AN APPEAL BY VETERAN PRABHJOT SINGH

AN APPEAL FROM VETERAN PRABHJOT SINGH CHHATWAL PLS (RETD),
PRESIDENT, INDIAN EX-SERVICES LEAGUE,
PANJAB & CHANDIGARH.

Dear Veteran (Gen. Satbir Singh)

Regards.

Would you kindly allow me to comment on your e-message?

It has been repeated a number of times on this very blog that Govt. of India has not acceded to our demand of ONE RANK ONE PENSION so far.

So called announcement of grant of ONE RANK ONE PENSION for PBORs in the Budget Speech, was in fact, implementation of Punjab & Haryana High Court decision regarding removal of anomaly concerned with only PBORs (R) PBORs which was created (after Fifth CPC) with the issuance of Govt. letter dt. 10-10-1997 (R) 10-10-1997 and the same was implemented so far. The PBORs are well aware of it.

Secondly, grant of special grade to Lt. Gen. is to place them on equal footing with civil officers as a result of up gradation of Higher Administrative Grade (HAG).

A mail from this blog is appended below which will support my statement.

Recent announcements : A dissection by Navdeep

Friday, July 24, 2009
Recent announcements: A dissection
Well, the public at large has been talking of the recent sops announced for defence pensioners. The starting point was the Union Budget speech. The following are the major ‘steps’ that have been taken to address the issues:

1. Bridging the gap between pre-Oct 1997 and post-Oct 1997 pensioners.

2. Removal of 33 years’ qualifying service condition for earning full pension

3. Grant of a separate scale for Lt Generals

But the truth is somewhat like this:

Point No 1 is a resultant of an order of the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court which has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court so there was no escaping this by the Govt.

Point No 2 is a resultant of the recommendations of the 6th CPC and the same has also been accepted for civilians, so what extra has been initiated for faujis in this ?

Point No 3 is also a resultant of a Finance Ministry missive by way of which the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) on the civil side has been upgraded to Rs. 67000-79000, something that has been applied to our Lt Generals too in a parallel fashion.

I would again reiterate, that this play of words is the work of some lower level spin doctors who do not let our Ministers, Parliamentarians, top bureaucrats and top brass understand the minute modalities of such matters. They have led the top echelons to believe that much special has been done for defence pensioners but the truth is quite removed from reality.

It is not an obligation that Hon’ble SC orders have been implemented and again not quite an ehsaan that the changes such as removal of 33 years’ service requirement for full pension or grant of HAG, changes which as it is have been initiated in the universal pension and pay regime, have been duly extended to the defence services. I say it again, it’s time for the higher civilian and military establishment to wake up before the army of promoted lower bureaucracy takes the system and the nation for a ride. Information which should ideally reach top political, civil and military echelons is filtered by the heavy tentacles and thick mesh of lower bureaucracy, a malaise which is eating into whatever progress we are making.

There is only one answer to this: proper application of mind on file notings and minute sheets initiated from below. Let us stop affixing ghuggis and start imposing our grey matter on the notings of the supervised staff.

Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 7:42 AM 21 comments
Labels: law, Misc, Pay Commission, Pension

Now when it is amply clear that an anomaly pertaining to PBORs (R) PBORs only is being removed by the government, let it be in the garb of OROP, why should the big brothers (saviors of ex-servicemen community) take such step to compel the govt. to shelve the move by which the PBORs are going to be benefited in their pension from Rs. 2,000/- to Rs. 4,500/- P.M. as per their rank.

I assure you, Dear Gen, PBORs are not (R) not averse to demand of OROP but at the same time they can not fore go what is due to them as a result of removal this anomaly.

PBORs will again march with you for the demand of OROP but for, God sake, let this anomaly be removed first in the same way as the anomalies in respect of Lt. General, Maj. General and Lieutenant Cols. stood removed without a single word of protest from any segment of ESM.

I hope my communiqué will not (not) be miss understood by my brethren veterans.

Veteran Prabhjot Singh Chhatwal PLS (Retd.)

President,

Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab & Chandigarh .
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, prabhjot singh wrote:

KARGIL DAY AT TIRUNELVELI WITH A FREE MEDICAL CAMP

Dr.A.Arunagiri, MD examining a patient. The organisers
Flt.Lt.M.P.Natarajan, Dr.Md.Shafi, Sgt.R.Chellappa,
P.O. Gurusamy standing behind from L to R.

KARGIL DAY AT TIRUNELVELI WITH A FREE MEDICAL CAMP
BY EX-SERVICEMEN & SOCIAL WELFARE TRUST

The Kargil day was remembered with a Free Medical camp for the benefit of the non-pensioner (ex-servicemen) and their families at Tirunelveli on 25.07.2009.

The Ex-serviceman & Social Welfare Trust (EXWEL TRUST) , The Tirunelveli District Ex-servicemen Welfare Association and Nellai Shifa Hospital joined together and conducted a free medical camp for the benefit of non-pensioner ex-servicemen & their families (2^nd Word War Veterans) on 25.07.09 Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM at Ex-servicemen Canteen complex, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

About 175 ex-servicemen, their families and few poor public also attended the medical camp. The Shifa Hospital (the ECHS empanelled Hospital in the city) provided specialist medical officers and Para medical staff and necessary medicine for the camp. General checkup, diabetic screening and eye screening test was carried to all those who have attended the camp.

16 cases were identified for Cataract surgery at the camp. 11 patients came up for cataract surgery and successfully completed their treatment on 27.07.09 and left home. Arrangements are made to give treatment to the remaining as and when they report to the hospital on any day.

Most of the people who attended the camp are ex-servicemen non-pensioners above age of 60 years. Nearly 75% of the group is suffering from diabetics, hypertension, knee joint paint etc and cataract. As far as possible suitable medical advice with 10 days medicine was provided at the camp.

The Officer I/c ECHS Polyclinic, Tirunelveli and its staff members including the medical officers visited and helped to conduct the camp smoothly. The ex-servicemen canteen Manager Lt.Col. Paliath Shyam Prasad (Retd.) and the Assistant Director of Ex-servicemen Welfare Major Va.Sree.Jayakumar (Retd.) were very much helpful for the successful conduct of the medical camp.

What we observed from the medical camp ?

1. A number of ex-servicemen, who are eligible to join the ECHS are also attending the free medical camp which was meant for non-pensioners. (These men were advised to join the ECHS immediately)

2. A large number of 2^nd world war veterans and their families in the age group of 65 to 75 are in need of medical help in the form of medicines for chronic illness such as diabetic, hypertension, arthritis.

3. There are around 150 non-pensioners in the age group of 65 to 75 are in need of cataract surgery.

4. Many aged persons attended the camp of their own. Neither their children nor their grand children accompanied them even though they are blessed with one. This shows that no one cares for the aged in the homes, more so if they do not have any pension.

The EXWEL TRUST is making all efforts to conduct more and more free medical camps for these people in the coming days.

THE AUTHOR OF THE EX-SERVICEMEN & SOCIAL WELFARE TRUST SGT.R.CHELLAPPA (RETD) IS SERIOUSLY THINKING OF STARTING AN OLD AGE HOME EXCLUSIVELY FOR EX-SERVICEMEN & THEIR FAMILIES.

THERE ARE LOT OF AGED EX-SERVICEMEN EVEN WITH GOOD AMOUNT OF PENSION ARE SUFFERING LONELY AND NEED MORAL , SOCIAL AND MEDICAL HELP.

THE EXWEL TRUST IS SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION FOR THIS SOCIAL MENACE WITH HEAVY HEART.

KARGIL DAY AT TIRUNELVELI WITH A FREE MEDICAL CAMP

The Free Medical Camp at Tirunelveli getting ready.

Patients are waiting for their turn at the Camp.

The Para Medical Team of Shifa Hospital at the Camp.

Dr.A.Arunagiri, M.D.(Dia.) being honoured by the President
Flt.Lt.M.P.Natarajan, (Retd.) of Tvl.Dt.Exsm.Wel.Assn.
THE EXWEL TRUST - THE SPIRIT BEHIND ACTION
(From L) Col.S.Victor, O i/C ECHS, Dr.C.Murugan, M.S.,D.O., &
Dr.Mohammed Shafi, Managing Director, Shifa Hospitals

Flt.Lt.M.P.Natarajan (Retd.) President, Tvl.Dt.Exsm.Wel.Assn.
honouring Dr.Md.Shafi at the function.

Dr.C.Murugan M.S., D.O., being honoured by the President.

Dr.Deep Anand being honoured by the President.

Dr.C.Murugan, M.S., D.O., examining a patient at the camp.

ACCEPTED REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON OROP

ACCEPTED REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON OROP

The govt has accepted the recommendations of the committee on defence pension anomalies headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The govt sanction letters dealing with the subject would be published and notified in the (very) near future.

The major accepted and soon to be implemented recommendations are :

(a) Pensions of pre-2006 PBOR to be computed by taking into account the top end of 5th CPC scales and notionally (through fitment formula) configuring it within the 6th CPC pay bands instead of basing the same on the minimum of the new scales. Practically speaking, a pre-06 Sepoy who was placed at about Rs 3700 basic pension after the 6th CPC would now be granted a basic pension of appx Rs 5500, a jump of almost Rs 1800. There may now emerge some cases wherein the pension of pre-06 retirees may turn out to be more than those of post-06 retirees at certain levels. It may be recalled that prior to the 6th CPC, pensions of the first three ranks were calculated by taking into account the end of scale whereas for civilian employees and officers the start of scale was taken into consideration. However the 6th CPC had blurred this edge because of the introduction of running pay bands and abolition of separate pay scales for each rank.

(b) Pensions of pre-06 Lieutenant Generals to be upgraded to Rs 36,500 per month. The figure of Rs 36,500 is arrived at by taking into account 50% of the minimum of new HAG scale (Rs 67000-79000) and adding an MSP fitment of Rs 3000 (50% of MSP @6000).

(c) No further improvement or OROP for commissioned officers.

(d) Ceiling on war injury pension (that the total of service element and war injury element of war injury pension should not exceed the last drawn pay) has been removed.

(e) Anomalies in other casualty pensionary awards to be deliberated upon by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) at MoD.

Posted by Maj.Navdeep Singh. www.indianmilitary.info

PRESS RELEASE Dated: 24 Jul 2009

Dear Members of the Media,

1. The Government has finally accepted and issued orders for implementation of the Supreme Court Judgment in respect of Major Generals who retired prior to 01 Jan 96. This judgment grants the same pension to pre 96 retirees as their counterparts who retired after 01 Jan 96 in the case of implementation of 5th Pay Commission award. This was an ideal opportunity for the Government to apply the same concept in case of 6th Pay Commission pre and post 2006 defence retirees. This action of the Government would have not only done due justice to the Ex Servicemen but would have earned their good will who had been agitating for over an year for the same.

2. The reasons for the Govt dragging its feet and announcing reliefs piecemeal is beyond comprehension as this is leading to frustration and anger amongst the Defence fraternity. This indirectly leads to adversely affecting the serving Defence Personnel as well since today’s serving soldier is an Ex servicemen of tomorrow and also the wards and other family members of Ex Servicemen are presently serving defence personnel.

3. The Government needs to realize that it cannot and should not divorce the serving soldiers from the retired ones as dissatisfaction of one will lead to the dissatisfaction of the other. The Govt should now be magnanimous enough to implement the spirit of SC judgment by granting the same pensions to pre and post 2006 defence retirees for all ranks. What better day to make such announcement than the 10th anniversary of the Kargil War ie 26 Jul 2006?

With regards,

Jai Hind

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

LET THERE BE PEACE

KARGIL
LET THERE BE PEACE

THE NEED FOR REVISED CALCULATION OF ARREARS

THE NEED FOR REVISED CALCULATION OF ARREARS

The need for a revised calculation of additional 40% arrears of revised pension and arrears of revised pension from Sep 08 had arisen due to the issue of MOD letter No.16(6)/2008(1)D(Pension/Policy) dt.4.5.09 and MOD letter No.1(8)/2008-D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.6.09 in respect of Special family pensioners and Hon. Nb. Subedars after the issue of MOD letter dated 11.11.08.

Therefore it has become necessary to recalculate the arrears in respect of the recipients of minimum special family pensioners, Hon. Nb. Subedars and widows of Hon. Nb. Subedars.

A model calculation is inserted for a Hon. Nb. Sub. of Gp.’A’ with 24 yrs service. Other can follow this model for arriving at their arrears.

Similarly, a model calculation has been inserted for minimum special family pensioners also. All the widows of Sepoys, Naiks and Havildars who are eligible for special family pension from 01.01.06 can make use of this calculation.

Another important ranks affected by the wrong revision by the banks are Hon. Lts. And Hon. Capts.

A Hon. Lt. is eligible for a revised pension as per Annexure III is Rs.13,500 and Hon. Capt. Is Rs.13,850. Whereas the banks are paying Rs.11,865 for Hon. Lt. and Rs.12262 for Hon. Capt. As per Annexure I. The banks continue to pay less in spite of objections by the pensioners.

A model calculation for Hon. Capt. And Hon. Lt. is inserted which can be printed and handed over to the bank for payment of additional 40% arrears and arrears of revised pension from Sep 08.

Click for Hon. Capt. Arrears calculation.

Click for Hon. Lt. Arrears calculation.

Click for Hon. Nb. Sub. Arrears calculation

Click for arrears of Min. Special Family Pension Calculation.

REVISED FAMILY PENSION TO WIDOWS OF HON. NB. SUBEDARS.

REVISED ORDINARY FAMILY PENSION PAYABLE TO THE

WIDOWS OF HONORARY NAIB SUBEDARS.

Accepting the recommendations of the 6^th CPC, the Govt. has notified that the Havildars granted Hon. Nb. Sub. Rank shall now be paid a pension of a regularly promoted Nb. Sub., whose pension has been increased from Rs.5000 to Rs.7750 as per MOD letter dated 12.06.2009.

Therefore, the widows of the Hon. Nb. Subedars who were drawing a revised minimum family pension of Rs.3500 will now be eligible for a higher family pension, i.e. the widow of a Group ‘A’ Hon. Nb. Sub. who was drawing a revised family pension of Rs.3500 will now be eligible for an increased family pension of Rs.5070 and the widows of Hon. Nb. Subedars of other groups will be eligible for an increased pension of Rs.4650.

Accordingly, they have to be paid revised 40% arrears and arrears of revised pension from Rs.3,500 to Rs.5070 or to Rs.4650 as the case may be.

This is really a good news for a small group of family pensioners. But the question is, will it be paid to the eligible pensioners by the Banks ?

As one of our most respectable reader “Gentle” has rightly pointed out that, unfortunately there is NO MONITORING SYSTEM” to ensure that all the dues are paid within laid down time limit. The Govt., deems its responsibility ends with the issue of a letter authorizing payment due to the affected persons. Unless the Banks/Treasuries are made accountable for the delays in payment by imposition of penalties in the form of high interest rates to the affected victim of such deferred/delayed payment, the problem shall continue to persist.

Above all, educating our pensioners and family pensioners is very important.

REVISED PENSION FOR HON. NB. SUBEDARS

REVISION OF PENSION AND PAYMENT OF ARREARS TO HAVILDARS
GRANTED HONORARY RANK OF NAIB SUBEDAR AS PER MOD LETTER
NO.1(8)/2008-D(PEN/POLICY) DT.12/06/09 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
01.01.06 TO 30.06.2009.

A unique Rank, Hon. Nb.Sub. is available only in the Indian Army. No such rank in the Navy and Air Force. These Hon. Naib Subedars were granted a pension of Havildar with Rs.100 as an additional benefit for the Honorary Rank.

Accepting the recommendations of the 6th CPC in this regard, the govt. has notified that Havildars granted the Hony. Rank of Nb. Sub. Shall now be paid a pension of a regularly promoted Naib Subedar.

After the new orders, the minimum guaranteed pension shall be Rs.8450 for a Group ‘A’ and Group ‘X’ Nb.Sub and Rs.7750 for other groups for a qualifying service of 28 years and above. The amount of pension is proportionate to the number of years of service.

As the new order has been released on 12/06/09, it has become necessary to calculate the arrears of revised pension once again and pay the additional 40% arrears calculated upto Aug 08 and also pay the arrears of revised pension calculated once again from Sep 08 to Jun 09.

The re-calculation has to be done in two parts. One part from 1.1.06 to 31.8.08 for arriving at the additional 40% arrears to be paid and the other part from Sep 08 to Jun 09 for arriving at the arrears of revised pension as a result of this new order.

A model calculation sheet will be inserted in this Blog for a Group ‘A’ Nb.Sub with 24 years of service within a week. According to this working sheet, a Group ‘A’ Hon. Nb. Sub. With 24 years of service will have to be paid an additional arrears of Rs.30,884 immediately and Rs.50,228 as 60% balance arrears on a later date.

Click for the MOD letter dt.12.06.09

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREFIXES WITH THE PPOS

THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CDA(P)

The Defence PPOs are required to be preserved for a longer period as compared to civilian counterpart. As the Soldiers are pensioned at a very young age, and their pensions are subjected to revision and amendment more number of times, it is very important to preserve the PPO in good condition.

Whenever any revision of pension is to be undertaken for a Soldier, the requirement of Original PPO becomes very important for the correct revision of their pension.

As time passes on, the link between the Record Offices, the Banks and the individual pensioners get broken, thus it becomes very difficult to identify the various features of the pensioner with the available PPOs in hand.

The Prefixes used in the PPO numbers sometimes determines different rates of pension at different times. For example, a Special Family Pension PPO is identified by merely by an alphabet prefix ‘F’ in the PPO number. The rates of Special Family pension is undergoing change during every pay commission. Suppose if the prefix ‘F’ is some how defaced in the original PPO due to longer period of storage in the Bank, the pensioner is likely to lose a sizeable amount of revised Special Family Pension.

In the circumstances, it has becomes necessary for every pensioner and the Bank to know the relevant prefixes used in the PPOs for deciding the rate of pension to be paid at the relevant time.

The PPOs are issued in the following series:-

PPOs in respect of Commissioned Officers and families will be invariably prefixed by ‘M’ and in case of Defence Civilians (including DAD) and their families will invariably be prefixed by ‘C’

In case of Air Force and Navy Offices and Personnel Below Officers rank PPOs are issued by Principal CDA(P) Allahabad with pre-fix ‘AF’ and ‘Navy”. The PPO issued by CDA(AF) New Delhi and CDA(Navy) Mumbai in case of Air Force and Navy Officers and personnel below Officers rank and their families the PPOs are pre-fixed with 08 and 09 respectively. Further I the case of J&K Militia PPOs are issued with Prefix ‘Militia’.

In respect of Personnel Below Officer Rank the PPO for different types of pensionary awards are prefixed by the letter as given hereunder against each.

Type of Pensionary Award Prefixed by

1. Service Pension PPOs -- ‘S’

2. Disability Pension PPOs -- ‘D’

3. Ordinary Family Pension PPOs -- ‘F/NA’

4. Special Family Pension PPOs -- ‘F’

5. Continuance awards of Disability Pension PPOs ‘D/RA’

6. Disability Pension Battle Casualty PPOs (War Injury Pension) ‘D/BC’

7. Liberalised Family Pension (Battle casualty) PPOs ‘F/BC’

8. Ex-gratia Lump Sum Award -- ‘F/Ex-gratia.

CONFUSION COMPOUNDED BY A NOTE

CONFUSION COMPOUNDED BY A NOTE IN THE ANNEXURE III

OF MOD LETTER DT.11.11.08

Please refer Annexure III, of MOD letter dt. 11.11.08 the Note at the bottom

Note 1. Rank means rank last held and not the rank for which pensioned.

The Annexure III, Table I shows the amount of pension to be paid to personnel below Officer Rank according to the Rank last held, the Group and the Qualifying Service.

The Note at the bottom of the Annexure III states that:-

1. Rank means rank last held and not the rank for which pensioned.

What does this note means?

1. Does this table show the amount of pension to be paid to the last held Rank and not for the Rank for which an individual has been pensioned as per the PPO in hand?

2. There are a number of cases in which the CDA(P) issues PPO for a particular rank in the meantime, the individual gets promotion to the next higher rank and discharged with that higher rank. Therefore, there is a difference in the rank last held by the individual before discharge and the rank for which he has been pensioned as per the PPO.

This Note at the bottom of Annexure III clearly states that the Table I service pension shows the amount of pension to be paid for the Rank last held and not for the Rank for which the individual has been pensioned as per the PPO.

It is therefore become necessary for the MOD and CDA(P) Allahabad to issue a clarification to the Pension Disbursing agencies to pay the pension as per the Rank Last Held as entered in the PPO and not for the rank which the PPO has been issued.

There are a number of representations sent to the Bank in this regard for payment of pension as per the rank last held. But there is no response from the Banks. The Banks continue to ignore the Note 1 and continue to pay as per the rank for which the individual has been pensioned.

Will MOD and CDA (P) Allahabad issue necessary clarifications to the PDAs immediately so that the affected pensioners can get pension for the Ranks last held instead of the Rank for which they have been pensioned.

DEFENCE PENSIONERS MEET AT TIRUNELVELI (PHOTOS)

Defence Pensioners Awareness Meet at Tirunelveli. held on
25.6.2009.
Asst.Director of Exsm.Welfare.Major.V.Jayakumar (Retd.)
handing over arrears claim letter to a Widow.
Sgt.S.Kandiah (Retd.) explains the situation to the AD.


Major.V.Jayakumar (Retd.) addresses the pensioners.

The aggreieved Defence family pensioners at the meeting.
The sincere efforts of the young Major (Retd.) was highly
appreciated by all. The Exsm. Canteen Manager.Lt.Col.
Shyam Prasad Paliath helped for the arrangement in the
meeting.

DEFENCE PENSIONERS AWARENESS MEET

DEFENCE PENSIONERS AWARENESS MEET

A Defence Pensioners Awareness Meet was arranged on 25.06.2009 in the Campus of the Assistant Director of Ex-servicemen Welfare office at Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

A total of 140 defence pensioners and defence family pensioners attended the meet. The pension documents of all those who attended the meeting was checked to find out whether all of them are being paid the correct rate of revised pension & arrears or not.

With the help of some dedicated retired ex-servicemen bank employees, a thorough scrutiny was made on 100 pension documents. It was shocking to notice that more than 50% of the pensioners were not paid the correct rate of pension for the past several years.

Some of the common mistakes that were noticed are as follows:-

1. Some family pensioners were paid ordinary family pension instead of Special family pension for more than 13 years.

2. The widows of JCOs were paid the pension of a Sepoy’s Widow.

3. 6^th CPC arrears were not paid to the widows whose husbands died during the period between 01.01.06 to 30.8.08.

4. Lot of delay was there is releasing the family pension even though there was a clear PPO in favour of the widow with the bank.

5. The LTA was not paid in many cases.

At the end of the day, the team worked out the correct pension and arrears to be paid to more than 11 pensioners and handed over with a suitable letter to the Banks for immediate payment. For the remaining pensioners, we have requested them to come after few days.

The Assistant Director of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Tirunelveli District Major.Va.Sree.Jayakumar (Retd.) addressed the pensioners. The lecture was in a simple Tamil and it was highly informative to even well informed persons. The initiative taken by the Assistant Director, the Support rendered by the Tirunelveli Ex-servicemen Canteen Manager and the sincere work done by some retired ex-servicemen bank employees were highly appreciated by all.

The following pensioners were given complete working sheet with a letter to the bank for immediate payment.

Name of the pensioner. Name of the Bank & Branch Amount of Arrears.

1. Smt.E.Subbammal, IOB, Maharajanagar, Tirunelveli-11. Rs.3,71,503.00

W/O Late.Nk.Esakki.

(Special Family Pension)

2. Smt.Dhanalakshmi, SBI, Kovilpatti. Rs. 47,539.00

W/O(Late)Hav.

Thiagarajan.

(Special Family Pension)

3. Smt.Greecy Durairajan, Canara Bank, Shenkottai. Rs. 42,694.00

W/O(Late) Hon.Capt.

Durairajan.

4. Smt.S.Bhagyalakshmi Indian Bank, Kovilpatti. Rs.1,46,148.00

W/O (Late) Hav.

Sundarraj.

(Special Family Pension)

5. Smt.Thangathai, Indian Bank, Tenkasi Rs. 56,896.00

W/O (Late) Sub.

S.Krishnan

6. Smt. Maria Selvi Canara Bank, Arumuganeri Rs. 18,243.00

W/O (Late) Nk.

Kennedy Samuel

7. Smt.N.Saraswathi Ammal Canara Bank, Tirunelveli Jn. Rs.2,67,084.00

W/O (Late) Sub.

Narayanasamy Naidu

(Special Family Pension)

8. Hon.Fg.Offr.Anthony Muthu IOB, Vallnadu

Rs. 67,603.00

9. Smt.Balamurugan, SBI, Nanguneri Rs.. 86,710.00

W/O (Late) Hon.Sub.Lt.

Murugan

10.Smt.S.Sujatha SBI, Arumanai. Rs. 55,418.00

W/O (Late) Nk.

Vikramannair

(Special Family Pension)

11.Smt.Rajeswari, SBI Tirumangalam Rs. 55,418.00

W/O (Late)

Sukumaran _____________

Total arrears amount worked out to be paid -- Rs.12,15,256.00

Comment: Tirunelveli is a non-military station in Tamilnadu with a ex-servicemen population of around 10,000. Such a small pensioners meeting could detect a short payment of Rs.12,15,256 out 100 sample pensioners, then what will be the amount of short payment if we verify all the 10,000 pensioners, the amount will run into crores.

Therefore the immediate need of the hour is educating our pensioners is of paramount importance.

AN ANALYSIS & JUSTIFICATION ON BUDGET OROP

AN ANALYSIS AND JUSTIFICATION ON BUDGET OROP
BY A MAJOR GENERAL ON THE PBOR PENSION

On Budget and OROP

Dear Veterans,

Some us have promptly converted the 2100 crores given by the FM to the net average increase in pension @ Rs1460/= pm for the personnel other than the Commissioned Officers. My interaction with many reveals that this increase has delighted all and they are of the view that it is OROP for them. Delighted they are because initial pension revision got 25% more and now another 20% is likely to be added. Handsome is it not!

Let us take the case of a Naik of ‘Y’ Group.
• He gets a pension of 4850 as on today
• His revised basic pension is therefore 4850/1.22 = 3980
• His basic pension before revision is therefore 3980/2.26 = 1770
• His revised basic pension was fixed as 1770 * 2.26 = 4001 ie. 4010
• This 1770 is @50% and not 70%. If it was at 70% the basic pension would have been 1770 * 1.4 = 2480
• His revised basic pension would have been 2480 * 2.26 = 5610. A net increase in the raised basic pension to the extent of 5610 – 4010 = 1600
• He would be drawing today a total of 5610 * 1.22 = 6850
• Hence the net increase by this budget proposal is 6850-4850 = 2000 ie. 41% increase as on 01 July 2009.

The above illustration is more or less a true picture, subject to some fine tuning. I am given to understand that prior to the Vth CPC, pension was @70%, which was changed to 50% by the Vth CPC. If that is the case, you will agree that the Government has just restored 70%, which was one of the demands after Vth CPC recommendation was implemented.

Similar is the logic for those whose pension has been fixed as per Annexure iii. Thus all pre 2006 pensioners of a particular rank other than those of Commissioned Officers draw same pension if their pension is fixed as per Annexure iii and not as per Annexure i.

Now let us talk on OROP. The basic pension for all the pensioners today is at the bottom of the pay band as per annexure ii & iii, provided they have completed a total service 33 years including the grace period. Thus talking of a colonel with 26 years and another of 35 years of service, you find that they get the same pension 26050. Similar is the case with respect to all others. Is it not OROP? Except that those whose pension fixed as per Annexure i being higher than that of Annexure iii, get different pension though of the same rank.

Hence the claim by the Government that OROP has been granted for all the ESM (pre 2006 pensioners) can be interpreted as correct at its intrinsic and not implied meaning. The phrase ‘One Rank One Pension’ means to the Government and many of the ESM that the pension for two persons holding the same rank is the same. This was the case pre 1970.

Now Brig Rangachari correctly highlighted another paragraph from the speech of the FM which talks of rank based pension with no regard to the year of retirement. A few proposals have been put forward by various people claiming the same. Some chose the notional pay as the mean of the minimum of the pay scale as per the fitment tables of SAI and the maximum of the corresponding Pay Band. Some chose the maximum of the pay scale as per the fitment tables of the SAI as the notional pay. In any case the proposals are not in tune with OROP as propounded by ESM. “No two soldiers holding the same rank and same total length of service to their credit shall draw different pensions.” By this it is implied that more years of service entitles higher pension even if the rank is the same.

By these proposals referred to above some, who drew pay less than the notional pay at the time of retirement benefit and the some who drew more pay stand to lose. Government may choose to oblige us because by the law of average the financial implications may work out to be advantageous to the Government. The seniors suffer a loss in their pension which goes to the junior. Is it want intended by seeking ‘OROP’.

This is the precise reason why I was harping on Absolute Parity in Pension, the parity in pension between two soldiers holding the same rank and same length of service, the date of retirement being immaterial.

Let us see what happens!

Regards RN Radhakrishnan (Rtd Major General)

Comment: Probably, this may the first time a Major General had deeply studied about the amount of pension being paid to Sepoys, Naiks etc. Thanks a lot for a positive approach and analysis. Let us hope for the best.

HELP THE FAMILY PENSIONERS TO GET ARREARS

WHO WILL HELP THIS POOR WAR WIDOW & HER CHILDREN ?
IT IS YOU, IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THIS.

REVISION OF MINIMUM SPECIAL FAMILY PENSION & PAYMENT

OF ARREARS (WIDOWS OF SEPOYS, NAIKS & HAVILDARS)

The minimum Special Family Pension was increased from Rs.2,550 to Rs.7,000/- as per PCDA (P) Most Important Circular No.410 dt.13.05.09 para 4.2. In the meantime the Banks have revised the existing Special Family Pension of Rs.2,550 into Rs.5,763 as per the tables attached to MOD letter dated 11.11.08 and calculated arrears from 01.01.06 to 31.08.08 for 32 months and paid 40 % arrears during Sep 08/Oct 08 and awaiting to pay the remaining 60% arrears on getting instructions from the Government.

The earlier MOD letter dt.11.11.08, which authorized revision of pension of Pre-2006 pensioners did not specify the amount of minimum Special Family Pension. Therefore, pending the revision of the Special Family Pension, the existing Pre-2006 rates of Special Family Pension was consolidated as per para 4.1 of the MOD letter dt.11.11.08 and as per the tables in Annexure I attached to MOD letter dt.11.11.08, the pre-2006 Special Family Pension was revised to Rs.5,763 (Annexure I Page.9) and arrears calculated up to Aug 08 and 40% arrears was paid and thereafter the consolidated revised rates of Special Family pension is being paid.

In the circumstances, the MOD letter dt.04.05.09 (Para 4.2) and PCDA(P) Allahabad, Important Circular No.410 (Para 4.2) revised the minimum Special Family Pension from Rs.2,550 to Rs.7,000/- w.e.f. 01.01.2006. It has therefore become necessary to re-calculate the arrears payable from 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008 at the new rate of Rs.7,000/- w.e.f. 01.01.06 and pay the additional arrears on 40% immediately and recalculated 60% arrears to be paid later.

In order to arrive at the correct arrears amount, a separate calculation has been made for such cases which can be followed.

The re-calculation to be made in two parts. One from 01.01.06 to 30.8.08 for arriving at the additional 40% arrears payable immediately and the other part from 01.09.08 to 30.06.09 to arrive at the arrears of pension payable as a result of revision of Special Family Pension from Rs.2,550 to Rs.7,000/-.

As result of the increase in the minimum Special Family pension from Rs.2,550 to Rs.7,000/- each eligible Special Family pensioner i.e. widows of Sepoys, Naiks and Havildars & equivalent ranks will get additional 40% arrears of Rs.16,848 and arrears in difference in pension payable up to 30.6.09 Rs.14,790, thus a total of Rs.31,638/- have to be paid immediately.

A detailed working sheet is inserted. Please click for the Arrears working Sheet and get it printed and present it to your bank after filling in your particulars for immediate payment.

The MOD letter revising the minimum Special Family Pension to Rs.7,000/- was issued on 4.5.09 and the implementation instructions were issued by the CDA(P) Allahabad through their important circular No.410 on 13.5.09. It is more than two months passed, none of the Banks have made any attempt to re-calculate and revise the pension of these poor widows.

It is unfortunate that none of the welfare associations come forward to help these widows to get their revised pension and arrears. While very big organizations fight for increased pensionary benefits, but they fail to monitor the implementation of the existing little benefits to the poor PBOR families. I have seen, when the Lt.Cols. Pay & Pension were revised, lot of e-mails, calculation sheets were floated all over the net for immediate payment. But in the case of PBOR pension calculations, all are silent. This is not a good attitude of a growing organizations.

The membership of an organization cannot be increased without meeting the affected people/pensioners face to face and doing justice to them. This is very important.

The Author of this Blog, with his own efforts and with the help of one dedicated member, was instrumental in getting arrears to the tune of Rs.One crore during the past 10 years to poor PBOR pensioners and increased the membership of the Association to more than 3000.

Of course, it was a great struggle to build the Association for the past 10 years. But due to the influence of some vested interests with selfish motives, the sacrifices done by the honest workers in the past are not remembered and ultimately, the general welfare of the whole community is paralyzed again. Only God can save the PBORs and their families.

Click for the Arrears working sheet Annexure I

Click for the Arrears working sheet Annexure II