OROP: Ex-servicemen Warn of Upping Ante
BENGALURU: Around 1,500 ex-servicemen descended on the Town Hall in the city on Sunday demanding that the government implement the one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme.
This was the second such agitation by the veterans in the last few weeks.
The veterans were miffed that the government has not implemented the scheme from 1973 when the issue was first raised.
The scheme entitles uniform pension for armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same duration of service, irrespective of the date of retirement. On Sunday, many of the veterans expressed hope that OROP will be implemented soon. Col K D Shelley (retd) told Express that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had recently said funds were not a problem.
“However, it is appalling that not one government representative visited us during our agitation. We, being a disciplined force, do not resort to arm-twisting tactics like rasta/rail roko. However, we will be forced to take up such measures if there is a delay in implementation of OROP,” added Shelley.
Most of those present blamed the delay in implementation of the scheme on bureaucrats, who they said, are throwing a spanner in the works.
Shelley was also surprised that the city police did not grant permission to the veterans to take out a rally.
Input from http://www.newindianexpress.  | |
Showing posts with label DEFENCE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DEFENCE. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
OROP: Ex-servicemen Warn of Upping Ante
latest News OROP - One Rank One Pension Explained in 10 Points
One Rank One Pension Explained in 10 Points
NEW DELHI: One Rank One Pension or OROP, a longstanding demand of ex-servicemen, will grant retired armed forces personnel pension parity with officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now. Gandhian activist Anna Hazare has announced an indefinite fast in support of OROP from October 2.
Here is a 10-point guide:
Retired services personnel also expect a year's back pay in pensions at the new rate, which if approved will be a windfall for pensioners.
Unlike the civil services, where the retirement age is 60, 85 per cent soldiers are compulsorily retired between 35 and 37 years of age. Another 12-13 per cent soldiers retire between 40 and 54 years.
Protesters demanding OROP also point out that civil servants cannot be discharged by the government on account of disability until they reach their retirement age. But soldiers can be discharged any time on account of disability.
Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations at the time when they retired. So, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws less pension than a Lt. Colonel who retired after 1996.
Implementing OROP will cost the government at least an estimated Rs 8,300 crore annually and the Finance Ministry has to take the final call on it now. One Rank One Pension will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen.
One Rank One Pension was an election promise of the BJP. Ex-servicemen are now demanding that it fulfil that promise.
In its last Budget in 2014, months before the national election, the Congress-led UPA government announced that OROP would be implemented, but allocated a meagre Rs 500 crore.
The BJP government says that was grossly inadequate and that it has, since it came to power, been working hard to implement OROP.
The Supreme Court had ordered the implementation of OROP six years ago in 2009, and in February this year, reminded the government that it is yet to do so. In 1983, the Supreme Court said, "Pension is not a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer."
A group of ex-servicemen leading protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi claim ex-jawans are willing to fast unto death for OROP. With Anna Hazare on board, the ex-servicemen say they will also protest in election-bound states such as Bihar.
Input from http://www.ndtv.com/cheat-  | |
Thursday, July 16, 2015
OROP Latest News - Hazare to go on indefinite hunger strike over land bill, OROP issue
Hazare to go on indefinite hunger strike over land bill, OROP issue
Social activist Anna Hazare has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike at the Ramlila ground in Delhi from October 2 over the land acquisition bill and the 'one rank one pension' issue.
Hazare met former defence officials at his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district on Wednesday and discussed ways in which the OROP issue could be taken up with the government.
Hazare recently said the BJP-led government at the Centre had not shown as much interest towards the implementation of the OROP scheme as it had shown towards the passing of the land acquisition bill, adding the retired jawans deserved to lead a dignified life.
"The current government, during the elections had said that they will implement One Rank, One Pension, but it has been more than a year, they have not done it. They have so much interest in land acquisition bill, but why are they not showing similar kind of interest in OROP," Hazare had said.
The OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of ex-servicemen's associations and relates to payment of uniform pension to defence forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
"Jawans in the Army face a lot of difficulties. Whether is it desert of Rajasthan or the freezing conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, they serve the nation. They deserve to lead an honourable life after retirement. People who dedicate their lives to the nation should get the chance to spend their lives with dignity," he added.
Hazare had protested against the controversial land acquisition ordinance earlier in February, saying the Narendra Modi-led government was acting as a property dealer for corporates. He had accused the Modi government of being indifferent towards farmers.
He had hinted at a bigger agitation at the Ramlila ground during the February protest.
Hazare had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to implement the OROP scheme at the earliest, failing which, he would launch a countrywide agitation for the same.
(With PTI inputs) Courtesy:http://www. | |
Grant of HRA/CCA at Hyderabad Rates to the Defence Civilian Employees working at Ordnance Factory Medak-NC JCM
Grant of HRA/CCA at Hyderabad Rates to the Defence Civilian Employees working at Ordnance Factory Medak-NC JCM
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New DelhI — 110001
E Mail : ncjcm.np@gmail.com
Secretary No.JCM/2015/HRA
Date: June 30, 2015
The Joint Secretary(Pers.)Department of Expenditure, North Block, New Delhi-110 001 Dear Madam,
Sub: Grant of HRA/CCA at Hyderabad Rates to the Defence Civilian Employees working at Ordnance Factory Yeddumailaram (Medak) and Eddumailaram (Census Town), Medak
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide ID No. 2(2)12007/E-li (B) dated 19.02.2007 have informed MoD that the MoD should checkup the matter with the State Government/Local Authorities to confirm whether Yeddumailaram (Medak) and Eddumailaram (Census Town), Medak are two different cities or both are one and the same. It was further clarified that if it happen to be the same city then HRA / CCA is already admissible at Hyderabad rates being part of Hyderabad (UA). Accordingly, Ministry of Defence after consulting the State Government Authorities have issued instructions vide ID No. 6(6)/2005 D (Civ.) dated 16.05.2007 clarifying Yeddumailaram (Medak) and Eddumailaram (Census Town). Medak are one and the same city and accordingly they are eligible for HRA / CCA as applicable to Hyderabad (UA).
Ministry of Finance vide its ID No. 2(2)/2007-E-li(B) dated 01.12.2014 have advised Ministry of Defence that payment of HRA at Hyderabad rates to the employees of Ordnance Factory Yeddumailaram (Medak) and Eddumailaram (Census Town), Medak may be stopped with immediate effect. Accordingly, Ministry of Defence have issued instructions to Ordnance Factory Board to immediately reduce the rate of HRA to the above employees from existing 30% to 10%.
In this regard it is stated that Eddumailaram (Census Town) was declared / treated as Urban (i.e. Census Town) at 2001 Census vide Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Director of Census Operation Letter No. 4646/Census CeIl/2001 dated 12.08.2002 (copy enclosed for ready reference) Moreover, as per the publication of Government of Andhra Pradesh regarding concept of Urban Agglomeration defined in Chapter 1 of introduction, concepts and definitions, jurisdictional changes, Rural – Urban Frame Andhra Pradesh in Para 1.3.7 it is clearly mentioned that the Medak District falls within the Urban Agglomeration of Hyderabad (UA).
In view of the above Department of Expenditure is requested to re-examine the whole issue in terms of the supporting documents stated in the Preceding Para and arrange to issue instructions to continue 30% HRA for the Defence Civilian Employees of Ordnance Factory Yeddumailaram (Medak) and Eddumailaram (Census Town), Medak.
This issue may please be considered seriously and urgently since the Defence Production Unit is facing serious industrial unrest owing to stoppage of HRA at par with Hyderabad (UA) rates.
An early decision is solicited.
Yours faithfully,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary(Staff Side)
Source :NC JCM Input from gservants  | |
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
OROP Latest News - SC gives Centre 6 more weeks to implement OROP
SC gives Centre 6 more weeks to implement OROP
The Supreme Court has given the Centre six more weeks to comply with its 2008 judgment ordering the implementation of the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) principle for retired armed forces personnel.
On Wednesday, a bench led by Justice T S Thakur posted the matter after six weeks on a request made by Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, who asked for some more time to enable the government to do the needful.
This may be the final opportunity for the government to ward off initiation of a possible contempt proceeding over its failure to comply with the seven-year-old judgment.
On February 16, the court had reminded the NDA government of its promise to implement OROP in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. “This was part of your manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. You must keep your word,” the bench had observed while hearing a contempt petition, filed by retired Major General S P S Vains.
Vains has dragged the Defence Ministry to the court, demanding immediate implementation of the OROP scheme.
While posting the matter after three months, the bench had in February said: “We make it clear that no further time will be granted for the purpose of implementation of the impugned judgment.” However, on Wednesday, the bench accorded yet another opportunity to the government after the ASG said modalities of the implementation of the OROP were being devised. The court will hear the case next on August 24.
Source:http://indianexpress.  | |
Thursday, June 18, 2015
FLASH NEWS - 'One Rank One Pension' scheme likely to be rolled out ahead of Bihar polls: Report
'One Rank One Pension' scheme likely to be rolled out ahead of Bihar polls: Report
NEW DELHI: The long-pending 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen is likely to be rolled out ahead of the Assembly polls in Bihar later this year, top government sources indicated today.
The government is working out the modalities for OROP and the announcement will be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said.
"It (OROP) is being worked out. We will need to have a separate category so that it cannot be legally challenged later on and nor do others stake claim. This would be separate from other government pensions," the sources said.
Asked when it will be rolled out, they indicated that the scheme is likely to be announced ahead of Bihar election if all modalities are worked out.
Mounting further pressure on the Modi government, ex-servicemen have decided to hold a huge rally in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls to demand the "promised due" of 'One Rank One Pension'.
The decision came even as groups of ex-servicemen went on a relay hunger strike in about 20 cities across the country starting yesterday.
Assembly polls in Bihar are likely in September/October this year. BJP has a tough fight on hand against the JD(U)-RJD combine, which is likely to have a poll pact with Congress in the state.
The Modi government has said it is committed to OROP, a key promise made during Lok Sabha polls. It has, however, not implemented it till now.
Even though the government has said it is committed to implementing OROP, there has been no official word on why the scheme is getting delayed.
Defence ministry sources said the OROP file is with the Finance Ministry for a final budgetary approval.
Close to 22 lakh ex-servicemen and over six lakh war widows stand to be immediate beneficiaries of the scheme, which envisages a uniform pension for the defence personnel who retire in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations of the time when he or she retired.
So, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws a lower pension than a Lieutenant Colonel who retired after 1996.
Source:Economictimes
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Latest News One Rank One Pension (OROP) for Ex-Servicemen – Will the Dream Come True?!
One Rank One Pension (OROP) for Ex-Servicemen – Will the Dream Come True?!
We all know very well that one of the important and unresolved pleas of ex-servicemen for a long time has been the One Rank One Pension (OROP).
We cannot compare other central government employees with army personnel who do a noble job of protecting our mother nation. Some people work in a dangerous environment. For others their work itself can be extremely dangerous. Our Army personnel come under the second category. The natural topography in which they work is very rough, extremely snowy and rainy with deadly shells fired anytime from the tanks of the enemies. Our Army constantly endures all these dangers.
Our army men risk their live and work in order to help us live peacefully. So they have be given the highest regard and honoured by us all. It is the crucial service of our army that helps us in times of natural calamities like unforeseen earthquakes, floods, landslides and hazardous times like riots. It can never be the right thing to make such noble people plead for their rights or provoke them to protest just to get their fair demands fulfilled.
The Employees’ Federation and Industry Associations of various departments of the Central Government have to announce their open support for the One Rank and One Pension (OROP) demand of Ex-servicemen. We have to exert pressure on the Central government and force them to make a suitable Government Order in this regard at the earliest possible.
Through this, we can attract the attention of the 7th Central Pay Commission which is going to be implemented from 1/1/2016 and certainly influence its secretive stand related to pension related matters to the maximum extent possible.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Extension of facilities of Salary Accounts under Defence Salary Package to the Industrial / Non-Industrial Civilian Employees.
Extension of facilities of Salary Accounts under Defence Salary Package to the Industrial / Non-Industrial Civilian Employees.
BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR - 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222
REF: BPMS / MOD / 186 (8/1/R)
Dated: 09.05.2015
To,The Secretary, Govt of India, Min of Defence, South Block, DHQ PO, New Delhi - 110011 Subject: Extension of facilities of Salary Accounts under Defence Salary Package to the Industrial / Non-Industrial Civilian Employees. Respected Sir,
With due regards, your attention is invited to Section 6. of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 which stipulates that all wages shall be paid in current coins or currency notes or in both provided that the employer may after obtaining the written authorisation of the employed person, pay him the wage, either by cheque or by crediting the wages in his bank account.
It is worth to mention here that the Head of Departments / Head of Offices of the defence installations under Army, Air Force, Navy, DDP, DRDO etc. have successfully convinced all the industrial & non-industrial civilian employees to draw their wages in bank account and has got the salary account opened in nationalized bank including State Bank of India,
Further, State Bank of India grants some privileges/facilities to the holders of salary accounts under Defence Salary Package, which are mentioned in annexure of this letter. But it is painful to note that the same benefit is not being extended to civilian employees of the same defence installation.
Therefore, you are requested to take necessary action so that the industrial / non-industrial civilian employees of defence installations may also get the benefits of Salary Accounts under Defence Salary Package.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
Annexed: As mentioned
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS
Member, JCM-ll Level Council (MOD)
SALARY ACCOUNTS UNDER DEFENCE SALARY PACKAGE (DSP)
ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (RR), ASSAM RIFLES AND GENERAL RESERVE ENGINEERING FORCE (BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION) GREF-BRO
Salary Accounts under Defence Salary Package offers many concessions in service charges for serving as well as retired Defence personnel of Army/ Navy/ Air Force/Indian Coast Guard/ Assam Rifles, as well as Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and GREF [Border Road Organization (BRO)] having their Salary/Pension accounts with SBI.
Available in four variants, namely Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum categorized on the rank of the personnel of Army, Navy ,Air Force, Assam Rifles, RR and GREF (Border Road Organization). PBORs are categorized in Silver Variant, Officers are categorized under Gold, Diamond and Platinum Variants.
Features of DSP
>>Convenience of Anywhere Banking at
The largest network of more than 16,000 Core Banking Branches Extensive alternative channels.
53,000 plus ATMs of State Bank Group
Free Internet Banking, Mobile Banking
>>Complete gamut of Banking Services including:-
Unique Lifetime Account Number;
Zero Balance Account facility with no penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance;
Auto sweep (in & out) facility (on request)-Surplus amount in Savings bank account beyond threshold balance is transferred automatically into Term Deposits (multi option deposits) in multiple of Rs.1000/- and vice versa
Free Personal Accident Insurance (Death) Cover to Primary Salary Package Account
Free personalized Multi City Cheques
Free Drafts*/RTGS*/NEFT*
Free Core Power: Anywhere banking facility with the widest network of more than 16,000 branches
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Free updating of pass-books at any branch
Easy overdraft up to 2 months' salary repayable within 6 months
SMS Alerts
Free Debit Cards
Domestic cards for Silver Accounts, Gold Debit cards for Gold and
Diamond Accounts and Platinum Debit Card for Platinum Accounts.
Maximum daily withdrawal of Rs. 40,000 on Domestic Cards, Rs. 50,000 on Gold Cards and Rs. 1,00,000 on Platinum Cards.
Various Personal loans like Home loan/ Auto loan/ Xpress Credit loan, etc. at attractive terms
Demat facility, 3-in 1 Trading Account available
Systematic Investment Plan in Mutual funds
Range of other value added benefits
*Conditions apply
 | |
Review of compassionate appointment cases regarding.
Review of compassionate appointment cases regarding.
No. 19(4)/2015/D(Lab)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi, the 30.4.2015.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
The undersigned is directed to invite attention to this Ministry’s OM No.19(3)/2013/D(Lab) dated 18.11.2014 vide which all administrative/authorities were requested to strictly comply the instructions contained in Para 8 of DoP&T OM No. 14014/02/2012-Estt(D) dated 16.1.2013 regarding withdrawal of three years time limit and Sl.No. 38-43 of FAQ issued vide DoP&T OM No. 14014/02/2012-Estt(D) dated 30.5.2013.
2. An issue has been raised by Bhartiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) informing that the Line Directorates/Units of Army HQrs are not considering the compassionate appointment cases in true spirit of the guidelines issued by DoP&T and the requests for compassionate appointment are being rejected on the plea that as per policy once three consecutive chances had been considered, the Case is considered to be closed and cannot be opened.
3. As per the new guidelines on compassionate appointment, any application for compassionate appointment is to be considered without any time limit and decision taken on merit in each case.
4. Regarding re-opening of old cases which were closed on completion of three years time limit as per the earlier policy of DoP&T, it may be noted that the DoP&T vide their OM dated 30.5.2013 have clarified that the closed cases can be reopened provided tat the cases were closed due to non-availability of vacancies during the 3 year time period. However these cases may be considered as per the criteria mentioned in Sl.No. 32 & 39 of FAQ dated 30.5.2013. Such cases should not be opened merely because the time limit has been waived off. In this regard DoP&T have further clarified that the cases which have been closed for not being found suitable under the criteria for compassionate appointments, need not to be opened irrespective of the waiver of time limit.
5. In view of the above, all the Service HQrs / lower formations are requested to follow the DoP&T’s above guidelines in letter and spirit. They may not reject any application for compassionate appointment simply on the ground that it had already been considered thrice unless it was rejected due to lack of merit/not found suitable under the criteria for compassionate appointments. If the compassionate appointment could not be granted due to non-availability of vacancies at that time, any fresh application, received now should be re-considered after adjudging his penurious condition on the basis of the family’s latest financial/economic condition, number of dependents of the family as on date, latest marital status of dependents etc in the light of the existing guidelines of DoP&T on the subject.
sd/-
(Biswajit Guha)
Under Secretary(Lab)
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Saturday, March 28, 2015
One Rank One Pension to cost exchequer Rs 7,500 crore-10,000 crore
One Rank One Pension to cost exchequer Rs 7,500 crore-10,000 crore
CHANDIGARH: Implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' scheme, the long-standing demand of Armed Forces veterans, is likely to cost the exchequer Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 10,000 crore, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said today.
The government has already made it clear that One Rank One Pension (OROP) will be implemented with effect from April 1, 2014, the Minister of State for Defence told reporters here. He said that the Defence Ministry had recently forwarded to the Finance Ministry the cost which the scheme's implementation would entail. "It is likely to cost us somewhere between Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 10,000 crore," he said, adding that the previous UPA government had made a mere announcement with regard to OROP. "During the past four to five months, we have gone deep into this. We have calculated the entire cost now," he said. | |
Sunday, March 15, 2015
MoU between Indian Army and HDFC Bank
MoU between Indian Army and HDFC Bank
On 13th Mar 2015 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Army and HDFC Bank on the Defence Salary Package. The signing in ceremony was chaired by Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Adjutant General of Indian Army and attended by top dignitaries of HDFC Bank headed by Mr Rajender Sehgal, Group Head (Govt Business).
The first MoU between HDFC Bank and the Indian Army was signed in 2011 and was valid for a period of three years. The revised MoU is tailor made to suit the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families. Number of additional facilities have been incorporated in the revised MoU after concerted efforts. Army is hoping that this MoU will benefit a large number of serving and retired Army personnel who are having their accounts with HDFC and provide them an opportunity to access modern banking facilities. The basic features of the MoU are free drafts, free cheque books, free funds transfers to any bank in India through RTGS / NEFT and free ATM cards. Some features which have been improved from before are enhancement of Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) cover and its applicability both on Account and Debit Card, Air Accident Insurance of Rs 25 Lakhs, Interest concession on auto loan and 50 % waiver on processing fees for auto and house loan. Two major additions have been applicability of the and overdraft facility to pensioners. The MoU also has a provision for yearly review of specific features and requests. Click here to see photograph: Col Rohan Anand, SM Source:http://www.pib.nic.in/  | |
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