Dear Members,
The info in the Tribune News Service about OROP is placed below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
**************************************************************************
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090714/main3.htm
‘One rank, one pension’ for officers, too
Tribune News Service
PTI; New Delhi, July 13
Defence Minister A K Antony today clarified in the Lok Sabha that "one rank, one pension" recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary-led panel had been accepted by the government for jawans as well as officers.
The government has accepted recommendations of the panel on "one rank, one pension" and other related matters concerning the armed forces, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
The decision is now nearer to the goal of “one rank, one pension” demand of nearly 1.5 million personnel, Antony said during question hour.
The total financial implications on account of benefits to the personnel would be Rs 2,144 crore, the minister said.
The committee has recommended inclusion of Classification Allowance for the Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) from January 1, 2006, and removal of linkage of full pensions with 33 years from the same date, he said.
The committee also recommended revision of pension of Lt Generals after carrying out a separate pay scale for them. Bringing parity between pension pre and post October 10, 1997, for PBOR pensioners and further improving PBOR pensions based on award of Group of Ministers in 2006.
With regard to the separate pay commission, the minister said it had been agreed, and as and when necessary it would be set up in the future.
Antony said the government had also accepted the committee's recommendations regarding raising the pension amount for those disabled or injured in war.
"After considering all aspects of the issue, the committee made several recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank and
Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the government," the minister added.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
OROP in Budget Speech..06 Jul 2009
Dear Members,
There are good reasons to believe and it is understood that the Finance Minister will announce OROP for the Veteran's besides the payment of 6PC arrears in his budget speech in the Parliament later today. Lets hope for the best.. Kindly lend the Finance Minister your ears.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDC
There are good reasons to believe and it is understood that the Finance Minister will announce OROP for the Veteran's besides the payment of 6PC arrears in his budget speech in the Parliament later today. Lets hope for the best.. Kindly lend the Finance Minister your ears.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDC
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
CNS FAREWELL DINNER 06 Jul Varuna 2000 hrs
Dear Members,
As we are all aware, Admiral Sureesh Mehta will lay down the office of the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 Aug 2009 upon his retirement from Service. Admiral has done much for Veterans community, particularly on the pension issue. Admiral and Mrs Mehta have very kindly consented to the request of the NFDC to spend a evening with its members. Accordingly, NFDC will host a Dinner to bid farewell to Admiral and Mrs Mehta on Monday, 06 Jul 2009 at the Naval Officers Mess Varuna at 2000 hrs. We request all NFDC members and their spouses to please join in for Dinner in maximun strength and be present by 2000 hrs.Senior serving officers are also being invited.
As usual, Drinks and special Dinner will be catered from outside and will beat a subsidised rate of Rs 400/- per couple and Rs 250/- for single
For the convenience of our members, we have arranged two Naval Buses to convey the members to and fro from Noida and Gurgaon as follows :
(a) Bus will depart from Noida MI Room (Sector 25) at 1900 hrs
(b) Bus will depart from Jal Vayu Towers (Sector 56) Main Gate Gurgaon 1900 hrs
(c) Bus will return to Noida and Gurgaon on completion of Dinner.
Kindly confirm your attendence for the Dinner by E Mail or on Tel 9811078735 or 9818389252, latest by 02 Jul 2009, for us to enable make arrangements.
Secretary
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter
As we are all aware, Admiral Sureesh Mehta will lay down the office of the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 Aug 2009 upon his retirement from Service. Admiral has done much for Veterans community, particularly on the pension issue. Admiral and Mrs Mehta have very kindly consented to the request of the NFDC to spend a evening with its members. Accordingly, NFDC will host a Dinner to bid farewell to Admiral and Mrs Mehta on Monday, 06 Jul 2009 at the Naval Officers Mess Varuna at 2000 hrs. We request all NFDC members and their spouses to please join in for Dinner in maximun strength and be present by 2000 hrs.Senior serving officers are also being invited.
As usual, Drinks and special Dinner will be catered from outside and will beat a subsidised rate of Rs 400/- per couple and Rs 250/- for single
For the convenience of our members, we have arranged two Naval Buses to convey the members to and fro from Noida and Gurgaon as follows :
(a) Bus will depart from Noida MI Room (Sector 25) at 1900 hrs
(b) Bus will depart from Jal Vayu Towers (Sector 56) Main Gate Gurgaon 1900 hrs
(c) Bus will return to Noida and Gurgaon on completion of Dinner.
Kindly confirm your attendence for the Dinner by E Mail or on Tel 9811078735 or 9818389252, latest by 02 Jul 2009, for us to enable make arrangements.
Secretary
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Brief for NFDC on One Rank One Pension
06 Jul 2009
Dear Members,
There are good reasons to believe and it is understood that the Finance Minister will announce OROP for the Veteran's besides the payment of 6PC arrears in his budget speech in the Parliament later today. Lets hope for the best.. Kindly lend the Finance Minister your ears.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDC
************************************************
Dear Members,
1. We have kept you briefed on the progress with our quest for OROP and in our last communication informed you of the inclusion of our demand in the President address to the Parliament.
2. After some discussion, all the major organisations fighting for OROP mutually decided to pool their resources and forward a single consolidated paper for consideration by the Cabinet Secretary Committee. This was co-ordinated by the IESL and we agreed to be one of the members and RAdm Sushil Ramsay was nominated as our representative on this committee. One of the other major issues was to safeguard the rights of the PBOR, who must come first, before us, as per our ethos and this was always kept in mind.
3. The committee received and looked into a large number of proposals that had been received by various orgs. RAdm Ramsay generally co-ordinated the examination of the proposal and has in fact in due course prepared the paper, presented the same before the entire committee and the Presidents of the participating Organisations. There were generous contributions by MajGen Radhakrsinan and some others. The final Presentation was very well attended and more importantly generated very constructive and meaningful discussions. All constructive and rational suggestions were thereafter incorporated in the final proposal.
4. The three Tables agreed to, are quite explicit to indicate the basis for formulation of our projections which were finalised with a view to arrive at a consensus. In addition we have included request for resolution of another anomaly for the pre 01 Jan 2006 Pensioners relating to Disability Pension/War Injury Pension/Special Family Pension/Liberalised Family Pension/Dependent Pension(Special), etc, which have emerged out of recent GOI notifications of 04 and 05 May 2006.
5. At the conclusion of the deliberations it was agreed to forward the attached proposal to the GOI for consideration. It may be added that the service headquarters were also requested and have forwarded a proposal. We feel that our proposal is somewhat better than the one forwarded by them and we all owe thanks to RAdm S Ramsay for the tremendous amount of effort put in and a job well done.
6. I , may conclude by saying that it is a very difficult task to synthesise and harmonise the views and aspirations of a large number of the Veterans of various vintages, issues and differently impacted by various Pay Commissions. We have arrived at an agreed consensus and that should be accepted as the most viable solution. Am sure, there will be some who will take issue but it is a corporate decision and is best left at that. We have, as a major milestone, managed consensus amongst all the major stakeholders and that's good too.
Recommended Pension Tables
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President NFDC
Dear Members,
There are good reasons to believe and it is understood that the Finance Minister will announce OROP for the Veteran's besides the payment of 6PC arrears in his budget speech in the Parliament later today. Lets hope for the best.. Kindly lend the Finance Minister your ears.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDC
************************************************
Dear Members,
1. We have kept you briefed on the progress with our quest for OROP and in our last communication informed you of the inclusion of our demand in the President address to the Parliament.
2. After some discussion, all the major organisations fighting for OROP mutually decided to pool their resources and forward a single consolidated paper for consideration by the Cabinet Secretary Committee. This was co-ordinated by the IESL and we agreed to be one of the members and RAdm Sushil Ramsay was nominated as our representative on this committee. One of the other major issues was to safeguard the rights of the PBOR, who must come first, before us, as per our ethos and this was always kept in mind.
3. The committee received and looked into a large number of proposals that had been received by various orgs. RAdm Ramsay generally co-ordinated the examination of the proposal and has in fact in due course prepared the paper, presented the same before the entire committee and the Presidents of the participating Organisations. There were generous contributions by MajGen Radhakrsinan and some others. The final Presentation was very well attended and more importantly generated very constructive and meaningful discussions. All constructive and rational suggestions were thereafter incorporated in the final proposal.
4. The three Tables agreed to, are quite explicit to indicate the basis for formulation of our projections which were finalised with a view to arrive at a consensus. In addition we have included request for resolution of another anomaly for the pre 01 Jan 2006 Pensioners relating to Disability Pension/War Injury Pension/Special Family Pension/Liberalised Family Pension/Dependent Pension(Special), etc, which have emerged out of recent GOI notifications of 04 and 05 May 2006.
5. At the conclusion of the deliberations it was agreed to forward the attached proposal to the GOI for consideration. It may be added that the service headquarters were also requested and have forwarded a proposal. We feel that our proposal is somewhat better than the one forwarded by them and we all owe thanks to RAdm S Ramsay for the tremendous amount of effort put in and a job well done.
6. I , may conclude by saying that it is a very difficult task to synthesise and harmonise the views and aspirations of a large number of the Veterans of various vintages, issues and differently impacted by various Pay Commissions. We have arrived at an agreed consensus and that should be accepted as the most viable solution. Am sure, there will be some who will take issue but it is a corporate decision and is best left at that. We have, as a major milestone, managed consensus amongst all the major stakeholders and that's good too.
Recommended Pension Tables
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President NFDC
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
PB4 Payments
Dear Members
GOI has issued necessary orders to Banks for making payments to those covered in PB4.
If the concerned banks have not received the orders, pl find them attached herewith.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*************************************************
http://pcdapension.nic.in/comm/qs.htm
Qualifying Service for Pension
The minimum period of qualifying service (without Weightage) for earning retiring pension shall be 20 years (15 years in the case of late entrants).
Actual qualifying service rendered by the officer plus a weightage (in years) appropriate to the last rank held as indicated below subject to total qualifying service including weightage not exceeding 33 Years.
A fraction of a year equal to 3 months and above but less than 6 months shall be treated as a completed ½ year. Similarly, nine months or more but less than one year shall be treated as a competed one year and reckoned as qualifying service.
This shall, however, not be applicable for completing minimum qualifying service for pensionary award.
Periods of Service Qualifying Service for Pension
Service as a permanent regular Commissioned Officer
Service rendered before attaining the age of 17 years.
Embodied or called out service as an officer of TA or Auxiliary Air Force subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
Service in the rank if followed by permanent regular Commissioned service without a break subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
All leave including study leave with pay.
Period of suspension from duty when the officer is not brought on trial or court martial with result favour-able to the officer.
Service under an Office /Department/Ministry of the Central or State Government.
Any period of Civil service under Central or State Government. if followed by military service subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
Service rendered in the autonomous bodies
The period of ante-date of commission and the period of Secondment subject to the following maxima:-
Ante-date of commission –18 months
Secondment -12 months
when both ante- date and Secondment granted – 24 months
Service rendered in aid of civil administration.
Weightage Admissible: Service Officers (Other than MNS)
Rank
Weightage in Years
Lieutenant 9 years
Captain 9 Years
Major 8 Years
Lt. Col. (TS) 5 Years
Lt. Col. (S) 7 years
Colonel(TS) 7 years
Colonel 7 Years
Brigadier 5 Years
Major General 3 Years
Lt. General 3 Years
Chief of the Army Staff 3 Years
Weightage Admissible : MNS officers
Rank Weightage in Years
Captain 7 Years
Major 6Years
Lt. Colonel 5 Years
Colonel 5 Years
Brigadier 3 Years
Major General 3 Years
Weightage Admissible : ECOs/SSCO
Rank Weightage in Years
12 years and more but less than 20 years 5 Years
20 years and above Rank wise weightage as given for Service Officers (Other than MNS)
Weightage Not Admissible
Weightage is not admissible in following cases:-
officers who retire pre-maturely for permanent absorption in public sector under takings and autonomous bodies.
officers of the Territorial Army.
for determining the minimum qualifying service for retiring pension.
************************************************************
REGISTEREDMOST IMPORTANT CIRCULAROFFICE OF THE PCDA (PENSIONS), DRAUPADI GHAT ALLAHABADCircular No.412.Dated: 26.05.2009.To,01.The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt. Bank Account CentralOffice,C-7 IInd Floor Bandre Kurla Complex, P.B. No.8143BandreEast, Mumbai-400051.02.All CMDs of Public Sector Banks03.CMD of ICICI Bank04.CMD of IDBI Bank05.CMD of Axis Bank06.CMD of HDFC Bank07.Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu Nepal.08.The Defence Pension Disbursing Officers.09.The Treasury officers.10.The Pay and Accounts Office.11.Pay and Accounts Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.12.The Post Master Kathua (J & K), Camp Bell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar)Subject:- (i)Implementation of Government’s decision on therecommendations of the Sixth Central Pay CommissionRevision of Pension of Pre 2006 Military Nursing Service(MNS) Officers retiree pensioners / Family Pensioners(ii)Implementation of Government’s decision on therecommendations of the Sixth Central PayCommission – Revision of Pension of Pre 2006Armed Forces Pensioners / Family Pensioners.Reference:-GOI, MOD letter No. No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008and this Office Circulars No. 397 dated 18.11.2008, 398 dated18.11.2008 No. 401 dated 18.12.2008 and No.403 dated 02.02.2009.-----*-----*-----(Available on the Website of this office www. pcdapension. nic.in)MOD letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 20.05.2009 on the abovesubject at serial No. (i) which is self explanatory is forwarded herewith for furthernecessary action at your end. The table showing rates of minimum guaranteedpension and ordinary family pension for Pre 01.01.2006, MNS retiree Officersenclosed with the MOD letter dated 20.05.2009 may be treated as Annexure –II A to
MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 circulated vide this office circular No. 397 dated18.11.2008.2.Annexure – II of the Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 which was modified/substituted vide Ministry ofDefence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.12.2008and No.17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 20.01.2009 is further modified in respect ofLieutenant Colonel (Substantive) / Lieutenant Colonel (Time Scale) andequivalent ranks in Navy and Air Force only by enclosed Annexure II vide MODletter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 21.05.2009(copy enclosed), which isself explanatory.3.All other subsidiary payment instructions will be the same as alreadycirculated vide this officecirculars quoted under reference.4.ThiscircularhasbeenuploadedonPCDA(P)websitehttp://www.pcdapension.nic.in/ for disseminated across the defence pensioners andPDAs.No. Grants/Tech/0165-XII(R K SAROJ)Dated:26.05.2009Dy. C.D.A. (P)
Copy to:1.The Dy. Secretary, Govt. of India, Ministry of PPG & P (Deptt. of P & PW),Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.2.Director (Pensions), Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence D(Pen/Sers), SenaBhawan, Wing ‘A’ New Delhi.3.Army HQrs AG’s Branch, PS-4(b) DHQ, PO New Delhi – 110011.4.AHQ GS Branch, TA Directorate, DHQ PO New Delhi – 110011.5.Naval HQrs, PP & A, DHQ PO New Delhi.6.DPA, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi – 11.7.Air HQrs Ad PP & P – 3, West Block-VI, R. K. Puram, New Delhi –110066.8.Shri A. K. JENA, IDAS, Sr. Dy. CGDA(AT-II), O/O the CGDA, West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.9.PCDA (Navy) No.-1, Cooperage Road, Mumbai – 400039.10.CDA (AF), West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.11.JCDA (AF) Subroto Park, New Delhi – 110010.12.Director of Audit, Defence Service, New Delhi13.All Record Offices/Regiment. Corp.14.Bureau of Sailors, Cheetah Camp, Mumbai.15.Air Force Record, Dhaula Kunwa, Delhi Cantt.16.All Addl CsDA/Jt. CsDA in Main Office.17.All GOs in Main Office.18.The OI/C, G-1(M), AT(ORs)-Tech. & G-1/Civil (Tech.)19.All SAOs/AOs/AAOs/SOs(A) in Gts/Ors Complex.20.The OI/C, EDP Manual.21.The OI/C, EDP Centre.22.Defence Pension Liaison Cell.23.All Sections in Main Office.24.Spare copies in file No. Gts/Tech/0148, 148, 0162 & 015825.OIC,G -2 Section26.OI/C, G - 3 Section.27.OI/C, G - 4 Section.28.OI/C O & M Cell29.OI/C Complaint Cell30.The OI/C, Reception Centre31.The OI/C, EDP Centre (Website) For putting this on the Website.32.The OI/C, DPTI Cell33.Spare(R. K. SAROJ)Dy. C.D.A. (P)3
GOI has issued necessary orders to Banks for making payments to those covered in PB4.
If the concerned banks have not received the orders, pl find them attached herewith.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*************************************************
http://pcdapension.nic.in/comm/qs.htm
Qualifying Service for Pension
The minimum period of qualifying service (without Weightage) for earning retiring pension shall be 20 years (15 years in the case of late entrants).
Actual qualifying service rendered by the officer plus a weightage (in years) appropriate to the last rank held as indicated below subject to total qualifying service including weightage not exceeding 33 Years.
A fraction of a year equal to 3 months and above but less than 6 months shall be treated as a completed ½ year. Similarly, nine months or more but less than one year shall be treated as a competed one year and reckoned as qualifying service.
This shall, however, not be applicable for completing minimum qualifying service for pensionary award.
Periods of Service Qualifying Service for Pension
Service as a permanent regular Commissioned Officer
Service rendered before attaining the age of 17 years.
Embodied or called out service as an officer of TA or Auxiliary Air Force subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
Service in the rank if followed by permanent regular Commissioned service without a break subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
All leave including study leave with pay.
Period of suspension from duty when the officer is not brought on trial or court martial with result favour-able to the officer.
Service under an Office /Department/Ministry of the Central or State Government.
Any period of Civil service under Central or State Government. if followed by military service subject to refund of gratuity, if any.
Service rendered in the autonomous bodies
The period of ante-date of commission and the period of Secondment subject to the following maxima:-
Ante-date of commission –18 months
Secondment -12 months
when both ante- date and Secondment granted – 24 months
Service rendered in aid of civil administration.
Weightage Admissible: Service Officers (Other than MNS)
Rank
Weightage in Years
Lieutenant 9 years
Captain 9 Years
Major 8 Years
Lt. Col. (TS) 5 Years
Lt. Col. (S) 7 years
Colonel(TS) 7 years
Colonel 7 Years
Brigadier 5 Years
Major General 3 Years
Lt. General 3 Years
Chief of the Army Staff 3 Years
Weightage Admissible : MNS officers
Rank Weightage in Years
Captain 7 Years
Major 6Years
Lt. Colonel 5 Years
Colonel 5 Years
Brigadier 3 Years
Major General 3 Years
Weightage Admissible : ECOs/SSCO
Rank Weightage in Years
12 years and more but less than 20 years 5 Years
20 years and above Rank wise weightage as given for Service Officers (Other than MNS)
Weightage Not Admissible
Weightage is not admissible in following cases:-
officers who retire pre-maturely for permanent absorption in public sector under takings and autonomous bodies.
officers of the Territorial Army.
for determining the minimum qualifying service for retiring pension.
************************************************************
REGISTEREDMOST IMPORTANT CIRCULAROFFICE OF THE PCDA (PENSIONS), DRAUPADI GHAT ALLAHABADCircular No.412.Dated: 26.05.2009.To,01.The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt. Bank Account CentralOffice,C-7 IInd Floor Bandre Kurla Complex, P.B. No.8143BandreEast, Mumbai-400051.02.All CMDs of Public Sector Banks03.CMD of ICICI Bank04.CMD of IDBI Bank05.CMD of Axis Bank06.CMD of HDFC Bank07.Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu Nepal.08.The Defence Pension Disbursing Officers.09.The Treasury officers.10.The Pay and Accounts Office.11.Pay and Accounts Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.12.The Post Master Kathua (J & K), Camp Bell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar)Subject:- (i)Implementation of Government’s decision on therecommendations of the Sixth Central Pay CommissionRevision of Pension of Pre 2006 Military Nursing Service(MNS) Officers retiree pensioners / Family Pensioners(ii)Implementation of Government’s decision on therecommendations of the Sixth Central PayCommission – Revision of Pension of Pre 2006Armed Forces Pensioners / Family Pensioners.Reference:-GOI, MOD letter No. No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008and this Office Circulars No. 397 dated 18.11.2008, 398 dated18.11.2008 No. 401 dated 18.12.2008 and No.403 dated 02.02.2009.-----*-----*-----(Available on the Website of this office www. pcdapension. nic.in)MOD letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 20.05.2009 on the abovesubject at serial No. (i) which is self explanatory is forwarded herewith for furthernecessary action at your end. The table showing rates of minimum guaranteedpension and ordinary family pension for Pre 01.01.2006, MNS retiree Officersenclosed with the MOD letter dated 20.05.2009 may be treated as Annexure –II A to
MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 circulated vide this office circular No. 397 dated18.11.2008.2.Annexure – II of the Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 which was modified/substituted vide Ministry ofDefence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.12.2008and No.17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 20.01.2009 is further modified in respect ofLieutenant Colonel (Substantive) / Lieutenant Colonel (Time Scale) andequivalent ranks in Navy and Air Force only by enclosed Annexure II vide MODletter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 21.05.2009(copy enclosed), which isself explanatory.3.All other subsidiary payment instructions will be the same as alreadycirculated vide this officecirculars quoted under reference.4.ThiscircularhasbeenuploadedonPCDA(P)websitehttp://www.pcdapension.nic.in/ for disseminated across the defence pensioners andPDAs.No. Grants/Tech/0165-XII(R K SAROJ)Dated:26.05.2009Dy. C.D.A. (P)
Copy to:1.The Dy. Secretary, Govt. of India, Ministry of PPG & P (Deptt. of P & PW),Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.2.Director (Pensions), Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence D(Pen/Sers), SenaBhawan, Wing ‘A’ New Delhi.3.Army HQrs AG’s Branch, PS-4(b) DHQ, PO New Delhi – 110011.4.AHQ GS Branch, TA Directorate, DHQ PO New Delhi – 110011.5.Naval HQrs, PP & A, DHQ PO New Delhi.6.DPA, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi – 11.7.Air HQrs Ad PP & P – 3, West Block-VI, R. K. Puram, New Delhi –110066.8.Shri A. K. JENA, IDAS, Sr. Dy. CGDA(AT-II), O/O the CGDA, West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.9.PCDA (Navy) No.-1, Cooperage Road, Mumbai – 400039.10.CDA (AF), West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.11.JCDA (AF) Subroto Park, New Delhi – 110010.12.Director of Audit, Defence Service, New Delhi13.All Record Offices/Regiment. Corp.14.Bureau of Sailors, Cheetah Camp, Mumbai.15.Air Force Record, Dhaula Kunwa, Delhi Cantt.16.All Addl CsDA/Jt. CsDA in Main Office.17.All GOs in Main Office.18.The OI/C, G-1(M), AT(ORs)-Tech. & G-1/Civil (Tech.)19.All SAOs/AOs/AAOs/SOs(A) in Gts/Ors Complex.20.The OI/C, EDP Manual.21.The OI/C, EDP Centre.22.Defence Pension Liaison Cell.23.All Sections in Main Office.24.Spare copies in file No. Gts/Tech/0148, 148, 0162 & 015825.OIC,G -2 Section26.OI/C, G - 3 Section.27.OI/C, G - 4 Section.28.OI/C O & M Cell29.OI/C Complaint Cell30.The OI/C, Reception Centre31.The OI/C, EDP Centre (Website) For putting this on the Website.32.The OI/C, DPTI Cell33.Spare(R. K. SAROJ)Dy. C.D.A. (P)3
Post Retirement commercial employment by Defence Service Officers
Dear Members,
GOI letter on seeking commercial employement is placed below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*******************************************************************************
Sir,
1. Copy of Government of India, Ministry of Defence Office Memorandum no. 1(1)/2008/D(Coord) dated 04 May 09 is reproduced below:-
“ Time period requiring Govt sanction for seeking commercial employment after retirement by officers of the rank of Capt and above stands reduced from two years to one year vide MoD OM No. 1(1)/2008/D(Coord) dated 04 May 09.”
2. It is requested that contents of the letter be disseminated to all concerned.
Kind regards,
Cdr Pradeep Mishra
Jt Secy (NF
GOI letter on seeking commercial employement is placed below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*******************************************************************************
Sir,
1. Copy of Government of India, Ministry of Defence Office Memorandum no. 1(1)/2008/D(Coord) dated 04 May 09 is reproduced below:-
“ Time period requiring Govt sanction for seeking commercial employment after retirement by officers of the rank of Capt and above stands reduced from two years to one year vide MoD OM No. 1(1)/2008/D(Coord) dated 04 May 09.”
2. It is requested that contents of the letter be disseminated to all concerned.
Kind regards,
Cdr Pradeep Mishra
Jt Secy (NF
Thursday, June 4, 2009
OROP - Some Progress and Hopeful Signs
Dear Members,
An extract form the Presidents Address to the Parliament today is given below.
2. Our armed forces are the nation’s pride, a symbol of our values of sacrifice, valour and the spirit of national integration. India’s defence forces stand committed to the task of defending the territorial integrity of the country. They will be fully enabled with modern technology to repel any threat from land, sea or air. To enhance combat efficiency as also to address the requirements of modern day warfare, a number of steps are under way. The welfare of ex-servicemen will continue to be accorded high priority. The Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, to look into the issue of One Rank One Pension has already commenced its work and expects to complete it by the end of June 2009. -- The full copy of the address can be seen at
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200906041440.htm
RegardsWhen everything comes your way you're in the wrong lane.Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
An extract form the Presidents Address to the Parliament today is given below.
2. Our armed forces are the nation’s pride, a symbol of our values of sacrifice, valour and the spirit of national integration. India’s defence forces stand committed to the task of defending the territorial integrity of the country. They will be fully enabled with modern technology to repel any threat from land, sea or air. To enhance combat efficiency as also to address the requirements of modern day warfare, a number of steps are under way. The welfare of ex-servicemen will continue to be accorded high priority. The Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, to look into the issue of One Rank One Pension has already commenced its work and expects to complete it by the end of June 2009. -- The full copy of the address can be seen at
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200906041440.htm
RegardsWhen everything comes your way you're in the wrong lane.Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
THROUGH THICK AND THIN- The government must revive the morale of the armed forces
THROUGH THICK AND THIN- The government must revive the morale of the armed forces
BRIJESH D. JAYAL
Unsung lives
Through this column I would like to congratulate Manmohan Singh and his party for having provided this nation with what was most needed at this critical juncture — a stable government. While doing so I must confess that I am guilty of not being one of those who have made this possible. I chose not to exercise my franchise since the denial of the right to exercise the option of ‘none of the above’ is to my mind not being fair to the spirit of our democracy.
The subject of this article, however, is not electoral reform, but the one institution that has served the nation through thick and thin at the cost of tremendous human hardship and sacrifice — the armed forces of the republic of India. While the public still holds the armed forces in some esteem, the same cannot be said of those who govern the country. Had it been otherwise, there would not have been a progressive decline in the status of the armed forces in the national scheme of things. To quote the Kargil review committee report, “India is perhaps the only democracy where the armed forces headquarters are outside the apex governmental structure.” It would be fair to say that every government since Independence has contributed to the decline of the status of the armed forces and its veterans, either by design or by neglect.
But one needs to make an exception. There was one minister of state for defence under the Rajiv Gandhi government, whose understanding of matters military and the ethos of the armed forces was profound. He later chaired a committee on defence expenditure set up by the V.P. Singh government, and the task force on management of defence set up as a consequence of the Kargil review committee report. Both these exercises had the stamp of his understanding of the issues involved and their national implications. Had the recommendations of these committees been implemented in the spirit in which they were made, the need for this article may well not have arisen.
The nation today is faced with stark choices. The national security environment is the most demanding since Independence and deteriorating by the day. The spectrum of warfare now spans the nuclear at one end to urban and internal at the other. Decades of insurgency in the East and years of proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir are taking a heavy toll on a professional army. Incidents of fratricide and suicides are increasing alarmingly. Hostile interests are taking advantage by spreading disinformation about the armed forces — ‘psychological warfare’ in today’s parlance. We are losing dozens of lives on active duty even during peace. Our borders with both Pakistan and China are underprepared. Revolutions in military affairs demand much greater levels of technological and training skills than at present, but the pool of volunteers is fast shrinking. Yet opportunities in civil life are expanding with generous salaries and stable lives.
That over the years the status of the armed forces has progressively declined is no secret. What is less evident is that the morale of this fine institution is being sapped bit by bit. Because service ethos demands cheerful acceptance of orders, this decline has been taken as meek acceptance. As internal security challenges rise, the polity becomes more competitive, and for the 24-hour electronic media hungry for breaking news, there is a temptation to make a scapegoat of the military. It happened in Manipur some years ago, it occurs frequently in Jammu and Kashmir, and happened recently in Tamil Nadu where an army convoy was needlessly attacked. Successive service leaderships have failed to convince the government of the adverse implications of this state of affairs. The sixth pay commission has merely added another insult to the already wounded psyche of the armed forces.
For the first time in the nation’s history, veterans — from soldiers to three-star ranks — have been driven to express their anguish publicly by holding rallies across many cities, sitting in dharna at Jantar Mantar and, in a regrettable gesture, surrendering their prized medals to the supreme commander in their thousands. These unheard of incidents would have evoked instant response from the government in any democratic country. Our silence is both pregnant and deafening.
The nation needs to introspect. Why, for instance, are we the only democracy where civilian control of the armed forces has come to mean bureaucratic control? Why has there been a systematic and progressive decline in the standing of the armed forces over these last six decades? Why is it that the only living five-star rank-holder should feature in the warrant of precedence below the cabinet secretary? And why was it thought fit not to give a state funeral to a field marshal, who contributed to our 1971 war victory? One could go on; suffice it to say that slowly but surely we are robbing our armed forces of the oxygen of izzat and iqbal, shorn of which they will become mere mercenaries.
The nation under the leadership of Manmohan Singh needs to decide whether it needs professional and combat-worthy armed forces or is content with forces that will be runners-up. Military morale is a strange phenomenon. You can neither define it easily nor see it. While perceptive commanders can feel it in their bones, once it begins to evaporate, even the finest of them need godly qualities to revive it. Too much is at stake for it to be left to the very institutions that have brought us to this pass — and every arm of governance must accept the blame. The legislature for taking little interest in matters relating to the forces, unless there was some political mileage. The government for remaining a mute spectator and resisting bringing the military into the decision- and policymaking process. The bureaucracy for having converted the dictum of civilian control over the military to bureaucratic control. And finally, the armed forces leadership for sometimes failing to protect the ‘safety, honour and welfare of the men they command’ in the face of this onslaught.
The Mumbai attacks tell us how fragile the security environment is and the newer threats that are emerging. Pakistan has kept even the sharpest strategic minds guessing, but the prognosis is far from good. The West sees its war on terror as somewhat different from ours. A senior American navy commander’s recent revelation of Chinese maritime intentions in the Indian Ocean should cause us no surprise. The situations in Nepal and Sri Lanka are still evolving. In every area, without sounding pessimistic, we need to be prepared for far greater security challenges.
The nation can not afford to sit idle while our armed forces continue down a slippery slope. The time has come to opt for innovative solutions — something for which Singh is best known. Let the nation respond by setting up a ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ to look at all aspects of our armed forces. This would encompass every sphere, from the changing nature of warfare to what sort of armed forces are needed in the future, to inter-service working, to the way the forces are organized and integrated within the national decision-making process, to their place within the hierarchy and that of veterans in society, to the creating of a war memorial as well as other issues that contribute to making the armed forces of any nation a unique institution.
The ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ would include citizens known for their experience and non-partisan interests, and will give the beleaguered armed forces some level of comfort. Its recommendations must be debated in Parliament, which should then legislate on major issues determining the role and place of the armed forces in our country.
Legislative direction is the surest way to ensure that decisions that become law are implemented. Otherwise they are open to administrative sleight-of-hand. Even in the United States of America it was the Goldwater-Nichols Act that mandated the joint chiefs of staff institution, scrutinized professional military education and mandated strengthening of focus on joint matters.
It is possible that our precedent-driven administrative system will resist this as a Blue Ribbon commission approach is a departure from the norm. But Singh must have faced similar hurdles when he embarked on the bold economic reforms in 1991. The institution of the armed forces now looks up to him for similar salvation.
The author is a retired air marshal of the Indian Air Force
BRIJESH D. JAYAL
Unsung lives
Through this column I would like to congratulate Manmohan Singh and his party for having provided this nation with what was most needed at this critical juncture — a stable government. While doing so I must confess that I am guilty of not being one of those who have made this possible. I chose not to exercise my franchise since the denial of the right to exercise the option of ‘none of the above’ is to my mind not being fair to the spirit of our democracy.
The subject of this article, however, is not electoral reform, but the one institution that has served the nation through thick and thin at the cost of tremendous human hardship and sacrifice — the armed forces of the republic of India. While the public still holds the armed forces in some esteem, the same cannot be said of those who govern the country. Had it been otherwise, there would not have been a progressive decline in the status of the armed forces in the national scheme of things. To quote the Kargil review committee report, “India is perhaps the only democracy where the armed forces headquarters are outside the apex governmental structure.” It would be fair to say that every government since Independence has contributed to the decline of the status of the armed forces and its veterans, either by design or by neglect.
But one needs to make an exception. There was one minister of state for defence under the Rajiv Gandhi government, whose understanding of matters military and the ethos of the armed forces was profound. He later chaired a committee on defence expenditure set up by the V.P. Singh government, and the task force on management of defence set up as a consequence of the Kargil review committee report. Both these exercises had the stamp of his understanding of the issues involved and their national implications. Had the recommendations of these committees been implemented in the spirit in which they were made, the need for this article may well not have arisen.
The nation today is faced with stark choices. The national security environment is the most demanding since Independence and deteriorating by the day. The spectrum of warfare now spans the nuclear at one end to urban and internal at the other. Decades of insurgency in the East and years of proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir are taking a heavy toll on a professional army. Incidents of fratricide and suicides are increasing alarmingly. Hostile interests are taking advantage by spreading disinformation about the armed forces — ‘psychological warfare’ in today’s parlance. We are losing dozens of lives on active duty even during peace. Our borders with both Pakistan and China are underprepared. Revolutions in military affairs demand much greater levels of technological and training skills than at present, but the pool of volunteers is fast shrinking. Yet opportunities in civil life are expanding with generous salaries and stable lives.
That over the years the status of the armed forces has progressively declined is no secret. What is less evident is that the morale of this fine institution is being sapped bit by bit. Because service ethos demands cheerful acceptance of orders, this decline has been taken as meek acceptance. As internal security challenges rise, the polity becomes more competitive, and for the 24-hour electronic media hungry for breaking news, there is a temptation to make a scapegoat of the military. It happened in Manipur some years ago, it occurs frequently in Jammu and Kashmir, and happened recently in Tamil Nadu where an army convoy was needlessly attacked. Successive service leaderships have failed to convince the government of the adverse implications of this state of affairs. The sixth pay commission has merely added another insult to the already wounded psyche of the armed forces.
For the first time in the nation’s history, veterans — from soldiers to three-star ranks — have been driven to express their anguish publicly by holding rallies across many cities, sitting in dharna at Jantar Mantar and, in a regrettable gesture, surrendering their prized medals to the supreme commander in their thousands. These unheard of incidents would have evoked instant response from the government in any democratic country. Our silence is both pregnant and deafening.
The nation needs to introspect. Why, for instance, are we the only democracy where civilian control of the armed forces has come to mean bureaucratic control? Why has there been a systematic and progressive decline in the standing of the armed forces over these last six decades? Why is it that the only living five-star rank-holder should feature in the warrant of precedence below the cabinet secretary? And why was it thought fit not to give a state funeral to a field marshal, who contributed to our 1971 war victory? One could go on; suffice it to say that slowly but surely we are robbing our armed forces of the oxygen of izzat and iqbal, shorn of which they will become mere mercenaries.
The nation under the leadership of Manmohan Singh needs to decide whether it needs professional and combat-worthy armed forces or is content with forces that will be runners-up. Military morale is a strange phenomenon. You can neither define it easily nor see it. While perceptive commanders can feel it in their bones, once it begins to evaporate, even the finest of them need godly qualities to revive it. Too much is at stake for it to be left to the very institutions that have brought us to this pass — and every arm of governance must accept the blame. The legislature for taking little interest in matters relating to the forces, unless there was some political mileage. The government for remaining a mute spectator and resisting bringing the military into the decision- and policymaking process. The bureaucracy for having converted the dictum of civilian control over the military to bureaucratic control. And finally, the armed forces leadership for sometimes failing to protect the ‘safety, honour and welfare of the men they command’ in the face of this onslaught.
The Mumbai attacks tell us how fragile the security environment is and the newer threats that are emerging. Pakistan has kept even the sharpest strategic minds guessing, but the prognosis is far from good. The West sees its war on terror as somewhat different from ours. A senior American navy commander’s recent revelation of Chinese maritime intentions in the Indian Ocean should cause us no surprise. The situations in Nepal and Sri Lanka are still evolving. In every area, without sounding pessimistic, we need to be prepared for far greater security challenges.
The nation can not afford to sit idle while our armed forces continue down a slippery slope. The time has come to opt for innovative solutions — something for which Singh is best known. Let the nation respond by setting up a ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ to look at all aspects of our armed forces. This would encompass every sphere, from the changing nature of warfare to what sort of armed forces are needed in the future, to inter-service working, to the way the forces are organized and integrated within the national decision-making process, to their place within the hierarchy and that of veterans in society, to the creating of a war memorial as well as other issues that contribute to making the armed forces of any nation a unique institution.
The ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ would include citizens known for their experience and non-partisan interests, and will give the beleaguered armed forces some level of comfort. Its recommendations must be debated in Parliament, which should then legislate on major issues determining the role and place of the armed forces in our country.
Legislative direction is the surest way to ensure that decisions that become law are implemented. Otherwise they are open to administrative sleight-of-hand. Even in the United States of America it was the Goldwater-Nichols Act that mandated the joint chiefs of staff institution, scrutinized professional military education and mandated strengthening of focus on joint matters.
It is possible that our precedent-driven administrative system will resist this as a Blue Ribbon commission approach is a departure from the norm. But Singh must have faced similar hurdles when he embarked on the bold economic reforms in 1991. The institution of the armed forces now looks up to him for similar salvation.
The author is a retired air marshal of the Indian Air Force
Sad Demise R Adm RV Singh
Dear Members,
Regret to inform about the sad demise of R Adm RV Singh today early morning at Escorts Hospital.
2. The funeral would be held today wednesday 03 Jun 2009 at 1600 hrs at Brar Square Crematorium Delhi Cantt.
Navy Foundation deeply mourns the passing away of one of our veterans.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Regret to inform about the sad demise of R Adm RV Singh today early morning at Escorts Hospital.
2. The funeral would be held today wednesday 03 Jun 2009 at 1600 hrs at Brar Square Crematorium Delhi Cantt.
Navy Foundation deeply mourns the passing away of one of our veterans.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Calculator for cdr's pension
Dear Members,
A calculator in XLS is attached above to help all the Retd Cdr's to calculate their new pension and the arrears after the promulgation of PB4 for the Retd Cdr's and equivalent.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
A calculator in XLS is attached above to help all the Retd Cdr's to calculate their new pension and the arrears after the promulgation of PB4 for the Retd Cdr's and equivalent.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Retd Commanders in PB4 GOI orders
Dear Members,
Pls find the much awaited GOI letter for the pension as per pay band 4 A for retd LtCols / Cdrs/Wg Cdrs ...attached is the pdf file above on the same.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Pls find the much awaited GOI letter for the pension as per pay band 4 A for retd LtCols / Cdrs/Wg Cdrs ...attached is the pdf file above on the same.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Royal Indian Navy veteran dead..Commander Brian Goord, DSC, Royal Indian Navy
Dear Members,
Regret to inform the demise of Commander Brian Goord, DSC, Royal Indian Navy on 08 May 2009 at Christchurch , New Zealand.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President , NFDC
*****************************************************************************
Royal Indian Navy veteran dead
Anthony Brian Goord’s unusual seagoing career started with his education at the Nautical College, Pangbourne. He then served in the New Zealand Shipping Company until 1934 when he decided to join the Royal Naval Reserve and while training at Dartmouth Naval College he was recruited into the Royal Indian Navy (RIN). At the outbreak of the Second World War the RIN owned only eight minor warships, some of 1919 vintage, and depended for officers on the Royal Navy. (The first Indian to be commissioned was an engineer sub-lieutenant in 1930.) By the end of the war it had risen to 117 combat vessels and 30,000 men. Much of Goord’s work involved managing and training this huge expansion, finding it necessary to pass the lower and then the higher-standard Urdu language exams in 1936 and 1941.
His first seagoing appointment in September 1935 was to the sloop Hindustan, at that time the RIN’s best ship, as gunnery and navigating officer. In 1938 he returned home to undergo specialist courses in navigation and anti-submarine warfare, returning to India in October 1939. He thus became the RIN’s staff anti-submarine officer and commanded the anti-submarine school.
During this period he invented the Goord Goldfish, a device that, adapting diving gear and towed behind a motor-boat, issued a stream of bubbles that returned a credible submarine-like echo for training Asdic (underwater detection) operators in ships. A grateful Admiralty rewarded him with a princely cheque for £20, a sum also granted by the Government of India.
Thereafter he held headquarters posts and commanded coastal forces bases until appointment in May 1944 as captain of the 1,700-ton sloop Godavari when the ship arrived from Thorneycrofts in the UK. On August 12, 1944, Goord was on anti-submarine patrol near the Seychelles as part of Eastern Fleet Force 66 with the escort carrier Shah when Godavari, with RN frigates Findhorn and Parret, sank submarine U198, Godavari’s Asdic performance being particularly praised. Goord was awarded the DSC.
At naval headquarters from February 1945 to the end of the war with Japan, Goord was appointed as Assistant Chief of staff (operations and intelligence) to the Flag Officer RIN, Rear Admiral John Godfrey whose many near-intractable preoccupations at that time included the Indianisation of the navy with the need to blood officers of the right quality. Goord was selected as the naval member of Commander-in-Chief General Sir Claude Auchinleck’s armed forces reorganising committee chaired by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Wilcox and based at Dehra Dun.
In February 1946, while Goord was in Delhi, elements of the RIN at Bombay, fuelled by “quit India” activists, slow demobilisation and complaints about food, pay and leave, made a mutiny that lasted three days and caused widespread civic unrest. It was suppressed at the cost of the death of one officer and nine ratings. Goord was sent to INS Valsura, the torpedo school at Jamnagar in Gujarat, to preside over a local board of inquiry. Much of the cause was attributed to poor long-term policy decisions concerning officer recruitment and training.
In October 1947 after continuing as staff officer plans and naval member of the reconstitution committee at naval headquarters, he was compulsorily retired on the transfer of power to India and the division of the navy between India and Pakistan.
With his wife, Freda, and their son, Goord moved to Kenya and developed a farm from virgin bush. He was elected to the Nakuru Country Council and was a founding member of the multiracial New Kenya Party, which in 1959 was arguing for a fair distribution of land for all. He participated in the 1960 Lancaster House conference in the lead-up to Kenyan independence. In 1964 his farm was compulsorily purchased for African resettlement. The family moved to the Algarve and built properties. Freda died in 1974; Goord remarried but separated in 1984.
The next 20 years were spent cruising the Mediterranean in his yacht Novanda. He finally moved to New Zealand to join his son who farms near Christchurch.Commander Brian Goord, DSC, Royal Indian Navy staff and commanding officer and farmer, was born on May 18, 1911. He died on May 8, 2009, aged 97--
Regret to inform the demise of Commander Brian Goord, DSC, Royal Indian Navy on 08 May 2009 at Christchurch , New Zealand.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President , NFDC
*****************************************************************************
Royal Indian Navy veteran dead
Anthony Brian Goord’s unusual seagoing career started with his education at the Nautical College, Pangbourne. He then served in the New Zealand Shipping Company until 1934 when he decided to join the Royal Naval Reserve and while training at Dartmouth Naval College he was recruited into the Royal Indian Navy (RIN). At the outbreak of the Second World War the RIN owned only eight minor warships, some of 1919 vintage, and depended for officers on the Royal Navy. (The first Indian to be commissioned was an engineer sub-lieutenant in 1930.) By the end of the war it had risen to 117 combat vessels and 30,000 men. Much of Goord’s work involved managing and training this huge expansion, finding it necessary to pass the lower and then the higher-standard Urdu language exams in 1936 and 1941.
His first seagoing appointment in September 1935 was to the sloop Hindustan, at that time the RIN’s best ship, as gunnery and navigating officer. In 1938 he returned home to undergo specialist courses in navigation and anti-submarine warfare, returning to India in October 1939. He thus became the RIN’s staff anti-submarine officer and commanded the anti-submarine school.
During this period he invented the Goord Goldfish, a device that, adapting diving gear and towed behind a motor-boat, issued a stream of bubbles that returned a credible submarine-like echo for training Asdic (underwater detection) operators in ships. A grateful Admiralty rewarded him with a princely cheque for £20, a sum also granted by the Government of India.
Thereafter he held headquarters posts and commanded coastal forces bases until appointment in May 1944 as captain of the 1,700-ton sloop Godavari when the ship arrived from Thorneycrofts in the UK. On August 12, 1944, Goord was on anti-submarine patrol near the Seychelles as part of Eastern Fleet Force 66 with the escort carrier Shah when Godavari, with RN frigates Findhorn and Parret, sank submarine U198, Godavari’s Asdic performance being particularly praised. Goord was awarded the DSC.
At naval headquarters from February 1945 to the end of the war with Japan, Goord was appointed as Assistant Chief of staff (operations and intelligence) to the Flag Officer RIN, Rear Admiral John Godfrey whose many near-intractable preoccupations at that time included the Indianisation of the navy with the need to blood officers of the right quality. Goord was selected as the naval member of Commander-in-Chief General Sir Claude Auchinleck’s armed forces reorganising committee chaired by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Wilcox and based at Dehra Dun.
In February 1946, while Goord was in Delhi, elements of the RIN at Bombay, fuelled by “quit India” activists, slow demobilisation and complaints about food, pay and leave, made a mutiny that lasted three days and caused widespread civic unrest. It was suppressed at the cost of the death of one officer and nine ratings. Goord was sent to INS Valsura, the torpedo school at Jamnagar in Gujarat, to preside over a local board of inquiry. Much of the cause was attributed to poor long-term policy decisions concerning officer recruitment and training.
In October 1947 after continuing as staff officer plans and naval member of the reconstitution committee at naval headquarters, he was compulsorily retired on the transfer of power to India and the division of the navy between India and Pakistan.
With his wife, Freda, and their son, Goord moved to Kenya and developed a farm from virgin bush. He was elected to the Nakuru Country Council and was a founding member of the multiracial New Kenya Party, which in 1959 was arguing for a fair distribution of land for all. He participated in the 1960 Lancaster House conference in the lead-up to Kenyan independence. In 1964 his farm was compulsorily purchased for African resettlement. The family moved to the Algarve and built properties. Freda died in 1974; Goord remarried but separated in 1984.
The next 20 years were spent cruising the Mediterranean in his yacht Novanda. He finally moved to New Zealand to join his son who farms near Christchurch.Commander Brian Goord, DSC, Royal Indian Navy staff and commanding officer and farmer, was born on May 18, 1911. He died on May 8, 2009, aged 97--
Sad Demise of Cdr SS Malhi Sea King Pilot
Dear Members,
Regret to inform about the demise of Cdr Shamsher Singh Mallhi (Shera) who passed away on 18th May '09 at Panchkhula, Chandigarh.
He had been battling Cancer for about 18 months. A prayer meeting was organized at the Gurudwara at Sector 7, Panchkhula.
Mrs Mallhi (Babli) his wife can be contacted on Tel Nos. 9878446898 & 9872557500.
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter mourns the untimely passing away of our Veteran and prays for peace to his soul.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Regret to inform about the demise of Cdr Shamsher Singh Mallhi (Shera) who passed away on 18th May '09 at Panchkhula, Chandigarh.
He had been battling Cancer for about 18 months. A prayer meeting was organized at the Gurudwara at Sector 7, Panchkhula.
Mrs Mallhi (Babli) his wife can be contacted on Tel Nos. 9878446898 & 9872557500.
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter mourns the untimely passing away of our Veteran and prays for peace to his soul.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Article by Gen VP Malik
Dear Members,
A very thoughtful article by Gen VP Malik is reproduced below. It also comes at a very opportune moment when the political party that was supported by IESM comes a serious cropper at the hustings. Only time will tell what is in store on the OROP front even as the MOD was at the point of conceding at least modified parity whilst the extended polls were in progress.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
The Indian EXPRESSe edition – May 15, 2009.
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2009/05/15/INDEX.SHTML
Force dividerBy Gen VP Malik, Former COAS
It’s hard for a frustrated and aggrieved military to remain apolitical The ‘advisory’to vote for a particular political party by a large ex-servicemen organisation during elections reflects a lack of confidence of the uniformed fraternity with the ruling alliance, and is easily exploited.
TWO recent events, the ham T handed sacking of the Army Chief General Rookmangud Katawal in Nepal, and an ‘advisory’ to all ex-servicemen (ESM) by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) to vote for a particular political party/alliance in India, merit attention due to the sensitivity of the civil military relations in a democratic society.
The adverse political consequences of the Nepalese event are many: a setback to the national peace process and political instability, a constitutional divide over the authority of the president and prime minister, and Nepal’s foreign relations with India and China. No less important are its military consequences, which are a lack of trust and confidence between the civilian government and the military, and a divide within the military hierarchy.
Both these will have an impact on the command and control, discipline, morale and combat proficiency of the Nepal Army. Also, there is an erosion of the historic military-to-military cooperation between Nepal and India where traditionally, the army chiefs have enjoyed the honorary status of a chief in each other’s country.
The hot-headed civil and military approach to the absorption of Maoist military cadres was avoidable.
I wish they had studied a similar military transformation following the first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution in South Africa. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) replaced the earlier South African Defence Force (SADF) to include personnel and equipment from the former defence and homelands forces, as well as personnel from the former guerrilla forces of the political parties such as the African National Congress’s Umkhontowe Sizwe, the Pan Africanist Congress’ APLA and the Self-Protection Units of the Inkatha Freedom Party. This process started in 1994 was completed in 2004 with the integrated personnel having been incorporated into a slightly modified structure.
Today, the SANDF is an effective force in South Africa, also making a substantial contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Congo, Burundi and Sudan.
The ‘advisory’ and active lobbying to vote for a particular political party/alliance by a large ESM organisation during elections in India is not as serious as the Nepalese event, but is still unprecedented. It is not that men and women in the armed forces, and after retirement, do not vote, or that ESM do not join politics. But such an ‘advisory’ reflects a collective unhappiness and lack of confidence of the uniformed fraternity with the ruling alliance and is easily exploited. Considering that the ESM retain an umbilical connection with serving soldiers and maintain traditional camaraderie and kinship so essential in the profession of arms, many people would consider it as a step towards politicisation of the armed forces.
The IESM took this step primarily on account of the 6th Central Pay Commission (6CPC) Report and its ham-handed, disdainful processing by the government in which representatives of the uniformed fraternity were deliberately kept out. The government delayed resolving serious concerns of the armed forces personnel and pensioners on the disparities, anomalies, and demand for one rank one pension. Little attention was paid to the advice of the service chiefs, several former chiefs, and to the ethos and functioning of the armed forces. Meanwhile, an impression got built that the ruling political leadership is going along with the bureaucracy and has little or no interest in the emoluments and hierarchal status of the armed forces in the government and society.
This felt injustice led to the birth of the IESM, which organised rallies, fast unto death agitations, and surrender of war and gallantry medals to the president to draw public and political attention.
The discontent and street protests by the armed forces veterans has exposed fissures in the civil military relationship and thus led to the political manipulation of the latter.
The belated efforts to resolve the aforesaid issues have only confirmed the perception that the government acts under political pressure; being disciplined and apolitical counts little when political supremacy over the armed forces degenerates into civil servants’ supremacy.
This brings me to the core issue of the civil-military relations.
Civil-military relations form an essential component of a nation’s security system. The Indian armed forces inherited a legacy of maintaining an apolitical stance and have steadfastly preserved it through the years. With their oath to the Constitution, they have stuck to the concept of loyalty to the constitution ally elected government, not to any particular political party or alliance. The credit goes not only to the military and its traditions, but also to the political leadership, our egalitarian society and other well-established democratic institutions.
In India, there is little awareness about the armed forces: their systems, procedures, traditions and the issues and concerns that affect their functioning. During a war, the armed forces are glorified, greatly respected, even treated with awe But after the war, they feel forgot ten and neglected by the political class and society. Since the ruling elite in the country consisting o politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists have stopped sending their kith and kin to the armed forces, the distance between the civil society including the aforementioned three categories and the armed forces has increased progressively.
Morris Janowitz, in his book The Professional Soldier: A Soldier and Political Portrait, has emphasised that ‘civilian leadership includes not only the political direction of the military but the prevention of the growth of frustration in the profession, of felt injustice, and inflexibility under the weight of its responsibilities.’ If we wish to maintain good civil military relations to optimise national security, our political leaders must realise this important responsibility and ensure that (a) there is no feeling of frustration or injustice in the military profession and (b) that the armed forces are not politicised.
------------THE END
A very thoughtful article by Gen VP Malik is reproduced below. It also comes at a very opportune moment when the political party that was supported by IESM comes a serious cropper at the hustings. Only time will tell what is in store on the OROP front even as the MOD was at the point of conceding at least modified parity whilst the extended polls were in progress.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President , NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
The Indian EXPRESSe edition – May 15, 2009.
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2009/05/15/INDEX.SHTML
Force dividerBy Gen VP Malik, Former COAS
It’s hard for a frustrated and aggrieved military to remain apolitical The ‘advisory’to vote for a particular political party by a large ex-servicemen organisation during elections reflects a lack of confidence of the uniformed fraternity with the ruling alliance, and is easily exploited.
TWO recent events, the ham T handed sacking of the Army Chief General Rookmangud Katawal in Nepal, and an ‘advisory’ to all ex-servicemen (ESM) by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) to vote for a particular political party/alliance in India, merit attention due to the sensitivity of the civil military relations in a democratic society.
The adverse political consequences of the Nepalese event are many: a setback to the national peace process and political instability, a constitutional divide over the authority of the president and prime minister, and Nepal’s foreign relations with India and China. No less important are its military consequences, which are a lack of trust and confidence between the civilian government and the military, and a divide within the military hierarchy.
Both these will have an impact on the command and control, discipline, morale and combat proficiency of the Nepal Army. Also, there is an erosion of the historic military-to-military cooperation between Nepal and India where traditionally, the army chiefs have enjoyed the honorary status of a chief in each other’s country.
The hot-headed civil and military approach to the absorption of Maoist military cadres was avoidable.
I wish they had studied a similar military transformation following the first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution in South Africa. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) replaced the earlier South African Defence Force (SADF) to include personnel and equipment from the former defence and homelands forces, as well as personnel from the former guerrilla forces of the political parties such as the African National Congress’s Umkhontowe Sizwe, the Pan Africanist Congress’ APLA and the Self-Protection Units of the Inkatha Freedom Party. This process started in 1994 was completed in 2004 with the integrated personnel having been incorporated into a slightly modified structure.
Today, the SANDF is an effective force in South Africa, also making a substantial contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Congo, Burundi and Sudan.
The ‘advisory’ and active lobbying to vote for a particular political party/alliance by a large ESM organisation during elections in India is not as serious as the Nepalese event, but is still unprecedented. It is not that men and women in the armed forces, and after retirement, do not vote, or that ESM do not join politics. But such an ‘advisory’ reflects a collective unhappiness and lack of confidence of the uniformed fraternity with the ruling alliance and is easily exploited. Considering that the ESM retain an umbilical connection with serving soldiers and maintain traditional camaraderie and kinship so essential in the profession of arms, many people would consider it as a step towards politicisation of the armed forces.
The IESM took this step primarily on account of the 6th Central Pay Commission (6CPC) Report and its ham-handed, disdainful processing by the government in which representatives of the uniformed fraternity were deliberately kept out. The government delayed resolving serious concerns of the armed forces personnel and pensioners on the disparities, anomalies, and demand for one rank one pension. Little attention was paid to the advice of the service chiefs, several former chiefs, and to the ethos and functioning of the armed forces. Meanwhile, an impression got built that the ruling political leadership is going along with the bureaucracy and has little or no interest in the emoluments and hierarchal status of the armed forces in the government and society.
This felt injustice led to the birth of the IESM, which organised rallies, fast unto death agitations, and surrender of war and gallantry medals to the president to draw public and political attention.
The discontent and street protests by the armed forces veterans has exposed fissures in the civil military relationship and thus led to the political manipulation of the latter.
The belated efforts to resolve the aforesaid issues have only confirmed the perception that the government acts under political pressure; being disciplined and apolitical counts little when political supremacy over the armed forces degenerates into civil servants’ supremacy.
This brings me to the core issue of the civil-military relations.
Civil-military relations form an essential component of a nation’s security system. The Indian armed forces inherited a legacy of maintaining an apolitical stance and have steadfastly preserved it through the years. With their oath to the Constitution, they have stuck to the concept of loyalty to the constitution ally elected government, not to any particular political party or alliance. The credit goes not only to the military and its traditions, but also to the political leadership, our egalitarian society and other well-established democratic institutions.
In India, there is little awareness about the armed forces: their systems, procedures, traditions and the issues and concerns that affect their functioning. During a war, the armed forces are glorified, greatly respected, even treated with awe But after the war, they feel forgot ten and neglected by the political class and society. Since the ruling elite in the country consisting o politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists have stopped sending their kith and kin to the armed forces, the distance between the civil society including the aforementioned three categories and the armed forces has increased progressively.
Morris Janowitz, in his book The Professional Soldier: A Soldier and Political Portrait, has emphasised that ‘civilian leadership includes not only the political direction of the military but the prevention of the growth of frustration in the profession, of felt injustice, and inflexibility under the weight of its responsibilities.’ If we wish to maintain good civil military relations to optimise national security, our political leaders must realise this important responsibility and ensure that (a) there is no feeling of frustration or injustice in the military profession and (b) that the armed forces are not politicised.
------------THE END
Friday, May 15, 2009
ESM demands in Punjab..OROP
Dear Members,
An article regarding ESM demands for pension in Punjab News Line is placed below for info.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*************************************************************
PunjabNewslinehttp://www.punjabnewsline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16593&Itemid=99999999
Ex-servicemen demands to placeHavildars in pay band PB 2
GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
PATIALA: Indian Ex-Services League Punjab & Chandigarh, the oldest and a non-political body of ex-servicemen has asked the committee formed by Centre Govt. under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Affair) S.M. Acharya to place Havildars and equivalent in pay-band, PB-2.
The league said that these non-commissioned officers form the real backbone of the Armed Forces and enjoy the same position as their counter parts, Lt. Cols. and equivalent, in the cadre of commissioned officers. Sgt. Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS Retd., President, Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh said in a press release Tuesday that It was a pity that none of the senior officers, who spearheaded the demand of placing Lt. Cols. in PB-4, spoke even a single word when they found these senior non-commissioned officers having been placed in PB-1 along with class IV employees which caused a tremendous frustration among the PBORs. The league has, further stressed upon the committee to re-allocate Sub. Major to pay-band, PB-3 if it really intends to arrest the heart burning among the PBORs caused by the recommendations / implementation of Sixth Pay Commission, He added.
The League has reiterated its demand of raising minimum pension (applicable to reservist only) to Rs. 4600/= PM (Basic Pay 5200 + Gr.Pay 2000+ MSP 2000 divided by 2) on the same analogy as it has fixed Rs. 3500/= PM (Basic Pay 5200+Gr.Pay 1800 divided by 2) for the civilian employees Sixth Pay Commission has separated soldiers from civilian by granting MSP (Military Service Pay) to the former at the rate of Rs. 2000/= for PBORs and Rs. 6000/= for officers. As such, granting of Rs. 3500/= PM as minimum pension to service personnel is not justified by any stretch of law.
The League has further demanded a pension of Rs. 6000/=PM for Sepoy, Rs. 7000/= for Nk. Rs. 9000/= for Havildar Rs. 10,000/= PM for Nb. Sub. Rs. 11,000/= for Sub. and Rs. 13,000/=PM for Sub. Majors and equivalents till the committee is in a position to grant ONE RANK ONE PENSION to the soldiers.
League has sought the support of all likeminded organizations of ex-servicemen (both PBORs and officers) and also the senior officers in IESM if they sincerely wish to stand by the PBORs as many of them apparently claim to do so in this respect.
The league has reminded the committee that PBORs count for 96% of the total strength in the Armed forces and they have been crushed by the partial recommendation and faltered implementation of pay commission report. In the Armend Forces, Havildars and below, who retire before the age of 40 years, count for 85% where as J.C.O. form a chunk of 11% and the strength of officers is only 4%. A gross injustice has been done to middle ranking PBORs, Hav. and equivalent which needs to be corrected at the earliest.
In case nothing is done to assuage the feeling of PBORs, situation is likely to explode to an uncontrollable extent for which the govt. in power at the center will be, solely, held responsible.
An article regarding ESM demands for pension in Punjab News Line is placed below for info.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*************************************************************
PunjabNewslinehttp://www.punjabnewsline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16593&Itemid=99999999
Ex-servicemen demands to placeHavildars in pay band PB 2
GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
PATIALA: Indian Ex-Services League Punjab & Chandigarh, the oldest and a non-political body of ex-servicemen has asked the committee formed by Centre Govt. under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Affair) S.M. Acharya to place Havildars and equivalent in pay-band, PB-2.
The league said that these non-commissioned officers form the real backbone of the Armed Forces and enjoy the same position as their counter parts, Lt. Cols. and equivalent, in the cadre of commissioned officers. Sgt. Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS Retd., President, Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh said in a press release Tuesday that It was a pity that none of the senior officers, who spearheaded the demand of placing Lt. Cols. in PB-4, spoke even a single word when they found these senior non-commissioned officers having been placed in PB-1 along with class IV employees which caused a tremendous frustration among the PBORs. The league has, further stressed upon the committee to re-allocate Sub. Major to pay-band, PB-3 if it really intends to arrest the heart burning among the PBORs caused by the recommendations / implementation of Sixth Pay Commission, He added.
The League has reiterated its demand of raising minimum pension (applicable to reservist only) to Rs. 4600/= PM (Basic Pay 5200 + Gr.Pay 2000+ MSP 2000 divided by 2) on the same analogy as it has fixed Rs. 3500/= PM (Basic Pay 5200+Gr.Pay 1800 divided by 2) for the civilian employees Sixth Pay Commission has separated soldiers from civilian by granting MSP (Military Service Pay) to the former at the rate of Rs. 2000/= for PBORs and Rs. 6000/= for officers. As such, granting of Rs. 3500/= PM as minimum pension to service personnel is not justified by any stretch of law.
The League has further demanded a pension of Rs. 6000/=PM for Sepoy, Rs. 7000/= for Nk. Rs. 9000/= for Havildar Rs. 10,000/= PM for Nb. Sub. Rs. 11,000/= for Sub. and Rs. 13,000/=PM for Sub. Majors and equivalents till the committee is in a position to grant ONE RANK ONE PENSION to the soldiers.
League has sought the support of all likeminded organizations of ex-servicemen (both PBORs and officers) and also the senior officers in IESM if they sincerely wish to stand by the PBORs as many of them apparently claim to do so in this respect.
The league has reminded the committee that PBORs count for 96% of the total strength in the Armed forces and they have been crushed by the partial recommendation and faltered implementation of pay commission report. In the Armend Forces, Havildars and below, who retire before the age of 40 years, count for 85% where as J.C.O. form a chunk of 11% and the strength of officers is only 4%. A gross injustice has been done to middle ranking PBORs, Hav. and equivalent which needs to be corrected at the earliest.
In case nothing is done to assuage the feeling of PBORs, situation is likely to explode to an uncontrollable extent for which the govt. in power at the center will be, solely, held responsible.
16(6)/2008/(1)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 04 May 09 and 16(6)/2008/(2)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 05 May 09
GOI MOD Letters 16(6)/2008/(1)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 04 May 09 and 16(6)/2008/(2)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 05 May 09
Download the original attachment
Ref (v): Authority- GOI MOD letter No 16(6)/2008 (1))/
D(Pension/Policy) dated 04th May 2009
Sub: Implementation of the Govt decision on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission-Rationalisation of Casualty Pensionary Awards for the Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) retired/ discharged/died/invalided out from service prior to 01.01.2006
Sir,
1. I am directed to refer this Ministry’s letter No 17(4)/ 2008 (1)/ D(Pen/ Policy) dated 11.11.2008 implementing Government decisions on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission. Sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the modification of rates of disability/ war injury/special/ liberalized family pensionary awards for the Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) retired/discharged/died/ invalided out from service prior to 01.01.2006 as under:-
2. Disability/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension.
2.1 Service Element of Disbility/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension. Revised service element of Disability/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension shall continue to be paid in terms of para 4.1 and para 5 of this Ministry’s letter no 17(4)/ 2008(1)/ D( Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008.
2.2 Disability/ Element of Disability/ Liberalised Disability Pension. The revised rates of disability element for 100% disability on account of invalidment/ retirement/ discharge are given below. Where the disability of a pensioner is less than 100 %, the amount shall be proportionately reduced as per the degree of disability accepted and for the period notified in the PPO.
Rank
Amount p.m.
i) Commissioned Officers and Honorary Commissioned Officers of the three Services, MNS,TA and DSC
Rs. 5,880/-
ii) Junior Commissioned Officers and equivalent ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 4,300/-
iii) Other ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 3,510/-
Note: Where only disability element is drawn in isolation, the above rates will not be applicable and such cases will be regulated in terms of para 9. 1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008.
2.3 War Injury Element of War Injury Pension. In case of Armed Forces pensioners who were invalided out/ retired/ discharged from service prior to 1.1.2006 and are in receipt of War Injury element of War Injury Pension as on
1-1-2006, the revised rates of War Injury element for 100% disability are as given below. Where the disability of a pensioner is less than 100%, the amount shall be proportionally reduced as per the degree of disability accepted and for the period notified in PPO. Where the War Injury element revised in terms of para 9 read with para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008, is higher than the amount of War Injury element calculated as above, the same (higher consolidated amount) will be treated as revised War Injury element with effect from 1.1.2006.
Rank
Amount p.m.
i) Commissioned Officers and Honorary Commissioned Officers of the three Services, MNS, TA and DSC
Rs. 11,760/-
ii) Junior Commissioned Officers and equivalent ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 8,600/-
iii) Other ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 7,020/-
3. Constant Attendance Allowance. With effect from 1.1.2006 Constant Attendance Allowance, where payable, shall continue to be admissible under the conditions as hitherto fore at a uniform rate of Rs. 3,000/-pm, irrespective of the rank. Further this rate to be increased by 25% every time the dearness allowance payable on revised Pay Band goes up by 50%.
4. Special / Liberalised Family Pension / Dependent Pension (special) / Dependent Pension (liberalised).
4.1 Families in receipt of Special Family Pension, Liberalised Family Pension, Dependent Pension (special), Dependent Pension (liberalised)/ 2nd life award (in respect of PBOR including NCs(E)), shall draw revised family pension with effect from 1.1.2006 in terms of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.08.
4.2 The amount of revised consolidated special family pension, granted to the families of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘B’ & ‘C’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
4.3 The amount of revised consolidated liberalized family pension, granted to the child/ children of Armed Force personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘D’ & ‘E’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
5. Dearness Relief. Dearness Relief shall be admissible only beyond average AICPI 536 (Base year 1982 = 100) on the revised pattern introduced vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Office Memorandum No. 42/2/2008-P&PW (G) dated 12.9.2008 on various types of pension/ family pension admissible under the provisions of this letter.
6. All Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) handling disbursement of pension to the Defence pensioners are hereby authorised to pay revised disability/ liberalized disability/ war injury pension/ special/ liberalized family pension to the existing pensioners under these orders without any further authorization from the concerned Pension Sanctioning Authorities. However, PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad will issue further suitable implementation instructions while circulating these orders to all the PDAs concerned. Action as prescribed in para 16.4 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008 may also be taken by the PDAs in the cases covered under these orders.
7. This issues with concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their UO No.1527/09/D(Fin/Pen) dated 27.4.2009.
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
( Harbans Singh)
Director (Pen/Policy)
Ref (v): Authority- GOI MOD letter No 16(6)/2008 (2)) / D(Pension/
Policy) dated 05th May 2009.
Sub: Implementation of the Govt decision on the recommendations
Of the Sixth Central Pay Commission –Revision of provisions
regulating Pensionary Awards relating to Disability Pension/
War Injury Pension/ Special Family Pension/ Liberalized
Family Pension/ Dependent Pension(special)/ Dependent
Pension(liberalized/ Special Invalid Pension for the Armed
Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR)
retiring/discharged / invalided out from service or dying in
harness on or after 01.01. 2006 .
Sir ,
The undersigned is directed to state that in pursuance of Government decisions on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commision, sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the notification, to the extent specified in this letter, in the rules/ regulations concerning above mentioned pensionary benefits of the Commissioned Officers(including MNS, Territorial Army Officers, Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned Officers) and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) of the three services including NCs (E) of Air Force, Defence Security Corps and the Territorial Army (hereinafter collectively referred to as Armed Forces personnel).
The provisions of the pension regulations for the three Services and
various Service instructions/ Government orders, which are not affected by the provisions of this letter, will remain unchanged.
Date of Effect.
2.1 The provisions of this letter shall apply to the Armed Forces personnel who were in service on 1.1.2006 or joined / join service thereafter unless otherwise specified in this letter.
2.2 Where pension has already been sanctioned provisionally or otherwise in cases occurring on or after 1.1.2006, the same would be revised in terms of these orders. In cases where pension has been finally sanctioned under the pre- revised orders and if it happens to be more beneficial than the pension becoming due under these orders, the pension already sanctioned shall not be revised to the disadvantage of the pensioner.
Definitions.
Reckonable Emoluments.
3.1 Unless otherwise specified in this letter, the term ‘Reckonable Emoluments’ shall mean:
For Officers. Pay means pay in pay band, grade pay , military
service pay and non-practicising allowance where applicable, last drawn by the officer(ref SAI 2/S/08, SNI 2/S/08 and SAFI 2/S/08).
For Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR). Pay means pay in pay band, grade pay, military service pay, ‘X’ Group pay where applicable and Classification allowance, if any, last drawn by the individual. ( ref SAI 1/S/08, SNI 1/S/08 and SAFI 1/S/08).
3.2 In the case of individuals who opt/ opted to continue to draw pay in the pre-revised scales beyond 31.12.2005 and remain/ remained in that scale till retirement /discharge/ invalidment/ death in harness, pension/ family pension and retirement/ death gratuity shall be regulated in terms of para 3.4 of Ministry of Defence letter no 17(4)/2008 (2)/D (Pen/Policy) dt 12.11.2008.
4. War Injury Pension/ Liberalised Family Pension shall also be admissible to such Armed Forces personnel who die or are invalided out of service on sustaining injury during trials of indigenously developed weapon system and ammunition.
5. Special/ Invalid Pension
5.1 Special Pension to PBOR. The minimum service required for grant of special pension shall continue to be 10 years in the case of Combatants and 15 years in the case of NCs (E). Where the service is less than 10 years in the case of Combatants and less than 15 years in the case of NCs (E), special gratuity will continue to be admissible.
5.2 Invalid Pension. The minimum service required for grant of Invalid pension will continue to be 10 years and shall be computed as per para 6 of this Ministry’s letter dated 12.11.2008. Where service is less than 10 years, invalid gratuity will be admissible.
6. Disability/ War Injury/ Liberalised Disabilty Pension on Inavalidment.
6.1 As hithertofore, disability/ war injury/ liberalised disability pension in invalidment cases will consist of service element and disability/ war injury element and shall continue to be admissible under the provisions laid down in para 7, 10 and 12 of this Ministry’s letter no 1(2)/97/D (Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 respectively, subject to the amount to be arrived at in the manner and at the rates specified in the succeeding paras.
6.2 Service Element of Disability/Liberalised Disability/War Injury Pension. The amount vof service element shall be equal to retiring/ service pension determined as per para 6 of this Ministry’s letter no 17(4)/ 2008 (2)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated12.11.2008 subject to minimum of Rs 3,500/- per month. There shall be no condition of minimum qualifying service having been actually rendered for earning this element, if otherwise admissible.
6.3 Disability Element of Disability Pension/ Liberalized Disability Pension. The rates of disability element for 100% disability for various ranks shall be 30% of emoluments last drawn subject to minimum of Rs 3,100/- per month for 100% disability, For disability less than 100%, it shall be reduced proportionately. In cases of disability pension where permanent disability is not less than 60% the disability pension (i.e. total of service elements plus disability element) shall not be less than 60% of the reckonable emoluments last drawn subject to a minimum of Rs 7,000/- per month.
6.4 War Injury Element of War Injury Pension. The rates of war injury element for 100% disability for various ranks shall be equal to the reckonable emoluments last drawn which would be proportionately reduced where disability is less than 100%. However, in no case aggregate of service element and war injury element should exceed the emoluments last drawn.
6.5 The provisions of para 7.2 of this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/97/D (Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 for reckoning of disability or functional incapacity shall continue for the purpose of computing disability element/ war injury element.
7. Disability/ War Injury Element/ Liberalised Disability Element on Retirement/ Discharge.
7.1 Disability element/ war injury element/ liberalised disability element on retirement/ discharge from service shall continue to be regulated under the provisions of para 8, 11 and 12 respectively of this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/ 97/ D(Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 at the rates given below:
(a) Disability element/ liberalised disability element shall be admissible at the rate mentioned in para 6.3 above; and
(b) War injury element shall be admissible @ 60% of reckonable
emoluments last drawn subject to minimum of Rs.6,200/-per month for
100% disability. For disability of less than 100%, the war injury element
shall be proportionately reduced.
7.2 Retiring/ Service pension or retiring/ service gratuity, as admissible, will be paid in addition to disability element/ war injury element from the date of retirement/ discharge.
7.3 The aggregate of service element and liberalized disability element shall not be less than 80% of the reckonable emoluments last drawn.
7.4 However, in no case the aggregate of service element and war injury element should exceed emoluments last drawn.
8. Constant Attendance Allowance. Constant Attendance Allowance shall continue to be admissible under the conditions as hithertofore. However, it shall be admissible at a uniform rate of Rs.3,000/- per month, irrespective of the rank. Further this rate be increased by 25% every time the dearness allowance payable on revised pay band goes up by 50%.
9. Special/ Liberalised Family Pension/ Dependent Pension (special)/ Dependent Pension (liberalised).
9.1 Special family pension, liberalised family pension, dependent pension (special),dependent pension (liberalized)/ 2nd life award (in respect of PBORs including NCs(E)), shall continue to be regulated at the rates and under the conditions laid down in this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/ 97/ D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001 subject to the reckonable emoluments as defined under para 3 of this Ministry’s letter no. 17(4)/ 2008(2)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.11.2008.
9.2 The amount of special family pension admissible to the families of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘B’ & ‘C’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
9.3 The amount of liberalized family pension, admissible to the child/ children of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘D’ & ‘E’ of para 4.1 and 6.2 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
GENERAL
10. Rounding off of Pensionary Awards. The amount of various pensionary awards admissible as per this letter shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee by Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs).
11. Minimum/ Maximum Pension. If the amount of any monthly pension (excluding Constant Attendance Allowance) admissible under the provisions of this letter works out to less than Rs. 3,500/- pm, it shall be stepped up to
Rs. 3,500/- pm and authorised for payment at this rate. Disability element shall not be taken into account for the purpose of stepping up of service element to the minimum level of Rs. 3,500/- pm. There will be no maximum ceiling on the amount of pension determined under these orders.
12. Dearness Relief. Dearness Relief shall be admissible only beyond average AICPI 536 (Base year 1982 = 100) on the revised pattern introduced vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Office Memorandum no. 42/ 2/ 2008-P&PW(G) dated 12.09.2008 on various types of pension/ family pension admissible under the provisions of this letter.
13. Procedure for sanction of Revised Pension in respect of those already retired. The procedure for revision of pensionary awards as per provisions of this letter, in respect of Armed Forces personnel who have already retired/ discharged/ invalided out/ died on or after 1.1.2006 and in whose cases pensionary benefits at pre-revised rates have already been notified, the record offices concerned in case of PBORs and CDA(O), Pune/ Naval Pay Office, Mumbai/ AFCAO, New Delhi, as the case may be , in respect of Commissioned Officers, will initiate and forward revised LPC-cum-data sheet as prescribed by PCDA(Pensions), Allahabad to their respective Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) for issue of corrigendum PPOs notifying the revised pensionary awards. Further implementation instruction to all concerned will be issued by PCDA (Pensions), Allahabad immediately on receipt of these orders.
14. Relevant provisions of the Pension Regulations for the three Services will be amended in due course.
15. This issue with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their UO No. 1527/ 09/ D(Fin/Pen) dated 27.4.2009.
Yours faithfully
-Sd/-
(Harbans Singh)
Director(Pen/Policy)
Download the original attachment
Ref (v): Authority- GOI MOD letter No 16(6)/2008 (1))/
D(Pension/Policy) dated 04th May 2009
Sub: Implementation of the Govt decision on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission-Rationalisation of Casualty Pensionary Awards for the Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) retired/ discharged/died/invalided out from service prior to 01.01.2006
Sir,
1. I am directed to refer this Ministry’s letter No 17(4)/ 2008 (1)/ D(Pen/ Policy) dated 11.11.2008 implementing Government decisions on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission. Sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the modification of rates of disability/ war injury/special/ liberalized family pensionary awards for the Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) retired/discharged/died/ invalided out from service prior to 01.01.2006 as under:-
2. Disability/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension.
2.1 Service Element of Disbility/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension. Revised service element of Disability/ Liberalised Disability/ War Injury Pension shall continue to be paid in terms of para 4.1 and para 5 of this Ministry’s letter no 17(4)/ 2008(1)/ D( Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008.
2.2 Disability/ Element of Disability/ Liberalised Disability Pension. The revised rates of disability element for 100% disability on account of invalidment/ retirement/ discharge are given below. Where the disability of a pensioner is less than 100 %, the amount shall be proportionately reduced as per the degree of disability accepted and for the period notified in the PPO.
Rank
Amount p.m.
i) Commissioned Officers and Honorary Commissioned Officers of the three Services, MNS,TA and DSC
Rs. 5,880/-
ii) Junior Commissioned Officers and equivalent ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 4,300/-
iii) Other ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 3,510/-
Note: Where only disability element is drawn in isolation, the above rates will not be applicable and such cases will be regulated in terms of para 9. 1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008.
2.3 War Injury Element of War Injury Pension. In case of Armed Forces pensioners who were invalided out/ retired/ discharged from service prior to 1.1.2006 and are in receipt of War Injury element of War Injury Pension as on
1-1-2006, the revised rates of War Injury element for 100% disability are as given below. Where the disability of a pensioner is less than 100%, the amount shall be proportionally reduced as per the degree of disability accepted and for the period notified in PPO. Where the War Injury element revised in terms of para 9 read with para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008, is higher than the amount of War Injury element calculated as above, the same (higher consolidated amount) will be treated as revised War Injury element with effect from 1.1.2006.
Rank
Amount p.m.
i) Commissioned Officers and Honorary Commissioned Officers of the three Services, MNS, TA and DSC
Rs. 11,760/-
ii) Junior Commissioned Officers and equivalent ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 8,600/-
iii) Other ranks of the three Services, TA and DSC
Rs. 7,020/-
3. Constant Attendance Allowance. With effect from 1.1.2006 Constant Attendance Allowance, where payable, shall continue to be admissible under the conditions as hitherto fore at a uniform rate of Rs. 3,000/-pm, irrespective of the rank. Further this rate to be increased by 25% every time the dearness allowance payable on revised Pay Band goes up by 50%.
4. Special / Liberalised Family Pension / Dependent Pension (special) / Dependent Pension (liberalised).
4.1 Families in receipt of Special Family Pension, Liberalised Family Pension, Dependent Pension (special), Dependent Pension (liberalised)/ 2nd life award (in respect of PBOR including NCs(E)), shall draw revised family pension with effect from 1.1.2006 in terms of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.08.
4.2 The amount of revised consolidated special family pension, granted to the families of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘B’ & ‘C’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
4.3 The amount of revised consolidated liberalized family pension, granted to the child/ children of Armed Force personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘D’ & ‘E’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
5. Dearness Relief. Dearness Relief shall be admissible only beyond average AICPI 536 (Base year 1982 = 100) on the revised pattern introduced vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Office Memorandum No. 42/2/2008-P&PW (G) dated 12.9.2008 on various types of pension/ family pension admissible under the provisions of this letter.
6. All Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) handling disbursement of pension to the Defence pensioners are hereby authorised to pay revised disability/ liberalized disability/ war injury pension/ special/ liberalized family pension to the existing pensioners under these orders without any further authorization from the concerned Pension Sanctioning Authorities. However, PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad will issue further suitable implementation instructions while circulating these orders to all the PDAs concerned. Action as prescribed in para 16.4 of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008 may also be taken by the PDAs in the cases covered under these orders.
7. This issues with concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their UO No.1527/09/D(Fin/Pen) dated 27.4.2009.
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
( Harbans Singh)
Director (Pen/Policy)
Ref (v): Authority- GOI MOD letter No 16(6)/2008 (2)) / D(Pension/
Policy) dated 05th May 2009.
Sub: Implementation of the Govt decision on the recommendations
Of the Sixth Central Pay Commission –Revision of provisions
regulating Pensionary Awards relating to Disability Pension/
War Injury Pension/ Special Family Pension/ Liberalized
Family Pension/ Dependent Pension(special)/ Dependent
Pension(liberalized/ Special Invalid Pension for the Armed
Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR)
retiring/discharged / invalided out from service or dying in
harness on or after 01.01. 2006 .
Sir ,
The undersigned is directed to state that in pursuance of Government decisions on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commision, sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the notification, to the extent specified in this letter, in the rules/ regulations concerning above mentioned pensionary benefits of the Commissioned Officers(including MNS, Territorial Army Officers, Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned Officers) and Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) of the three services including NCs (E) of Air Force, Defence Security Corps and the Territorial Army (hereinafter collectively referred to as Armed Forces personnel).
The provisions of the pension regulations for the three Services and
various Service instructions/ Government orders, which are not affected by the provisions of this letter, will remain unchanged.
Date of Effect.
2.1 The provisions of this letter shall apply to the Armed Forces personnel who were in service on 1.1.2006 or joined / join service thereafter unless otherwise specified in this letter.
2.2 Where pension has already been sanctioned provisionally or otherwise in cases occurring on or after 1.1.2006, the same would be revised in terms of these orders. In cases where pension has been finally sanctioned under the pre- revised orders and if it happens to be more beneficial than the pension becoming due under these orders, the pension already sanctioned shall not be revised to the disadvantage of the pensioner.
Definitions.
Reckonable Emoluments.
3.1 Unless otherwise specified in this letter, the term ‘Reckonable Emoluments’ shall mean:
For Officers. Pay means pay in pay band, grade pay , military
service pay and non-practicising allowance where applicable, last drawn by the officer(ref SAI 2/S/08, SNI 2/S/08 and SAFI 2/S/08).
For Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR). Pay means pay in pay band, grade pay, military service pay, ‘X’ Group pay where applicable and Classification allowance, if any, last drawn by the individual. ( ref SAI 1/S/08, SNI 1/S/08 and SAFI 1/S/08).
3.2 In the case of individuals who opt/ opted to continue to draw pay in the pre-revised scales beyond 31.12.2005 and remain/ remained in that scale till retirement /discharge/ invalidment/ death in harness, pension/ family pension and retirement/ death gratuity shall be regulated in terms of para 3.4 of Ministry of Defence letter no 17(4)/2008 (2)/D (Pen/Policy) dt 12.11.2008.
4. War Injury Pension/ Liberalised Family Pension shall also be admissible to such Armed Forces personnel who die or are invalided out of service on sustaining injury during trials of indigenously developed weapon system and ammunition.
5. Special/ Invalid Pension
5.1 Special Pension to PBOR. The minimum service required for grant of special pension shall continue to be 10 years in the case of Combatants and 15 years in the case of NCs (E). Where the service is less than 10 years in the case of Combatants and less than 15 years in the case of NCs (E), special gratuity will continue to be admissible.
5.2 Invalid Pension. The minimum service required for grant of Invalid pension will continue to be 10 years and shall be computed as per para 6 of this Ministry’s letter dated 12.11.2008. Where service is less than 10 years, invalid gratuity will be admissible.
6. Disability/ War Injury/ Liberalised Disabilty Pension on Inavalidment.
6.1 As hithertofore, disability/ war injury/ liberalised disability pension in invalidment cases will consist of service element and disability/ war injury element and shall continue to be admissible under the provisions laid down in para 7, 10 and 12 of this Ministry’s letter no 1(2)/97/D (Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 respectively, subject to the amount to be arrived at in the manner and at the rates specified in the succeeding paras.
6.2 Service Element of Disability/Liberalised Disability/War Injury Pension. The amount vof service element shall be equal to retiring/ service pension determined as per para 6 of this Ministry’s letter no 17(4)/ 2008 (2)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated12.11.2008 subject to minimum of Rs 3,500/- per month. There shall be no condition of minimum qualifying service having been actually rendered for earning this element, if otherwise admissible.
6.3 Disability Element of Disability Pension/ Liberalized Disability Pension. The rates of disability element for 100% disability for various ranks shall be 30% of emoluments last drawn subject to minimum of Rs 3,100/- per month for 100% disability, For disability less than 100%, it shall be reduced proportionately. In cases of disability pension where permanent disability is not less than 60% the disability pension (i.e. total of service elements plus disability element) shall not be less than 60% of the reckonable emoluments last drawn subject to a minimum of Rs 7,000/- per month.
6.4 War Injury Element of War Injury Pension. The rates of war injury element for 100% disability for various ranks shall be equal to the reckonable emoluments last drawn which would be proportionately reduced where disability is less than 100%. However, in no case aggregate of service element and war injury element should exceed the emoluments last drawn.
6.5 The provisions of para 7.2 of this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/97/D (Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 for reckoning of disability or functional incapacity shall continue for the purpose of computing disability element/ war injury element.
7. Disability/ War Injury Element/ Liberalised Disability Element on Retirement/ Discharge.
7.1 Disability element/ war injury element/ liberalised disability element on retirement/ discharge from service shall continue to be regulated under the provisions of para 8, 11 and 12 respectively of this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/ 97/ D(Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 at the rates given below:
(a) Disability element/ liberalised disability element shall be admissible at the rate mentioned in para 6.3 above; and
(b) War injury element shall be admissible @ 60% of reckonable
emoluments last drawn subject to minimum of Rs.6,200/-per month for
100% disability. For disability of less than 100%, the war injury element
shall be proportionately reduced.
7.2 Retiring/ Service pension or retiring/ service gratuity, as admissible, will be paid in addition to disability element/ war injury element from the date of retirement/ discharge.
7.3 The aggregate of service element and liberalized disability element shall not be less than 80% of the reckonable emoluments last drawn.
7.4 However, in no case the aggregate of service element and war injury element should exceed emoluments last drawn.
8. Constant Attendance Allowance. Constant Attendance Allowance shall continue to be admissible under the conditions as hithertofore. However, it shall be admissible at a uniform rate of Rs.3,000/- per month, irrespective of the rank. Further this rate be increased by 25% every time the dearness allowance payable on revised pay band goes up by 50%.
9. Special/ Liberalised Family Pension/ Dependent Pension (special)/ Dependent Pension (liberalised).
9.1 Special family pension, liberalised family pension, dependent pension (special),dependent pension (liberalized)/ 2nd life award (in respect of PBORs including NCs(E)), shall continue to be regulated at the rates and under the conditions laid down in this Ministry’s letter no. 1(2)/ 97/ D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001 subject to the reckonable emoluments as defined under para 3 of this Ministry’s letter no. 17(4)/ 2008(2)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.11.2008.
9.2 The amount of special family pension admissible to the families of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘B’ & ‘C’ of para 4.1 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
9.3 The amount of liberalized family pension, admissible to the child/ children of Armed Forces personnel under the circumstances prescribed under category ‘D’ & ‘E’ of para 4.1 and 6.2 of this Ministry’s letter dated 31.1.2001, will be subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000/- per month.
GENERAL
10. Rounding off of Pensionary Awards. The amount of various pensionary awards admissible as per this letter shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee by Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs).
11. Minimum/ Maximum Pension. If the amount of any monthly pension (excluding Constant Attendance Allowance) admissible under the provisions of this letter works out to less than Rs. 3,500/- pm, it shall be stepped up to
Rs. 3,500/- pm and authorised for payment at this rate. Disability element shall not be taken into account for the purpose of stepping up of service element to the minimum level of Rs. 3,500/- pm. There will be no maximum ceiling on the amount of pension determined under these orders.
12. Dearness Relief. Dearness Relief shall be admissible only beyond average AICPI 536 (Base year 1982 = 100) on the revised pattern introduced vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Office Memorandum no. 42/ 2/ 2008-P&PW(G) dated 12.09.2008 on various types of pension/ family pension admissible under the provisions of this letter.
13. Procedure for sanction of Revised Pension in respect of those already retired. The procedure for revision of pensionary awards as per provisions of this letter, in respect of Armed Forces personnel who have already retired/ discharged/ invalided out/ died on or after 1.1.2006 and in whose cases pensionary benefits at pre-revised rates have already been notified, the record offices concerned in case of PBORs and CDA(O), Pune/ Naval Pay Office, Mumbai/ AFCAO, New Delhi, as the case may be , in respect of Commissioned Officers, will initiate and forward revised LPC-cum-data sheet as prescribed by PCDA(Pensions), Allahabad to their respective Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) for issue of corrigendum PPOs notifying the revised pensionary awards. Further implementation instruction to all concerned will be issued by PCDA (Pensions), Allahabad immediately on receipt of these orders.
14. Relevant provisions of the Pension Regulations for the three Services will be amended in due course.
15. This issue with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their UO No. 1527/ 09/ D(Fin/Pen) dated 27.4.2009.
Yours faithfully
-Sd/-
(Harbans Singh)
Director(Pen/Policy)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Navy Instructions 2/S/2008 and 3/S/2008
Information’s hosted on IRFC website:-
(a) Special Navy Instruction 2/S/2008 regarding recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission fixation of Pay and Allowances/ Concessions in respect of officers
(b) Amendments to Special Navy Instruction 2/S/2008 regarding revision of pay scales, fixation of initial pay in the revised Pay Bands, Grade Pay and Military Service Pay.
(c) Special Navy Instruction 3/S/2008 regarding pay fixation of officers holding acting rank of Capt and Capt TS.
3. The information can be accessed by logging on to IRFC website at
http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/ and opening retired page.
(a) Special Navy Instruction 2/S/2008 regarding recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission fixation of Pay and Allowances/ Concessions in respect of officers
(b) Amendments to Special Navy Instruction 2/S/2008 regarding revision of pay scales, fixation of initial pay in the revised Pay Bands, Grade Pay and Military Service Pay.
(c) Special Navy Instruction 3/S/2008 regarding pay fixation of officers holding acting rank of Capt and Capt TS.
3. The information can be accessed by logging on to IRFC website at
http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/ and opening retired page.
News Reports...OROP..4 May 2009
Dear Members,
Pls find two news articles related to OROP down below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
********************************************
Thaindian News
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/panel-formed-on-one-rank-one-pension-demand_100188182.html
Panel formed on one-rank-one-pension demand
May 4th, 2009 - 7:01 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Shaken by the large numbers of ex-servicemen returning their medals to protest the government’s rejection of their demand for one-rank-one-pension, a high level committee has been formed under Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar to examine the extent to which this could be achieved.“The defence ministry is of the view that while accepting the demand for one-rank-one-pension is not feasible administratively, a case exists for bringing the pension of those retiring before 1996-97 at par with those who retired after that,” an official said Monday.
“The gap between them has widened after implementing the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission,” the official added.
Ex-servicemen have so far returned some 13,000 medals won in combat or for distinguished service to President Pratibha Patil, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces. Patil has not met the protesters, who have handed over the medals in three batches to a member of her staff.
The Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement (IESM) says that irrespective of the date on which a soldier retires, he or she should get the same pension.
It points out that a army sepoy who retired before 1996 gets a monthly pension of Rs.3,670, while one who retired between 1996 and December 2005 gets Rs.4,680. A sepoy who retired after January 2006 gets Rs.8,700.
Effectively then, an army havildar, who retired before 1996, gets a pension that is less than that of a sepoy retiring after January 2006 though the havildar enjoys a higher rank. The mismatch applies to all ranks.
The government had earlier this year rejected the one-rank-one-pension demand, pointing to the logistical and financial problems it would create.
“The demand for one-rank-one-pension stands already examined in detail and was not found acceptable due to administrative, financial and legal reasons,” Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju had said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Feb 18.
“However, the government is also examining whether certain improvements can be made in the pension being given to the old pensioners,” Raju added.
He pointed out that pension benefits of personnel below officer rank (PBOR), particularly of the three ranks of sepoy, naik and havildar, were significantly increased Jan 1, 2006, by increasing weightage from 5 years to 10, 8 and 6 years, respectively.
This apart, the pension of pre-Jan 1, 1996 retirees is being computed with reference to the maximum of the payscale introduced on that date, Raju added.
“In consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the benefits thus accrued to PBORs have been allowed to be retained while revisiting their pension,” Raju pointed out.
------------THE END
****************************************************************************************************
High-level committees to look at ex-servicemen's 'One Rank, One Pension' demand
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090504/808/tnl-high-level-committees-to-look-at-ex.html
Mon, May 4 05:35 PM
New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Heeding the long held demand of retired defence personnel, the Government has constituted two high-level committees to look into the various issues concerning 'One Rank, One Pension' of ex-servicemen.
In the absence of 'One Rank-One Pension', anomalies in the pension of two persons of same rank arise and also there are instances of hundreds of war veterans drawing lower amount of pension as compared to personnel who retired in the recent past.
The Government has constituted a high level committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary to reduce the gap in the pensionary benefits to soldiers and officers and bring it as close to 'One Rank, One Pension'.
"The other members of the committee are Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary (Personnel), Secretary (Expenditure), and Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare)," said a senior Defence ministry source.
Financially the decision will additionally cost the government around 500-600 crore per annum and would be much less than the estimated financial liability for grant of OROP, the source said.
The other committee set up by the Ministry of Defence will be headed by Secretary (Defence Finance), Indu Liberhan, to sort out anomalies in the implementation of orders relating to armed forces pensioners.
The Sixth Pay Commission report had recommended 50 per cent weightage for armed forces PBORs during retirement, whereas earlier they would receive 70 per cent weightage until rehabilitated in other paramilitary forces.
By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)
------------THE END
Pls find two news articles related to OROP down below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
********************************************
Thaindian News
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/panel-formed-on-one-rank-one-pension-demand_100188182.html
Panel formed on one-rank-one-pension demand
May 4th, 2009 - 7:01 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Shaken by the large numbers of ex-servicemen returning their medals to protest the government’s rejection of their demand for one-rank-one-pension, a high level committee has been formed under Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar to examine the extent to which this could be achieved.“The defence ministry is of the view that while accepting the demand for one-rank-one-pension is not feasible administratively, a case exists for bringing the pension of those retiring before 1996-97 at par with those who retired after that,” an official said Monday.
“The gap between them has widened after implementing the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission,” the official added.
Ex-servicemen have so far returned some 13,000 medals won in combat or for distinguished service to President Pratibha Patil, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces. Patil has not met the protesters, who have handed over the medals in three batches to a member of her staff.
The Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement (IESM) says that irrespective of the date on which a soldier retires, he or she should get the same pension.
It points out that a army sepoy who retired before 1996 gets a monthly pension of Rs.3,670, while one who retired between 1996 and December 2005 gets Rs.4,680. A sepoy who retired after January 2006 gets Rs.8,700.
Effectively then, an army havildar, who retired before 1996, gets a pension that is less than that of a sepoy retiring after January 2006 though the havildar enjoys a higher rank. The mismatch applies to all ranks.
The government had earlier this year rejected the one-rank-one-pension demand, pointing to the logistical and financial problems it would create.
“The demand for one-rank-one-pension stands already examined in detail and was not found acceptable due to administrative, financial and legal reasons,” Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju had said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Feb 18.
“However, the government is also examining whether certain improvements can be made in the pension being given to the old pensioners,” Raju added.
He pointed out that pension benefits of personnel below officer rank (PBOR), particularly of the three ranks of sepoy, naik and havildar, were significantly increased Jan 1, 2006, by increasing weightage from 5 years to 10, 8 and 6 years, respectively.
This apart, the pension of pre-Jan 1, 1996 retirees is being computed with reference to the maximum of the payscale introduced on that date, Raju added.
“In consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the benefits thus accrued to PBORs have been allowed to be retained while revisiting their pension,” Raju pointed out.
------------THE END
****************************************************************************************************
High-level committees to look at ex-servicemen's 'One Rank, One Pension' demand
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090504/808/tnl-high-level-committees-to-look-at-ex.html
Mon, May 4 05:35 PM
New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Heeding the long held demand of retired defence personnel, the Government has constituted two high-level committees to look into the various issues concerning 'One Rank, One Pension' of ex-servicemen.
In the absence of 'One Rank-One Pension', anomalies in the pension of two persons of same rank arise and also there are instances of hundreds of war veterans drawing lower amount of pension as compared to personnel who retired in the recent past.
The Government has constituted a high level committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary to reduce the gap in the pensionary benefits to soldiers and officers and bring it as close to 'One Rank, One Pension'.
"The other members of the committee are Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary (Personnel), Secretary (Expenditure), and Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare)," said a senior Defence ministry source.
Financially the decision will additionally cost the government around 500-600 crore per annum and would be much less than the estimated financial liability for grant of OROP, the source said.
The other committee set up by the Ministry of Defence will be headed by Secretary (Defence Finance), Indu Liberhan, to sort out anomalies in the implementation of orders relating to armed forces pensioners.
The Sixth Pay Commission report had recommended 50 per cent weightage for armed forces PBORs during retirement, whereas earlier they would receive 70 per cent weightage until rehabilitated in other paramilitary forces.
By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)
------------THE END
HAG + for Vice Admiral's
Dear Members,
A modified brief based on the inputs from Maj Navdeep Singh on the issue of grant of HAG+ is attached for your info please.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President
NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
*****************************************************************************
Lieutenant Generals and HAG+,
The placement of 33% Lt Generals in HAG+ has both upsides and downsides. However some of the anger against the move is misplaced. Some clarifications are given below.
True : Only 33% Vice Admirals and equivalent would be promoted to HAG+ Also True. Yes, only 33 Vice Admirals would be able to attain HAG+. The fact is that at any given point of time, only 33% of total number Vice Admirals (excluding Army Commanders and equivalent) would be placed in HAG+.
As the top Vice Admirals retire, the ones junior down the chain shall get placed in HAG+ by seniority. Hence ultimately, in the present situation , most of the Vice Admirals sholuld retire from HAG+ and the percentage should further go up with time.
Common Belief : HAG+ is applicable only to Vice Admirals of the X Branch and the Govt should have (and could have) granted HAG+ to all Vice Admirals. Reality : There is no discrimination between Branches. All Vice Admirals can be placed in HAG+ by seniority.
The HAG+ is a promotional upgradation from HAG with a minimum amount of residency period required in HAG in consonance with the respective service rules. There is no service under the Govt where an officer can move up from SAG level directly into HAG+ and there is no service or cadre wherein 100% officers of the HAG are promoted to HAG+. The number of officers moving up from HAG to HAG+ in every service remains quite low.
There is no practice anywhere in the govt of placing all officers of a cadre in HAG+. Common Belief : The 6th CPC had lowered the status of Vice Admirals and the placement of 33% Vice Admirals HAG+ is not a rectification of that anomaly
Also True : The 6th CPC has not tinkered with the status of Vice Admirals. Even after the 5th CPC, Vice Admirals were lower than DsGP in pay. The following was the pay equation of Three Star officers of the IPS and the Defence Services post-5th CPC which was continued by the 6th CPC : Addl DGP = Vice Admirals DGP Selected DGP CPOs = Vice Admirals (Cs in C) After placement of 33% Lt Gens in HAG+, following is the situation now : Addl DGP = Vice Admirals DGP = Vice Admirals (top 33%) Selected DGP CPOs / DGP (One Cadre post) = Vice Admirals (Army Commanders )
Comments. While some officers have argued (and in a sense rightfully so !!) that the Military should have refused the 33% offer, it is also true that if we do not accept the 33% figure, it would have resulted in all Vice Admirals remaining below DsGP. It was nothing or something, and in such a situation, ‘something’ may have been a better choice by the services - while the scope of further improvement always remains.
In the ultimate analysis, this should be better than shutting the door once and for all. Also, now, Vice Admirals in HAG+ shall now be equated with Special Secys to Govt of India. Other Issues
(a) Pension for pre-2006 Vice Admirals who retired from the erstwhile HAG remains a grey area and Services Headquarters will have to deliberate this issue with the govt. Ideally, the pension of retired Vice Admirals should also be fixed at HAG+ level since from now onwards almost all are going to retire in that grade.
(b) The issue of some Corps Commanders of the Army being in HAG while DsGP of States being in HAG+ needs to be addressed from an operational point of view. However as far as the status equations are concerned, the Warrant of Precedence (amended till 2008) is very clear on this aspect. In the WoP, a Vice Admiral features in Article 24 followed by DsG CPOs on Article 25 while State DsGP are not even listed on the WoP.
A modified brief based on the inputs from Maj Navdeep Singh on the issue of grant of HAG+ is attached for your info please.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (retd)
President
NFDCC 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
*****************************************************************************
Lieutenant Generals and HAG+,
The placement of 33% Lt Generals in HAG+ has both upsides and downsides. However some of the anger against the move is misplaced. Some clarifications are given below.
True : Only 33% Vice Admirals and equivalent would be promoted to HAG+ Also True. Yes, only 33 Vice Admirals would be able to attain HAG+. The fact is that at any given point of time, only 33% of total number Vice Admirals (excluding Army Commanders and equivalent) would be placed in HAG+.
As the top Vice Admirals retire, the ones junior down the chain shall get placed in HAG+ by seniority. Hence ultimately, in the present situation , most of the Vice Admirals sholuld retire from HAG+ and the percentage should further go up with time.
Common Belief : HAG+ is applicable only to Vice Admirals of the X Branch and the Govt should have (and could have) granted HAG+ to all Vice Admirals. Reality : There is no discrimination between Branches. All Vice Admirals can be placed in HAG+ by seniority.
The HAG+ is a promotional upgradation from HAG with a minimum amount of residency period required in HAG in consonance with the respective service rules. There is no service under the Govt where an officer can move up from SAG level directly into HAG+ and there is no service or cadre wherein 100% officers of the HAG are promoted to HAG+. The number of officers moving up from HAG to HAG+ in every service remains quite low.
There is no practice anywhere in the govt of placing all officers of a cadre in HAG+. Common Belief : The 6th CPC had lowered the status of Vice Admirals and the placement of 33% Vice Admirals HAG+ is not a rectification of that anomaly
Also True : The 6th CPC has not tinkered with the status of Vice Admirals. Even after the 5th CPC, Vice Admirals were lower than DsGP in pay. The following was the pay equation of Three Star officers of the IPS and the Defence Services post-5th CPC which was continued by the 6th CPC : Addl DGP = Vice Admirals DGP Selected DGP CPOs = Vice Admirals (Cs in C) After placement of 33% Lt Gens in HAG+, following is the situation now : Addl DGP = Vice Admirals DGP = Vice Admirals (top 33%) Selected DGP CPOs / DGP (One Cadre post) = Vice Admirals (Army Commanders )
Comments. While some officers have argued (and in a sense rightfully so !!) that the Military should have refused the 33% offer, it is also true that if we do not accept the 33% figure, it would have resulted in all Vice Admirals remaining below DsGP. It was nothing or something, and in such a situation, ‘something’ may have been a better choice by the services - while the scope of further improvement always remains.
In the ultimate analysis, this should be better than shutting the door once and for all. Also, now, Vice Admirals in HAG+ shall now be equated with Special Secys to Govt of India. Other Issues
(a) Pension for pre-2006 Vice Admirals who retired from the erstwhile HAG remains a grey area and Services Headquarters will have to deliberate this issue with the govt. Ideally, the pension of retired Vice Admirals should also be fixed at HAG+ level since from now onwards almost all are going to retire in that grade.
(b) The issue of some Corps Commanders of the Army being in HAG while DsGP of States being in HAG+ needs to be addressed from an operational point of view. However as far as the status equations are concerned, the Warrant of Precedence (amended till 2008) is very clear on this aspect. In the WoP, a Vice Admiral features in Article 24 followed by DsG CPOs on Article 25 while State DsGP are not even listed on the WoP.
Talk By Sir Mark Tully on 30 May 2009 at kotaHouse
Dear Members,
NFDC has arranged a talk "Indian Democracy-- Will it succeed" by
the eminent Speaker Mr Mark Tully for the Veterans on Saturday 30 May 2009 at 1115 hrs at Kota House Gold Roon.
Ladies are invited and a special Lunch has also been arranged after the
session at 1245 hrs.
Kindly give your tentative confirmation of attending the same.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
NFDC has arranged a talk "Indian Democracy-- Will it succeed" by
the eminent Speaker Mr Mark Tully for the Veterans on Saturday 30 May 2009 at 1115 hrs at Kota House Gold Roon.
Ladies are invited and a special Lunch has also been arranged after the
session at 1245 hrs.
Kindly give your tentative confirmation of attending the same.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Friday, April 17, 2009
Chautha Late Cmde Ravi Sikka 18 Apr 1700 -1800 hrs Vasant Vihar
Dear Members,
Chautha of Late Cmde Ravi Sikka ( retd) will be held at Arya Samaj Mandir , Vasant Vihar , New Delhi tomorrow 18 Apr 2009 between 1700 hrs - 1800 hrs.
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter deeply mourns the passing away of Cmde Ravi Sikka.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Chautha of Late Cmde Ravi Sikka ( retd) will be held at Arya Samaj Mandir , Vasant Vihar , New Delhi tomorrow 18 Apr 2009 between 1700 hrs - 1800 hrs.
Navy Foundation Delhi Charter deeply mourns the passing away of Cmde Ravi Sikka.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
Sad Demise of Cmde Ravi Sikka 16 Apr 2009
Dear Members,
Regret to inform about the sad demise of Cmde Ravi Sikka last night 16 Apr at New Delhi.
Cremation is at 1030 hrs at Lodi Road crematorium today 17 Apr 2009.
For further details kindly contact Cmde Ranjit Rai M 9810066172
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
Regret to inform about the sad demise of Cmde Ravi Sikka last night 16 Apr at New Delhi.
Cremation is at 1030 hrs at Lodi Road crematorium today 17 Apr 2009.
For further details kindly contact Cmde Ranjit Rai M 9810066172
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
SC Case pre 96 Maj Gens/AVMs/RADMs pensions
Dear Members,
Pls see the info below from Maj Gen SC Suri to Vice Adm Harinder Singh President NFDC on the happenings in the Supreme Court
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
******************************************************************************************
A Note from Gen Suri on the Maj Gen Case to President Navy Foundation Forwarded for Your Info Please
Hi,
Went to the SC yesterday along to hear the contempt case submitted by Nidesh Gupta for non complaince of the SC orders re our pensions.
Altamas Kabir was the senior judge of the bench , he was fully aware of the case & was furious with the COAS & Def Secy for not implementing the SC orders.
He let the Def lawyers have it as they gave no reasons for non execution. He first issued notice to the COAS & Def Secy to come personally to the court & explain as to why the the SC orders had not been executed & why a contempt case should not be lauched against them . On pleading by the Def lawyers he excused their personal appearance.
On our pressurizing he fixed the next hearing on 4th May.
This news was picked up by all TV channels & high lighted in their 1200hrs onwards.
Hope the Govt now takes some action .
Please inform all concernd.
Rgds
Satish Suri
Maj Gen S C Suri (Retd )
Pls see the info below from Maj Gen SC Suri to Vice Adm Harinder Singh President NFDC on the happenings in the Supreme Court
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
******************************************************************************************
A Note from Gen Suri on the Maj Gen Case to President Navy Foundation Forwarded for Your Info Please
Hi,
Went to the SC yesterday along to hear the contempt case submitted by Nidesh Gupta for non complaince of the SC orders re our pensions.
Altamas Kabir was the senior judge of the bench , he was fully aware of the case & was furious with the COAS & Def Secy for not implementing the SC orders.
He let the Def lawyers have it as they gave no reasons for non execution. He first issued notice to the COAS & Def Secy to come personally to the court & explain as to why the the SC orders had not been executed & why a contempt case should not be lauched against them . On pleading by the Def lawyers he excused their personal appearance.
On our pressurizing he fixed the next hearing on 4th May.
This news was picked up by all TV channels & high lighted in their 1200hrs onwards.
Hope the Govt now takes some action .
Please inform all concernd.
Rgds
Satish Suri
Maj Gen S C Suri (Retd )
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
6PC letter for civilians
Dear Members
A copy of the GOI Letter clarifying pay fixation issues in respect of civilians is attached for your info please.
Also, it may be mentioned that Civillian GOI Officers are also seeking Pension Parity (OROP) and planning to take the matter to CAT / High Court Delhi based on the Maj Generals case of Sep 08
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
A copy of the GOI Letter clarifying pay fixation issues in respect of civilians is attached for your info please.
Also, it may be mentioned that Civillian GOI Officers are also seeking Pension Parity (OROP) and planning to take the matter to CAT / High Court Delhi based on the Maj Generals case of Sep 08
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
Reply to CNS Letter
Dear Members,
A copy of the reply received in response to NFDC letter to CNS for help for tackling the Maj Gens case is attached for your info please. Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President
NFDC
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President
NFDC
********************************************
Veterans Team for 03 Apr 2009
Dear Veterans,
The Serving vs Veterans Golf Championship could not be scheduled till now. NHQ have yesterday, after CNS return from visit abroad intimated that the match will be held on Friday, 3 Apr at Hindan. The T-off time will be 0700 hrs and all players participating in the Competition are requested to wear the T -shirt being provided and be present at the Golf course by 0640 hrs.
NHQ have also changed the format and desired that only 32 players a side will participate. Spouses of the paticipants and other , Veterans and their families are welcome to join in for the post Golf celebrations.
In view of the limitation of the numbers to participate and it became very difficult to decide on selection of the 32 players. After a careful consideration it was decided to field the best team and win this competition for a change. Because of the limitation on numbers it became extremely difficult to decide on the Team from amongst serious and regular golfers and to give an opportunity to a wide cross section of our members. We are sure some good players may have been inadvertently omitted and our apologies for the same. The selected team and the names intimated to NHQ is given below and if any one from the team cannot make it please kindly call and inform as early as possible.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President
NFDC
Vetrans Golf Team for 3 Apr 09
NAME HANDICAP
1. Vice Adm Harinder Singh (18)
2. Vice Adm S Chopra ( 16 )
3. Cdr Nalin Kant ( 8 )
4. Cdr Sunil Nanda ( 11 )
5. Captain Lalit Talwar ( 9 )
6. Cdr KS Brar ( 14 )
7.. Cdr Rajiv Chadha (12 )
8. Cmde VK Thakur ( 14 )
9. Cmde KM Nair (14 )
10. R Adm Sanjiv Kapoor (16 )
11. Cdr SK Sud (14 )
12. Cdr Arvind Raghav ( 16 )
13. Cdr Devinder Bhatnagar (14 )
14 Cdr Srikrishan Sood ( 14 )
15 Cmde DK Sharma (14 )
16 Vice Adm PS Das ( 15 )
17. R Adm JMS Sodhi ( 14 )
18 V Adm KK Kohli ( 14 )
19. Cmde Rajiv Sawhney ( 14 )
20 Cmde Kabir Vasudeva.( 14 )
21 Radm Sushil Ramsay ( 16 )
22 V Adm V Bharathan ( 16 )
23 Cmde Ravi Datta ( 16 )
24 Cmde KK Rohatgi. ( 16 )
25 Captain DS Kanwar ( 16 )
26 Cdr Satish Subbherwal. ( 16 )
27 RAdm Harchand Singh ( 16 )
28 R Adm MS Bedi ( 16 )
29. Cmde VK Tiwari (16)
30 Cmde V Nehra ( 16)
31 Cdr Janaradan Deo 18) and
32 Cmde G Sharma (18 )
The Serving vs Veterans Golf Championship could not be scheduled till now. NHQ have yesterday, after CNS return from visit abroad intimated that the match will be held on Friday, 3 Apr at Hindan. The T-off time will be 0700 hrs and all players participating in the Competition are requested to wear the T -shirt being provided and be present at the Golf course by 0640 hrs.
NHQ have also changed the format and desired that only 32 players a side will participate. Spouses of the paticipants and other , Veterans and their families are welcome to join in for the post Golf celebrations.
In view of the limitation of the numbers to participate and it became very difficult to decide on selection of the 32 players. After a careful consideration it was decided to field the best team and win this competition for a change. Because of the limitation on numbers it became extremely difficult to decide on the Team from amongst serious and regular golfers and to give an opportunity to a wide cross section of our members. We are sure some good players may have been inadvertently omitted and our apologies for the same. The selected team and the names intimated to NHQ is given below and if any one from the team cannot make it please kindly call and inform as early as possible.
Regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President
NFDC
Vetrans Golf Team for 3 Apr 09
NAME HANDICAP
1. Vice Adm Harinder Singh (18)
2. Vice Adm S Chopra ( 16 )
3. Cdr Nalin Kant ( 8 )
4. Cdr Sunil Nanda ( 11 )
5. Captain Lalit Talwar ( 9 )
6. Cdr KS Brar ( 14 )
7.. Cdr Rajiv Chadha (12 )
8. Cmde VK Thakur ( 14 )
9. Cmde KM Nair (14 )
10. R Adm Sanjiv Kapoor (16 )
11. Cdr SK Sud (14 )
12. Cdr Arvind Raghav ( 16 )
13. Cdr Devinder Bhatnagar (14 )
14 Cdr Srikrishan Sood ( 14 )
15 Cmde DK Sharma (14 )
16 Vice Adm PS Das ( 15 )
17. R Adm JMS Sodhi ( 14 )
18 V Adm KK Kohli ( 14 )
19. Cmde Rajiv Sawhney ( 14 )
20 Cmde Kabir Vasudeva.( 14 )
21 Radm Sushil Ramsay ( 16 )
22 V Adm V Bharathan ( 16 )
23 Cmde Ravi Datta ( 16 )
24 Cmde KK Rohatgi. ( 16 )
25 Captain DS Kanwar ( 16 )
26 Cdr Satish Subbherwal. ( 16 )
27 RAdm Harchand Singh ( 16 )
28 R Adm MS Bedi ( 16 )
29. Cmde VK Tiwari (16)
30 Cmde V Nehra ( 16)
31 Cdr Janaradan Deo 18) and
32 Cmde G Sharma (18 )
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Senior Citizen's Concessions
Dear Members,
Pls see info below on Benifits for Senior Citizens under the GOI.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
*****************************************************
Benefits for Senior Citizens under the Government of India
I. Transportation:
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:
i) Reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings.
ii) Some State Governments are giving fare concession to senior citizens in the State Road Transport Undertaking buses and are introducing Bus Models, which are convenient to the elderly.
Under Delhi Transport Corporation:
1. Special Hire Service: - Apart from the normal services, the Corporation also provides buses to the Citizen of Delhi on Special Hire for marriage parties, picnics, etc.
2. Free/Concessional Passes: - DTC also offers Free Passes to disabled persons, war-widows & their dependents, eminent sport personalities, Freedom Fighters etc. and Concessional Passes to various categories of commuters viz. Students, Senior Citizens, Residents of Resettlement Colonies, Journalists, etc.
For Senior citizens above the age of 60 years, Bus pass for all routes at Rs. 50 per month. Income has to be below Rs. 75000 per year.
Ministry of Railways:1. Indian Railways provide 30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains for both males and females aged 60 years and above.
2. Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for Senior Citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets.
3. Wheel Chairs for use of older persons are available at all junctions, District Headquarters and other important stations for the convenience of needy persons including the older persons.
4. Ramps for wheel chairs movement are available at the entry to important stations.
5. Specially designed coaches with provisions of space for wheel chairs, hand rail and specially designed toilet for handicapped persons have been introduced.
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
1. Indian Airlines is providing 50% Senior Citizen Discount on Normal Economy Class fare for all domestic flights to Indian senior citizens who have completed the age of 65 years in the case of male senior citizens and 63 years in the case of female senior citizens subject to certain conditions.
2. Air India is offering discount of 55% to senior citizens of 60 plus on flights to USA , UK and Europe on economy class. Further, Air India has now decided to reduce the age of 60 plus for discount on their domestic routes as well with immediate effect. For Identity card, 2 passport sized photographs have to be submitted along with the form.
3. Sahara Airlines is offering 50% discount on basic fare for travel on its domestic flights only to senior citizens who have attained the age of 62 years. Discount is applicable in economy class only.
4. Kingfisher Airlines offers discount in Business class only for citizens of 65 years or above on sectoral basis. Age proof required.
5. Jetlite offers a discount of 50% on economy class for citizens of 65 years or above. One passport sized photograph required on the form along with age proof.
6. Jet Airways offers discount to senior citizens of 65 years or above.
For availing discount in domestic flights, senior citizens have to fill up a discount form
along with a passport sized photograph and Age proof certificate.
Jet Airways also provides Senior Citizen I-Card which is available in all ticket
counters and requires 2 passport sized photographs and age proof certificate. For the I-
Card a very nominal amount is charged.
II. Telecommunications:
i) Faults/complaints of senior citizens are given priority by registering them under senior citizens category with VIP flag, which is a priority category.
ii) Senior citizens are allowed to register telephone connection under N-OYT Special Category, which is a priority category.
iii) MTNL in NCR offers a discount of 25% on Rs. 250 per month Plan. Age limit is 65 years or above.
III. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution:
i) Under the Antyodaya Scheme, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families which also include older persons are provided food grains at the rate of 35 kgs. per family per month. The food grains are issued @ Rs.3/- per kg. for rice and Rs.2/- per kg. for wheat. The persons aged 60 years above from the BPL category were given priority for identification.
(ii) Under the Annapoorna Scheme being implemented by the States/UT Administration, 10 kgs. of food grains per beneficiary per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who remain uncovered under the old age pension scheme.
iii) Instructions to State Governments for giving priority to the Ration Card holders who are over 60 years of age in Fair Price Shops for issue of rations.
IV. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:
1. Separate queues for elderly persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination.
2. Special Clinics, every Sunday between 10 am to 12 noon, for elderly persons available at the following hospitals in New Delhi.
a) Lok Nayak Hospital
b) GTB Hospital
c) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
d) Aruna Asafjahan Ali Hospital
e) Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital
f) Dr. Joshi Memorial Hospital
g) Babu Jagjeevan Ram Hospital
h) Ram Rao Tula Memorial Hospital
i) Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital
The services include health check-ups, operations, treatment of physically invalid, gynecology, ENT and ophthalmology along with pathological and radio therapy facilities.
V. Income Tax (Ministry of Finance):
1. For senior citizens the exemption limit is Rs. 2,25,000 upto which senior citizen pays no income-tax at all. The benefit of higher exemption limit for a senior citizen is available only when a person has completed 65 years of age.
2. The senior citizen should also take full advantage of section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 whereby deduction upto Rs. 1.00 lakh is available for investment by way of insurance premium, repayment of the housing loan or investment in Senior Citizens Savings Scheme as also the Bank Fixed Deposit.
3. Similarly as also the Bank Fixed Deposit. Similarly, the citizen can also take advantage of the Mediclaim Policy. In case senior citizen or any member of his family suffers from serious medical problem of suffers from some disability he can claim certain other deductions under the tax law.
VI. Ministry of Social & Employment
1. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It has announced the National Policy on Older Persons which seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored and marginalized. The National Policy aims to strengthen their legitimate place in the society and to help older people to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and peace. The National Policy on Older Persons inter alia visualizes support for financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, emphasis upon education, training and information needs, provision of appropriate concessions, rebates and discounts etc. to Senior Citizens and special attention to protect and strengthen their legal rights such as to safeguard their life and property. The National Policy on Older Persons confers the status of senior citizen to a person who has attained the age of 60 years.
2. The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens:
(a) An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (Plan Scheme) – This Scheme has been formulated by revising the earlier scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Programmes relating to the Welfare of the Aged”. Under this Scheme, financial assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, Mobile Medicare Units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons.
(b) The Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Voluntary Organizations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centres for older persons (Non Plan Scheme) - Under this Scheme, one time construction grant for Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centre is provided to non-governmental organizations on the recommendation of the State Governments/ UT.
VII. Ministry of Rural Development:
1. Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, Central Assistance of Rs. 75/- p.m. is granted to destitute older persons above 65 years. This Scheme has been transferred to the State Plan w.e.f. 2002-03.
2. Under the Annapurna Scheme, free food grains (wheat or rice) upto 10 kg. per month are provided to destitute older persons 65 years or above who are otherwise eligible for old age pension but are not receiving it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pls see info below on Benifits for Senior Citizens under the GOI.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (retd)
Web Master NFDC
*****************************************************
Benefits for Senior Citizens under the Government of India
I. Transportation:
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:
i) Reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings.
ii) Some State Governments are giving fare concession to senior citizens in the State Road Transport Undertaking buses and are introducing Bus Models, which are convenient to the elderly.
Under Delhi Transport Corporation:
1. Special Hire Service: - Apart from the normal services, the Corporation also provides buses to the Citizen of Delhi on Special Hire for marriage parties, picnics, etc.
2. Free/Concessional Passes: - DTC also offers Free Passes to disabled persons, war-widows & their dependents, eminent sport personalities, Freedom Fighters etc. and Concessional Passes to various categories of commuters viz. Students, Senior Citizens, Residents of Resettlement Colonies, Journalists, etc.
For Senior citizens above the age of 60 years, Bus pass for all routes at Rs. 50 per month. Income has to be below Rs. 75000 per year.
Ministry of Railways:1. Indian Railways provide 30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains for both males and females aged 60 years and above.
2. Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for Senior Citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets.
3. Wheel Chairs for use of older persons are available at all junctions, District Headquarters and other important stations for the convenience of needy persons including the older persons.
4. Ramps for wheel chairs movement are available at the entry to important stations.
5. Specially designed coaches with provisions of space for wheel chairs, hand rail and specially designed toilet for handicapped persons have been introduced.
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
1. Indian Airlines is providing 50% Senior Citizen Discount on Normal Economy Class fare for all domestic flights to Indian senior citizens who have completed the age of 65 years in the case of male senior citizens and 63 years in the case of female senior citizens subject to certain conditions.
2. Air India is offering discount of 55% to senior citizens of 60 plus on flights to USA , UK and Europe on economy class. Further, Air India has now decided to reduce the age of 60 plus for discount on their domestic routes as well with immediate effect. For Identity card, 2 passport sized photographs have to be submitted along with the form.
3. Sahara Airlines is offering 50% discount on basic fare for travel on its domestic flights only to senior citizens who have attained the age of 62 years. Discount is applicable in economy class only.
4. Kingfisher Airlines offers discount in Business class only for citizens of 65 years or above on sectoral basis. Age proof required.
5. Jetlite offers a discount of 50% on economy class for citizens of 65 years or above. One passport sized photograph required on the form along with age proof.
6. Jet Airways offers discount to senior citizens of 65 years or above.
For availing discount in domestic flights, senior citizens have to fill up a discount form
along with a passport sized photograph and Age proof certificate.
Jet Airways also provides Senior Citizen I-Card which is available in all ticket
counters and requires 2 passport sized photographs and age proof certificate. For the I-
Card a very nominal amount is charged.
II. Telecommunications:
i) Faults/complaints of senior citizens are given priority by registering them under senior citizens category with VIP flag, which is a priority category.
ii) Senior citizens are allowed to register telephone connection under N-OYT Special Category, which is a priority category.
iii) MTNL in NCR offers a discount of 25% on Rs. 250 per month Plan. Age limit is 65 years or above.
III. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution:
i) Under the Antyodaya Scheme, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families which also include older persons are provided food grains at the rate of 35 kgs. per family per month. The food grains are issued @ Rs.3/- per kg. for rice and Rs.2/- per kg. for wheat. The persons aged 60 years above from the BPL category were given priority for identification.
(ii) Under the Annapoorna Scheme being implemented by the States/UT Administration, 10 kgs. of food grains per beneficiary per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who remain uncovered under the old age pension scheme.
iii) Instructions to State Governments for giving priority to the Ration Card holders who are over 60 years of age in Fair Price Shops for issue of rations.
IV. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:
1. Separate queues for elderly persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination.
2. Special Clinics, every Sunday between 10 am to 12 noon, for elderly persons available at the following hospitals in New Delhi.
a) Lok Nayak Hospital
b) GTB Hospital
c) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
d) Aruna Asafjahan Ali Hospital
e) Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital
f) Dr. Joshi Memorial Hospital
g) Babu Jagjeevan Ram Hospital
h) Ram Rao Tula Memorial Hospital
i) Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital
The services include health check-ups, operations, treatment of physically invalid, gynecology, ENT and ophthalmology along with pathological and radio therapy facilities.
V. Income Tax (Ministry of Finance):
1. For senior citizens the exemption limit is Rs. 2,25,000 upto which senior citizen pays no income-tax at all. The benefit of higher exemption limit for a senior citizen is available only when a person has completed 65 years of age.
2. The senior citizen should also take full advantage of section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 whereby deduction upto Rs. 1.00 lakh is available for investment by way of insurance premium, repayment of the housing loan or investment in Senior Citizens Savings Scheme as also the Bank Fixed Deposit.
3. Similarly as also the Bank Fixed Deposit. Similarly, the citizen can also take advantage of the Mediclaim Policy. In case senior citizen or any member of his family suffers from serious medical problem of suffers from some disability he can claim certain other deductions under the tax law.
VI. Ministry of Social & Employment
1. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It has announced the National Policy on Older Persons which seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored and marginalized. The National Policy aims to strengthen their legitimate place in the society and to help older people to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and peace. The National Policy on Older Persons inter alia visualizes support for financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, emphasis upon education, training and information needs, provision of appropriate concessions, rebates and discounts etc. to Senior Citizens and special attention to protect and strengthen their legal rights such as to safeguard their life and property. The National Policy on Older Persons confers the status of senior citizen to a person who has attained the age of 60 years.
2. The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens:
(a) An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (Plan Scheme) – This Scheme has been formulated by revising the earlier scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Programmes relating to the Welfare of the Aged”. Under this Scheme, financial assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, Mobile Medicare Units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons.
(b) The Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Voluntary Organizations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centres for older persons (Non Plan Scheme) - Under this Scheme, one time construction grant for Old Age Homes/Multi-Service Centre is provided to non-governmental organizations on the recommendation of the State Governments/ UT.
VII. Ministry of Rural Development:
1. Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, Central Assistance of Rs. 75/- p.m. is granted to destitute older persons above 65 years. This Scheme has been transferred to the State Plan w.e.f. 2002-03.
2. Under the Annapurna Scheme, free food grains (wheat or rice) upto 10 kg. per month are provided to destitute older persons 65 years or above who are otherwise eligible for old age pension but are not receiving it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"BUY THE BEST FOR ARMED FORCES" - ADM. (RETD) ARUN PRAKASH - TRIBUNE SPECIAL
Dear Members,
An article by Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) which was published in the Tribune is placed below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*****************************************************************************************************
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090322/edit.htm#1
A Tribune Special
Buy the best for armed forces
[ The acquisition system should be transparent, says Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) ]
WITH two military campaigns on his hands, and with the economy in dire straits, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is reportedly stalking the corridors of the Pentagon, seeking to axe high cost weapon systems.
This has sent shivers down the spines of the US Service Chiefs, because there are unlikely to be any holy cows, and any programme, including the F-22 Raptor fighter, a new class of 100,000-ton aircraft-carriers or the army’s Future Combat System could qualify for the chop.
India’s defence appropriation of Rs 141,000 crore (US $28 billion) voted on account for the coming fiscal year may be dwarfed by the US defence budget of $611 billion, but it is said to mark a notional increase of 34 per cent over last year’s funding. While we do not know exactly what proportion will remain for modernisation after meeting the post-Pay Commission revenue demands, no hatchet-wielding specter should haunt our Service Chiefs.
While India’s strategic community will inevitably lament that defence spending should have received a higher proportion of GDP, the armed forces are unlikely to be overly perturbed. The frustration and quandary of the Service Headquarters (SHQ) resides in their inability to persuade the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to shed bureaucratic attitudes, and emerge from its state of stasis so that the annual budgetary allocations can be spent on vitally needed equipment for our fighting forces. However, unbeknown to the tax-payer as well the law-maker, there are anomalies in defence acquisition which go well beyond this problem.
The first issue relates to the absence of institutional scrutiny and objective oversight of the force planning processes routinely undertaken by the SHQ. In the absence of a cogent articulation of national interests and security objectives by the Indian state, the armed forces, left to their own devices, have for the past 60 years, tended to plan in strategic vacuity.
This has often resulted in weapon-systems being acquired capriciously; either because they were foisted on us at “friendship prices” (or even as gifts), or because we wanted to “keep up with the Joneses” in the technology domain.
Since forces built on such principles are not underpinned by a vision of our long-term national interests (which must include shaping of our future strategic neighbourhood), they may lack the capability, doctrinal as well as material, to combat all threats that emerge.
The second issue is that of the huge parochial pressures (largely professional in nature), generated by the service constituencies, on their respective Chiefs. Such pressures tend to reduce the Service Chiefs to “Chieftains”, battling relentlessly to safeguard the perceived interests of their own service, rather than focusing on the common weal of national security as members of the collegial Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
There was a time, not too long ago, when one service would openly snipe at another, especially if it considered that its “roles and missions” were being encroached upon; aviation assets being the most frequent casus belli.
Currently, a gentleman’s agreement, is in force; which forbids one service from commenting on the acquisition plans of another, provided there is no mutual interference. The natural consequence of this unstated truce is that service acquisition proposals, no matter how profligate or illogical, rarely receive the ruthless scrutiny and inquiry obligatory for requisitioning such large expenditures. The Chairman, COSC, being merely the first amongst equals, seldom presumes to undertake this hazardous task, which is then left to the less than knowledgeable mandarins of the MoD.
This leads to the third issue relating to a concept known as “effect-based operations” or EBO, adopted by the more advanced and economy-conscious armed forces. EBO is explained by the following simple example. Should we want to undertake a limited precision strike on a terrorist training camp in our neighbourhood, the “effect” desired would be the delivery of “X” tons of high explosive with a specified accuracy on target.
Under the EBO concept, this mission could be accomplished with equal dexterity by air force strike aircraft, army missile or artillery units, naval carrier-borne fighters and even cruise-missile armed submarines. The actual choice of weapon system would be dictated by a variety of factors including effectiveness, economy of effort and surprise etc, but the conceptual flexibility bestowed by EBO enables wider discretion in weapon acquisition choices.
Such a concept remains alien to the Indian system because currently, each service is accustomed to demanding and getting what it thinks is best for itself. For example, India must be unique amongst military powers, in that we can embark upon the acquisition of major weapon-systems like fighter aircraft, tanks and artillery in huge numbers, or nuclear submarines, and aircraft carriers costing billions of rupees without the semblance of public discussion.
Neither politicians nor Parliament, and not even the MoD, have the time or inclination to dwell on many vital issues of contention: the evolving threat-environment, the technology versus numbers or technology versus manpower conundrums that exist in this context. So hardware continues to be demanded arbitrarily by our SHQ, or imposed on us imperiously by foreign governments.
Finally, perhaps the worst kept secret in the country is the predatory interest that the politician takes in every substantive arms acquisition deal that is concluded, and the hypocritical mud-slinging that follows in its wake. Unless a bi-partisan “hands-off” agreement can be reached between major political parties, the MoD will remain in a state of stasis, on this account, and defence preparedness will continue to suffer.
We cannot live in this fool’s paradise forever. Defence budgets are going to start shrinking; and the people will demand accountability of Parliament, MoD and the SHQ, sooner than later. The answer lies in opening up the defence acquisition system and making it as transparent as we possibly can.
Enlightened political involvement must be invited and encouraged in matters of force modernisation, which have a vital bearing on national security. Above all, we must reform our archaic and dysfunctional higher defence organisation.
Little Sri Lanka, next doors, has demonstrated brilliantly, the benefits to be garnered from integrated planning and joint-service synergy in operations. Even if the politicians and bureaucrats continue to nurture irrational antipathy to a Chief of Defence Staff, let the new government, post-elections, operationally integrate our armed forces and merge the SHQ with the MoD without further ado.
The recent displays of blatant praetorianism across our eastern and western borders have served to confirm that the Indian armed forces are truly the sole sub-continental inheritors of the priceless apolitical tradition bequeathed by their British progenitors.
Armies are sent into battle only when statesmen and diplomats have been unsuccessful in ensuring peace. Our Armed forces have not only fought gallantly on the battlefield but consistently and impartially upheld India’s integrity and secular democratic tradition, when all others have failed the nation.
Their darkest hour occurred in the wake of Operation Blue Star; an unseen internal crisis which threatened to rend the taut fabric of discipline and loyalty which binds together our magnificent Army. The manner in which it contained and defused this calamity will remain another (untold) saga of outstanding military leadership.
This monastic devotion to discipline is the reason that Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army and the Free Indian Legion are, till today, spoken of in hushed tones in the service environment. The exact details of the 1942 Royal Indian Navy mutiny (even though it imparted a decisive impetus to the freedom movement) will forever remain confined to confidential volumes kept under lock and key on board every warship.
Similarly, public expressions of defiance like hunger-strikes, dharnas, marches and demonstrations by civilians cause acute discomfort to the soldier, sailor and airman because they run contrary to the essence of all that he has been ever taught: unquestioning respect and obedience of lawful authority.
Once he doffs his uniform, an ex-Serviceman (ESM) is technically liberated from the restraints of military discipline, and is free to adopt the demeanor and behaviour of any civilian on the street. But deep inside, his soul cringes at the very thought of conducting himself in a manner which would have brought disrepute to his uniform, unit or service.
Why then did our ESM start resorting to demonstrations about 10 months ago, in the heart of the national capital as well as in many states? Why did they thereafter graduate to relay fasts at Jantar Mantar? And why are they now surrendering their precious medals to low level functionaries in Rashtrapati Bhavan?
Though they have conducted themselves in a most dignified and orderly manner, the very fact that veterans ranging from Generals to Jawans have been marching on the streets and squatting on footpaths has sent shock waves throughout the services community; even if the media and our fellow citizens have largely ignored this disturbing development.
This writer is not about to argue the case of the ESM, but a brief summary of events would help to orient the reader. In early-2006 when the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) loomed into sight, the Service Chiefs, individually and collectively, through the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), appealed to the Defence Minister, on the basis of bitter past experience, that a service member be included in the CPC. This request having been declined, when the CPC Report was released in 2008, the services found to their dismay that the recommendations expectedly contained many glaring anomalies impacting adversely on serving personnel as well as ESM.
At the persistent urgings of the Service Chiefs, a Review Committee was constituted; ironically yet again bereft of a service representative. The Review Committee aggravated the anomalous situation by arbitrarily making some further unwarranted modifications.
A series of instructions were issued by the Defence Accounts and pension disbursing authorities which were self-contradictory and compounded the prevailing confusion as well as unhappiness. While the Chairman, COSC, took up the issues relating to serving personnel with the Government, the ESM became convinced that since no one was listening to them, they had no choice but to adopt agitational methods. They have, therefore, taken to the streets since April 2008.
Military veterans, world-wide are objects of spontaneous respect, affection and admiration because they are national symbols of courage, patriotism and sacrifice; a segment deserving of special consideration by the government. The grievances of our ESM, should, therefore, have been handled with far more sensitivity and responsiveness, than they actually were.
The current ESM movement has been able to mobilise opinion country-wide and gather self-sustaining momentum, mainly due to connectivity provided by the Internet and cellular phone networks. While the MoD seems to have adopted a disdainful and detached stance towards their grievances, the ESM roll-on agenda now encompasses canvassing political support for their cause, and even the formation of an ESM political party which will put up candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Thus it is now obvious that, while the nation slept, the process of “politicisation” of our armed forces is well under way, if not complete. The Sixth CPC has also inflicted serious collateral damage by deepening the existing civil-military chasm and thereby further slowing down the languid functioning of the MoD.
As a former Army Chief has pointed out, the ESM retain “an umbilical connection” with the serving personnel; they hail from the same regions or neighbouring villages and often belong to the same family. In any case, the Services and ESM are one big family. No one should have any doubts that the essence of whatever happens at Jantar Mantar or India Gate will slowly but surely filter back by a process of “reverse osmosis” to the men in uniform.
Were this to happen — even by default — it would constitute the most grievous injury to be needlessly inflicted on itself by the Indian state. India’s democracy requires that the armed forces must be restored to their original pristine apolitical state at the earliest.
The surest way of doing this is to remove the ESM from the streets, and the best means would be to constitute a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine and address their grievances. This can be done right now, because the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct does not come in the way.
The writer is a former Chief of Naval Staff
An article by Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) which was published in the Tribune is placed below.
Regards
Cdr SS Ahuja (Retd)
Web Master NFDC
*****************************************************************************************************
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090322/edit.htm#1
A Tribune Special
Buy the best for armed forces
[ The acquisition system should be transparent, says Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) ]
WITH two military campaigns on his hands, and with the economy in dire straits, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is reportedly stalking the corridors of the Pentagon, seeking to axe high cost weapon systems.
This has sent shivers down the spines of the US Service Chiefs, because there are unlikely to be any holy cows, and any programme, including the F-22 Raptor fighter, a new class of 100,000-ton aircraft-carriers or the army’s Future Combat System could qualify for the chop.
India’s defence appropriation of Rs 141,000 crore (US $28 billion) voted on account for the coming fiscal year may be dwarfed by the US defence budget of $611 billion, but it is said to mark a notional increase of 34 per cent over last year’s funding. While we do not know exactly what proportion will remain for modernisation after meeting the post-Pay Commission revenue demands, no hatchet-wielding specter should haunt our Service Chiefs.
While India’s strategic community will inevitably lament that defence spending should have received a higher proportion of GDP, the armed forces are unlikely to be overly perturbed. The frustration and quandary of the Service Headquarters (SHQ) resides in their inability to persuade the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to shed bureaucratic attitudes, and emerge from its state of stasis so that the annual budgetary allocations can be spent on vitally needed equipment for our fighting forces. However, unbeknown to the tax-payer as well the law-maker, there are anomalies in defence acquisition which go well beyond this problem.
The first issue relates to the absence of institutional scrutiny and objective oversight of the force planning processes routinely undertaken by the SHQ. In the absence of a cogent articulation of national interests and security objectives by the Indian state, the armed forces, left to their own devices, have for the past 60 years, tended to plan in strategic vacuity.
This has often resulted in weapon-systems being acquired capriciously; either because they were foisted on us at “friendship prices” (or even as gifts), or because we wanted to “keep up with the Joneses” in the technology domain.
Since forces built on such principles are not underpinned by a vision of our long-term national interests (which must include shaping of our future strategic neighbourhood), they may lack the capability, doctrinal as well as material, to combat all threats that emerge.
The second issue is that of the huge parochial pressures (largely professional in nature), generated by the service constituencies, on their respective Chiefs. Such pressures tend to reduce the Service Chiefs to “Chieftains”, battling relentlessly to safeguard the perceived interests of their own service, rather than focusing on the common weal of national security as members of the collegial Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
There was a time, not too long ago, when one service would openly snipe at another, especially if it considered that its “roles and missions” were being encroached upon; aviation assets being the most frequent casus belli.
Currently, a gentleman’s agreement, is in force; which forbids one service from commenting on the acquisition plans of another, provided there is no mutual interference. The natural consequence of this unstated truce is that service acquisition proposals, no matter how profligate or illogical, rarely receive the ruthless scrutiny and inquiry obligatory for requisitioning such large expenditures. The Chairman, COSC, being merely the first amongst equals, seldom presumes to undertake this hazardous task, which is then left to the less than knowledgeable mandarins of the MoD.
This leads to the third issue relating to a concept known as “effect-based operations” or EBO, adopted by the more advanced and economy-conscious armed forces. EBO is explained by the following simple example. Should we want to undertake a limited precision strike on a terrorist training camp in our neighbourhood, the “effect” desired would be the delivery of “X” tons of high explosive with a specified accuracy on target.
Under the EBO concept, this mission could be accomplished with equal dexterity by air force strike aircraft, army missile or artillery units, naval carrier-borne fighters and even cruise-missile armed submarines. The actual choice of weapon system would be dictated by a variety of factors including effectiveness, economy of effort and surprise etc, but the conceptual flexibility bestowed by EBO enables wider discretion in weapon acquisition choices.
Such a concept remains alien to the Indian system because currently, each service is accustomed to demanding and getting what it thinks is best for itself. For example, India must be unique amongst military powers, in that we can embark upon the acquisition of major weapon-systems like fighter aircraft, tanks and artillery in huge numbers, or nuclear submarines, and aircraft carriers costing billions of rupees without the semblance of public discussion.
Neither politicians nor Parliament, and not even the MoD, have the time or inclination to dwell on many vital issues of contention: the evolving threat-environment, the technology versus numbers or technology versus manpower conundrums that exist in this context. So hardware continues to be demanded arbitrarily by our SHQ, or imposed on us imperiously by foreign governments.
Finally, perhaps the worst kept secret in the country is the predatory interest that the politician takes in every substantive arms acquisition deal that is concluded, and the hypocritical mud-slinging that follows in its wake. Unless a bi-partisan “hands-off” agreement can be reached between major political parties, the MoD will remain in a state of stasis, on this account, and defence preparedness will continue to suffer.
We cannot live in this fool’s paradise forever. Defence budgets are going to start shrinking; and the people will demand accountability of Parliament, MoD and the SHQ, sooner than later. The answer lies in opening up the defence acquisition system and making it as transparent as we possibly can.
Enlightened political involvement must be invited and encouraged in matters of force modernisation, which have a vital bearing on national security. Above all, we must reform our archaic and dysfunctional higher defence organisation.
Little Sri Lanka, next doors, has demonstrated brilliantly, the benefits to be garnered from integrated planning and joint-service synergy in operations. Even if the politicians and bureaucrats continue to nurture irrational antipathy to a Chief of Defence Staff, let the new government, post-elections, operationally integrate our armed forces and merge the SHQ with the MoD without further ado.
The recent displays of blatant praetorianism across our eastern and western borders have served to confirm that the Indian armed forces are truly the sole sub-continental inheritors of the priceless apolitical tradition bequeathed by their British progenitors.
Armies are sent into battle only when statesmen and diplomats have been unsuccessful in ensuring peace. Our Armed forces have not only fought gallantly on the battlefield but consistently and impartially upheld India’s integrity and secular democratic tradition, when all others have failed the nation.
Their darkest hour occurred in the wake of Operation Blue Star; an unseen internal crisis which threatened to rend the taut fabric of discipline and loyalty which binds together our magnificent Army. The manner in which it contained and defused this calamity will remain another (untold) saga of outstanding military leadership.
This monastic devotion to discipline is the reason that Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army and the Free Indian Legion are, till today, spoken of in hushed tones in the service environment. The exact details of the 1942 Royal Indian Navy mutiny (even though it imparted a decisive impetus to the freedom movement) will forever remain confined to confidential volumes kept under lock and key on board every warship.
Similarly, public expressions of defiance like hunger-strikes, dharnas, marches and demonstrations by civilians cause acute discomfort to the soldier, sailor and airman because they run contrary to the essence of all that he has been ever taught: unquestioning respect and obedience of lawful authority.
Once he doffs his uniform, an ex-Serviceman (ESM) is technically liberated from the restraints of military discipline, and is free to adopt the demeanor and behaviour of any civilian on the street. But deep inside, his soul cringes at the very thought of conducting himself in a manner which would have brought disrepute to his uniform, unit or service.
Why then did our ESM start resorting to demonstrations about 10 months ago, in the heart of the national capital as well as in many states? Why did they thereafter graduate to relay fasts at Jantar Mantar? And why are they now surrendering their precious medals to low level functionaries in Rashtrapati Bhavan?
Though they have conducted themselves in a most dignified and orderly manner, the very fact that veterans ranging from Generals to Jawans have been marching on the streets and squatting on footpaths has sent shock waves throughout the services community; even if the media and our fellow citizens have largely ignored this disturbing development.
This writer is not about to argue the case of the ESM, but a brief summary of events would help to orient the reader. In early-2006 when the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) loomed into sight, the Service Chiefs, individually and collectively, through the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), appealed to the Defence Minister, on the basis of bitter past experience, that a service member be included in the CPC. This request having been declined, when the CPC Report was released in 2008, the services found to their dismay that the recommendations expectedly contained many glaring anomalies impacting adversely on serving personnel as well as ESM.
At the persistent urgings of the Service Chiefs, a Review Committee was constituted; ironically yet again bereft of a service representative. The Review Committee aggravated the anomalous situation by arbitrarily making some further unwarranted modifications.
A series of instructions were issued by the Defence Accounts and pension disbursing authorities which were self-contradictory and compounded the prevailing confusion as well as unhappiness. While the Chairman, COSC, took up the issues relating to serving personnel with the Government, the ESM became convinced that since no one was listening to them, they had no choice but to adopt agitational methods. They have, therefore, taken to the streets since April 2008.
Military veterans, world-wide are objects of spontaneous respect, affection and admiration because they are national symbols of courage, patriotism and sacrifice; a segment deserving of special consideration by the government. The grievances of our ESM, should, therefore, have been handled with far more sensitivity and responsiveness, than they actually were.
The current ESM movement has been able to mobilise opinion country-wide and gather self-sustaining momentum, mainly due to connectivity provided by the Internet and cellular phone networks. While the MoD seems to have adopted a disdainful and detached stance towards their grievances, the ESM roll-on agenda now encompasses canvassing political support for their cause, and even the formation of an ESM political party which will put up candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Thus it is now obvious that, while the nation slept, the process of “politicisation” of our armed forces is well under way, if not complete. The Sixth CPC has also inflicted serious collateral damage by deepening the existing civil-military chasm and thereby further slowing down the languid functioning of the MoD.
As a former Army Chief has pointed out, the ESM retain “an umbilical connection” with the serving personnel; they hail from the same regions or neighbouring villages and often belong to the same family. In any case, the Services and ESM are one big family. No one should have any doubts that the essence of whatever happens at Jantar Mantar or India Gate will slowly but surely filter back by a process of “reverse osmosis” to the men in uniform.
Were this to happen — even by default — it would constitute the most grievous injury to be needlessly inflicted on itself by the Indian state. India’s democracy requires that the armed forces must be restored to their original pristine apolitical state at the earliest.
The surest way of doing this is to remove the ESM from the streets, and the best means would be to constitute a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine and address their grievances. This can be done right now, because the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct does not come in the way.
The writer is a former Chief of Naval Staff
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