A meeting was held under the
Chairmanship of Hon'ble Raksha Mantri in his Conference Room with ESM
Delegation on 1st March 2017 & the following points were discussed.
1.Counting of full service of rank
as qualifying service (without any reduction for shortfall in actual service)
for war injury pension.
The RM took the details of the
special dispensation accorded in 1972 and the FADS agreed to our contention. He
instructed the Secy ESW and CGDA to take note. We informed him of the reduction
based on circular 555 for which he declared that no reduction in pension could
be made. CGDA took note.
2.OROP orders
The point regarding making Justice
Reddy commission report available to the AG, for analysis was projected by the
IESL. The FADS stated that the Report has not given any specific data and hence
his job has become difficult. The Hon'ble RM, however did not agree and stated
that the OROP issue is a political decision, and data is not required, the
concept will be approved.He indicated that he would issue orders based on
Justice Reddy Commission Report only after15 March 2017.
3.Issue of corrigendum PPO's
and e-PPO's
The issue of corrigendum PPO’s and e
PPO’s was raised by us. This was earlier also discussed in details. The point
that each pensioner needs a Govt authority( PPO) to know his entitlements was
implicitly highlighted.The AG ,while agreeing with the requirement informed the
RM that it would require complete change in the software. It would be a long
haul and might take upto over a year, The IESL, strongly raised the need
stating that it is a one time effort which has far reaching results and will go
a long way in reducing the hardships our veterans and Veer Naris are presently
going through. We need to work together and resolve to accomplish it. This
proposal was seriously considered and RM indicated that it was something that
needed to be implemented on priority. The issue will need to for followed by us
vigorously.
4.Empanelment of Ottobock and
Endolite prosthesis centre under ECHS
The orders for the same have been
finalised with rates approved for each fitting. The financial approval has been
cleared and the orders by MD ECHS should be issued very shortly.
5.Enhancement of pension grant of
special pension to of widows of war disabled invalided out veterans
The issue was strongly raised since
its not fair to these categories of personnel.The RM was positive on the
proposal and he asked the AG to process the case on priority . Decision will be
taken shortly.
6The weightage towards
pensions of officers ,JCO's and OR's as previously accorded in 6th Pay
Commission be restored.
RM agreed to the proposal and
informed Secy ESW and CGDA to immediately take note. The CGDA stated that since
the 7CPC is silent on the issue, it means the statusquo remains, and weightage
must be given, which is positive to our requirement.We requested the Hon'ble RM
for suitable instructions from the Govt. He asked the CGDA to take note and
issue instructions accordingly.
7The pension of Hony JCO's and NCOs
IESL intimated that some Hony JCO's
and NCO’s who received the honour after retirement were not receiving pensions
of the Hony ranks whereas some others get it. The RM after hearing the problem
stated that it could be resolved by changing the policy to ensure that the date
of honorary rank will not be the date of announcement but date on which
proposal was made to ensure it is given while in active service to ensure
status as well as motivational aspects are taken care of. He categorically
stated that all honorary ranks should be conferred prior to retirement to avoid
this anomaly. The AG accepted and promised to make suitable change to the
policy accordingly.
8MSP increase for JCO's and Other
Ranks
IESL raised the issue of the
enhanced MSP to JCO’s as they are a higher category than ORs and need to be
suitably compensated in MSP. The same was positively considered by the Hon’ble
RM He asked the AG to move the proposal on priority.
9NFU
IESL raised the issue of NFU to
Armed Forces officers in tune with the civilians. The RM was amenable to the
proposal and took note of the same for action.
10. Reservist Pension : The point
regarding enhancement of Reservist Pension was raised strongly by IESL. It was
proposed that instead of minimum pension, they be paid pension of an OR with 15
years service. The RM saw merit in the proposal and accepted to look into the
issue and asked for a detailed statement of case.
11.Disability Pension.The point
regarding disability pension on % basis to Armed Forces in line with the
civilians was highlighted.It was also stated that the same has been agreed
earlier, but orders are not issued. He stated the same will be issued soon
12 Resettlement of ESM : The issue
regarding resettlement of JCO’s/ORs was raised. It was brought out that there
is a need to make it statutory. Organizations like NDRF,Def PSU. OFB,DRDO,etc
must be fully manned by ESM . SSC Officers must be absorbed as Assistant
Commandants in CAPF on release from Army,as they are the best suited for the
job.
13 Budget for ECHS be equal to CGHS
: The point was strongly put across to the Hon’ble RM, he stated that he has
already given additional budget allotment and will further consider the proposal.
14.Common Pay Matrix. It was
strongly projected that in the 7 CPC ,there shoud be a common Pay Matrix, The
Def Pay Matrix presently is different and would result in stagnation at the top
for many years, which is not desirable. The Hon'ble RM accepted to go into the
issue and ensure that the anomaly is corrected.
15 Medical treatment to EC officers.
The point regarding medical treatment to EC officers was strongly taken up .It
was highlighted that they have given the best part of their life to the country
and we owe it to them to look after their health at this advance age. the RM
promised to look into the issue positively.
16.Arrears of Pension for post Jan
2006 retiree Hony Lts/Capts. It was highlighted that post Cab Secy's Report of
2009,the pay and pension was enhanced. However, the arrears were paid from Jul
2009.Since as per Supreme Court ruling all other arrears have been paid wef 01
Jan 2006, being 6 CPC case, these also need to be paid accordingly to ensure
fair play and justice. The Hon'ble RM accepted and promised to look into the
issue on priority.
17. The Hon'ble RM asked the
deligation to give him the details of each case separately so that he could
follow the progress. The same is being done today.
18.The RM also indicated to those
present that final orders of 7CPC had not been received and the pensions
presently ordered may be revised upwards in few cases. Other entitlements done
away by 7CPC are also under review and we should await the result.
