Anil Kaul urges the bureaucracy to accept that ‘One Rank One Pension’ is a just demand
Veterans, my friend, have to choose between being forgotten, mocked or used. As for being understood: Never. — Albert Camus
THE ENTIRE philosophy of handling the affairs of the armed forces and veterans needs an overhaul. By its attitude and deeds, the bureaucracy is ensuring that the atmosphere gets vitiated — once this happens, disaster can overtake the nation sooner than later. The trust of the nation — and the consideration soldiers deserve after the sacrifices they make with a smile — is missing. No amount of these half-hearted measures will be helpful unless this trust deficit is addressed and there is a total attitudinal change of the bureaucracy from ‘Squeeze the last ounce of blood of the soldier in times of emergency and once the job is done hang them’ should change to ‘Give the best to the soldiers as they are doing the most onerous duties for the nation’.
The soldier has to be made to believe that the entire nation is behind him to take care of him while he is ready to make supreme sacrifice. It must be done fast and before he starts asking: ‘Who am I sacrificing my life for? If this is their attitude then why should I sacrifice myself?’
To ensure that such a situation does not arise, there is an urgent requirement for grant of ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) immediately. Thirty years is time long enough for anybody to wait for a basic problem.
Pension as defined by the Supreme Court is not pay but payment for services rendered. The OROP demand was authored way back in 1981 but remains unsolved. The definition of OROP has already been discussed in detail by the government and the Rajya Sabha Petition Committee headed by Bhagat Singh Koshyari and accepted as under:
The pre-1 January 2006 retirees got the same pensions as the post-1 January 2006 retirees by matching up the three factors that govern the pensions of ex-servicemen, i.e., the rank, the length of service and the trade (in case of all ranks below officer rank only). After this was effected, any future increases be automatically applied to old pensioners. The family, disability and dependents’ pensions are included for purposes of this definition. This, however, does not mean the grant of pensionary benefits such as DCRG and additional value of commutation pension.
This definition by no stretch of imagination includes annual increments in pensions as is given to serving soldiers. Not at all.
Notwithstanding the Rajya Sabha Committee Report being presented on 19 December 2011, is the general public aware that in 2013, a post-2006 retiree brigadier (equivalent deputy secretary) will get more pension than post-2006 retiree major generals (equivalent to a joint secretary). The protection clause for the Major Generals would have to be applied or Military Service Pay will have to be extended to Major Generals. This is the mess created by the Sixth Pay Commission. Now compare this with pre-2006 retirees. Pension of post-2012 retiree colonels (equivalent to a director), both time scale and selection grade, is Rs 35,841 whereas pre-2006 retiree major generals’ pension is Rs 26,700.You cannot have three-ranks juniors getting far more pension than the seniors. The OROP was asked for by defence personnel because ours is a rank-based hierarchy and our terms and conditions are unique and different from any other profession. As such, we want the same class of defence personnel is same rank and same years of service who are living today should get the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement and should continue to get same pension in perpetuity.
In their desperation to fool the unwary veterans, the bureaucrats had added the matter of annual increment in pension as per the serving soldiers to the award of OROP. This matter was being flaunted as the biggest stumbling block in grant of OROP.
EX-SERVICEMEN, IN fact, do not want annual increment in pensions as this is not right. The serving soldier gets his annual increment for additional year’s service: How can a pensioner claim the same for his retired service?
OROP means full parity with the latest rates of pension for past pensioners. Once granted, there are no increments till another revision by a Central Pay Commission or a Committee. A paper prepared by ex-servicemens’ organisations for the defence minister on OROP is available on demand. All those who wish to have its copy can be sent one on request. The most important is Chapter 5, which encapsulates all the lies that bureaucrats have been speaking over the past 30 years to scuttle OROP, together with the truth. This was given to the Koshiyari Committee also, which made good use of the information by exposing the lies of the bureaucrats and rejecting them with the contempt these deserved.
Successive governments in the past had claimed that OROP was untenable and the costs exhorbitant. The anomaly was created by the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commissions. The Congress had promised OROP in its poll manifesto in 2004. However, the UPA government rejected the OROP demand in December 2008, after which ex-servicemen returned their gallantry medals to the President and made open overtures towards the BJP. Following protracted protests, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar to review OROP issues. Interestingly, it was announced ahead of the parliamentary polls in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, which contribute thousands of soldiers to the three services.
On the basis of the panel’s suggestion, the Centre has now agreed to substantially hike the pension of junior commissioned officers and other ranks. The pension of such personnel who retired before 10 October 1997 (implementation date for the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations) will be brought at par with the pension of those retired after that date.
The pension of those retired before 1 January, 2006 — including the 1997 group — will be substantially hiked to come close to those who retired after the cut-off date of 1 January 2006 (implementation date for the Sixth Pay Commission). This is not OROP but better defined as near parity. Implementation of one rank one pension will put a ‘financial burden’ of Rs 1,300 crore on the government, wrote a journalist.
Kaul, a retired officer, is the author of Better Dead Than Disabled. The views expressed here are personal.
DE-GRADATION OF ARMY AND UP-GRADATION OF CIVIL[IAS/IPS]
ReplyDelete1.ARMY COMES TO RESCUE OF CIVIL AUTHORITY[IAS/IPS ] ON THEIR FAILURE IN NAME OF AID TO CIVIL POWER
2.THE ARMED FORCES WERE PAID HIGHER PAY & PENSION [PENSION USED TO BE 75 % OF PAY, AS APPLICABLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES] NOW THE PENSION HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 50%
3.However, this was arbitrarily and without any justification changed by 3rd CPC in 1973.
4.The RAJYA SABHA Committee opined that the Govt has TAKEN an ill considered decision,
5.Rajya Sabha ATR) is still awaited.
6.Ex Servicemen Discontent is Disturbing . legitimate and fair demand of OROP be accepted.
7.Rajya Sabha Petition Committee strongly recommended its sanction and implementation OF OROP.
8.PM/FM/RM/LOK SABHA/RAJYA SABHA ALL HAVE ACCEPTED ONE ONE RANK PENSION BUT A CABINET SECRETARY HAS REJECTED IT. IS CS IS ABOVE ALL THE AUTHORITIES & GOVT WHO HAVE ACCEPTED ,OROP, SUCH A PERSON SHOULD BE PUNISHED & SENT HOME, HE IS SOWING SEEDS OF DISCONTENTMENT IN FORCES. FORCES DO NOT HAVE UNIONS ,WHEN WATER GOES ABOVE LEVEL THEY REVOLT MAY BE CALLED MUTINY. KINDLY ENSURE SUCH A SITUATION DOES NOT ARISE
9.The Defence Personnel have suffered thrice over[THREE PAY COMMISSIONS ERODED THEIR PAY/PENSION/STATUS ]; The pension of Defence highest rank has increased only 45 times, that of civilian highest rank it has increased 108 times). THE COL[SELECTION]/BRIG GOT MERE INCRESE OF 30 TIMES.There is just no justification for the same.
10.ALL Will draw the pay of Addl Secretary Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/- in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
12. The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .BUT DENIED TO DEFENSE SERVICES A HEIGHT OF DEGRADATION OF FORFCES
H]In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/BSF/ITBP too can beat Def Services Offrs when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt / DSP in 8 yrs.
J]All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
K] Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .
L]In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offr l. Such problems will only increase in future.
M]Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution .ELSE LOT MANY SURMOUNTABLE PROBLEM WITH IN ARMY WILL SET IN & command& control will be face multiple problems.DISGRUNTLED ARMIES IN WORLD RESORT TO MUTINY. THANK GOD OUR ARMIES ARE BEST IN WORLD & WILL NEVER DO SO. HENCE KINDLY BE GOOD TO ARMY & LOOK AFTER.
However , the issue needs a more forceful action by RESPECTED PM/FM/RM SIR
N]. Benefits of NFU DENIED
O]. It not only affects pay/pension, it also affects status.
P]. TO DAY ARMY COMES IN AID TO CIVIL POWER.
[ ONCE CIVIL AUTHORITY IAS/IPS FAIL IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES]MAY BE EARTH QUAKE,FLOOD RELIEF,TRAIN ACCIDENT,ASIAD GAMES,NAXAL PROBLEM,TERROR ATTACK ,CHILD IN WELL,STRIKE BY RAIL,ELECTRICITY BOARD, TELE SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES & SO ON LIST IS NEVER ENDING.
Q]. GOVERNMENT LAST HOPE IS ARMY & IF YOU NEITHER GIVE PAY/PENSION AT LEAST AT PAR WITH CIVIL IAS/IPS THAN YOU CANNOT EXPECT MIRACLES FROM THE ARMY. NO WHERE IN WORLD POOR PAID ARMY HAS EVER WON
R]. KINDLY RESTORE STATUS , GIVE PAY,PENSION NOT LESS THAN IAS/IPS & MAINTAIN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY & DO NOT VIOLATE ARTICLE 14 OF CONSTITUTION & FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY.
T] IMMEDIATE NEED TO REVISE PAY & PENSION .SPEEDY PAYMENT OD ARREARS WITH CORRESPONDING DA w.e.f 1/1/2006
3. COL [SELECTION GRADE] SHOULD BE ABOVE SUPER TIME SCALE, SO IS BRIG, BUT IN REALITY IT IS NOT SO. THEY ARE BEING PAID DEGRADED PAY & PENSION.
14. I understand Chankya said to his king" your kingdom is doomed if and when our soldier has to ask for his dues".
ARE WE REALLY PREPARED TO FACE A WAR?
ReplyDelete1.WHEN EVER A NEW COAS COMES HE ASSURES THAT OUR BORDER ARE SAFE & ARMY IS WELL PREPARED TO FIGHT .NATION IS IN SAFE HANDS . BUT PRIOR TO LAST 2-3 MONTHS OF RETIREMENT THEY SING A TUNE IN REVERSE. DISGRUNTLEMENT AT THAT LEVEL, SO LEADERSHIP IS NOT EFFECTIVE.
2. COAS VK SINGH WENT UP TO THIS EXTENT THAT THEY CAN TAKE ON TO-GTHER PAK & CHINA. GEN VK SINGH CONDUCTED EXERCISE TO BOAST FURTHER, BUT JUST PRIOR TO RETIREMENT SAME REVERSE TUNE i.e. ARMY IS ILL EQUIPPED ,INFRA STRUCTURE IS POOR, LACK OF ARMS & AMN.
3. CHINA MOVED SWIFTLY TO POK, NORTH & NORTH EAST BORDER & BUILT ROADS.MOVED TO SEA BORDERS TOO & MADE BASES EVEN NEAR SRI LANKA. WE BROUGHT ENEMY NEAR DUE TO FALSE ASSURANCE/CRY OF OUR COAS.
4. KARGIL WAR WAS NOT A WAR .IT WAS JUST RE-CONTROL OF OUR POSTS WHICH WERE NOT MANNED DURING WINTER. SEE HOW MUCH FORCE WAS MOVED APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 9 DIVISIONS. THE PITY WAS THAT EVEN AT THAT TIME COAS WAS OUT F COUNTRY & CORP COMMANDER PLAYING GOLF, WHILE YOUNG OFFICER & MEN WERE EMBRACING DEATH.
6. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT FROM TWO DECADES. AGE OLD TANKS/APC LIVED OVERHAUL LIFE TOO. CAN THEY BE BATTLE WORTHY
7. SO AS CASE WITH OUR AIR FORCE LET IT IS A TRAINEE AIR CRAFT OR FIGHTER AIR CRAFT.
8. VAST SEA SHORE & HARDLY MATCHING TASK TO SEA EQUIPMENT.
9. OUR ARMY FOUGHT BRAVELY IN 1962 DUE TO WILL OF SOLDIER
10 BUT WHEN MEN MORALE IS IN BOOTS& MACHINE STATE ARE BAD THAN CAN ANY ARMY WIN A WAR
11. China violation of its territorial integrity from any quarter would be severely punished.
12. The only Chief [ LATE FIELD MANEKSHAW] who went to the Government & put his foot down that he needs six months for preparation before going for operation in 1971 war. SIMILARLY MARSHAL OF AIR LEAD HIS PILOT.S DEEP INTO ARMY TERRITORY. A RARE TYPE OF LEADER IN WORLD. HE TOO PUT HIS FOOT DOWN ALONG WITH THAN COAS THAT ANY LAND WON WILL NOT BE RETURNED AS LOT MANY OFFICER & MEN WILL BE KILLED & THEY HAVE TO FACE THEM. PM LATE SASHTRI AGREED BUT TASHKENT AGREEMENT WAS AGAINST ASSURANCE & HE LAID DOWN LIFE AS A TRUE SOLDIER. war is related to the capacity to kill and not getting killed.
13. China armed strength about two and a half time larger than ours.
19.Notwithstanding that of a house-holder blissfully ignoring the threat to his household on the basis of an assurance given to him by the thief himself,
20. The present political leadership in India, "all's well" Defence syndrome
21.WITH PRESENT DAY OLD OBSOLETE WAR MACHINE ,POOR INFRA STRUCTURE,CORRUPTION BY GENERAL’S AT ALL TIME HIGH ,POOR /UNHEALTHY /SUB STANDARD FOOD FOR TROOPS, POOR LOOK AFTER OF EX-SRVICEMEN WHICH LOWERS MORALE
22, GOD FATHER OF TROOPS [COL-S] DOWN GRADTION IN PAY & PENSION. THE MORALE OF COL [CO IS IN BOOTS] THAN WHAT WILL BE MORALE OF HIS TROOPS. WILL TO FIGHT WILL VANISH.
23. TO DAY ARMY COMES IN AID TO CIVIL POWER.
[ONCE CIVIL AUTHORITY IAS/IPS FAIL IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES]MAY BE EARTH QUAKE,FLOOD RELIEF,TRAIN ACCIDENT,ASIAD GAMES,NAXAL PROBLEM,TERROR ATTACK ,CHILD IN WELL,STRIKE BY RAIL,ELECTRICITY BOARD, TELE SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES & SO ON LIST IS NEVER ENDING.
24. MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK[AID TO CIVIL POWER] A MAJOR GETTING KILLED IN HOTEL & DGP SLEEPING IN CAR[ YOU FAIL IN YOUR DUTIES & ENJOY NAP. PERSON ASKING FOR AID TO CIVIL POWER SHOULD BE SACKED FIRST[WHO FAILED IN PERFORMANCE OF HIS BASIC DUTIES [IAS/IPS EXTRA]
25. GOVERNMENT LAST HOPE IS ARMY & IF YOU NEITHER GIVE PAY/PENSION AT LEAST AT PAR WITH CIVIL IAS/IPS THAN YOU CANNOT EXPECT MIRACLES FROM THE ARMY.