Dear Veterans
1. Letter
to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri dt 18 Sep 2015 and three
Chiefs regarding “Serious shortcomings in the implement of One Rank
One Pension (OROP) as read out by Raksha Mantri is enclosed herewith
for information and widest circulation please.
18 Sep 2015
SERIOUS SHORTCOMINGS IN THE IMPLEMENT OF
ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) AS READ OUT BY
RAKSHA MANTRI
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri,
1.
Much awaited announcement on the Implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP)
as read out by you on 05th Sep 2015 has some serious
shortcomings. If not corrected, will not only dilute the OROP but will
destroy its approved definition. The assurances given to the Defence
Fraternity will remain unfulfilled. OROP had been denied to us for the past
42 years when OROP in the form Military Pension was withdrawn. Pensions for
Military Personnel were reduced from 70% to 50% while that the civilian
employees were increased from 33% to 50%. The ends of justice would have
been met, had the Military Pensions were also proportionality increased or age
of retirement brought on parity with civil.
2.
The seven serious shortcomings in the implementation of OROP as announced by
you on 05 Sep 2015 are as under:-
Premature Retirement (PMR). You
have stated that defence personnel proceeding on Voluntary Retirement Scheme
(VRS) will not be entitled to the OROP. It is pertinent
to mention that VRS is not applicable to the defence personnel. What
we have is the Premature Retirement (PMR). This is the National
requirement to have the Military Personnel young in age. Consequently they
are retired with pensions at younger ages. Therefore, all defence
pensioners are very much to be covered of OROP scheme. Not only the
PMR pensioners but also the disability and the family pensioners are to be part
of OROP. Infact, three career progressions which have been
authorised to every Govt employee as 6th CPC award is also required to be
entitled to the defence personnel and all of them have to be given the pensions
of three promotions.
Instead of equalizing the
pensions every year as required as per the approved definition, the Govt has
announced equalization after 5 years. This would totally defeat the
definition of OROP. Large number of senior defence personnel will start
drawing less pension than juniors. This would result in One Rank Five
Pensions and not One Rank One Pension. This is not acceptable. Veterans have
software to overcome the administrative problems being quoted for the
government.
The Govt plans to order
one man commission to decide on the periodicity of the equalization of pension
and other anomalies and has given six months time to the commission. The
purpose of such a committee is not understood particularly since all issues
have been resolved as stated by you after the last time the file was sent to
finance ministry. This is grossly unfair and not acceptable. If committee
is to be ordered, it must consist of five members: - three from ex-servicemen,
one serving defence personnel and one from MoD. Such committee should be
given only one month period to submit its report and within 15 days thereafter
it must be processed and final decision implemented.
During our discussions
with the Personal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, base year 2013 –
2014 was accepted, that means as on 31 Mar 2014. However, in the Note
issued by the Defence Minister, calendar year 2013 has been mentioned, that too
the average of the calendar year. This is not acceptable.
The Govt plans to give
arrears wef 01 Jul 2014 instead of 01 Apr 2014 The Govt has deprived the
veterans three months of arrears. Once a Welfare Scheme has been sanctioned by
the Govt, why is it being diluted to the disadvantage of defence veterans?
Further if the date is changed to 01 Jul 2014 then the financial year must also
change to 2014-2015.
It was agreed by you to
grant highest of scale of rank and years the service. The Govt intention
to grant average of the pay scale will greatly reduce the pensions. JCOs,
ORs and widows will get hardly any increase in pension.
This is a concept which is
to be executed in perpetuity. This was also agreed that the implementation of
OROP is independent of Central Pay Commission (CPC). It is pertinent to
mention that Pay Commission award must integrate the OROP and should not
adjudicate on it.
3.
The above may please to corrected
before the issue of Govt Notification on OROP. You are also requested to
incorporate reps of ESM for the preparations of Draft Govt Letter.
May we request you to kindly grant meeting at the earliest to
discuss all the above issues please.
4. Our
letter on the above subject dated 17 Sep 2015 may please be treated as
cancelled.
With regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
(Retd)
Advisor United Front of Ex
Servicemen
& Chairman
IESM
Mobile: 9312404269
014110570
Email:satbirsm@gmail.com
Email:satbirsm@gmail.com
Copy to :-
General
Dalbir
Singh,
PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC
Integrated
HQs of Ministry of Defence
(Army)South
Block, New Delhi-110011
Air Chief
Marshal Arup
Raha,
PVSM, AVSM,
VM,
ADC
Chief of the Air Staff & Chairman,
Chiefs of
Staffs Committee
(CoSC),
Integrated
HQs of Ministry of Defence (Air Force) Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi
110011
Admiral R K
Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of Naval
Staff
Integrated
HQs of Ministry of Defence (Navy) South Block, New Delhi -110011
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