Letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Dear PM Shri Narendra Modi ji,

Namaskar,

 

Make this change and we will recognize your leadership

Lifetime pension accorded for one tenure of politicians - is gross injustice to the rest of the government servants who have to put in a minimum of 20 years of service, this is a drain on the public exchequer.

No one has been able to explain to me why young men &  women who serve in the Military for 20 years or more, risking their lives protecting your freedom only get 50% of their pay on retirement & Short Service Commissioned Officers who also risk their life for a term varying from 5-14 yrs - get ZERO retirement benefits after their assignment.

While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these very same men &  women, receive Full-Pay on retirement after serving just one term of 5 yrs. Does it make any sense ?   PM SIR, CHANGE THIS AND THE NATION SHALL BE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID.

Abolish, politician pension for life. As such they are above averagely rich people.   Just like you motivated common people to give up subsidy, motivate MPs to give up many perks granted unanimously by themselves, but undeservingly exorbitant, including pension.  May we hope it starts with yourself."

 

Forward this - may it become a national campaign.

 

You can choose not to pass it on, Your choice. These brave soldiers gave you that right!

Jai HIND!

Letter to President on Ex Servicemen Resettlement – Dilip Hiray

Re-Settlement of Ex Servicemen - Letter By Malegaon Taluka Maji Sainik Sangh, Malegaon

LETTER SENT BY GEN SECRETARY AFVAI TO DESW REGARDING DELAY IN ISSUING CIRCULAR

Santosh Kumar Singh <santosh2002@gmail.com>

To

K Damayanthi

May 21 at 10:54 PM

Ma'am,

I am writing you this email in late night because I am not getting sleep due to people calling day and night about this circular. Are we near to issue this letter ?

The environment is very curious about it as You might be knowing that defence people (especially JCO/ORs) were chiefly affected by this draconian rule. Why I called it "draconian" because we are made to retire and then this rule was applied because we did not serve 33 yrs. To tell you that When I was retired, I was merely 34 years old juggling the roads of Mumbai for a job.

Anyway that is a matter of law and system is responsible for that, not any individual. But I sincerely request you to throw some light so people can be assured & made calm.

I eagerly wait for a line of communication

Regards

Santosh K Singh

Ex PO

General Secretary-AFVAI

6CPC and OROP Arrears - Brig CS Vidyasagar

Dear Smt Damayanthi Garu,

1.         I am sure you must be fed up with my mails. One more request is, Madam, I am getting too many complaints from members and non – members of our organisation Tri Services Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (TSEWA) that they have not received their 6th CPC arrears necessitated by Circular 547 for JCOs & OR, by Circular 548 for Officers and also OROP arrears. The reason for non – remittance of such arrears is banks do not have qualifying service or group (for JCOs & OR). Unless banks have this information, arrears cannot be worked out as their software will not generate arrears sheet.

2.         This fact that some of the Ex-Servicemen and most of the family pensioners may not have the data i.e. qualifying service or Group (X or Y). This is known to PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad only. They advised banks to send details of such pensioners. My meeting with heads of CPPC, SBI, SBH and Andhra Bank in Hyderabad tells me that banks have duly notified personnel whose qualifying service and Group are not available with them and sought the same from PCDA (P) Allahabad. More than two months have passed yet PCDA (P) Allahabad has not furnished the information to the banks.

3          Banks are getting bad name for no reason whatsoever. Madam, one cursory look at any PPO of old pensioners who retired in early 1980s or late 1970s tell us that other than rank, name, pension, DCRG sanctioned, PDA, nothing more is mentioned in PPO of those days. Even wife’s name is not there. Could not PCDA (P) Allahabad digitise all original PPOs to know whose qualifying service and Group are not there in the PPO? Then list of such pensioners could have been easily made and the missing data could have been obtained either from PCDA (O) Pune for Army officers or from Record Offices for JCOs/OR or from Army HQ, AGs Branch (MP 5/6) and DGAFMS office for Officers.

4.         May I therefore request your indulgence to give suitable instructions to all PSAs to immediately furnish details of qualifying service and group to all those pensioners whose data is not included in original PPOs and send a copy to concerned pensioners for their records. This will help CPPCs to work out arrears of 6th CPC & OROP and remit the same to the pensioners without any further delay.

Regards,

Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)

9493191380

OROP Implementation : Details to send letter - Col Rohit Kumar

मोटे मोटे तौर पे मेरे ख्याल में ये खामियां हैं और आप सब अपने अपने हिसाब से लिख के अपने अपने नाम से अर्जी जल्दी से जल्दी भेज दें 

सारी अर्जियां 24 Apr 2016 तक पहुंचा देंने की कोशिश करें  अगर आप डाक से भेजें गे तो पता है 

Under Secretary/D(Pension/Policy)

Room No. 220A, B’ Wing

Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

अगर ईमेल से भेजें गे तो आईडी है 

 us-pen-pol@desw.gov.in 

मैं, (अपना रैंक और नाम लिखें), भुत पूर्व सैनिक घोषित One Rank One Pension में यह खामिया पाता हूँ और इनको जल्द से जल्द और पूर्ण रूप से ख़तम करने की जरूरत समझता हूँ

मेरी यह अर्जी सरकार द्वारा बनाई One Man Judicial Committee को सौंप दी जाये 

1. पेंशन के रूप में जवानों और जेसीओ की पेंशन आखरी तनखा का 70% होना चाहिए जैसा की 1973 में था ।

2. फौजियों की फॅमिली पेंशन जितनी पेंशनर की पेंशन थी उतनी मिलनी चाहिए न की कट कर 60% जो आज मिलती है 

3. सभी सैनिकों को 60 साल तक दूसरी नौकरी प्रदान करने के लिए संसद का अधिनियम पास होना चाहिए 

4. OROP पे सरकार कार्यकारी आदेश दिनाक 26 Feb 2014 के अनुसार दिया जाना चाहिए 

एक रैंक और सर्विस के सैनिकों में, चाहे वोह किसी भी सन में पेंशन आये हों, पेंशन में कोई अंतर कभी भी नहीं होना चाहिए --- यह ही एक परिभाषा होनी चाहिए OROP की । 

5. समय के साथ पेंशन अपने आप बढ़नी चाहिए ताकि कभी भी किसी पूर्व सैनिक की पेंशन उससे बाद पेंशन आने वाला से कम न हो बशर्ते की दोनों की सर्विस और रैंक बराबर हों 

6. सरकार का कहना की समय समय पर पेंशन में वृद्धि होगी तो OROP की परिभाषा का खून करना होगा और यह कतेही नहीं होना चाहिए 

7. फौजियों को बाकि सब ही सरकारी नौकरों से कम से कम 25% तनखा और पेंशन (अलाउंस भी) मिलनी चाहिए आखिर और कौन देश के लिए अपनी जान की कुर्बानी देने के लिए बध है या हमें इनकम टैक्स से मुक्त करना चाहिए 

8. 7th CPC की खामियां जो की तीनो सेना के चीफ ने रक्षा मंत्री के समक्ष रखी हैं उन्हें दूर करने के बाद ही सरकार 7th CPC की घोषणा करे  

9. OROP को 01.01.2016 के हिसाब से सही कर के फिर 7th CPC पूर्व सैनिकों पे लागू करें

OROP Implementation : Letter to Under Sec Def Pen Policy - Col Rohit Kumar

Dear Sh R K Arora


Refer public notification on ibid subject published under your signature on 13.04.2016 vide F. No. 12(39)/2015/D(Pen/Pol)(Part-V), Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare D(Pension/Policy).

I, Col Rohit Kumar, a Veteran, find the following lacunae in One Rank One Pension published / announced by Government of India. Please forward my observations to One Man Judicial Committee set up for redress.

The basic minimum that needs to be addressed immediately are:

1.        Restore the pension of Jawans and JCOs to 70% of last pay drawn as was the case prior to 1973.

2.        Family pension of defence personnel to be the same as the pensioner themselves would have drawn and not reduced to 60%.

3.        All defence personnel to be provided second career till the age of 60 years through an act of Parliament.

4.        OROP be implemented as concept in perpetuity as per the original definition given in the Govt Executive orders dated 26 Feb 2014 as under:-

(i)        OROP as approved, implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

(ii)       It further implies that Pensions of past defence retirees will be equal to that of a person with same rank and length of service retiring wef 01 Apr 2014, future enhancement in the rates of pensions will be automatically passed to the past pensioners.

5.        Change in definition of OROP introduced by the Government, “Equalisation on periodic Intervals”, has killed the very soul of OROP must be cancelled immediately.

6.        Pay, Pensions and all allowances of armed forces combatant personnel to be fully tax exempt OR higher by at least 25% on “Year Wise” basis vis-a-vis all other Govt Services and not rank / appointment based. This is the very least the nation owes to men and women whose fundamental rights as citizens were curtailed for the full length of their service.

7.        Anomalies in 7th CPC Recommendations as represented by the three Chiefs to the RM to be rectified on priority before the acceptance of the 7th CPC award by the Govt.
8.        OROP to be updated to 01.01.2016 and then the 7th CPC applied to it.



Have a nice day
Regards Rohit



Sh R K Arora
Under Secretary/D(Pension/Policy)
Room No. 220A, B’ Wing
Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

Revision in fare of Children w.e.f. April, 2016: Railway Board Commercial Circular - Col Ranbir Lamba

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No. 71 OF 2015

No.TC II/2910/98/Child Fare

New Delhi, dated 02.12.2015

The General Manager(Comml.)

All Zonal Railways

Sum:- Revision in the Rule 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part I (Vol. I): Fare for children.

In partial modification of provisions Contained in Rule 211 of IRCA- Coaching Tariff  No. 26 Part I (Vol. I), Ministry of Railways have decided that in case of children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age for whom full berth/seam in Reserved Class) is Sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare for such child shall be charged. However, if berth/seat is not sought for the Children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age at the time of reservation, then half of adult fare shall continue to be Charged subject to minimum distance for charge.

2. There shall be no change with regard to child fare for unreserved class.

3. The revised Child fare rule shall be applicable with effect from 10.04.2016. CRIS may carry out necessary changes in the software and testing well before 10.12.2016.

4.  Necessary changes shall be carried in the reservation form so that the passenger can mark their option for requirement of full berth/seat for Child or not.

5. Special arrangements shall be made to ensure that necessary instructions should reach the staff well in time. Steps should also be taken to ensure that the staff fully understand these changes and implement them properly.

6. This Issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

7. Zonal Railways shall ensure that wide publicity is given through the press, media and also through notifications and announcements at stations.

Sd/-

(Rohit Kumar)

Dy. Director Traffic Commercial-II

Railway Board

 

Shared by Col Ranbir Lamba

Letter to Defence Minister - Pension issues: Veterans - Lt Gen Rak Kadyan

IESM/2015/Pension                                                                               Dec 9, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

                     Pension issues: Veterans

 

I am approaching you to seek your help  in resolving some of the old issue that have been pending for a long time, as also, to make some fresh recommendations.  These may be considered in the  present state of flux when both  OROP as well as  7^th Pay Commission recommendations are in the consideration stage.

 

(i)               Pension of Honorary Naib Subedars. Some selected  Havildars are granted an Honorary rank of Naib Subedar on retirement. Those given this honour after 1.1.2006 are entitled to  the pension of regular Naib Subedars.  However, the pre-Jan 2006 retiree Honorary Naib Subedars are denied this benefit and are getting the pension of a Havildar. There is thus a discrimination. The number involved is small and extending this legitimate benefit to all will be a just gesture.

This issue I had raised even with your predecessor, Shri A K Antony and with the then Secretary ESW, but has still not been resolved.

 

(ii)            Pension of Majors:  As you would be aware, after Dec 2004, the  rank of Lieutenant Colonel and equivalent has been  made a time-scale promotion, instead of a 'selection rank' as was the case earlier.  As a result, post 2004 every officer now becomes a Lieutenant Colonel on completion of 13 years of service and no one any longer retires in a rank lower than Lieutenant Colonel.  However, prior to this date, there were a number of officers who retired in the rank of Major.  Their total number may be only in 100’s.  These Majors performed the same duties and held the same responsibility that   the Lieutenant Colonels are doing today.  However, as on date, the  difference in their pension is enormous particularly after the rank of Lieutenant Colonel has been  upgraded to Pay Band 4.  It will be just and fair that Majors that retired prior to Dec 2004 are given an appropriate enhancement in their pension so as to  narrow the gap between their pension and the pension of  Lieutenant Colonel within reasonableness.  This point had been raised earlier  by me with Shri A K Antony as well as  with the Secretary, ESW.

 

(iii)          Widows' Pension.  Widows are the weakest entity  among the veterans' community.  Particularly in the rural areas, after the demise of the pensioners, their widows are put to great hardship. Having lost the pension earner and with no significant reduction in their living expenses, their pension on widowhood suddenly gets slashed to 60%.  The 7^th Pay Commission has recommended an enhancement in the family pension to Rs.9000/-.  Considering that the existing DA will merge, this only amounts to only 14.28% and is not considered adequate. There exists a case for the widows to continue earning the same pension that was being given to the husbands. This may be favourably considered.   

(iv)          Emoluments of  short service commissioned officers.   The defence forces need a wide base and a narrow top for efficient functioning and to avoid stagnation in view of the limited number of higher posts being available. Introduction of Short Service  Commission fills this gap and has empirically proved to be a useful step. These officers serve for varying periods but retire well before reaching the minimum qualifying service for pension. They are therefore denied many  of the existing facilities extended to Ex Servicemen. This inevitably is a disincentive for the aspiring candidates for short service commission.  There is a strong case for them to be given pro rata pension depending on their total service. Extension of  ECHS  facility to these  released officers will greatly add to the attractiveness of the scheme and is recommended.

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

 

Shri Manohar Parrikar

Hon’ble Minister of Defence

South Block

New Delhi -110 011

 

 

Implementation of e-service book in all Departments

DoPT advises all Departments to accept e-service book.  Controller General of Accounts-CGA has agreed to accept the e-service book as legal tender for all purposes

Personnel Ministry has issued an OM instructing all departments to accept e-service book for all purposes.

No.21011/15/ 2010-Estt.(AL)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

 

Block-IV, Old JNU Campus,

New Delhi – 110 067,

Dated : 30 November, 2015.

 

Office Memorandum

 

Subject: Implementation of e-service book in all Ministries/Departments.

 

The Service Book of a Government servant is a document to record all the events in his/her entire service period and career recording each and every administrative action of the Government servant right from the stage of his recruitment till his retirement to reflect the history of service of a Government employee. As per SR 198 & 199 such a Service Book is to be maintained for a Government servant from the date of his/her first appointment and is required to be kept in the custody of the Head of Office in which he is serving and transferred with him from office to office.

2. It has been decided to switch over to electronic format for maintenance of Service Book. The e-Service Book module is presently available under the e-Office Mission Mode Project. The data entered in e-service book is available to the employees to enable them to cross-check and report any discrepancies. The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) was requested to accept e-service book as a legal tender. The CGA has agreed to accept the e-service book as legal tender for all purposes and accordingly issued instructions to all Controllers of Accounts.

3. All Ministries/Departments are advised to adopt the e-service book as the same will be treated as legal tender for all purposes.

(Mukul Ratra)

Director

Tel: 26164314

Download DoPT OM No.21011/15/ 2010-Estt.(AL) dated 30.11.2015

OROP : Letter to President of India, PM and Heads of Political Parties

Honourable President of India,

Honourable Prime Minister, and

Heads of ​ political parties,
 

I write this letter to highlight a matter of critical importance to the future of India - namely the morale, service conditions and fighting fitness of our armed forces, which in turn directly concerns our national security. In view of the increase in a series of terror attacks around the world, India needs to be alert. I am addressing my concerns to heads of political parties, in addition to the Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable President of India who holds the all important Constitutional responsibility as Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

I retired from the Indian Navy as Chief of Naval Staff in September 1993 after nearly 45 years in uniform. My experience in the service and in the theatre of battle, have directly influenced my decision to work in peace and public service related activities post retirement. In the year 2004, I was honoured by the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace in the region. My actions have always been dictated by my conscience, and for what I believe to be in the long term interests of our country and our people. It is in this spirit that I am addressing the senior leadership of the country today.

The immediate catalyst for this note is the vexed question of OROP – and the recent events surrounding the relay hunger fast at Jantar Mantar. I am well aware that there are varying views with regard to the definition and implications of OROP – both within Government and indeed among the community of veterans. The bottom line is that positions have become hardened and intractable, and have continued to simmer over a period of forty years. This is despite a directive from the honourable Supreme Court, two successive Parliaments and the Koshiyari Committee which clearly defined OROP and why it should be brought into force without delay.

While it is true that the current focus of discontent is the partial or non-implementation of the OROP, I believe that this is an opportunity to bring to your attention some other issues affecting civil-military relations within which one
needs to understand the current impasse on OROP.

Briefly stated, we need to examine the following concerns:

1. The steady and noticeable erosion of the Military vis-a-vis the civilian bureaucracy since Independence. Whether it is a perception or reality can only be determined when this is examined in some depth.

2. The need to establish cordial and harmonious working procedures to ensure co-operation and mutual consultation with regard to civil-military relations in the
country.

3. Building a consensus on the role and status of the Armed Forces of a Nation as distinct from that of the Police, and various other security forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

4. The critical need to ensure just, fair and adequate terms and conditions of service for the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.

5. Political leadership to agree to a common strategy and position on the fundamental premise that civil control over military should not be equated or seen as civil service or bureaucratic control over the armed forces.

6. All the above points are inter-related and therefore need to be examined, viewed holistically and a way ahead crafted within a specific timeline - say by
1 April 2016.

The perception that it is officialdom which has intervened to destroy or vitiate the original spirit and intentions of OROP is now widely accepted. The fact that former service veterans have resorted to extreme measures such as we have seen over the past 150-plus days, is a powerful indicator of their frustration with the seeming unwillingness of the Government to discuss the issue across the table. This
unfortunate standoff would never have happened had successive governments taken care of the armed forces and their needs by being accessible for regular and direct  interaction and dialogue, and not only through the members of the civil service.

There has been no dearth of excellent and thoughtful articles and editorials both by veterans and civilian commentators, drawing attention to the serious risks of ignoring or worse, ridiculing, the issues being raised in a peaceful manner by
the veterans.

Seldom have we seen in our recent history the spectacle of so many former service chiefs from all three services writing letters to the President and the Prime Minister urging them to take action on this important matter . The Hindu newspaper in an opinion piece dated November 16, 2015, has talked
about the need to “take charge of OROP” – and I quote:

“The military has a core function in a democracy, and ensuring its apolitical nature is critical to the future of a maturing nation. Indeed, strained ties with the larger military community could have unintended fallouts in the long term. The widespread protests could contribute to disaffection against the government, going far beyond the cantonments.”

“The OROP agitation is not a mere episode involving some disgruntled retirees; it has already found significant resonance among the serving ranks as well. That is
worrisome. The protests may be dispersed, but the fact is that its effects are felt across the country”

Let us not forget that today’s serving jawan and officer is tomorrow’s veteran.

There have also been systematic efforts by vested interests to constantly sow seeds of suspicion regarding the intentions and loyalty of the armed forces in the minds of the political leadership going back to the early days of post-independence India.

Regardless of the military takeovers in our neighbouring countries, it is to the credit of the Indian Armed Forces there has been no ambiguity regarding the supremacy of political power over the military. This has been one of the strengths of Indian democracy.

India aspires to be at the high table in the comity of nations.

India is also among the small number of nuclear weapon states. It is therefore important that the Armed Forces are motivated and empowered to discharge their duties without fear or favour. By the same token it is the responsibility of the government of the day to ensure the dignity, honour and economic well being of the Armed Forces.

The current impasse over OROP needs to be resolved as quickly as possible so that stability and morale of the Armed Forces can be restored . Any attempt by any political party to treat this as trivia and to claim that the Armed forces are playing politics is not only mischievous but dangerous. The recommendations of countless commissions of enquiry need to be implemented along with OROP.

I am confident that the President , the Prime Minister and all heads of political parties will deliberate and handle this critical concern in the spirit of non-artisanship. Please let me repeat, that settling OROP to the full satisfaction of the services is not merely a question of pay and pension alone, but of the honour, dignity and status of the men and women in uniform . This will be in the long term interests of the nation.

With highest regards

L Ramdas
Former Chief of Naval Staff (1990-1993)

Shared by

Clarence G Manickam  [ Tri Services Veterans]

Payment of difference of Gratuity to pre-1996 Central Government Pensioners

No. 38/42/2005-P&PW (F)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, PG& Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

 

3^rd Floor, Loknayak Bhawan

New Delhi-110003

Dated 17^th February 2005

Office Memorandum

 

Subject:           Payment of difference of Gratuity to pre-1996 Central Government Pensioners - clarification regarding.

 

 

            The undersigned is directed to say that a number of representations have been received seeking confirmation whether in pursuance of Supreme Court Judgement, vide this Department's OM No. 45/86/97-P&PW (A) Pt. I dated 04.12.2004; pre-1996 pensioners have been made eligible for receiving additional gratuity. They have asked the concerned pensioners to apply to their respective Departments by furnishing details of PPO number, date of retirement, Bank details etc. It also contains a portion of the OM purported to have been issued by this Department but does not indicate the name of Officer under whose signature it has been issued.

 

2.         In view of the above, the factual position in the matter is as under:

 

(i)         This Department has not issued any OM on 4.12.2004 granting additional gratuity to pre-1996 pensioners as there is no such Supreme Court Judgement in that respect; and

 

(ii)        The extracts of OM reproduced by them purported to have been issued on 4.12.2004 is in fact a portion of this Department's OM dated 4.12.2001 bringing out certain modifications to OM dated 27.10.1997. In that OM, the Government consequent upon acceptance of the 5^th Pay Commission recommendations, inter-alia, prescribed that 100% of DA be added to the pay and on this the retirement/death gratuity be calculated. This was made effective from 1.1.1996. It did not change any provisions regarding percentage on DA for those who retired before 1.1.1996. Vide OM dated 4.12.2001 the Government clarified that the addition to DA for calculation of gratuity would be applicable for calculation of all types of gratuities like death/ retirement/ service gratuity. In this OM also there is no change in other provisions of OM dated 27.10.1997 including the cut-off date of 1.1.1996. This was further clarified vide para (ii) of OM dated 18.2.2003. Hence, prior to 1.1.1996, only basic pay was reckoned as emoluments for computation of gratuity. It has not been agreed to extend the benefits to retirees prior to 1.1.1996 as for grant of any benefit, prescription of a cut-off-date is essential keeping in view various constraints including financial constraints.

 

 

 

( M.P. Singh )

Director (PP)

Tel. 24624802

To

1.                  'persmin.nic.in' - website of the Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions

2.                  All Ministries/Departments of Government of India

3.                  Copy to C&AG

4.                  Controller General of Accounts

5.                  Controller of General of Defence Accounts

6.                  As per standard mailing list.

Brig Suryanarayanan
[Tri Services Veterans]
[webcache]

OROP Implementation Letter

Salient Features of One Rank One Pension implemented by Ministry of Defence – Detailed instructions for implementation along with tables to be issued separately

 

Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has communicated to the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Staff regarding One Rank One Pension to the Defence Personnel.
 

 

12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)-Part-II

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
 

 

New Delhi Dated 7th Nov 2015

 

To

 

The Chief of the Army Staff

The Chief of the Naval Staff

The Chief of Air Staff

 

Subject: One Rank One Pension(OROP) to the Defence Forces Personnel

 

In view of the need of the Defence Forces to maintain physical fitness, efficiency and effectiveness, as per the extant Rules, Defence Service personnel retire at an early age compared to other wings in the Government. Sepoy in Army and equivalent rank in Navy & Air Forceretire after 17/19 years of engagement/service and officers retire before attaining the age of 60 years i.e. the normal age of retirement in the Government. Considering these exceptional service conditions and in the interest of ever vigilant Defence Forces, the pensionary benefits of Ex-Servicemen have accordingly, over time, been fixed.

 

2. It has now been decided to implement “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) for the Ex-Servicemen with effect from 1.07.2014. OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Defence Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement, which, implies bridging the gap betweenthe rates of pension of current and past pensioners at periodicintervals.

 

3. Salient features of the OROP are as follows:

 

i. To begin with, pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from 1.7.2014.

 

ii. Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rankand with the same length of service.

 

iii. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.

 

iv. Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and Gallantryaward winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.

 

v. In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

 

4. Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)1 (i)(b ), 13(3)1 (iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.

 

5. The Govt. has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.

6. Detailed instructions relating to implementation of OROP along with tables indicating revised pension for each rank and each category, shall be issued separately for updation of pension and payment of arrears directly by Pension Disbursing Agencies.

 

7. This issues with concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their ID No. MoD (Fin/Pension) ID No.PC to10(11)/2012/Fin/Pen dated 07 November 2015.

 

8. Hindi version will follow.

                                                                                                (K. Damayanthi)
                                                                                                Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India

 

 

 

 

 

Unwittingly Walking Along With Toadies Of The Previous Government - Lt Gen SK Bahri

Veterans,

I am sticking my neck out on a subject which will raise the hackles of a lot of us who are in a "confrontation mode" against the government at Jantar Mantar. Having turned 83 yrs yesterday, I think I will take the risk of being a contrarian.

Friends, we are watching the spectacle of a number of 'so called' eminent writers, artistes, scientists and film makers returning their supposedly 'deserved' awards received under the previous regime. A lot of them have been exposed of their having got the awards singing praises about Congress leaders. Most of them were selective about which cause they bleated about when bigger misdeeds of the previous government were not even whispered about eg., Bihar riots of 1967(my unit was called up), Hashimpura massacre, Bhagalpur killings, ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, Sikh riots of Delhi. There has been endless complaining about the thousand odd people killed from both communities in Ahmedabad in 2002 but forget about thousands of the minority community killed in a 4 day of orgy in 1969 under a Congress government, before the Army was called up and peace was restored within a few hours, without killing anyone in a few hours. I was witness to it as commanding officer of a unit. And what about the beheading of soldiers by Pakistan, because of whose sacrifice they are able to write/research/work without any fear. If the soldier were not to stand guard at the border these people would actually be snuffed out instead of being only feeling suffocated.

Why did not these stalwarts, who feel suffocated under the present dispensation, even raise a whimper of protest on those occasions. The reason being that had they had done so, their perks and awards would have been forfeited and the gravy train stopped. Being small men they did not want to risk that. The problem is that even our judiciary and bureaucracy, during the emergency imposed by the same benefactors of theirs, crawled when asked to bend, except for few exceptions. 

Veterans, surely we do not want to be in the same group of self serving people. We too returned our medals in 2008 but there is a major difference. We did not get our medals out of anybody's largesse, they were earned. But we were angry that though we had never stinted in doing our duty by the Nation with all the handicaps of shortage of warlike stores, lack of political clarity of our national aim and poor intelligence, while being shortchanged with our salaries and consequently, pensions. The last straw on the camel's back was the 6th CPC award which showed that the UPA government was not interested in the izzat and welfare of the soldiers and, therefore the security of the Nation. Worse is that we saw no benefit to the country even if we were deprived of our essential equipment and paid a pittance in comparison with our contemporaries in the civil services, as the powers that be were only interested in lining their pockets. The defence budget has been the Kamdhenu cow of our rulers so far. Hope this changes under the present dispensation.

Friends, you all must be aware that the present government has done a lot to improve our ability to fight in the last 18 months, more than the Congress governments have done in nearly 60 years when they were in power! I am sure with the PM and RM on our side they will also be able overcome the rearguard action being fought by the bureaucracy and we will get what we deserve. So I would recommend that we should not be on the same page as the 'eminent' people returning their awards. 

Let us give up our Jantar Mantar agitation and give the government time till Diwali to redeem its promises, as stated by the RM. You know very well as a soldier that you become more determined when you work under a threat, so lets not push the government beyond a point. We have already made the government conscious of the fact that if the OROP award is not to our liking, we are willing to negotiate. Further if the negotiations fail we will seek legal remedies. The government is fully aware that we are only seeking our legal entitlements and as always, the courts will give us what the government tries to deny us. So fellow Veterans, lets us close down our protest at Jantar Mantar and give the PM & RM time to stand by their promises.

 

Wishing you all a very happy Diwali with your families and friends.

 

Lt Gen SK Bahri PVSM
[ Tri Services India ] ​30 October 2015 at 22:25

 

Letter to PM Signed in Blood from JM By UFESM

 

Dated: 25 Oct 2015   

 

To,

Shri Narendra Modi
Hon’ble, Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
New Delhi – 110 001  

                 

NON IMPLEMENTATION ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

AN APPEAL FROM UNITED FRONT OF EX-SERVICEMEN

 

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Jai Hind!

1.     Today is the 133nd Day of our Protest Movement “Relay Hunger Strike” at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the Country for Non Implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), the assurance given by you to the Defence Fraternity when you started your LS Election Campaign at Rewari on 15^th Sep 2013.

2.     The announcement made by RM on 05^th Sep 2015 regarding the Implementation of OROP is NO OROP and has seven serious shortcomings.  If implemented without the removal of these shortcomings, this will kill the very definition of OROP which has been approved by two Parliaments, strongly recommended by the Koshyari Committee and promised by you to ESM and Armed Forces Personnel. Sir you even promised the serving soldiers grant of OROP at the highest battle field in the world on Diwali day.

3.     OROP stands sanctioned by your Govt but not yet implemented.  By delaying it for the past 16 months after your Govt came to power, gives us no confidence and is a cause of serious concern to us for having been left out and not cared for. We are deeply hurt and anguished on this stepchild treatment by the Govt.

4.     It seems to us that bureaucracy is again at its best machination to delay, dilute and finally destroy our most legitimate, already sanctioned scheme of OROP. It is surprising that Govt has accepted the definition of OROP as approved by Koshiyari Committee but in the same breadth has imposed conditions thereby completely destroying the definition. This is the paradox disturbing the ESM and forcing them to sit at JM opposing this announcement.

5.     RM has been changing ‘goal post’ every now and then.  On 5^th Sep 2015, he said the Notification will be issued in one month’s time.  Later, he said it will be issued before Navratri and now says, the notification will be issued after Bihar Elections.  It is a sanctioned scheme of the Government for the Defense personnel and issuing of Notification to our mind, is not barred by the Election Commission. This unnecessary dilly dallying on the announcement is adversely affecting morale of Armed Forces Personnel as they see their future at JM. It is giving them a feeling that they are being treated as stepchild in India and Government will probably not give justice to Armed Forces Personnel and Ex-servicemen.

6.     We do not at all like to be on the roads demanding OROP Implementation.  Sir, “JIS DESH KE SAINIK SARKON PAR US DESH KA DURBHAGYA HAI” We request our Prime Minister to issue instructions for the implementation of OROP exactly as per the approved definition without any Dilution at the earliest please.

7.     May we also request you for a meeting which we have sought many times earlier also but it seems our request might not have been brought to your knowledge?

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

Col Inderjit Singh                                  Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Chairman UFESM                                   Advisor UFESM and Chairman IESM

ENDORSED ALL RANKS of INDIAN ARMED FORCES.

 

[ Report My Signal ] 26 Oct 2015

OROP Letter - Cdr Ravindra Pathank

Dear Rajvardhan,

I am sorry to hear your views on the OROP issue in the interview to NEWSX

EXCLUSIVE: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in an exlcusive conversation with NewsX.

I have a few questions to seek an answer from you.I hope you will as a Veteran answer them truthfully in the spirit of a true veteran and not as a raw politician being used by the party against your own.

Q1. Can you pls elaborate why the present government has allowed this situation to arise?

 

Q2. If the government was so concerned about the Pakistani establishment using OROP to split or cause disenchantment among the forces why have the politicians including your party not shown their concerns on these issues and taken action.

 

Q3. Do you believe OROP is the tip of the iceberg and there are more issues that are still to be tackled?

 

Q4. Are you aware of the following disparities that affect the veterans

 

 

 

Allowances Defence and Civil Comparison

 

Type of Allowance	Civilian Employee	Faujis
Disabled Employees     (a)  Protection of Service         (b)  Pay and Allowances               (c)  Pension       (c)    Right to life of dignity of self and family	Govt has to retain them till 60 yrs under Disability Act   Full protection under Section 47 of the Act.Will not be discharged on account of disability.   Full pay and allowances admissible till the age of 60 even if unable to attend any official duty.  Can even be kept on supernumerary post and paid all pay and allowances.   Entitled to full service length till superannuation and pension thereafter.   Full pay and pension and complete Government protection/cover with entitled facilities Admissible to dependents	Invalided (Thrown) out of service immediately   Defence Forces exempted from operation of Section 47.  Hence no protection of employment available in case of disability. Employee can be discharged on account of disability. Nil Admissible           Nil Admissible       Nil.  No facilities or protection for self and dependents
Increase in Pension of highest rank employee from 1973 to 2006	108 times Highest Civilian Functionary Pension 1973  - Rs 416.50/-pm 2006  - Rs 45000/-pm	45 times Highest Def Rank Pension   1973 -  Rs 1000/-pm 2006 -  Rs 45000/-pm
Period of Service	Upto60 years of age	85% compulsorily retired between 35 -37 years age. 12-13% compulsorily  retired between 40-54 years age
Career Progression	Three Promotions at 10,20,30 years of service	Three promotion at 8, 16, 24 years of service. 85% compulsorily retired at 15-17 years’ service; thereby denied 3rd career progression
Officer’s Promotion opportunities	100% Joint Secy at 16-18 years’ Service 100% AddlSecy  at 32 years’ Service	1% Maj Gen at 32-33 years of service. 3% Lt Gen 33-35years
Non-functional Upgradtion (NFU)	•       JS Pay at approx22 yrs. •       Addl Secy Pay at 32yrs	Nil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equations with Civil

Civil Grade	3rd CPC	4th CPC	Remarks
Junior Time Scale	Junior to Captain	Equal to Captain	2/ Lt, Lt and Capt clubbed by 3rd CPC
Senior Time Scale	Equal to Captain	Equal to Major
Selection Grade/ Non-Functional Selection Grade (SG/ NFSG)	Equal to Major	Senior to Major

 

​Q5.If you are aware what action have you initiated or has your government initiated to ensure justice for Defence veterans​ ​?

 

Q6. Are you aware that the Koshiyari Committee has sought views of all affected parties and that civil side had written a letter to the committee that they agree that Defence veterans should get OROP and civil side ​​has no case /claim for the same?​

 

​Q7. If no then get educated.If yes then why are such demands being made now and planted cases and articles being written?​

 

​Q8.​ ​Are you convinced that the case of the Para Military forces based on number of deaths and long working hours and service in troubled areas is correct?

Q9. Do you believe that OROP is based on above reasons now being floated by others including Railways for OROP or its sole basis is truncated service ?

Q10. If the government is in agreement with the demand of OROP by others are you aware that veterans would welcome the same being met as long as Defence forces are given the same rights as those organizations namely

1.     Restoration of curtailed Fundamental rights

2.     Service till the age of 60 much like them

3.     No invalidation of injured and continued service for them much like in civil side

4.     Right to form associations like in the case of IAS and IFS( Already drawing OROP)

5.     Right to negotiate payment for any additional services demanded besides guarding the borders 

6.     Accept an armed force manned by 60 yr old and disabled in the defence of the country.

Rajvardhan pls wake up get out of the shadow of your senior minister and show you have what it takes to be a man

I do not expect a response from you because i know that your new found loyalty to your  new organization and to your boss will not allow it but if i do get one it will be great.

Brgds

Pathak

 

Cdr Ravindra Waman Pathak I.N. (Retd)      

Member Governing Body and Pension Cell

Indian Ex Servicemen Movement

1 Surashri,1146 Lakaki Road
Shivajinagar 

Pune 411016
raviwarsha@gmail.com
9822329340  

 

[ Tri Services India ] 24 October 2015 10:10