Welfare : Pensioner

Indian Military Veterans

Dear Sir,

1. Most of the 21 lakh Pensioners and Family pensioners are happy that some sort of OROP has come and feel their bank balance will improve w.e.f. Feb 2016. We have few soldiers in Army who were employed both in 1965 war and 1971 war and then thrown out onto streets without any pension. The ground given was : The establishment has been downsized and Govt of India cannot find a suitable job for them. They were given Special Pension if they have served for 10 years or more. Pension is same like for Soldier of 15 years’ service i.e. Full pension x (10 years’ service + 10 years’ rank weightage)/33. If they have served for less than 10 years they were given only Special Gratuity which is equal to one and half months basic pay for every completed year of service. Since such personnel did not serve for 10 years they are not given pension hence are NOT entitled for status of Ex-Servicemen and are NOT eligible to become members of ECHS having fought in 1965 and 1971 war. When you say it is unfair answer presumably given in courts of law: We are following old policy (laid down by Britishers who perfected the art of use and throw).

2. There is another category of soldiers who are in similar plight. They are called Reservists. They were asked to join Armed Forces (especially Army) for limited period of less than 10 years and called it Colour Service and balance as Reserve service (9 colour + 6 reserve). That means Army use them for less than 10 years and tell them to vamoose without any pension and without any alternate job. They exploited unemployment prevailing till 1970s. All those who joined under this in-human one sided contract (illegal as per Courts of Law) were forced to serve for less than 10 years as Colour service and then go home on the condition that they are liable to be recalled for service at short notice using clause of Reserve Service. They again were exploited whenever our country had to face emergency. They were also used in 1965 and 1971 wars. After their requirement was over, they were simply told “We do not need your service”. When asked for compensation “You did not serve for 15 years to earn pension. So no pension for you. Rules are rules?”

3. Any number of representations to civilians who dominate Min of Def will not be of any use. I have come across so many old soldiers who fought in 1965 & 1971 war living in penury with no pension. We need to fight their battles in courts of law.

4. If we get minimum 50 such affected personnel we can get concessional legal fees from our legal counsel. I am sure many large hearted veterans will donate for such worthy cause to pay for legal fees. We will see the legal fees is affordable i.e. in the region of Rs 1000 to Rs 2,000 per person.

5. I request you to forward me particulars of such non pensioners to enable us to file their case in AFT Delhi. Our legal counsel has agreed to fight their case in AFT Delhi.
Regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
9493191380