COMMENT ON DISCONTENTMENT OF A VETERAN

The problem with the ESM is that we think that everyone else is responsible for our welfare. I think that time has come for us to find ways and means of helping each other and if we cannot do that, atleast retain our dignity and stop seeking help from others.

I have come across many incidents wherein the Veterans have willingly offered to donate their lands for starting the ECHS clinic or the ESM canteen. But, unfortunately, it has not happened in Kerala. Are we all so poor or, is it something else? I think that the time has come for us to introspect.

Navy and Airforce have associations where all ranks are members. However, most of the Army officers prefer to be members of the officers association. Probably, this separation may be running counter to the increasing social aspirations of the retired PBOR. A mechanism to have a common platform like Army Foundation could be thought of. However, there has to be readiness to have PBOR veterans in some of the controlling positions.

Issues related to the Veterans are many and some of them are outside the limits of reality. I have had a veteran officer approaching me to take up a case for getting free membership of a club because of his service in uniform. I can quote many instances where the veterans, insted of helping each other, have resorted to complaining to the RM. Of course, there are good examples too. To quote one, I was pleasanly surprised to see Air Marshal Nair (Retd) sitting at the reception of the ECHS clinic Secunderabad and preparing slips for the patients. He does this every day. Can we hope to see something similar in Kerala? When such display of magnanimity becomes more frequent, there would certainly be a reduction in the percieved distance between the retired officers and the PBOR.

Eapen.

Mon, 3/8/09, eapen kochekkan

THE OROP STATUS

In turning down OROP the Committee has relied on earlier committee and GOM reports, SC judgement on ESL petition filed as a sequel to the decision in DS Nakara & Ors Vs Union of India, and advice of the Ministry of Law.
The Committee also interacted with various ESM Associations, namely, the IESL and the Air Force Association to seek their views. The Associations gave the following major options in regard to OROP:

Option 1 Calculation of the pension of pre-1.1.2006 retirees by reckoning the highest of the pay in the pay band for each rank and thereafter application of weightage to this figure.

Option 2 Calculation of the pension of pre-1.1.2006 retirees by taking the mid-point between the minimum fitment of each rank in the revised pay band and maximum of the pay band and thereafter applying the weightage.

Option 3 Calculation of the pension of pre-1.1.2006 retirees with reference to the notional maximum in the post- 1.1.2006 pay scales. Thereafter the weightage may be applied.

Options 1&2 were found not feasible as even the pension of post 1.1.2006 retirees is not calculated on this basis. "However, the option 3 is similar to the benefit granted in 2006 based on the recommendations of the GOM."

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

PBOR

(1)Bring pre-10.10.1997 PBOR pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 PBOR pensioners. (financial implication – 470.66 Crore per annum)

(2)Accept enhancement of classification allowance wef 1.1.2006 on notional basis (as in case MSP). This would benefit around 88000 PBOR. (Financial implication – 7.73 Crore per annum). To be implemented wef 1.1.2006 and pay arrears.

(3) (a) Reckon pension of all pre 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners with reference to a notional maximum in the post 1.1.2006 revised pay structure corresponding to the maximum of pre-Sixth Pay Commission pay scales as per fitment table of each rank.

(b) Also to continue with the enhanced weightage awarded by the GOM.

This will result in average monthly increase in the pension of pre 1.1.2006 PBOR in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 1400 for Gp Y depending on rank and years of service. Will benefit 12 lakh pre 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners, (financial implication – 1636 Crore per annum). Being a new concession applies prospectively. No arrears.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
(4) Remove linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service wef 1.1.2006 instead of 1.9.2008. Will benefit around 1100 officers (Army) whose pension would increase by about Rs 3000 pm (financial implication – 4.83 Crore per annum). Proposal emanates from Sixth PC; implement from 1.1.2006 and pay arrears.

(5) A separate pay scale starting at 67000 and going up to 79000 be created and all offrs at the level of Lt Gen/Addl Secy/equivalent be fixed in this scale. As a result, pension of pre-1..1.2006 Lt Gens will get fixed at 36500.00 and those of Addl Secys at 33500..00. Will benefit roughly 4000 offrs. (Financial implication – 25 Crore per annum). Proposal emanates from Sixth PC; implement from 1.1.2006 and pay arrears.

The Committee has justified the increase for Lt Gens by stating that after the Sixth PC recommendations, the pensions of pre-1.1.2006 Brigs, Colonels and Lt Cols have greatly improved and in percentage terms there is very little difference the pension of pre-1.1.2006 and that with ref to minimum of fitment tables. The difference is around 2% at the level of Lt Col, 6% at the level of Colonel, 11% at the level of Brigadier, 13% at the level of Maj Gen. Only at the level of Lt Gen is there a difference of about 26%.

Unquote

THE OROP has been denied. ESM may comment on the report of the Committee in whatever manner or at whatever forum. However, kindly do not seek clarification/ justification from me, for I have only summarised facts.

We need to take a call on our next course of action. And soon.

Best regards,

Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A
Gurgaon- 122 001
Tele: +91-124-4015262
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