WHOM TO BELIEVE, OROP SLIPS DAY BY DAY, ESM TO TAKE IT TO STREETS

Dear Colleagues,

          Accompanied by IESM Governing Body members Hony Captains Nagendar Singh and Balwan Singh as well as Risaldar Om Parkash I met the Raksha Mantri today. While I did highlight some other points, OROP inevitably topped the agenda. The RM has all the details worked out, including the expenditure involved in implementing OROP separately for officers, JCOs/OR, families, disabled etc. He did mention the latest spanner thrown in by a related Supreme Court decision (in the case of Maj Gen SPS Vains) where the OROP has been mentioned. However, he appeared confident of resolving the issue without much problem.

          The RM is in full grip of the situation. He exudes and inspires confidence. In a relatively short time he has acquired good understanding of the complex manpower structure of the defence forces. He is also fully supportive of the uniformed personnel.

          Timeline for OROP? All clearances seems to be in place. Work is progressing apace. My own estimate is OROP will come latest   by 26 May 2015, when the NDA completes one year in office. I have given the farthest limit so that we do not again fall prey to disappointment. Having said that I am hopeful it will come much sooner than 26 May. Till then let us be patient.

Other Points

          Some other points that were mentioned and handed over to the RM are:

1.    Reservists' Pension.  They are entitled to 2/3 of the minimum pension of a Sepoy with 15 years' service, but not less than Rs 3,500/- per month. As of now they are getting their entitlement. With OROP the minimum pension of a Sepoy will rise, necessitating up-scaling of the Reservists' pension.Their number is very small.

         

2.    Pension of pre-2006 Hony Naib Subedars.  As of today, Hony Naib Subedars of post 1.1.2006 era are getting the pension of a regular Naib Subedar but the pre- 2006 retirees are getting a Havildar's pension. Number of the affected persons being small and finite, this anomaly needs to be removed.

3.    Pension of Majors.   It was highlighted that concept of OROP as well as Supreme Court ruling speak against creating a dividing line for grant of pension. Therefore, while considering grant of a Lt Colonel's pension to a pre 16.12.2004 Major, there should be no further dividing line based on 1.1.1996. Officers that retired prior to 1.1.1996 in the rank of Major are only about 700 in number and should not be subjected to any discrimination. The point was registered.

4.    Minimising Court Cases.   It was highlighted that till the Third Pay Commission, there were practically no court cases. Any pay commission anomaly that was perceived was discussed and resolved between the Army Chief, Defence Secretary and their assisting staff. That system needs to be revived.

          In this connection I also highlighted that when a military person seeks legal intervention, he is actually a representative of a larger group. There should be a provision where the relief provided to an individual should automatically extend to others similarly affected. The RM clarified that legally, since it is not a PIL, the individual fights for himself and the courts cannot give that benefit to others. However, an administrative mechanism can be put in place for extending such benefit to others. He further added that he is already having it examined for implementation.  This showed how positively he is disposed toward resolving the soldiers' problems.

​ Best regards,

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Chairman IESM

262, Sector - 17A

Gurgaon - 122 001

EX-SERVICEMEN CHEATED AGAIN & OROP IS A SINKING SHIP

Dear Members,

IESM has been getting calls from veterans who wanted to know the correct position of OROP. Veterans are very confused about the various mails floating on the net giving different status of OROP. 

IESM sought an appointment with RM to learn the real situation from RM himself. IESM delegation consisting of four members Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Maj Gen AJB Jaini, Gp Capt VK Gandhi and Hon Lt K Pandey met Sh Manohar Parikkar at 1300h on 14 Apr 15.

RM was forthcoming and explained the latest situation. OROP file has been moving upwards as predicted. At the last stage an official from Finance Ministry has put an observation about the SC ruling regarding SPS vains case. RM was fully apprised of the SPS Vains case and told the delegation that this observation is not applicable to OROP case. Hence suitable reply will be given on file by MOD and file will be sent back for approval.  

RM further stated that he is working to issue Government letter latest by June end that is within one year of NDA Government being sworn to power. He sounded very confident that OROP is foregone conclusion and the next step is issuance of notification for OROP and the tables. He assured IESM delegation that the notification for OROP will be issued soon.

IESM delegation requested RM that stake holders must be involved in finalizing Government letter and the relevant tables for OROP. He confirmed that calculations for his note were done by Armed Forces pay cells and he would keep this in mind. 

IESM delegation came back fully assured that OROP is in safe hands of RM Sh Manohar Parikkar who will make sure that OROP will see the day light after 30 yrs of struggle. 

Dear Veterans have a drink and celebrate. 

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM.

DM's INTERVIEW WITH CNN IBN

नई दिल्ली। फ्रांस के लड़ाकू विमान राफेल की आलोचना कर रहे लोगों को आईबीएन7 पर देश के रक्षा मंत्री मनोहर पर्रिकर ने करारा जवाब दिया है। पर्रिकर ने आईबीएन7 से एक्सक्लूसिव बातचीत में साफ कहा कि ये विमान वायुसेना की जरूरत है। राफेल बेहतरीन क्षमता वाला विमान है और उसपर सवाल उठाना पूरी तरह से बेमानी है।

पर्रिकर ने राफेल को लेकर की जा रही आलोचनाओं का जवाब भी दिया और साफ कहा कि ये कहना गलत होगा कि राफेल विमान वायुसेना में इस वक्त मिग-21 विमानों का विकल्प है। पर्रिकर ने राफेल विमानों का विरोध कर रहे बीजेपी नेता सुब्रह्मण्यम स्वामी को समझाने की बात भी कही।

उन्होंने साफ कहा कि वो स्वामी से मिलेंगे और उन्हें समझाएंगे। गौरतलब है कि स्वामी ने इस सौदे के खिलाफ अदालत में जाने की धमकी दी थी। रक्षा मंत्री ने ये भी बताया कि मिग-21 की जगह देश में ही बन रहे हल्के विमान तेजस तैनात होंगे।

सुमित अवस्थी: 36 राफेल विमानों पर तो बात हो गई है लेकिन बाकी 90 विमानों के मुद्दे पर क्या बात हो रही है?

मनोहर पर्रिकर: मेक इन इंडिया पर दोनों सरकारों के साथ बात होने के बाद ही होगी। राफेल काफी महंगा विमान है। 126 विमानों के लिए 90 हजार करोड का सौदा होगा। सरकार से सरकार स्तर पर बात के बाद मेक इन इंडिया पर बात होगी। राफेल से मिग-21 रिप्लेस नहीं होगा, बाकी 90 विमानों पर हम चर्चा करेगें। तेजस से मिग-21 रिप्लेस होगा। 36 प्लेन खरीदने का निर्णय इन प्रिसिंपल हुआ है। दोनों देशों की टीमें बैठकर निर्णय लेगी कि कितने राफेल बनाने हैं। मिग 21 की जगह हल्का विमान तेजस लेगा।

सुमित अवस्थी: क्या ये सच है कि पिछले 10 सालों में दुनिया भर के रक्षा मंत्रालयों के मुकाबले हम पीछे छूट गए?

मनोहर पर्रिकर: मुझे किसी पर कीचढ़ फेंकने की आदत नहीं है, आरएफपी मॉडल से डील करना ही गलत है। पिछले दस सालों में किसी का किसी पर भरोसा नहीं रहा। एक रैंक, एक पेंशन का मुद्दा समाधान की ओर है। लेकिन कोर्ट के अंतरिम आदेश के कारण मुझे फैसला देखना होगा। अधिकतम 1 साल में हम एक रैंक, एक पेंशन को लागू कर सकेगें।

सुमित अवस्थी: राफेल सौदे को लेकर सुबह्यण्यम स्वामी कोर्ट जाने की बात कर रहे हैं?

मनोहर पर्रिकर: मैं सुबह्यण्यम स्वामी का सम्मान करता हूं। लेकिन मैं उन्हें एक दिन समझाने के लिए बुलाउंगा। उनका निर्णय इंस्टेट न्यूज पर आधारित हो सकता है।

सुमित अवस्थी: दिग्विजय सिंह के आरोपो पर क्या कहेंगे?

मनोहर पर्रिकर: हमारी डील क्लियर स्टेटमेंट पर है। हम आरएफपी से कम प्राइस पर बात करेगें। दोनों सरकारों के बीच सौदा क्या पहली बार हो रहा है।

   SOURCE http://khabar.ibnlive.in.com/news/139753/1

OROP LATEST NEWS BY IESM

Dear Members,

 

IESM has been spearheading the your fight for OROP. IESM has met almost all the officers in line to sanction OROP, arranged rallies in Delhi and other parts of country, sat on hunger strike, deposited our precious gallantry medals to the President and submitted memos signed with our blood to President and Government. Last but not the least even flexed out muscle of vote power.

 

All these methods put together had their impact and Government both UPA and NDA agreed to grant our long cherished and most deserving demand of OROP. OROP was finally granted by Government in budget presented in 2014. But this was not the final and last step for OROP, in-fact this was the first positive step to OROP. Most of us are unaware of serpentine galleries of Government which a file has to travel for approval.   

 

It has taken more than one year for IESM to convince the powers that be that ESM will not accept any dilution in definition of OROP. Raksha Mantri Mr Manohar Parikkar is a man of principle and he understood the nuances of OROP and also the neglect of ESM since last many decades. He took it upon himself to over rule all objections raised by MOD/CDA/DESW combine about OROP. He approved OROP and sent the file to Finance Minister. 

 

Good news has just come that OROP file has been cleared and OROP has been given political clearance also.  

Mr Nitin Gokhle met RM Mr Manohar Parikkar on 9 Apr 15. RM has confirmed to him that OROP has been approved at all levels and has been given political clearance also. Nitin Gokhle had been cleared by RM to inform the environment.

Accordingly he sent a message for approval of OROP . His message is repeated below. 

April 10, 2015 12:23 IST

Military veterans are finally set to get their dues following Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's assertion that the 'One Rank One Pension' scheme is just weeks away from being implemented, reports Nitin Gokhale.

The long-pending 'One Rank One Pension,' scheme meant to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement, is now weeks away from actual implementation, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

Speaking to this correspondent in Delhi on Thursday, April 9, the minister said: "All hurdles, including a political clearance on its financial implications, have been removed. Now the actual calculation and administrative details are being worked out. We are sure to get the scheme rolling in the next few weeks."

Admitting that there is huge skepticism over the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme, Parrikar said: "This time we have ensured that nothing goes wrong."

The long-standing demand has been an emotive issue with defence pensioners for almost half a decade with many of them even marching in protest several times to Rashtrapati Bhavan between 2008 and 2010 to return their gallantry medals.

IESM CONVEYS ITS SINCERE THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND RAKSHA MANTRI MR MANOHAR PARIKKAR FOR FULFILLING PROMISE MADE IN THEIR MANIFESTO. 

Dear veterans it is time to celebrate. We can have a drink tonight and celebrate OROP which is likely to see day light after 30 years of struggle. 

Our real struggles starts today as we have to ensure that language of Government notification is not tweaked to take away the advantage of OROP.

ESM's have had very sour  experience in past wherein advantage of Rank Pay and 6CPC were denied to ESM by tweaking few words in the Government letters. This resulted in long court battles which ofcourse have been won by ESM. Armed Forces Hq and all ESM organisations will have to ensure that the Government letter issued is true to spirit of OROP.

-------------------------------------------------

VETERANS; THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY UNITY OF VETERANS FOR OROP. LET US REMAIN UNITED TO IMPROVE CONDITION OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

----------------------------------------------------

IESM will report more details as and when received. 

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Flat no 801, Tower N5

Narmada Apartments

Pocket D6 

Vasant Kunj

Nelson Mandela Marg
New Delhi. 110070
Mobile   09810541222

‘Ex-servicemen entitled to pension on basis of rank last held’

Retired JWO in Air Force seeks to re-fix his pension

The pension payable to ex-servicemen should be calculated on the basis of the rank they held last before retiring from service even if it was held for a day and more for months as perceived, the Regional Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Chennai has reiterated.

Justice V. Periya Karuppiah and administrative member Lt. Gen. K. Surendra Nath (Retd.) of the Bench also held that all ex-servicemen were entitled to their pension on the basis of their rank last held and not just for pensioners, who retired before 1996.

Citing recommendations made by the Sixth Central Pay Commission and an order by the Ministry of Defence, the Bench said, “We have already observed that the requirement of 10 months’ service in the last held rank or Group to earn pension of that rank or Group has been removed and it is sufficient for a personnel of Armed Forces to hold the post even for one day at the time of his discharge to earn pension for that rank.”

When the benefits conferred upon the Armed Forces personnel on the changed policies have been laid, “it ought to have been issued by the respondents without any request from the applicant,” they said in a recent order.

Arrears sought

P. Gopalakrishnan, who retired as Junior Warrant Officer (JWO) in the Indian Air Force, applied for an appeal seeking the AFT to direct authorities to re-fix his pension in his last held rank as JWO in X Group from the date of his discharge in 2005 and sought for payment of arrears.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the Bench directed the authorities to issue corrigendum for the restructured pension in the rank of JWO and to pay the arrears of revised pensions within three months.

Authorities told to issue corrigendum for restructured pension

Ex-servicemen protest for 'One Rank One Pension'

Press Trust of India

April 1, 2015 Last Updated at 22:42 IST 

 

 Hundreds of ex-servicemen today staged a protest at office of District Magistrate demanding the implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' scheme and handed over a memorandum in the name of President and Prime Minister of India.

President of ex-servicemen welfare samiti BC Bansal said that PM Narendra Modi had promised implement ion of the scheme during his election campaign.
BJP government has now forgotten its promise made to the ex-servicemen after coming to power, he said.

Brigadier (retired) VS Chaudhary said that BJP has ditched the retired soldiers and in the memorandum demanded for the establishment of a 'National Soldier Commission' to look after the welfare and resolve the grievances of retired soldiers.

http://www.business-standard.com/esm/protest/