Monday, 19 January 2015
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Forces seek new pension formula based on last pay
Ajay BanerjeeTribune News Service
New Delhi, January 12
The suggestions
- The memorandum says that 75% of last pay drawn should be the benchmark for calculating pensions for jawans
- In case of officers, 60%of last pay drawn be the benchmark
- The memorandum also says the Military Service Pay be fixed at 30% of basic pay for jawans and 15% of the basic pay for officers
The Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee chaired by Bhagat Singh Koshyari in December 2011 stated that clubbing the defence personnel with the civilian employees for pension purposes was not a considered decision. The committee laid down the definition of OROP: “It implies that uniform pension be paid to 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 pensions 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.”
Three weeks ago, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had promised “OROP will be implemented....it has a lot of financial implications which are being worked out”. On the civilian side, the pension is 50 per cent of the last pay drawn and the same formula was applied for the forces in the last pay commission. The forces have argued that 50 per cent of the last pay drawn was more in tune for civilians. People in forces retire early and only 2 per cent of them make it to the rank of Major General or equal in the IAF and Navy that is at a par with Joint Secretary.
The memorandum also says the Military Service Pay (MSP) amount is very small and suggested it be fixed at 30 per cent of basic pay for jawans and 15 per cent of the basic pay for officers. In case of disability pension, a minimum 10 years of service is required to be eligible. And if a person is injured critically within 10 years and cannot continue further in the forces, he cannot get pension. This 10-year period should be waived, the memorandum suggested.
Source:-http://www.tribuneindia.com/
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
UNACCEPTABLE DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION
To
General VK Singh (Retd), Member of Parliament,
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge),
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Union Minister of State,
Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
36, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi – 110011
Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, AVSM (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
7, K. Kamraj Lane, New Delhi – 110011
Jai Durga Niwas, 12, Vikas Marg,
Pauri Garhwal-246001 (Uttarakhand)
Col Sona Ram Choudhary (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
9, Talkatora Road, New Delhi -110001
181/Ajit Colony, Circuit House Road,
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
C-26, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar,
Member of Parliament
211, North Avenue, New Delhi -110001
Jupiter Innovision Centre, 54,
Richmond Road, Bangalore -560025
Smt. Kirron Kher
Member of Parliament, BJP
C-191, Defence Colony, New Delhi -110024
Capt Amarinder Singh (Retd)
Indian National Congress (INC)
House No. 1669, New Moti Bagh Colony, Patiala
Dear All,
1. We write this letter to convey to ESM MPs our serious concerns for the unacceptable delay in implementation of OROP. You are our representatives and the voice in Parliament and the Govt. We expected that you all will jointly and strongly take up the cause of soldiers with the Govt to get us due justice which has been denied to us by successive Govts for the past 67 years. We have no doubt that you have been taking up the veterans issues including OROP at opportune moments at appropriate levels. But it seems that your efforts are not bearing fruit. The most important issue which worries ESM over and above OROP is that credibility of our erstwhile comrades and in particular Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi is under question.
2. Even after ten months of its sanction on 17 Feb 2014, statements like 80% assurances, 80% ESM will be satisfied, number of years in the rank, Rs 9300 crores are required etc are being aired to delay or deny us the benefit. You all have been part of the profession and know the details well. You all must have taken up the issue with the PM and the RM, but the implementation has not fructified. The interview of RM Sh Manohar Parrikar to Head lines today on 12 Jan has further demoralized the rank and file. He has now relegated decision on OROP to 25 July and has also cast a shadow of doubt by bringing the question that civilians will also ask OROP.
3. You are aware that the definition of OROP has been sealed in May 2009 when UPA Govt ordered a Committee of Secretaries on OROP. The present definition was projected to the Committee by the IESM which was accepted and is part of the Report of the Committee. The same definition was accepted by the Koshyari Committee of Rajya Sabha which was presented to RS on 19 Dec 2011. While accepting the principle of OROP the same definition has been accepted by two Parliaments. The same is also included in the Executive orders of the Govt dated 26 Feb 2014 for the implement of OROP. As late as on 02 Dec 2014 the RRM stated the same definition in the Parliament and confirmed the commitment of BJP Government for early implementation of OROP.
4. Based on the Executive orders and the approved definition in the budget and Parliament, the Service HQs had prepared DGL which was presented to the RM on 22 Apr 2014. Does it take ten months for a Govt to take a decision especially when it has been elected on the promise of good governance and with a solemn pledge that the Government will increase India’s security and will take care of its military personnel? You will agree with IESM that present arguments being extended by RM and MOD are only to delay and dilute the OROP definition. This is a very disturbing development and needs to be taken up very strongly by all of you. IESM is getting a feeling that Government is coming under pressure of Bureaucratic politics to delay and dilute the OROP or even to deny the OROP like congress Government did in 2009. A word of caution my friends is that your prestige will go down in the eyes of your comrades in case OROP definition is changed even 1% from approved definition.
5. If you all want to clarify any issue, on OROP, IESM will be privileged to do so at any time and place convenient to you all.
6. An ESM Maha Rally has been planned to be held on 01 Feb 2015 at Jantar Mantar from 10.30AM to remind/request the Government of its promises and for early release of OROP notification. You are requested to join in the Rally as an ESM. It is now upto you honourable gentlemen and the Govt to facilitate us in converting our agitation into gratitude by issuing notification of OROP prior to 1 Feb 2015.
With regards,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Chairman IESM Mob: +919312404269, 0124-4110570
Email ID: satbirsm@gmail.com
General VK Singh (Retd), Member of Parliament,
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge),
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Union Minister of State,
Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
36, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi – 110011
Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, AVSM (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
7, K. Kamraj Lane, New Delhi – 110011
Jai Durga Niwas, 12, Vikas Marg,
Pauri Garhwal-246001 (Uttarakhand)
Col Sona Ram Choudhary (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
9, Talkatora Road, New Delhi -110001
181/Ajit Colony, Circuit House Road,
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Retd)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
C-26, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar,
Member of Parliament
211, North Avenue, New Delhi -110001
Jupiter Innovision Centre, 54,
Richmond Road, Bangalore -560025
Smt. Kirron Kher
Member of Parliament, BJP
C-191, Defence Colony, New Delhi -110024
Capt Amarinder Singh (Retd)
Indian National Congress (INC)
House No. 1669, New Moti Bagh Colony, Patiala
Dear All,
1. We write this letter to convey to ESM MPs our serious concerns for the unacceptable delay in implementation of OROP. You are our representatives and the voice in Parliament and the Govt. We expected that you all will jointly and strongly take up the cause of soldiers with the Govt to get us due justice which has been denied to us by successive Govts for the past 67 years. We have no doubt that you have been taking up the veterans issues including OROP at opportune moments at appropriate levels. But it seems that your efforts are not bearing fruit. The most important issue which worries ESM over and above OROP is that credibility of our erstwhile comrades and in particular Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi is under question.
2. Even after ten months of its sanction on 17 Feb 2014, statements like 80% assurances, 80% ESM will be satisfied, number of years in the rank, Rs 9300 crores are required etc are being aired to delay or deny us the benefit. You all have been part of the profession and know the details well. You all must have taken up the issue with the PM and the RM, but the implementation has not fructified. The interview of RM Sh Manohar Parrikar to Head lines today on 12 Jan has further demoralized the rank and file. He has now relegated decision on OROP to 25 July and has also cast a shadow of doubt by bringing the question that civilians will also ask OROP.
3. You are aware that the definition of OROP has been sealed in May 2009 when UPA Govt ordered a Committee of Secretaries on OROP. The present definition was projected to the Committee by the IESM which was accepted and is part of the Report of the Committee. The same definition was accepted by the Koshyari Committee of Rajya Sabha which was presented to RS on 19 Dec 2011. While accepting the principle of OROP the same definition has been accepted by two Parliaments. The same is also included in the Executive orders of the Govt dated 26 Feb 2014 for the implement of OROP. As late as on 02 Dec 2014 the RRM stated the same definition in the Parliament and confirmed the commitment of BJP Government for early implementation of OROP.
4. Based on the Executive orders and the approved definition in the budget and Parliament, the Service HQs had prepared DGL which was presented to the RM on 22 Apr 2014. Does it take ten months for a Govt to take a decision especially when it has been elected on the promise of good governance and with a solemn pledge that the Government will increase India’s security and will take care of its military personnel? You will agree with IESM that present arguments being extended by RM and MOD are only to delay and dilute the OROP definition. This is a very disturbing development and needs to be taken up very strongly by all of you. IESM is getting a feeling that Government is coming under pressure of Bureaucratic politics to delay and dilute the OROP or even to deny the OROP like congress Government did in 2009. A word of caution my friends is that your prestige will go down in the eyes of your comrades in case OROP definition is changed even 1% from approved definition.
5. If you all want to clarify any issue, on OROP, IESM will be privileged to do so at any time and place convenient to you all.
6. An ESM Maha Rally has been planned to be held on 01 Feb 2015 at Jantar Mantar from 10.30AM to remind/request the Government of its promises and for early release of OROP notification. You are requested to join in the Rally as an ESM. It is now upto you honourable gentlemen and the Govt to facilitate us in converting our agitation into gratitude by issuing notification of OROP prior to 1 Feb 2015.
With regards,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Chairman IESM Mob: +919312404269, 0124-4110570
Email ID: satbirsm@gmail.com
Monday, 12 January 2015
CLARIFICATION SAUGHT BY DM ON OROP
Veteran
AVM RP Mishra is a Member of the governing body of the IESL and has
been very active in this subject. A part of his letter is placed below
for your information.
"I had received a telephone call some days ago (7 Jan I think) from the Hon'ble Minister of Defence. He sought a clarification on a suggestion put up by the bureaucracy that instead of total service, it should be the service in the rank that should be a parameter for deciding OROP.
My clarification during the conversation was on the following lines:
1. The defence services have a complex structure with a number of different Arms/Services, ranks, Groups, Categories etc. No one formula can remove every single aberration in the over two million pensioners. When we stared the 'Movement', we had given detailed thought to the deciding of criteria. We chose 'total service' because this would give satisfaction to the maximum numbers.
2. Considering 'service in rank' would be unfair because the time of picking up a higher rank depends on many factors, that do not reflect on an individual's capabilities, nor are within his control. I cited the example of Infantry where different battalions in the same Regiment have a vast variation in the number of years taken to become a Naik, Havildar, JCO etc. Since they all retire after completing a uniformly equal length of service, it would be logical that the length of service should be the criterion.
3. Even among officers, for example, I was promoted Lt Col after completing 15 1/2 years of service, whereas my colleagues in some other Arms would have been considerably delayed as there were fewer vacancies. While deciding OROP at least the latter should get the benefit of equal pension.
4. The proposal of considering length of service in the rank would also have administrative difficulty. While total service is clearly visible in the PPO, service in the rank would need fresh calculations, thus leading to considerable delay in implementing OROP.
The Hon'ble Minister confirmed that he had understood the issue and would not accept the bureaucrats' recommendation.
I had also recommended that the stalled meetings of the Joint Working Group should be recommenced to iron out any other angularity and thus speed up implementation of OROP. This was agreed to.
I had shared the details of above conversation with concerned officials at the Army Headquarters so that the serving and the ESM speak with convergence on this subject.
I could gather that there is urgency on the part of the Defence Ministry to finalise and implement this vexed issue. When implemented, this would give benefit to all future generations of pensioners. "
AVM RP Mishra, Veteran
"I had received a telephone call some days ago (7 Jan I think) from the Hon'ble Minister of Defence. He sought a clarification on a suggestion put up by the bureaucracy that instead of total service, it should be the service in the rank that should be a parameter for deciding OROP.
My clarification during the conversation was on the following lines:
1. The defence services have a complex structure with a number of different Arms/Services, ranks, Groups, Categories etc. No one formula can remove every single aberration in the over two million pensioners. When we stared the 'Movement', we had given detailed thought to the deciding of criteria. We chose 'total service' because this would give satisfaction to the maximum numbers.
2. Considering 'service in rank' would be unfair because the time of picking up a higher rank depends on many factors, that do not reflect on an individual's capabilities, nor are within his control. I cited the example of Infantry where different battalions in the same Regiment have a vast variation in the number of years taken to become a Naik, Havildar, JCO etc. Since they all retire after completing a uniformly equal length of service, it would be logical that the length of service should be the criterion.
3. Even among officers, for example, I was promoted Lt Col after completing 15 1/2 years of service, whereas my colleagues in some other Arms would have been considerably delayed as there were fewer vacancies. While deciding OROP at least the latter should get the benefit of equal pension.
4. The proposal of considering length of service in the rank would also have administrative difficulty. While total service is clearly visible in the PPO, service in the rank would need fresh calculations, thus leading to considerable delay in implementing OROP.
The Hon'ble Minister confirmed that he had understood the issue and would not accept the bureaucrats' recommendation.
I had also recommended that the stalled meetings of the Joint Working Group should be recommenced to iron out any other angularity and thus speed up implementation of OROP. This was agreed to.
I had shared the details of above conversation with concerned officials at the Army Headquarters so that the serving and the ESM speak with convergence on this subject.
I could gather that there is urgency on the part of the Defence Ministry to finalise and implement this vexed issue. When implemented, this would give benefit to all future generations of pensioners. "
AVM RP Mishra, Veteran
Dear Members
IESM is emboldened that so many veterans are taking keen
interest and giving advise about conduct of Rally on 1 Feb 15 to ensure
that it is successful. Please be rest assured that IESM is taking note
of all advises and will do what is good for Ex-servicemen in overall
context. GB IESM has been chosen by the members to take care of member's
interest and please be rest assured that GB members will not leave any
stone unturned to ensure that ESM demands are approved by Govt at the
earliest. GB IESM is also committed to ensure that Government
notification for payment of OROP dues is issued on priority. Having said
and confirmed that GB IESM is fully committed to ensure justice for
ESM, let me come to the points being discussed on the net.
Why Agitational approach; Many veterans believed in last 50
years that asking for increase in pay and facilities is below the
dignity of Armed Forces. This resulted in down gradation of status of
all ranks of Armed Forces viz a viz civil structure. In pay commission
after pay commission status of Armed Forces was systematically brought
down viz a viz civil structure. This was first resented by men in
uniform and ex-servicemen in 2008. Ex-servicemen got together and
decided to form IESM in 2008. IESM then took a considered decision that
Government in India does not pay attention to any group unless the group
goes on agitations. ESMs will agree that a decision taken by IESM in
2008 has turned out to be well thought of and good approach to present
problems of Ex-servicemen to the Govt and to get the OROP approved. IESM
was heavily criticized at that time by many senior veterans, IESM did
not deter. IESM approach has paid dividend and today our cherished dream
of OROP stands approved. It took medal returns, submission of
memorandums signed in own blood and many rallies to wake up the
conscious of citizen and politicians to get OROP approved.
Undue delay in issuance of OROP notification; OROP has been
approved by two Parliaments, Commitment of two PM, present PM Mr Modi at
Siachin and on a Navy frigate has announced loud and clear that OROP is
his personal commitment to Armed Forces, Passing of OROP in two budget.
But even after seven months of approval, OROP notification has not been
issued. IESM has written numerous letters to Government but there was
no reply from the Govt, not even an acknowledgement. On the contrary
some negative statements were deliberately leaked by Govt circles to
test the reaction of ESM and ESM organisations. Confronted by wall of
silence by the Govt, IESM decided to resume agitation mode and announced
relay hunger strike from 3 Dec to 16 Dec, with a rally on 7 Dec and
return of another tranche of medals. Immediately on announcement of
agitation there were murmurs in the ESM circles and all those ESM who
were silent all these months, and did not ask a question on delay in
OROP notification, suddenly became active and started advising IESM to
cancel/ go slow on agitation approach. IESM agreed to defer the
agitation on personal intervention by sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar
(sympathizer of ex-servicemen) only after he promised to arrange a
meeting with the Honorable RM. Details of IESM delegation meeting have
already been sent to environment. Despite the promise of RM there was no
news from MOD/DESW about the early issuance of notification, on the
contrary some negative statements came out of RM/MOD. IESM thought that
these are incorrect reporting by the media/newspaper. IESM asked for
clarification but none came. On the contrary unconfirmed messages were
received that MOD/CGDA/DESW combine are exaggerating the expenditure of
OROP and are making all out attempt to dilute the OROP ( Now they are
attempting dilution when they realized the Govt is now committed to give
OROP and they can not stop it any further).
Holding of Rally on 1 Feb 15; On getting the news that there is
an attempt to dilute OROP definion and on getting no clarification from
MOD, GB IESM decided to hold a rally on 1st Feb 2015 Sunday to remind
and request the Government about their commitment to Ex-servicemen and
nation. IESM is very clear in its thought process that IESM wishes to
remind the Government of its commitment and does not wish to have
confrontation with the Govt. IESM is of firm opinion that the Govt will
live upto its promise and manifesto. However the question why is the
Govt is taking unduly long time to overcome bureaucratic politics is
bothering IESM? Hence IESM planned this rally and demonstration. IESM
condemns misinformation campaign undertaken about the purpose of rally
by few veterans. This misinformation campaign is being initiated by few
politically inclined veterans. IESM is not aligned to any Party and is
not involved in party politics. Some veterans who fought the last
election and miserably lost are the leader in this misinformation
campaign.
Reasons and Effects of the Rally; Few veterans have been
expressing that this rally may annoy Government and Government may
refuse to give OROP. IESM firmly believes that this Government is
committed to OROP and will definitely honor its commitment to Armed
Forces and ESM. However ESM are exasperated to wait for more than 8
months to get OROP and do not understand the compulsion of Government of
this undue delay (In-fact the letter should have been out and payments
of OROP should have been in our banks latest by Oct 14, but it did not
happen). IESM has done brain storming and have decided to go ahead with
the rally on 1 Feb 2015 Sunday at Jantar Mantar new Delhi because of
following reasons.
- IESM wishes to only remind the Govt of its commitments to Armed Forces and ESM.
- IESM wishes to request the Govt to overcome the bureaucratic pressure and release full OROP as approved by the Parliament at the earliest. Let this be a Republic day gift to Armed Forces.
- IESM confirms that IESM will accept the DGL sent by the Armed Forces Hq to Govt for approval as full and final OROP.
- IESM is unable to understand any logic of this undue delay in issuance of Govt letter for OROP.
- IESM is apprehensive that Government may come under bureaucratic pressure and may not issue full OROP
- IESM will not accept any dilution of the OROP definition.
Preparation for rally; IESM is thankful to members who have
wished good luck and advised to be prepared for rally. Ground work for
the rally has been done and IESM expects veterans to attend the rally
from 10 states. Telephone of GB members is constantly ringing confirming
support for the rally and confirming that ESM will come from all
states. A very large number of Ex-servicemen and sympathizer are
expected to attend the rally. IESM has also instructed its state
conveners to hold meetings and pass a resolution for full OROP. IESM
members in state capitals/Dist level have been advised to go to
Governer/CM/DC and hand over the memorandum to be sent onwards to
President and PM of the India. The memorandum will be signed by lacs of
members to convey our exasperation on this undue delay by the Government
for issuance of notification for OROP. The meeting to be held in
Secunderabad is part of that plan and some of the members of GB are
expected to attend the meeting. This should not be seen otherwise on the
contrary this meeting is planned accordingly.
However some well meaning veterans have been asking question
what if Govt refuses to issue the full OROP. Dear Veterans IESM is sure
that MODI Govt will definitely fulfill its promise given to Armed Forces
and ESM. IESM has full faith in promises made by Sh Narendra Modi
honorable Prime Minister of India and there will be no need to plan
further action. However GB IESM has plans ready in case of any exigency.
IESM HAS SELECTED THE AIM AND IS DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE IT.
IESM
REQUESTS ALL ESM TO COME TO JANTAR MANTAR AT 1030H ON 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY
AND BE COUNTED IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR OROP. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VERY
IMPORTANT TO SEND THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO GOVT THAT ESMs ARE AWAKE NOW AND
WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MORE DOWN-GRADATION IN THEIR STATUS. OROP IS OUR
RIGHT AND WE WILL TAKE IT.
DEAR
VETERANS RALLYS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE EVENTS AND LARGE FUNDS ARE REQUIRED
TO ARRANGE A RALLY. IESM REQUESTS VETERANS TO CONTRIBUTE FUND TO OFFSET
THE EXPENDITURE ON THE RALLY.
PLEASE
CONTRIBUTE FUNDS LARGE HEARTEDLY FOR SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE RALLY
PLANNED FOR 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY AT 1030H AT JANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI.
ALL VETERANS MUST COME AND PARTICIPATE TO MOUNT UNBEARABLE PRESSURE ON THE GOVT.
MILLION
DOLLAR QUESTION WHAT IF GOVERNMENT ISSUES THE GOVERNMENT LETTER FOR
PAYMENT OF OROP DUES TO ESM BY 26 JAN AS REQUESTED BY IESM.
DEAR
VETERANS RALLY WILL STILL BE HELD AS PLANNED ON 1 FEB 2015 AND IESM
WILL PROFUSELY THANK MODI GOVERNMENT FOR LIVING TO ITS PROMISE AND
HONORING THE 30 YR OLD DEMAND OF ESM AND ARMED FORCES. IESM WILL REQUEST
GOVT TO HONOR OUR OTHER DEMANDS ALSO.
LAST
WORD FOR ESM. COME ONE AND COME ALL AT 1030H ON 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY AT
JANTAR MANTAR FOR ESM RALLY AND BE COUNTED, COME WHAT MAY.
IESM
REQUESTS ALL VETERANS NOT ISSUE ANY MORE STATEMENTS FOR
CANCELLATION/DEFERMENT OF RALLY. VETERANS ARE ALSO REQUESTED NOT TO BE
MISLEAD BY SUCH CALLS AND COME AND ATTEND THE RALLY IN LARGE NUMBERS.
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Government will keep its promise of one rank, one pension: Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
If social media enhances and expedites reach, it also exposes people twice as fast. I recently came across an online article on 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) written by a suave former diplomat-turned-politician, which had little thought and no action behind it. To counter the breakout of Modi sarkar (military lingo for rapid expansion), the self-styled generals of Congress have been scoring countless self goals. As I write, I look up intermittently to skim through the TV news channels, and see the Congress taking the contrarian view on the 'Pakistan boat issue' demonstrating a decade-old mentality -- wait for Delhi to sanction action. Old habits die hard.
That is not how the Indian military and paramilitary have been trained. Being one of the best and most selfless in the world, a warrior's code of conduct is driven by his 'farz' or duty, honour of his 'Paltan', and his nation's 'izzat'. The monthly remuneration can in no way compensate these sacrifices, as a soldier routinely and regularly goes beyond the call of duty for the 'izzat' he holds so dear. And this fact is closest to the heart of the BJP.
BJP has a common thread with the armed forces -- that of the ideology of nation first. Narendra Modi declared his commitment to stand by servicemen, veterans and OROP at a rally in Rewari in 2013. Congress, sensing a potential vote bank did not want to miss the bus so they hurriedly announced OROP and dished out a meagre sum towards it. Therein lies the difference, the uniformed forces are not a vote bank but a value bank for us. Our defence minister went on record, committing to deliver OROP and the finance minister did so in his budget speech. Assurances on the floor of the House are sacrosanct and only in rare circumstances does their completion go a little beyond the financial year. The departments involved in OROP are defence, defence finance, finance and personnel. To get them to speak in one voice and have one view may take time but it will be done. This in itself may lower the satisfaction levels of a few impatient ones and that's when the defence minister spoke of delivering 80% satisfaction he did not say 80% pension. When we have waited for decades, what's a few months more? The armed forces can rest assured that the OROP is perfectly within the credible sights of the PM, FM and 'RM' of this government.
So what's taking time? OROP implies an officer of the same number of years of service and same rank gets the same pension irrespective of the year of retirement. But officers with the same years of service and same rank do not usually get the same salary. This is due to the number of years spent in each rank, or in other words, because of staggered promotion. For example, one colonel could spend more time in the rank of 'colonel' while another colonel may take longer to reach the rank, thus getting less time in the rank of colonel itself. Both may have the same number of total years of military service, but their salary itself will be different.
The one reaching colonel first gets a higher salary. Since pension itself is a derivative of salary, pensions will be different too. There will be thousands of variations in each rank, and we have not even begun counting. This is just one of the many challenges but the government is committed to finding a solution and, without penalising anyone, bringing in a harmonious and simple methodology for calculation of pensions as prescribed in the spirit of OROP. Will my honourable colleagues from the Opposition show some patience and wait for the end of the financial year or will they play spoilsport?
It is in this government that the service chiefs have direct access to the political leadership. In the first 200 days itself, meetings between civil and military leadership far outnumber the total number of meetings held in the last decade of UPA. Protocols are for formal occasions; when the tigers meet, the lambs have no place. Supremacy is of leadership; military and then political, period.
This government has faith in every field commander and soldier to do what's right for the country. Congress weakened the armed forces, reduced fighting capability. Its political indecisiveness and hesitation dulled the sharpness and led to beheadings, embarrassment and lowered morale. In 200 days, critical procurements stuck for the last several years have been cleared. Our responses on the border are with befitting ferocity. War memorial ordered. OROP will be delivered. Modi was also the first PM to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in field.
Congress needs to stop doubting the veracity of the very forces that protect us. They are indeed the wall between heaven and hell. It's thanks to social media that citizens pay rich tributes to our warriors in uniform. And it's from the social media I quote for the benefit of my Congress colleagues: "If you cannot stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them".
Source Click This Link :-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
That is not how the Indian military and paramilitary have been trained. Being one of the best and most selfless in the world, a warrior's code of conduct is driven by his 'farz' or duty, honour of his 'Paltan', and his nation's 'izzat'. The monthly remuneration can in no way compensate these sacrifices, as a soldier routinely and regularly goes beyond the call of duty for the 'izzat' he holds so dear. And this fact is closest to the heart of the BJP.
BJP has a common thread with the armed forces -- that of the ideology of nation first. Narendra Modi declared his commitment to stand by servicemen, veterans and OROP at a rally in Rewari in 2013. Congress, sensing a potential vote bank did not want to miss the bus so they hurriedly announced OROP and dished out a meagre sum towards it. Therein lies the difference, the uniformed forces are not a vote bank but a value bank for us. Our defence minister went on record, committing to deliver OROP and the finance minister did so in his budget speech. Assurances on the floor of the House are sacrosanct and only in rare circumstances does their completion go a little beyond the financial year. The departments involved in OROP are defence, defence finance, finance and personnel. To get them to speak in one voice and have one view may take time but it will be done. This in itself may lower the satisfaction levels of a few impatient ones and that's when the defence minister spoke of delivering 80% satisfaction he did not say 80% pension. When we have waited for decades, what's a few months more? The armed forces can rest assured that the OROP is perfectly within the credible sights of the PM, FM and 'RM' of this government.
So what's taking time? OROP implies an officer of the same number of years of service and same rank gets the same pension irrespective of the year of retirement. But officers with the same years of service and same rank do not usually get the same salary. This is due to the number of years spent in each rank, or in other words, because of staggered promotion. For example, one colonel could spend more time in the rank of 'colonel' while another colonel may take longer to reach the rank, thus getting less time in the rank of colonel itself. Both may have the same number of total years of military service, but their salary itself will be different.
The one reaching colonel first gets a higher salary. Since pension itself is a derivative of salary, pensions will be different too. There will be thousands of variations in each rank, and we have not even begun counting. This is just one of the many challenges but the government is committed to finding a solution and, without penalising anyone, bringing in a harmonious and simple methodology for calculation of pensions as prescribed in the spirit of OROP. Will my honourable colleagues from the Opposition show some patience and wait for the end of the financial year or will they play spoilsport?
It is in this government that the service chiefs have direct access to the political leadership. In the first 200 days itself, meetings between civil and military leadership far outnumber the total number of meetings held in the last decade of UPA. Protocols are for formal occasions; when the tigers meet, the lambs have no place. Supremacy is of leadership; military and then political, period.
This government has faith in every field commander and soldier to do what's right for the country. Congress weakened the armed forces, reduced fighting capability. Its political indecisiveness and hesitation dulled the sharpness and led to beheadings, embarrassment and lowered morale. In 200 days, critical procurements stuck for the last several years have been cleared. Our responses on the border are with befitting ferocity. War memorial ordered. OROP will be delivered. Modi was also the first PM to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in field.
Congress needs to stop doubting the veracity of the very forces that protect us. They are indeed the wall between heaven and hell. It's thanks to social media that citizens pay rich tributes to our warriors in uniform. And it's from the social media I quote for the benefit of my Congress colleagues: "If you cannot stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them".
Source Click This Link :-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
war veterans march on to Delhi for OROP
CHANDIGARH:
More than 10,000 restless ex-servicemen from across the country will
hold a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on February 1 to
pressurize the Centre into keeping its promise on the one rank one
pension (OROP) demand.
During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, both the BJP and Congress had pledged to implement the scheme. But the new government has not implemented it even after completing 200 days in office. Several ex-servicemen welfare organizations have come under the banner of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) for the protest.
The veterans are also unhappy over defence minister Manohar Parrikar recent statement that he would try to implement 80% of OROP.
"It has to be implemented 100% as promised by the Prime Minister on a number of occasions. Any dilution will not be OROP," said Major General Satbir Singh (retd), chairman of IESM. He also wants a white paper from the Centre on OROP, given that Narender Modi had pledged to implement the scheme in his first election rally at Rewari in September 2013 after he was declared BJP's prime ministerial candidate.
"If it is short of funds, the government should openly say so. We are even ready to accept bonds but give us our 100%," Gen Satbir said.
Brigadier Harwant Singh (retd), president of the all India Defence Brotherhood, said, "As soldiers, we never thought of performing 80% while guarding the nation. We are feeling dejected and restless because of the delay."
Brigadier Kiran Krishan (retd) of IESM said OROP was sanctioned on February 17, 2014. "Ten months have passed since. The BJP government enthusiastically promising to implement it had raised our hopes. But the party seems to be dragging its feet."
In its last budget in February, the UPA government had provisioned for Rs 500 crore for OROP. The BJP government had announced Rs 1,000 crore in its interim budget in July. However, army authorities estimate that Rs 5,000 crore would be required, whereas the accounts department of the defence ministry says Rs 9000 crore would be needed to implement OROP.
Out of 30-lakh ex-servicemen in the country, Punjab alone has around 3 lakh, Haryana has nearly 2.8 lakh, Himachal Pradesh (HP) has around two lakh. Around 10,000 retired ex-servicemen live in Chandigarh.
OROP implies uniform pension to personnel retiring on the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/OROP/
During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, both the BJP and Congress had pledged to implement the scheme. But the new government has not implemented it even after completing 200 days in office. Several ex-servicemen welfare organizations have come under the banner of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) for the protest.
The veterans are also unhappy over defence minister Manohar Parrikar recent statement that he would try to implement 80% of OROP.
"It has to be implemented 100% as promised by the Prime Minister on a number of occasions. Any dilution will not be OROP," said Major General Satbir Singh (retd), chairman of IESM. He also wants a white paper from the Centre on OROP, given that Narender Modi had pledged to implement the scheme in his first election rally at Rewari in September 2013 after he was declared BJP's prime ministerial candidate.
"If it is short of funds, the government should openly say so. We are even ready to accept bonds but give us our 100%," Gen Satbir said.
Brigadier Harwant Singh (retd), president of the all India Defence Brotherhood, said, "As soldiers, we never thought of performing 80% while guarding the nation. We are feeling dejected and restless because of the delay."
Brigadier Kiran Krishan (retd) of IESM said OROP was sanctioned on February 17, 2014. "Ten months have passed since. The BJP government enthusiastically promising to implement it had raised our hopes. But the party seems to be dragging its feet."
In its last budget in February, the UPA government had provisioned for Rs 500 crore for OROP. The BJP government had announced Rs 1,000 crore in its interim budget in July. However, army authorities estimate that Rs 5,000 crore would be required, whereas the accounts department of the defence ministry says Rs 9000 crore would be needed to implement OROP.
Out of 30-lakh ex-servicemen in the country, Punjab alone has around 3 lakh, Haryana has nearly 2.8 lakh, Himachal Pradesh (HP) has around two lakh. Around 10,000 retired ex-servicemen live in Chandigarh.
OROP implies uniform pension to personnel retiring on the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/OROP/
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