SOURCE:
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/armed-forces-discriminated-against-left-out-in-the-cold-by-ias-ips-government-must-explain-why-protect-soldiers/?utm_source=TOInewHP_TILwidget&utm_campaign=TOInewHP&utm_medium=Widget_Stry
BHAINSE KE AAGE 'BEEN BAJANA'
What are the armed forces’ problems with the 7th Pay Commission award?
All public servants are not the same. Those in the armed forces who serve, sacrifice and give their lives and limbs at times are a different kind of public servant. The angst of the armed forces, which is slowly converting into anger, goes back to 3rd Pay Commission.
It has less to do with the exact money and more to do with the status of armed forces vis-à-vis other central government services. This status is not like politicians understand it or about lal battis but about status in the hierarchy of service and command.
In what way has the status of armed forces gone down?
It is a reality that over the last 15-20 years the armed forces have slowly declined in stature and relative importance and positioning vis-à-vis police and IAS. Most of the angst of the military – serving and veterans – has to do with this. There is absolutely no doubt that IAS and IPS because of their proximity to the political powers have over successive pay commissions given themselves sweeter and sweeter deals and left the military out in the cold. This is indisputable because the military has never been represented in these pay commissions.
Any normal Indian citizen who has even the remotest feeling of care for armed forces will ask why?
Is it true that there are allowance anomalies: like a DIG of paramilitary forces serving in Shillong will get an extra Rs 73,000 but an Army Brigadier there will get zero allowance?
That is precisely the point. In all these cases, they will be serving in close proximity. In Leh for example a Brigadier and DIG would be serving in the unified command. Why would you take a Brigadier or a soldier and put him down in the hierarchy below what his predecessors in the armed forces were? What is the logic?
If government has an explanation for this they should make it. If IAS or pay commission has a reason for this why are they not putting it out in public domain?
This is about much more than just preserving the civilian-military balance?
We in India are very proud that the military is subordinate to the civilian and political administrative hierarchy but subordinate does not mean disadvantaged or subservient. Why are we making this institution of armed forces get a feeling that they are getting discriminated against?
What are the national security implications?
The risk profile of our nation is only worsening. There is asymmetric warfare imposed on us. You want a motivated armed forces not a group of people who feel they are being done in.
There are grouses like non-functional upgrade (NFU) given to civilian bureaucrats and three extra increments which defence forces don’t get? Why?
There are no answers. For every question that an armed forces man or family asks, the nation owes an answer. The answer need not always be yes. But we must give an answer – 46 anomalies from 6th Pay Commission and 36 from 7th Pay Commission remain unresolved and there is no legitimate answer given on why their requests are being turned down. This is something government and ministry of defence must learn to do.
Are legitimate demands of military put aside in name of civilian supremacy because politicians don’t necessarily understand the detail?
The power of a bureaucrat to say no is not a unilateral power with no accountability. It is okay to say no, but you have to accompany that with a why.
Is there an appetite to find a solution?
There is an appetite to do right by armed forces in Parliament and government. Our armed forces should not feel for one minute that they are taking bullets despite an ungrateful nation. The occupation of armed forces has a much higher risk profile than their peers. This should be recognised in the pay matrix. I am sure nobody in Delhi will oppose it.
On one rank one pension, nobody ever said no, except that nobody understood how to do it. It took the PM and defence minister to cut through the problems and in the end you got something. The same thing must be done now.
___________________________________________________
PROVERBIAL SOLUTION
THROW SOMETHING
- BHONKTE KE AAGEY
SUKHI ROTI KE TOOKRE PHENKO
CHUP KAAR JAAEGA
________________________________________________________
CRUX OF THE PROBLEM
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/armed-forces-discriminated-against-left-out-in-the-cold-by-ias-ips-government-must-explain-why-protect-soldiers/?utm_source=TOInewHP_TILwidget&utm_campaign=TOInewHP&utm_medium=Widget_Stry
BHAINSE KE AAGE 'BEEN BAJANA'
‘ARMED FORCES DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, LEFT OUT IN THE COLD BY IAS,IPS ........GOVERNMENT MUST EXPLAIN WHY,PROTECT SOLDIERS '
What are the armed forces’ problems with the 7th Pay Commission award?
All public servants are not the same. Those in the armed forces who serve, sacrifice and give their lives and limbs at times are a different kind of public servant. The angst of the armed forces, which is slowly converting into anger, goes back to 3rd Pay Commission.
It has less to do with the exact money and more to do with the status of armed forces vis-à-vis other central government services. This status is not like politicians understand it or about lal battis but about status in the hierarchy of service and command.
In what way has the status of armed forces gone down?
It is a reality that over the last 15-20 years the armed forces have slowly declined in stature and relative importance and positioning vis-à-vis police and IAS. Most of the angst of the military – serving and veterans – has to do with this. There is absolutely no doubt that IAS and IPS because of their proximity to the political powers have over successive pay commissions given themselves sweeter and sweeter deals and left the military out in the cold. This is indisputable because the military has never been represented in these pay commissions.
Any normal Indian citizen who has even the remotest feeling of care for armed forces will ask why?
Is it true that there are allowance anomalies: like a DIG of paramilitary forces serving in Shillong will get an extra Rs 73,000 but an Army Brigadier there will get zero allowance?
That is precisely the point. In all these cases, they will be serving in close proximity. In Leh for example a Brigadier and DIG would be serving in the unified command. Why would you take a Brigadier or a soldier and put him down in the hierarchy below what his predecessors in the armed forces were? What is the logic?
If government has an explanation for this they should make it. If IAS or pay commission has a reason for this why are they not putting it out in public domain?
This is about much more than just preserving the civilian-military balance?
We in India are very proud that the military is subordinate to the civilian and political administrative hierarchy but subordinate does not mean disadvantaged or subservient. Why are we making this institution of armed forces get a feeling that they are getting discriminated against?
What are the national security implications?
The risk profile of our nation is only worsening. There is asymmetric warfare imposed on us. You want a motivated armed forces not a group of people who feel they are being done in.
There are grouses like non-functional upgrade (NFU) given to civilian bureaucrats and three extra increments which defence forces don’t get? Why?
There are no answers. For every question that an armed forces man or family asks, the nation owes an answer. The answer need not always be yes. But we must give an answer – 46 anomalies from 6th Pay Commission and 36 from 7th Pay Commission remain unresolved and there is no legitimate answer given on why their requests are being turned down. This is something government and ministry of defence must learn to do.
Are legitimate demands of military put aside in name of civilian supremacy because politicians don’t necessarily understand the detail?
The power of a bureaucrat to say no is not a unilateral power with no accountability. It is okay to say no, but you have to accompany that with a why.
Is there an appetite to find a solution?
There is an appetite to do right by armed forces in Parliament and government. Our armed forces should not feel for one minute that they are taking bullets despite an ungrateful nation. The occupation of armed forces has a much higher risk profile than their peers. This should be recognised in the pay matrix. I am sure nobody in Delhi will oppose it.
On one rank one pension, nobody ever said no, except that nobody understood how to do it. It took the PM and defence minister to cut through the problems and in the end you got something. The same thing must be done now.
About the Author
Nalin Mehta
Nalin Mehta is an award-winning social scientist, journalist and author. He is consulting editor with The Times of India and editor of the international journal South Asian History and Culture (Routledge) as well as the Routledge 'South Asian History and Culture' book series. He has previously been managing editor, Headlines Today (India Today Group), adjunct professor at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, and held senior positions with the Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland, and UNAIDS. He has also held fellowships at National University of Singapore, Australian National University, Canberra, La Trobe University, Melbourne, and the International Olympics Museum, Lausanne. Mehta's books include 'Behind a Billion Screens: What Television Tells Us About Modern India', a critically acclaimed national bestseller long-listed for Business Book of the Year by Tata Literary Live 2015; ‘India on Television: How Satellite Channels Have Changed the Way We Think and Act', which won the 2009 Asian Publishing Award for Best Book; the best-selling 'Sellotape Legacy: Delhi and the Commonwealth Games', and a critically acclaimed social history of Indian sport, 'Olympics: The India Story' (co-authored). His edited books include 'Television in India: Satellites, Politics and Cultural Change' and 'Gujarat Beyond Gandhi: Identity, Conflict and Society' (co-edited)
___________________________________________________
PROVERBIAL SOLUTION
THROW SOMETHING
- BHONKTE KE AAGEY
SUKHI ROTI KE TOOKRE PHENKO
CHUP KAAR JAAEGA
________________________________________________________
CRUX OF THE PROBLEM
Why Defence Ministry hasn't seen any reform in last two years
(http://www.sify.com/news/why-
(http://www.sify.com/news/why-
Major General Mrinal Suman
India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is unique in most aspects. No other country can boast of such a set-up. Not convinced? Read on.
Responsibility for India’s national defence is discharged through Ministry of Defence ( MoD ), which provides the policy framework and wherewithal to the armed forces. MoD has five Secretaries, heading different departments. Here is a closer look at their functioning
________________________________________________
HALWAI'S DREAM STRUCTURE
WILL BE HALWAI SHOP ONLY
_______________________________________
Department of Defence (DoD)
According to the Allocation of Business Rules of the government, the Defence Secretary heads DoD that is responsible for the defence of India and every part thereof, including preparation for defence and all such acts as may be conducive in times of war.
In other words, he is tasked to
ensure the defence of the country.
Surprised?
Yes, it is his responsibility and not
that of the Service Chiefs.
For such an onerous responsibility, it is natural to expect a highly experienced defence expert/veteran to be occupying the chair. After all, to ensure defence of the country (including preparation and execution) is no routine job. But MoD is different. Any bureaucrat can foot the bill, even if he cannot differentiate between a mortar and a howitzer or a rocket and a missile.
India has had Defence Secretaries whose earlier service had been limited to Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry. Most do not know even the basics of defence imperatives. To mask their ignorance and inadequacy, they resort to the time-tested expedient of deferring decision-making.
India is the only country that
considers experience in fisheries or
handlooms to be good enough to
equip a bureaucrat to handle
defence of India.
No wonder we claim
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
Department of Defence Production (DDP)
Development of indigenous defence industry is DDP’s prime responsibility. Although DDP has a vast domain of 39 ordnance factories and 9 defence public sector undertakings, the performance of DDP has been pathetic to say the least. It is solely responsible for the current pitiable state of the indigenous defence industry, wherein India remains dependent on imports for 70 percent of its defence requirements.
The world over, promotion of defence industry is considered to be a highly specialised assignment. However, India is an exception. Any bureaucrat can be appointed as Secretary DDP. Some come with no experience of industry or defence. Their incompetence manifests itself in their prejudiced and blinkered approach towards the private sector. Blocking the entry of the private sector to ensure regular flow of orders to the public sector becomes their sole mission. Instead of exploiting the enormous technological prowess of the private sector, DDP impedes its participation in defence production.
In all ‘Buy and Make’ cases, DDP always nominates a public sector unit to receive technology for indigenous production. Instead of absorbing technology, most units choose the easier path of assembling imported sub-assemblies and selling to the services at a huge profit. The case of TATRA vehicles exposed the rot that has set in. Rather than undertaking the onerous task of manufacturing, most public sector units have become traders of imported systems under DDP’s patronage
Utter failure of DDP can be gauged from the fact that India has acquired the dubious distinction of being the largest importer of conventional weapons in the world with 14 percent of the global share.
Some achievement after seven decades of independence! DDP ought to be ashamed of it.
But, we still have the audacity to claim .
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO)
DRDO has 52 laboratories in multiple disciplines. It employs over 5,000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. The track record of DRDO is abysmal to say the least – a chronicle of false claims, tall promises, inexplicable delays and sub-optimal products. It has the unenviable reputation of never developing any equipment conforming to the parameters in the promised time-frame. Some claim to infamy!
Although DRDO’s annual budget is close to Rs 14,000 crore, its total success is limited to the replication of some imported products (commonly called ‘reverse engineering’ and ‘indigenisation’). Time and cost overruns are taken for granted. The history of three key projects (Arjun tank, Light Combat Aircraft and Kavery aero engine) undertaken by DRDO is a true indicator of the gross inadequacy that afflicts it.
Failure to perform its primary task of developing weapon systems has forced DRDO to delve into bizarre areas to justify its existence. Many will be shocked to learn that DRDO expends defence funds on projects like developing new breeds of angora rabbits, collecting newer varieties of orchids and identifying sharpest chillies.
________________________________________________
AUTHOR HAS MISSED THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION OF DRDO " HALF PAGE ADVETISEMENTS IN NATIONAL NEWS PAPERS OFFERING "SEWERAGE SYSTEMS FOR TOWNSHIPS"
_________________________________________________
No other country can boast of such defence R&D, except
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
Department of Ex-serviceman
Welfare (DESW)
[ A THORN IN ROSES]
[ A THORN IN ROSES]
I was so sure,
But now I'm confused.
I thought I knew what I wanted,
But then you came and ruined my plans.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
But now I'm confused.
I thought I knew what I wanted,
But then you came and ruined my plans.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
DESW deals with all resettlement, welfare and pensionary matters of ex-servicemen. Strangely, not a single serving or retired soldier has been posted to it. It is totally manned by bureaucrats. Interestingly, India cannot have the Minority Commission without minority members or Women’s Commission without women; but it can have DESW without ex-servicemen. Welfare of retired soldiers has been entrusted to the people who have never faced a bullet and who know little about the challenges faced by the retired soldiers. Hence, they cannot be faulted for their complete lack of empathy.
A comparison of DESW with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will be enlightening. All the top officers of DVA are ex-servicemen. It is headed by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, Robert A. McDonald, a veteran of 82nd Airborne Division. Most of the subordinate functionaries also possess extensive military experience. They appreciate that soldiering is a unique profession with challenging convolutions.
Affairs, Robert A. McDonald, a veteran of 82nd Airborne Division. Most of the subordinate functionaries also possess extensive military experience. They appreciate that soldiering is a unique profession with challenging convolutions.
DESW
has acquired notoriety as the first barricade of bureaucratic negativity. Most proposals get rejected at DESW level itself. Instead of looking after the welfare of veterans and standing up for their rights/entitlements, DESW contests every judicial verdict that goes in favour of ex-servicemen, war-widows and even war casualties. As a result, troops and veterans view DESW as an antagonistic entity.
India must be the only country
where MoD does not enjoy the trust
of its veterans.
What a sad state of affairs in
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
has acquired notoriety as the first barricade of bureaucratic negativity. Most proposals get rejected at DESW level itself. Instead of looking after the welfare of veterans and standing up for their rights/entitlements, DESW contests every judicial verdict that goes in favour of ex-servicemen, war-widows and even war casualties. As a result, troops and veterans view DESW as an antagonistic entity.
India must be the only country
where MoD does not enjoy the trust
of its veterans.
What a sad state of affairs in
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
Defence Finance Division (Def Fin)
Defence Finance is responsible to examine all defence matters having a financial bearing; render financial advice; assist in the formulation and implementation of all schemes/proposals involving expenditure; and assist in the formulation and implementation of defence plans. In other words, they are custodians of government funds and oversee all defence expenditure.
Notwithstanding the colourful taxonomy of Defence Financial Advisors, Defence Finance officials are ill-equipped to provide any financial advice. Most are graduates in subjects like Sanskrit, English Literature and History. As they are not familiar with even the basics of finance or economics, it is unfair to expect them to grasp minutiae of financial imperatives. How can officials who know nothing of finance and are totally ignorant of defence issues contribute to the evolution of a sound defence finance plan?
What to talk of rendering advice, Defence Finance officials are incapable of even doing their basic job of account keeping. In March 2016, the Defence Minister shocked the nation by revealing that India’s USD 3 billion were lying forgotten with the US government for years, without earning any interest. Worse, India continued to make fresh payments to the US for new weaponry. Whether it was a case of ill-management, lack of attention or sheer incompetence,
it could have happened only in ‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
it could have happened only in ‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
Finally
As can be seen, MoD is responsible for all facets of national defence. Unfortunately, it suffers from major fundamental flaws in its organisation and functioning. It is entirely manned by bureaucrats and officials who are clueless about defence matters. The service headquarters are mere attached offices. They do not form part of the decision making apparatus.
MoD is a citadel of bureaucracy and is totally devoid of professionalism.
The world abhors dealing with it.
Since 2014, a measly sum of USD 1.12 million has come in as FDI despite the government raising the cap to 100 percent. Incompetence results in vacillation and lack of decision making; and that dissuades all prospective investors.
The world abhors dealing with it.
Since 2014, a measly sum of USD 1.12 million has come in as FDI despite the government raising the cap to 100 percent. Incompetence results in vacillation and lack of decision making; and that dissuades all prospective investors.
Most disappointingly, the political leadership remains a powerless spectator. Howsoever broad Modi’s 56 INCHES chest may be and howsoever well-meaning Parrikar may be; bureaucracy continues to call the shots and not a single (yes, not a single) reform has been implemented during the last two years. All those pre-election boasts have proved to be mere baloney. MoD carries on functioning in its lethargic and inept manner. Hopefully, our chants of
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
will continue to deter potential enemies of India.*****
‘Mera Bharat Mahan’.
will continue to deter potential enemies of India.*****
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