Tuesday, September 8, 2015

O R O P : CONNECTING 1965 WAR WITH OROP

SOURCE :
 http://www.msn.com/en-in/news/national/one-rank-one-pension-more-than-just-money/ar-AAe00y9


                 One Rank One Pension
                : More Than Just Money
                                 BY
 



 
 
 
      


The first week of September 2015 has been significant for two major events; the 50th anniversary of the Indo-Pak conflict in 1965 and the grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) to the veterans of the Armed Forces by the Government of India.


Both are landmark events and should have been celebrated with much happiness.



There are various ways of looking at the two events if one is aware of the history of both and the inner linkages that the events bear with the entire concept of the security of India.



The public domain would be largely unaware of these linkages as people have been following the issues quite apart. Mostly citizens of India have been only following the emotive aspects of OROP or listening to commentaries of whether India truly won the war of 1965 and if so to what extent.


First a bit on OROP, to clarify the situation. The grant of OROP is a historic decision. The NDA Government can take much credit for this whatever the shortcomings of the final formula. No one can deny that.


The Opposition going overboard to explain the anomalies is actually a lot of humor because they neither understand the issue nor can justify why in 1973 the entire trigger was allowed to take place.


The public must know that the reward for the victory of 1971 for the Armed Forces of India was a drop in pension percentages from 70% to 50 with a corresponding increase for civilian government employees from 30% to 50. These figures reflect percentage of the last basic salary drawn. It was ensured that the iconic Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw who would never have accepted it, retired before this was sprung on the unwitting soldiers in 1973; that generation never was strong in the field of its own terms and conditions of service.


A promise was made, however, that pensions would keep increasing with time as basic salaries of serving soldiers increased every 10 years with each Pay Commission. In other words the basics of OROP were promised 42 years ago.


For a layman to understand let me explain this with the case of my father (also done in an earlier article a few weeks ago) who too proudly served the Indian Army. He retired in the Seventies and found that by 1986 he was receiving lesser pension than the officers of his rank who retired in 1985. He took solace from an explanation that soon OROP would be granted by the government and his pension would be equated with the other officers of his rank who retired 12 years later.


Yet, in 1997 when Fifth Pay Commission recommendations were approved he still found himself well below in pension scales. By 2008 when Sixth Pay Commission came into effect he was effectively receiving the pension of a Colonel while he retired as a Major General. He passed away 2012 in the vain hope of receiving a rise in pension for which he waited 40 years.


FOR THE SAME LENGTH OF SERVICE PUT IN AND RETIREMENT AT THE SAME RANK, TWO SOLDIERS MUST GET SIMILAR PENSION IRRESPECTIVE OF THE DATE/VINATGE OF RETIREMENT.

That is the essence of what the veterans led by Major General Satbir Singh have been fighting for. It was promised in 1973 but conveniently and deliberately overlooked over the years so that soldiers are not given anything special despite having reduced their pensions in 1973, a callous attitude of the political leadership and the bureaucracy.



------------------------------------------------------------------------


More on the OROP row
Govt announces One Rank, One Pension for ex-servicemen
Full text of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's statement on OROP
Even after OROP announcement, why the agitation?


------------------------------------------------------------------------



Once before in the Fifties pay and allowances had been reduced without a whimper from the soldiers. With increase in awareness of terms and conditions and comparisons with various civil organizations soldiers realized how they were being done down in almost every sphere. The position of various appointments in the protocol list dropped drastically because the bureaucrats decide that along with the political leaders and there is complete inter-dependency.

The public must ask why soldiers (includes sailors and airmen) were demanding OROP, apart from the fact that it was promised in 1973 after their unfair pension reduction and corresponding enhancement of the pension of their civilian counterparts. The answer in simple terms and oft publicized, is that almost 86% personnel retire between the age of 34 and 37. Those who go higher in rank retire at staggered ages all the way to 60 years contingent upon rank achieved.


The rank of a Colonel (retiring age 54), first selection grade rank among officers is achieved by 50% officers of the Infantry but less than 30% of officers from Corps of Engineers or Signals. The last age of 60 is for Lt Gens whose percentage is miniscule (0.007%).


All civilian employees by contrast, irrespective of rank retire at the age of 60. A veteran retired civilian or uniformed individual lives his retired life on his pension, the investment of his gratuity, insurance benefits, commutation of pension and savings. Obviously those who retire at 60 carry the advantage of higher cumulative value of earning and savings, group insurance, gratuity and commutation value, besides higher pension.


Besides all this, the civilian employees also earn Non Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) which essentially means that irrespective of achieving selection grade ranks their salaries are enhanced with years of service, a benefit that the soldiers do not earn. It is learnt from this morning’s media reports that the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff has written to the Raksha Mantri asking for extension of this provision to all service personnel.


I do not wish to complicate matters for the readers by bringing any more angles related to this aspect. However, there are linked issues involving NFFU only for medical officers of the three Services which has been sanctioned under the Sixth Pay Commission and not implemented by the Services. This is because of perceived problems of equivalence between various ranks and command in the field between personnel who receive NFFU and those who do not. A litigation on this is currently going on at the Supreme Court of India.


Now what has the Government accepted on 5 September 2015. The big bang thing is that OROP itself has been granted with the base salary of 1 July 2013 and arrears from 1 July 2014; the arrears to be paid in four tranches of six months each but in one go for all widows and Veer Naris. The veterans are unhappy about the fact that they wanted the refixation of pension on a yearly basis based on the 3 percent (3%) increment in basic salary that a serving soldier receives. This is a little complicated for the layman to follow but is legitimate.



The Government has pleaded inability to do this year on year due to the sheer volumes involved; approximately three million defence pensioners on the veteran list is the volume we are looking at. As an alternative it has accepted revision every five years which it feels is manageable. I am flooded by information from IT specialists and programmers on how simple such calculations could be if the right software was used.



I am, however, aware what complications are involved in revising pensions of widows and old time veterans in rural areas in Garhwal  (Uttarakhand), for instance where the pension disbursal authority which is the local bank has no idea about various anomalies being rectified from time to time. Some of the provisions of Sixth Pay Commission have yet to be implemented here in spite of my own Regiment’s mammoth outreach and liaison. This is not an excuse for avoiding yearly re-fixation but more reason for modernization of banking and pension disbursement.



A second issue which the authorities complicated unnecessarily is the case of those who left the service prematurely (PMR) but after the mandatory 20 years of service for officers; for those lower than officer rank, it is the colour service (15 years) which qualifies a man for minimum pension of the rank in which he exits but he has an option to serve two more years if he has not been promoted.


Now, the Government announced that OROP would not be applicable to VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) cases forgetting that there is no such thing as VRS for the Services. VRS implies a package with a sizeable chunk of money, exit and no pension.



What it forgot was that the service personnel who leave voluntarily after 15 or 20 years or more earn pensions which cannot remain static. In other words OROP application to them means that if an individual exited after 22 years in 2005 then he must receive the same pension as a person who exits after 22 years in 2017. This is logical and sensible.


The Government functionaries, who were looking at this, confused VRS of civilian organizations and Pre Mature Retirement (PMR) of the Services. Apparently the Raksha Mantri (RM) relented to the mistake in his interaction with the veterans. One has to grant it to Manohar Parrikar that he has been one of the most involved RMs in living memory and his empathy has invariably been with the veterans.



If the issue still persists as an anomaly it would be good to remember that PMR has to be encouraged for mobility of the cadre and to cater for those who do not finally make it to select grade ranks, to exit early from service. It assists the different Services to maintain a younger cadre and not have to carry non-promoted personnel for many years with questionable motivation and contribution.



It is a misnomer that they exit for lucrative pay packages in civvy street. At the level of soldiers below officer rank these exits are primarily for the purpose of looking after neglected families and land holdings. I wish to sensitize the public to the lack of knowledge about the social compulsions of the Services. This actually is a subject by itself (Military Sociology) which needs to be studied to keep a ticking, healthy and vibrant set of Armed Forces.



I started with mention of the 1965 Indo-Pak Conflict linking it to OROP; a reader will wonder where the linkage lies. Through the Fifties and up to 1962 the Government gave short shrift to everything the Armed Forces said and advised. In 1965 a marginal shift took place with Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri beginning to listen to military advice and the civilian bureaucratic footprint in the military domain taking a back step. The decision to launch a counter offensive into Pakistan Punjab on 1 September 1965 was finally the Prime Minister’s but based upon sound military advice.



The necessity of close military advice to the political leadership once again came to the fore when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw’s advice to delay any action in 1971. In the light of this it was surprising how an issue as serious as pensions of the Armed Forces was taken with such a negative view in 1973; and to beat it further, allowed to fester for 42 years. It is good to see that seriousness of something which could have adversely affected the motivation of our soldiers has been recognized.

Yet, it will be the fine print of the government order which will finally cement the belief of the veterans and the serving soldiers.


Finally, although this piece deserves to address the entire gamut of civil military relations in India in the light of the 42 year OROP anomaly and the manner in which it was resolved, it must end here.


That is an issue for another examination. The three Services must now get down to ensuring that the well-established values and norms of service are taken stock of and nowhere diluted. Television pictures, media analyses and social media have all taken away a lot of attention and may convey thoughts which are not conducive to the intrinsic discipline with which they are associated.


This has to be done consciously by the senior leadership which has itself been negatively targeted from time to time. Equally, the veteran community must re-connect with the serving community to communicate all the above. The events of the Golden Jubilee of the 1965 Conflict are still in progress and could be the connectors for the achieving all that I have conveyed.



SLIDESHOW: 50th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war

OROP : WAR OF OROP :- MISSIVE FROM MAJ GEN SATBIR SINGH (R)








Satbir satbirsm@gmail.com via googlegroups.com 

Attachments12:30 PM (2 hours ago)
to iesm_group



                                                                             Dated: 08 SEP 2015
 
UNITED FRONT OF EX -SERVICEMEN  
 
                           
 ONGOING RELAY HUNGER STRIKE AND COUNTRYWIDE AGITATION IN SUPPORT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF OROP AT JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI
 
 
 
Dear Friends,
 
 
1.                  There are four major issues yet to be resolved to ensure OROP is implemented as per the approved definition in letter and spirit. These issues are :-
 
·        Instead of equalizing the pensions every year as required as per the approved definition, the Govt has announced equalization after              5 years.  This would totally defeat the definition of OROP.  Large number of senior defence personnel will start drawing less pension than juniors.  This would result in One Rank Five Pensions and not One Rank One Pension. This is not acceptable.
 
·        The Govt plans to order one man commission to decide on the periodicity of the equalization of pension and  other anomalies and has given it six months time.  This is grossly unfair and not acceptable.  If committee is to be ordered, it must consist of five members: - three from ex-servicemen, one serving defence personnel and one from MoD.  Such committee should be given only one month period to submit its report and within 15 days thereafter it must be processed and final decision implemented.
 
·        During our discussions with the Personal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, base year 2013 – 2014 was accepted, that means as on 31 Mar 2014.  However, in the Note issued by the Defence Minister, calendar year 2013 has been mentioned, that too the average of the calendar year.  This is not acceptable.  The Govt plans to give arrears wef 01 Jul 2014 instead of 01 Apr 2014 The Govt has deprived the veterans three months of arrears.
 
·        It was agreed by the RM to grant highest of scale of rank and years the service.  The Govt intension to grant average of the pay scale is not acceptable. 

·        This is a concept which is to be executed in perpetuity,. This was also agreed that the implementation of OROP is independent of Central Pay Commission (CPC).  It is pertinent to mention that Pay Commission award must integrate the OROP and should not adjudicate on it.
 
3.      In order to showcase solidarity to the cause of Soldiers all ESM and our supporters are requested to visit Jantar Mantar daily and also attend the Maha Rally on 12 Sep 2015 from 10am to 3PM.
 
4.      Treat this letter as most urgent for action.
 
“Heads, Hands & Shoulder………..Together”
 
With Regards,   
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)                                                                                   
Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen& Chairman IESM                                                                                                                      
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570                                  
Email:satbirsm@gmail.com          
 
 
 

Monday, September 7, 2015

OROP : BATTLE WON - WAR OF OROP BEGINS

SOURCE :IESM BULLETIN


OROP : BATTLE WON - WAR  FOR OROP                                   BEGINS



Dear Members 

Happy Janmashtami to all. UFESM is happy to announce that this Janmashtami has brought Good News of sanction of OROP for ex-servicemen.

Fifth September 2015 is a very auspicious day when our fight for OROP, 30 year old demand, has at-last been approved by the NDA Govt. Initially in 2008 ESM started the fight for OROP with the Govt and planned many rallies to communicate to Government that Armed Forces Personnel and Ex-servicemen are being given raw treatment in Independent India. IESM organised many rallies in last six years to convince all political parties that ESM need to be given OROP and need solution for some of their difficulties like medical attention, war memorial and ex-servicemen commission. UFESM was formed in June 2015, to unitedly put up fight for OROP.
 
 It is the effort of UFESM that OROP dream has has come true.
 

UFESM Thanks Prime Minister; UFESM sincerely thanks Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi ji for taking personal interest in OROP and ensuring approval of OROP on 5 Sept  2015.
 
 
 Last minute insertion of a clause of VRS surprised ESM all over India and subdued our celebrations. This planted a suspicion in mind of ESM about the real/hidden intent of bureaucrats.  This issue was never discussed in any meeting between Government representatives and UFESM. It seems that someone in the Government is not happy with approval of OROP for ESM and has inserted VRS clause to derail OROP for ESM.
 
 
UFESM feels that there is a need to fix responsibility for this faux paus.  
 
 [ HE MUST BE FORCED TO RESIGN FROM THE CABINET & RETIRE - VASUNDHRA ]
 
 
This has resulted in changing Jubilation into cautious optimism by ESM. However this issue was clarified by RM Sh Manohar Parrikar to UFESM delegation in meeting in the evening on 5 Sep 2015. He confirmed that VRS is not applicable to ESM and Armed Forces Personnel and hence all personnel taking PMR will be entitled for full OROP. UFESM is thankful to Prime Minister of India Sh Narendra Modi ji for clarifying this in the speech on 6 Sep 15 at Faridabad.
 
He assured ESM that someone is misleading the ESM by inserting the clause of VRS in the declaration of OROP.
 
 
 There is need put all doubts to rest that OROP is applicable in full to all ESMs (including ORs, JCOs and officers). He further confirmed that he has lot of love and respect for ESM and ESM will get full benefit of OROP as announced by RM. Respected Prime Minister sir ESM all over India reciprocate this feeling and affirm their respect for PM. 

However there are some minor issues which need to be attended on priority for OROP to be fully functional.
  • Government has recommended  fixing of pension based on mean of max and min of basic pay of the year; This arithmetic defeats the basic definition of OROP as it will lead to one rank and many pensions and hence is not acceptable to ESM. There will be very minimal expenditure to Government on this issue.
 
 
 
  • Periodical pension equalization has to be one year whereas Govt  has announced it to be five years thereby completely distorting the OROP definition. Government has recommended that this issue will be referred to a single judge committee to adjudicate the period of pension equalization. UFESM is of the opinion that committee should consist of five members out of which three should be from ESM and one serving soldier under the chairmanship of a judge. This report should be completed in fifteen days or max one month. 
 
 
  • MOD must confirm the date by which the Government letter will be issued. Agitation and RHS will be called of only after receipt of Government letter. Our experience with bureaucrats has been less than satisfactory because ESM had been shortchanged on many occasions in language of the order. Latest experience being that of Rank pay issue.  
 
 
 
 
In view of clarification given by honorable PM  that VRS is not applicable to Armed Forces, Fast unto death has been discontinued. All eleven ESM on fast unto death for last 24 days were referred to RR hospital and Rockland Hospital qutab institutional area for medical examination. However RHS and agitation will continue till issuance of Government order for OROP. 

 
 
Col Inderjit Singh, Lt Gen Balbir singh and Maj Gen Satbir singh has provided sterling leadership to lead the campaign to make dream of OROP a  reality. All ESM salute their dedication and hard work.   

This agitation has lasted for 84 days and FUD has lasted for 24 days. The agitation has been going on in over 80 towns across India. The agitation has been very peaceful and has never caused any inconvenience to civil order. Human rights of India has accepted that this agitation has been very disciplined and has recommended for this years prize. 

Maj Gen Satbir singh has been invited by NRI of USA to visit San Frisco on 18 Sep in view of sterling leadership provided by him in planning and conducting this agitation. He has been invited as special guest to San Frisco to coincide with the visit of PM of India.
 
 

UFESM has called for a Gaurav Rally at 1000h to 1500h on Saturday 12 Sep 2015 at Jantar Mantar to 
  • Celebrate realization of our dream of OROP. 
  • Thank Government in fulfilling their promise. 
  • Remind Government to iron out the minor problems and issue Government order within 15 days or latest by 30 Sep 15.  

ESM from all states are requested to attend the rally in large numbers. 

 
 
 
 
Gratitude; UFESM is thankful to 
  • Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar MP Rajya Sabha for supporting cause of OROP. He has been true friend of ESM and has helped us in mediating the complex issue of OROP. He had been very helpful in arranging meetings with RM on short notice. 
 
  • Dr Lal's Path lab for extending lab services to check the condition of ESM on Fast unto death. 
 
  • RR hospital for treating ESM on fast needing treatment because of fasting. 
 
  • Rockland Hospital for conducting medical examination of ESM on fast unto death. Dr Col Bheemwal needs a special mention as he had been sending a team of doctors everyday morning to check the ESM on FUD. He had been himself coming every day evening to check the ESM on FUD. 
 
  • Dr Ankit Om and his friends for providing medical cover to ESM on FUD. 
 
  • Bangla sahib Gurudwara and Gurudwara Rakabganj for providing accommodation to ESM visiting Delhi for participating in the agitation. 
 
  • Delhi Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee for providing langar to supporters visiting JM in large numbers. 
 
  • All ESM, NDA courses, Regiments  for contributing with open heart to support the agitation. 
 
  • All ESM for providing break fast at JM,  Col Ashok Malhotra's contribution needs special mention as he had been instrumental in coordinating with various agencies to provide breakfast. 
 
  • Col Alexander CEO Metro Multimedia Technologies (Digital) for providing banners for making stage for agitation. 
 
  • A team of volunteer ESMs who had selflessly worked in managing all activities at JM, without them management of this agitation would not have been possible. 
 
  • Many veterans of importance who had been helping in arranging meetings at short notice with RM and FM.
 
Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Flat no 801, Tower N5
Narmada Apartments
Pocket D6 
Vasant Kunj
Nelson Mandela Marg
New Delhi. 110070
Mobile   
09810541222
 
 
 
                          OROP is our right.
           Dilution in OROP will NOT be accepted.
 
 
 
       IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE
                  GIVE HIM ONE OF YOURS.