(e):yes financial matters require supportive action. So this committee will do. It is not like a bania ledger or regimental account. It is a public account.
6. Comment No 6: Yes PM knows better than you there by time bound work has been given so that he can announce on 15 Aug 2012
7. Comment No 7: Do you or member suggested by you know that their pension is wrong. I can assure you none knows & proof is no one cried for it. Moreover the Rank Pay + grade Pay + MSP extra are wrong. You do not know till date. So what worth you all be in pay commission. I had made various cases from last six months & given to Army, Air Force, Navy, MOD, RM, FM etc. The committee’s outcome is due to this concrete action, so kindly do not spoil case once you do not know in depth & you do not have any nack for it, so kindly do not give foolish ideas if you are friend of OROP. Do you know pension is dependent on pay scale. If pay scales are wrong then its correction is first then pension is to be corrected accordingly. AFT has given revision of pay of Hony Offrs, Capt & Maj. Govt has accepted anomaly in pay scales of Lt Col / Col / Brig. Lt Gen to be moved to HAG+ scale so that Col [selection], Brig, Maj Gen can be suitably placed in HAG scale. So, far which rank pension OROP you are asking for. Once pay is revised by committee only then OROP can be sanctioned. So kindly withdraw letter & do not create problems for all. Better keep quite. (a) Chairman - one of the retired chiefs (Gen VP Malik, (recommended by SC for Armed Forces Grievance Redressal Commission (AFGRC)) (b) Members :- (i) One serving Vice Chief (From Army/Navy/Air Force) (ii) One ESM Gen Officer - Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, (recommended by SC for Armed Forces Grievance Redressal Commission (AFGRC)) do you or member suggested by you know that their pension is wrong. I can assure you none know & proof is no one cried for it. Moreover the Rank Pay + Grade Pay + MSP etc are wrong. You do not know till date. So what worth you all be in pay commission.
By Col Lamba
Dear Col Lamba, thanks for your comments. I have suitably edited them before posting.
Sir,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the committee lead by Cab Secy are as given below:-
Point No 1 : No Stakeholder as Member
Well, what more can be said on this. Despite crying hoarse on this aspect right from the days of 6th CPC composition itself, this aspect has been persistently ignored. It cannot possibly be out of ignorance. For those who may not know the very same 'biggest babuji' had asked senior veterans' delegation (led by Gen Raj Kadyan who had met him to convey their grievances on the unfair dispensation for AFs post SCPC and other veterans' issues like OROP and widows' pension) to come through MoD. When reminded that that was the very root cause of the AFs personnels' problems as bureaucrats were both insensitive and inimical to AFs issues. To everyone's horror, hon'ble PM replied "But that is the institutionalised system." So not having our rep on the panel is not only by mere design BUT IT IS WELL and TRUELY Machiavelian. So pls don't go by the poker faced looks of MMS.
Point No 2 : Parliamentary Committee's Recommendations on OROP Undone.
Apparently for a babjuji only a babuji is Supreme. Looks like MMS has still not graduated from his IES days despite being at the helm of the Govt and that too well into his second term now. Pls also bear in mind what TIME mag (underachiever) and THE INDEPENDENT Newspaper (Sonia's Poodle) have said about MMS.
Point No 3 : Many other imp anomalies remain unaddressed.
Well, gullible and credulous poor faujis won't understand ever, would they? Who is interested in solving your anomalies dearies? They just want to announce some token measures which seemingly have more impact (like OROP which MAY finally gets announced on 15th Aug) and ensure veterans' protests get fizzled out. After all elections are not too far off!
Point No 4 : Opposition by lower echelons of MoD against granting anything benefits for AFs.
Pretty axiomatic, seeing the fate of many such previous committees. BTW as feared the chances of lower MoD bureaucracy scuttling the whole exercise just can't be ruled out, expected independent-mindedness of the worthy constituents notwithstanding!!!
PS: Point about Col Lamba's observation on OROP is very valid. Firstly there HAS to be a VALID and DUE PAY then only can there be DUE OROPension, isn't it?
DE-GRADATION OF ARMY AGAINST CIVIL [IAS/IPS]
ReplyDelete1. Army comes to rescue civil authority on their failure in name of aid to civil power.
2.The Armed Forces were paid higher Pay & Pension [pension used to be 75 % of pay, as applicable in other countries] now the pension has been reduced to 50%.
3. However, this was arbitrarily and without any justification changed by 3rd CPC in 1973.
4. The RAJYA SABHA Committee opined that the Govt has TAKEN an ill considered decision,
5. Rajya Sabha ATR is still awaited.
6. Ex Servicemen discontent is disturbing. Legitimate and fair demand of OROP be accepted.
7. Rajya Sabha Petition Committee strongly recommended sanction and implementation of OROP.
8.PM/FM/RM/LOK SABHA/RAJYA SABHA all have accepted One Rank One Pension but a Cabinet Secretary has rejected it. Is CS above all the authorities & Govt who have accepted, OROP, such a person is sowing seeds of discontentment in forces. Forces do not have unions, when water goes above level and they revolt, it may be called mutiny. Kindly ensure such a situation does not arise.
9. The Defence Personnel have suffered thrice over[Three Pay Commissions eroded their Pay/Pension/Status]; The pension of Defence highest rank has increased only 45 times, that of civil highest rank it has increased 108 times). The Col [Selection]/Brig got mere increase of 30 times. There is just no justification for the same.
10. All Civilians will draw the pay of Addl Secretary in 14 years as against Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
11. The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services.
H] But denied to Defense Services. A height of Degradation of Forces]. In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/BSF/ITBP too can beat Def Services Offrs when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary/Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt/DSP in 8 yrs.
J] All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
K] Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems.
L] In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offrs.
M] Such problems will only increase in future.
N] Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution. Else lot many insurmountable problems within Army will set in & command & control aspect will be faced with multiple problems. Disgruntled armies in world resort to mutiny. Thank God our Army will never do so. Hence, kindly be good to Army & look after it. The issue needs a more forceful action by respected PM/FM/RM.
O]. Benefits of NFU denied.
P]. It not only affects pay/pension, it also affects status.
Q]. Today Army comes in aid to civil power. When civil authority fail in performing their duties. These may be earth quake, flood relief, train accident, Asiad, Naxal problem, terror attack, child in well, strike by rail, electricity board, tele services, hospital services & so on list is never ending.
R]. Government’s last hope is Army & if you neither give pay/pension, at least put them totally at par with civil IAS/IPS, then you cannot expect miracles from the Army. Nowhere in world poor paid Army has ever won battles/wars.
S]. Kindly restore status, give pay, pension not less than IAS/IPS & maintain fundamental right of equality & do not violate article 14 of constitution & fundamental right of equality.
S] Thus, immediate need to revise pay & pension. Speedy payment of arrears with corresponding DA w.e.f 1/1/2006.
12. Col [selection] should be above super time scale, so also Brig, but in reality it is not so. They are being paid degraded pay & pension.
13. I understand Chankya said to his king" your kingdom is doomed if and when our soldier has to ask for his dues".
By Col Lamba
It will be good if, own letter is corrected if not withdrawn. This letter is good for nothing as OROP case will not be withdrawn from terms of reference, as mistake done by Under Secy of rejection, will be corrected by this committee. Good point for pay difference Maj & Lt Col pay difference 14000, but forgot on pay difference Maj Gen to Lt Gen 13000 [9800 + pension] any how all have been hopefully catered for in this committee. Comprehensive details for each rank have been sent to threes Chiefs, MOD, RM, PM. Sir, they are bent upon to do the need full.
ReplyDeleteBy COL LAMBA
Thanks Col Anand The Indian Ex Servicemen League and AFGRC has not created any worthwhile work. There seems to be lack of knowledge on financial & law matters. It is indeed due to lack of education in this field & laxity in mind set.
ReplyDeleteSee how within 24 hours the Blogs have been cleaned on strength of my comments. It is high time they must go & some able person should come in the field, who would be welcomed for betterment of masses & forth coming 7th Pay Commission.
The points of pay anomaly which our HQ could not process due to lack of spirit or confidence. I have given to trade unions they are going on strike on 27 Jul, 2012. Gherao of Parliament.
See how one case of AFGRC mess. How can Gen Malik be on board such a commission??? He sat over the grievances of Madam Sikdar without any redressal which culminated into harassment of almost 10 years and greater financial loss and struggle through manipulations of Defence Law Officers. I hope Gen Malik recues himself immediately due to conflict of interest and impropriety.
By Ranbir Lamba
Why are there so many people writing to the PM, Sonia, RM, Etc. One member of the IESM says "its a positive development" while another writes to the PM blasting him. Its creating a lot of confusion. Are these Generals looking for their political future or is it plain sabotage.
ReplyDeleteWhy cant we just let Col Inderjit Singh do the needful, since he is the Originaor of OROP.
Sir, It is not understood if Govt. follows a) OROP, whether there is any need of implementation o0f C) Lesser pension to Majors & Lt. Col pre-2006. When in a)OROP they will not get covered or what? Like you senior officers do not know what is just and right demands of Veterans, God also can not help the veterans.
ReplyDeleteHello veterns - some people have linked pension with pay and some pay with pension. I think we are jumbling the word OROP.
ReplyDeleteSome one said that we should firstly get the pay corrected and than pension and the others said some thing else. Let us understand that amonfst PBOR there is pay group system and one X group soldier while in service was getting salary of his pay group so far he was performing as grout X soldier but when he retired and not performing any duty of group X why should he get this pension - and why an infantry soldier Gp Y should not get not pension like soldier gp Y. And at the same time there should not be any time cut off limit i.e pre 2006 and post 2006.
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
ReplyDeleteVice Chairman, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Dear Sir,
OROP- Should truly mean one particular amount of pension per month,to a retired person weather he is a General of Sepoy.Retired persons onely shall have one rank ie- PENSIONER.The pension should be sufficient for a dignified living.No one shall be entitled for astronomical amounts of money after retirement for enjoying luxurious living.The same rule shall be applicable to all civil servants also.