AF PENSIONERS' ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE SCOVA MEETING HELD ON 27.6.2016

SCOVA Meeting was held yesterday 27th Jun 2016.
The Hon'ble Minister Dr Jitendra Singh presided in the second half. Prior to his arrival Shri C Vishwanath, the new Secy (Pensions) presided. Senior representatives of Ministries together with Finance Expenditure, Defence and CGDA were present.

Following was discussed:

1. ISSUE OF PPO's Though CGDA
representatives indicated that all PPO's after 6th Pay Commission had been issued, this was refuted both by AVM Chopra representing AFA and the undersigned. However it was explained that the frequency of orders issued by MoD and the extra paperwork created by PCDA(P) itself was causing considerable backlog. The following was also brought to the notice of Secy (Pensions)

1.1 That orders issued were not composite covering all types of pensions.

1.2. Incorrect interpretation of orders.

1.3. Opaque method of functioning of PCDA(P) with no replies to queries.

1.4 Issue of unnecessary Annexure's to be filled by JCO's and Other Ranks thus creating further delays in disbursements to them.

1.5 Non-Digitalisation of PPO's and resorting to PPO's through post. Recommended all PPO's to be digitally sent to Record Offices in the case of JCO's and Other ranks and correspondence/queries in regards such personnel resorted to over mail. Record Offices needed to be encouraged to correspond or forward PPO's received to CPPC Units.

1.6.Assistance of Postal Authorities not resorted to in affixing orders issued or finding out whereabouts of pensioners.

1.7. Pensions of widows of those that die delayed by over 4 months instead of being instantaneous.

1.8 Denying pensions approved by authorities to retired personnel unilaterally.

2.Other issues concerning Pensions etc.

Not receiving a satisfactory response from the Jt.CDA present, instructions were immediately issued which were subsequently approved by the Minister that a meeting would be held early next week with CGDA, Jt Secy ESW and other government authorities responsible with DIWAVE and AFA being present. We requested presence of IESL also.

3. PROSTHESIS

Ministry of Health has undertaken the task of insurance for pensioners with CGHS and others. We requested that PROSTHESIS to Orthopedically handicapped should also be included for Prosthesis. This would greatly assist non government disabled as well and lower costs. The same is available abroad. This suggestion was agreed to and a note on the same was requested.

4. SPECIAL HIGHER PENSIONS FOR THE WIDOWS OF WAR DISABLED PENSIONERS INVALIDED OUT OF SERVICE
According to the Ministry of Defence note, the proposal had been rejected. We emphasised that The said examination of our proposal was incorrect and on wrong parameters. Whereas the proposal was examined with all 50000 disabled to be covered our proposal was only for the DISABLED INVALIDED OUT WIDOWS and no other.These numbered approx 4500. The Secy (pensions) immediately indicated where 4500 or 10000, it did not matter and ordered re-examination of the proposal. This suggestion/proposal had been rendered after observing some widows begging outside places of religious worship. Mod Representatives could not respond nor CGDA. Immediately The senior representative from Min of Fin (Expenditure) present, informed the chair, that if this proposal was sent to them, they would clear it immediately. The Re-examination of the proposal was ordered.

5. EXTENSION OF BENEFIT of OM DATED 28-01-2013

(Revision of Disability Pension w.e.f 1-1-2006 We informed the chair that though MoD had issued the orders, the payments had been indirectly stopped by PCDA(P) because of an ANNEXURE required to be filled by JCO"s and OTHER RANKS. It was pointed out that in every order which at present was at a frequency of one per quarter, the same ANNEXURE was being requested for. Thus no one had benefitted so far.

TO BE DISCUSSED IN MEETING WITH CGDA IN MEETING TO BE HELD.

6.FULL PENSION TO PRE-2006 PENSIONERS WITH LESS THAT 33 YEARS OF SERVICE
It was pointed out that the orders were defective in as much that JCO's and Other Ranks would suffer as they were being brought down from Maximum to Minimum of Rank. Further orders for Defence Civilians had been published the very next day whereas no orders had been issued for the Defence Pensioners so far. On a request by Secy (Pensions) for a suggestion in regards JCO's and Other ranks, we suggested that they be retained at Maximum of Pay.

7. ISSUES RELATING TO CGHS IN DEHRADUN

During the discussion in this regard, we brought out that Civilian Defence Employees of IMA and RIMC had no medical cover and they should be included. This was noted.

8. OTHER ISSUES

We pointed out that whilst implementing OROP orders, THE PCDA(P) had reduced the service element of DISABLED WAR VETERANS INVALIDED OUT OF SERVICE AND THEIR WIDOWS unilaterally and arbitrarily reduced their entitlements to actually rendered service. This had resulted in recovery and no benefit to them.

We added that Capt's and Major's had been equated to the Hony Lts or Hony Capts. An incorrect assumption. This was noted and would be discussed in the special meeting to be held with CGDA and JS (ESW) and other present.

Col H N Handa
President For: Disabled War Veteran's (India) C6-18/1 Safdarjung Development Area, Behind Haus Khas Telephone Exchange, New Delhi 110016 Tele: 011-41315492 Fax: 011-41315492/0124-4051572 Mob: +919811920190/+919811199367 Mail: diwave1@gmail.com website: www.diwave.org

(Source- Via e-mail from Vet Col SS Sohi)