ONE RANK ONE PENSION GETS CENTRE NOD : ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MONTH

1 RANK 1 PENSION GETS CENTRE NOD : ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MONTH

May 18 2015 : The Times of India (Hyderabad)

The long-awaited one-rank, one-pension (OROP) for over 25 lakh exservicemen is set to be announced this month, with a corpus of about Rs 8,300 crore, after several false starts since the NDA government assumed office one year ago.

As earlier reported by TOI, the ministry of defence (MoD) had earlier cleared the implementation of the OROP mechanism but it was being vetted by the finance ministry. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar told journalists in Goa over the weekend that the finance ministry would clear OROP “in a few days“.

It will be announced once PM Narendra Modi returns from his three-nation visit to coincide with the first anniversary celebrations of the NDA government on May 26. It will come as a big relief to ex-servicemen, who have been agitating for the OROP mechanism for several years now, with many of them even returning their medals to register their protest against what all political parties have promised but never actually delivered.

OROP basically implies payment of a uniform pension to personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement. For instance, two officers who served as colonels for seven years will get the same pension even if they retired a decade apart. A colonel with five years in that rank will obviously get lesser pension based on a graded scale.

The Modi government has defined “military pension“ as a category separate from other kinds of pension since soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as their officers, who retire at a much younger age and serve hardship postings, cannot be equated with other government employees.

Successive governments in the past had contended that granting full OROP was neither financially nor administratively possible since it could lead to a cascading effect with similar demands being made by others like paramilitary personnel. But this time, the government says military pension has been classified as different from other pensions. The majority of soldiers, for instance, retire when they are just 34-35 years old.

(SOURCE-New Delhi:TIMES NEWS NETWORK)

One Rank One Pension Cleared in Principle, PM Modi to Take Final Call: Sources

All India | NDTV.com | Updated: May 17, 2015 18:08 IST

NEW DELHI:  The Centre has in principle cleared the 'One Rank One Pension' scheme for retired armed forces personnel, sources have told NDTV. The Govt  has made a provision for an additional  Rs.8300 crore for this purpose.

Sources say once Prime Minister Narendra Modi is back on May 19 from his three-nation tour, a final round of discussions will take place with him. The official announcement is likely to be made later this month, coinciding with the first anniversary celebrations of the NDA government.

The scheme, which seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement, has been a long-standing demand of the over 20 lakh ex-servicemen in the country.

The government has already made it clear that One Rank One Pension will be implemented with effect from April 1, 2014

(Source- NDTV)

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PATIENCE OF ESM IS BEING TESTED TO THE UTMOST NOW BY MODI GOVERNMENT

Arvind Vig‎EXSERVICEMEN - FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT

My dear fauji brothers,

1. I just spoke to Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Chairman IESM. Today was the last day of the current Parliament session and it was expected that before Modi Govt. completes 1 year, OROP would be announced. However there has been no announcement till now and the parliament has been adjourned. We are highly disappointed.

2. Our Raksha Mantri had been giving deadlines for the implementation of the OROP. But none of the deadlines has been met. Was he fooling us and buying time?

3. Our dear PM Mr. Modi started his election campaign at Rewari with the promise of One Rank One Pension for soldiers. Why is he silent now? Why is he not telling Jaitley Babu and Manohar Parrikar to implement OROP? Jaitley ji had said," Politicians promise many things before elections."

4. Group A civilians have already been granted One Rank One Pension indirectly by the Govt. through the NFU (Non-functional upgradation) route. Now every civilian of Group A service will get pension of at least Additional Secy (Lt Gen).

5. Even the SC and HC Judges, MPs and MLAs have been granted one rank one pension. Army, Air Force and Navy Chiefs and Commanders (C-in-Cs) have also been granted one rank one pension.

6. It is said that one former bureaucrat Mr. N N Vohra had said," OROP over my dead body." Is Modi so weak that he cannot tame the babus? He launched jan Dhan yojna in no time but OROP, tariq pe tariq.

7. The soldier of the country who faces bullets and sacrifices his life for this nation has been betrayed again. What do we do now? Should we launch nationwide agitation in form of hunger strike?

8. Our patience is being tested to the utmost now. Kindly give your views. Also do not forget to share this post/message and spread it please.

Thanks,
Ex-servicemen unity zindabaad.
Jai Jawaan

CSD issues new guidelines for purchase of grocery & car from June1st 2015

CHANDIGARH: Canteen Stores Depot (CSD) has introduced new guidelines for car purchase for defence personnel as officers are now entitled to buy a car of up to 3,000 cc and the frequency of purchase is limited to once in four years. The new guidelines will be implemented from June 1.

Earlier, the officers could buy a car of up to 2,500 cc and the frequency was once in four years.

Junior commissioned officers (JCOs) having been granted honorary commission are eligible to buy a car up to 2,500 cc and the frequency is once in seven years. Earlier, they could buy a car of only up to 1,500 cc and the frequency was once in seven years.

Other JCOs are eligible for a car of 2,000 cc but the frequency is limited to once in service and once after retirement. Also the first car could be purchased after 10 years of service and the gap between two purchases will be of at least 10 years.

Earlier, JCOs were eligible for a car up to 1,400 cc and the frequency was once in service and once after retirement.

Soldiers are now eligible for a car up to 1,800 cc and the frequency is the same as that for JCOs -- that is once in service and once after retirement -- and also, the first purchase can be made after 10 years of service and the difference between two purchases is to be 10 years. Earlier, they could buy a car of 1,400 cc and the frequency was once in service and once after retirement.DUE TO INFLATION

The limits of purchases have been enhanced across all categories due to inflation. The new rates will be implemented from June 1. Also, the unit-run canteens are being asked to ensure attractive items being sold strictly as on required basis and not in excess quantity. “Strict watch be maintained on sale of items where there is a large difference in the CSD and market rates, such as suitcases, watches, pressure cookers, fans and other attractive toiletry and cosmetic items. The profile of customers be strictly watched for spending beyond means,” said the new guidelines.

NEW MONTHLY LIMIT ENHANCED

For officers and honorary commissioned JCOs, the monthly limit has been enhanced from `7,000 to `11,000, in case of JCOs from `5,000 to `8,000 and those of other ranks from `3,500 to `5,500. The limit on liquor card has been increased to `2,500 across all ranks per month.

SEVA MEDALS : ALL OF THEM ARE CORNERED BY GENERALS?

SEVA MEDALS : ALL OF THEM ARE CORNERED BY GENERALS?

In a million strong Army, the distinguished service awards seem to be almost entirely dominated by the higher ranked officers. Is it that the lower ranks have not done their bit?It’s been a momentous Republic Day for the country. For several reasons and beyond.The Indian Army too has done its role. The Parade down Rajpath is what is on public display; but behind the scenes there is a major exercise which comes to a close the evening before every Republic Day – the announcement of gallantry and distinguished service awards.The science of Phaleristics (the Greek and Roman word for award) does go to say that human beings have an innate desire to distinguish themselves from other individuals. People have a strong urge to be better than others. The quest for social distinction is taken to be a hardwired trait of human nature.

Shubhojit is a retired Army officer. An NDA alumnus, he has commanded an artillery regiment and also done a stint with the United Nations. Out on civvy street, he works in the energy sector, and goes around the world creating wind farms.

In the present context we shall not touch upon the gallantry awards for they are akin to a holy cow. Though there are many in uniform, who know much more than what the citation does go ahead and say for each of the winners we shall not delve into them simply for two reasons – they are for gallantry and that is something none of us can ever sit on judgement on; secondly, let’s give the devil his due.But the story of the distinguished service awards is seriously unnerving. Firstly, the statistics this year.

1. Param Vishisht Seva Medal: 19 – All awarded to Lt Gen only
2. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal : 03 – All awarded to Lt Gen only
3. Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal: 03 – All awarded to Lt Gen only

4. AVSM – 31

a. 15 – Lt Generals                                                                                   

b. 16 – Maj Generals

5. 13 - Yudh Seva Medal

a. 04 – Maj Generals

b. 08 – Brigadiers

c. 01 – Colonel

6. 42 - Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) 

a. 03 – Maj Generals

b. 09 – Brigadiers

c. 15 – Colonels

d. 06 – Lt Colonels

e. 07 – Majors

f. 02 – Naib Subedars

7. Vishisht Seva Medal – 76

a. 02 – Lt Generals

b. 20 – Maj Generals

c. 33 – Brigadiers

d.19 – Colonels

e. 02 – Lt Colonels

8. Bar to VSM – 04

a. 03 – Maj Generals

b. 01 – Brigadier

Total works out to be:

1.      Lt Gens – 42

2.      Maj Gens – 46

3.      Brigadiers – 51

4.      Colonels – 35

5.      Lt Colonels – 08

6.      Majors – 07

7.      JCOs – 02

The reality is startling. The Generals have it all. Shameless and undignified is not the word. The dole keeps decreasing in pecking order. The distribution is absolutely disproportionate to the strength of cadre in each rank but then who does care

Interesting queries that do arise are –

– Is performance the criteria or is the appointment you hold which makes you eligible for the award

– Is it de riguer that every General, who is the Head of Arm or Service or an Army Cdr have to be awarded PVSMs and AVSMs?

In a fighting and active Army such as ours such forms of blatant adulation towards ones peer group spells of cranny sycophancy and sheer self-promotion, which we not only do not require but can well do without too.

The number of lower ranks very low in the distinguished service awards

Is it that in a million strong Army the lower ranks have not done their bit or have faltered in their levels of dedication to service and degree of loyalty? That’s what this list reeks of. Even a cursory perusal of the citation for these awards (and a citation is the start point of each and every award) would make one laugh at the sheer play of words and the English written.

Each and every one in uniform does his / her duty, but these awards in specific go to say that some do their duty much more diligently and sincerely than the hoi polloi around them.

Is it not time that we took a stand and decided to do away with this entire mockery of an exercise of distinguished awards. Ask the Army and they will flout grand phrases such as “motivation”, “dedication to duty”, but after thirty plus years, which these Generals usually have put in, do they need such inanities to spur them on?

Studies go to say that individuals tend to exhibit a higher demand for awards if they live in a society in which one’s position in society is uncertain and has to be advertised, rather than a society in which the social rank of the various members is well established and recognized by others; in the latter case, it is less necessary to establish one’s status through awards. Are we to believe that our Generals are in desperate need of some soul searching?

It will require much more than guts (and common sense) to overturn this annual ritual. Does the present Chief “have it in him”? Or, will he simply toe the well-worn line and continue to set new standards of ridicule as he did by presenting a cheque of Rs 115 crores by pooling in a day’s salary of all his men – without their concurrence!

(SOURCE : SANJHA MORCHA BLOG)

ARMY'S ENEMY IS ARMY

आप यह सुनकर हैरान हो जाएंगे कि आत्महत्या या साथियों की हत्या में भी उतने ही सैनिक मारे जाते हैं, जितने दुश्मनों से लड़ते वक्त.