Integration of OROP In 7th CPC -IESM Meeting With 7th Cpc On 24 Sep 2014
IESM MEETING WITH 7th CPC ON 24 SEP 2014
Date: 01 Oct 2014
Dear Veterans
1. IESM delegation consisting of the following met the 7th CPC for over an hour on 24th Sep 2014.
1. IESM delegation consisting of the following met the 7th CPC for over an hour on 24th Sep 2014.
(a) Maj Gen Satbir Singh- Chairman IESM
(b) Maj Gen PK Renjen -Vice Chairman IESM
(c) Gp Capt VK Gandh-i Gen Sec IESM
(d) Maj Gen AJB Jaini -Member Gov Body
(e) Hony Lt K Pandey- Member Gov Body
2. The following members and the officials of the 7th CPC were present:-
(a) Justice AK Mathur- Chairman 7 CPC
(b) Sh Mudit Mittal- Director 7 CPC
(c) Sh DK Rai- Director 7 CPC
(d) Ms Meena Aggarwal- Secretary 7CPC
(e) Sh Sameer K Sinha -Jt Sec 7 CPC
(f) Sh Rajeev Misra -Advisor
(g) Sh Y Shukla -Advisor
(h) Sh Mohinder Singh -Advisor
(i) Km Vandana Sirvastava- CGDA
3. Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Chairman Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) had met members of the Commission earlier in May 2014, wherein recommendations by the IESM in brief were discussed. (Details attached at Appendix A attached).
4. A detailed Memorandum to 7th CPC was forwarded by IESM vide our letter dated 11 Aug 2014 (Appendix B att.)
5. During the meeting with the 7th CPC on 24 Sep 2014 the following major issues were discussed:-
(a) Start of Down-gradation of Defence personnel in 1973 3rd CPC. It was highlighted by the IESM Delegation that the down-gradation of military persons started with 3rd CPC when they were clubbed with the civilian employees. Till 1973, military persons had their own pay and pension regulations wherein, pensions were regulated based on the rank and the years of service. Pension of JCOs/OR were based on 75% of the last pay drawn and officers’ pension was 50% of the last pay drawn, whereas the pensions of civilian employees were worked out based on 33% of the last pay drawn with max Rs 416.50. The pension of the highest rank of defence forces was Rs 1000 pm. The 3rd CPC increased the pensions of civilian to 50% of the last pay drawn and reduced the pensions of JCOs/ORs from 75% to 50%. This resulted in reduction of pension of the defence personnel. It was here onwards that the down-gradation of military personnel started. Rajya Sabha Petition Committee on OROP Chaired by Mr. Bhagat Singh Koshyari in 2011 opined that the decision to club the defence personnel with the civilian employees in 1973 was not a considered decision. IESM emphasized that the 7th CPC should correct the injustice by restoring the pension differential that existed in 1973.
(b) Integration of OROP in 7th CPC. The delegation asked the members
of 7th CPC that OROP, which has already been sanctioned by the Govt and not yet implemented, should be fully integrated in the 7th CPC.
One of the Directors with the 7th CPC Sh. DK Rai brought out that the OROP has relief of only few rupees to the OR/JCOs. The IESM delegation strongly countered the statement and brought out that as per accepted definition of OROP, a Sepoy with 17 years of services stands to gain Rupees 3150 in his basic pension plus DA and not a few Rupees. It was brought out by the Chairman IESM, Maj Gen Satbir Singh that a Sepoy with 17 years of service and Pre 2006 retiree gets a pension of Rs 5,196 pm. With the implementation of OROP, he will get Rs 8350 pm basic plus DA additional. IESM delegation emphasized that 7th CPC must fully integrate OROP, while arriving at the pension of 7th CPC.
(c) Pension of Widows. It was brought out by the delegation that there are 6.45 lacs defence widows in the country and 85% of them are the widows of OR. Majority of them draw only Rs 3500 pm basic. It was strongly recommended that service pension of the ESM and the family pension should be same. If the spouse dies, the ESM continues to draw his/her pension, but when ESM, dies the pension is reduced to 60% of the ESM pension. Thus, the defence widow is left to fend for herself with her woes increasing many fold. This segment of the defence fraternity suffers the most. 7th CPC was requested to consider this sympathetically and enhance the family pension to the pension of the ESM. A question from Chairman 7th CPC justice AK Mathur that the other services would also demand this increase of family pension, was replied by Maj Gen Satbir Singh that the two cannot be compared.
Defence families suffer while the spouse is serving due to the service conditions and continues to suffer more when they are widowed early.
(d) Defence Personnel Retire Early and also Die Early. The age expectancy of government employees was studied by a government agency in the 5th CPC. The following age expectancies were arrived at:-
a) Civilian Services 77 Yrs
b) Railway Employees 78 Yrs
c) Defence Personnel
i) OR (up to Hav) 59.6 – 64 Yrs
ii) JCOs 67 Yrs
iii) Officers 72.5 Yrs
It is seen that ORs die approximately 20 years, JCOs 15 years and officers 7 years earlier than their civilian counterparts. There are a number of reason, the most important being body wear and tear during service and stress and strain of life after retirement when their responsibilities are maximum. It was strongly recommended by the delegation, that this aspect must be kept in mind by the 7th CPC while arriving at the pension scales of the defence personnel. This also adds to the logic of award of enhanced percentages of pensions to the defence personnel as existed in Pre 1973.
(e) Disability Pension. It was recommended by the delegation that “The present disability pension in cases of discharge/ superannuation/retirement with a disability is authorized only to those personnel who have a disability of 20% or more whereas in cases of discharge on medical grounds, the 20% stipulation stands abrogated. All individuals irrespective of the percentage of disability should be granted compensation. Disability pension needs to be paid in ALL cases of disability and broad-banding of percentages of disability be extended to all (and not just invalided personnel as is the case at present) as the concept of broad-banding is to offset medical subjectivity and mistakes and arbitrary percentages awarded by medical boards and has no connection with the manner of exit from service. Moreover, all disabilities arising during military service, including while on authorized leave, should be deemed as ‘attributable or at least aggravated’ by service unless caused by the person’s own misconduct as is the system prevalent in all major democracies (See Rule 105 of United States Code 38). It may be pertinent to point out that the Rules already provide for such a stipulation (See Rule 5 of Entitlement Rules, 1982) and even the Hon’ble Supreme Court has already ruled in favour of disabled soldiers in this regard in Dharamvir Singh Vs UOI, civil appeal 4949/2013 decided on 02nd July 2013. Only condition to deny disability pension would be if the disability is a result of any misconduct or criminality. There should be a separate ‘Defence Services Pay Committee’ (as promised by the former Prime Minister) comprising members from Defence Services/ veterans and judges from SC/ HC.
(f) Common Pay Scale of JCOs and ORs. IESM recommended that common Pay scales should also be extended to JCOs/OR so that they get benefited for the pension.
(g) Rank Pay Case. The Govt of India approved the 4th CPC Recommendations of Rank Pay to be added to the basic Pay of officers ranks Captain to Brigadier. This would have had cascading effect on even Maj Gen & Lt Gen and would have, in turn impacted on the pensions of defence officers. Despite the above approval, in the execution stage, this advantage was neutralized by a bureaucratic manipulation, by first deducting and then adding rank pay. This resulted in the basic pay being lowered from the earlier level and had a detrimental effect on each rank with relative equation to other services being lowered. This further had cascading affecting on successive Pay Commissions. After the SC judgment in favour of defence personnel, the Govt has still not fully implemented it. The revisions of pay scales of 4th, 5th and 6th Pay Commissions have not yet been carried out.
IESM delegation emphasized that 7th CPC should arrive at the base figures after taking into consideration the complete implementation of the SC judgment and the same be suitably integrated in the 7th CPC recommendations.
(h) Rank Pay For JCOs and ORs. Rank Pay should also be extended to JCOs and ORs.
(j) Third Assured Career Progression for the Sepoy. Third Career progression authorised to all central government employees by the 6th CPC is not available to the Sepoy of armed Forces since he is retired after 15/17/19 years of service whereas the third promotion is authorised after 24 years of service. It was recommended that this disadvantage be removed by the 7th CPC. Either, he be given promotion after 5/10/15 years of services or he should be given pension of the 3rd promotion.
(k) Pensions of Pre 2004 retiree Majors and Selection Grade Lt Cols.
IESM brought out that as on today, Armed Forces Officers are not retiring as Majs and selection grade Lt Cols since a time bound promotions up to Lt Col have been introduced. It was recommended that pensions of these categories of officers should be fixed as under:-
(i) Major should be given pension of Lt Col with grade pay of Majors.
(ii) Selection grade Lt Col should be given pension of Colonel with grade pay of Lt Col.
(l) Performance Related incentive scheme (PRIS). This scheme was accepted by the 6th CPC, that is 1/3rd of the population of employees can be granted 20% of basic pay as enhancement on account of PRIS.
While the scheme has been implemented for the civilian employees and DRDO, the same has not yet been implemented for the defence personnel. It was recommended that the same should also be extended to defence personnel.
(m) Dynamic Assured Carrier Progression (DCAP) For Medical Officers.
Medical officers in the central government with 13 years of service and 20 years of service have been granted a grade pay of Rs 8,700 and Rs 10,000 respectively. While the scheme has been implemented for the civilian Doctors, the same has not yet been extended to the medical officers of the Army Medical Corps (AMC). The same was recommended to be implemented for Military doctors also.
6. In addition the 7th CPC was requested to sympathetically consider all other recommendation mentioned in our Memorandum. Important of these recommendations are:-
(a) All anomalies of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th CPCs be resolved to arrive at the base figures for the 7th CPC.
(b) The Basic Pay and Pensions of Defence Personnel should be year-wise 25% higher than their civilian counterparts. Introduce a Common Pay Scale for all Govt of India employees, incorporating an year-wise increase. There will be two tables of basic pay scales one encompassing PB1 and 2; and the other PB3, 4, HAG, HAG+, and Fixed Grade. These would thus cover All Grades from the lowest to the highest. This will bring in simplicity in concept and implementation (Graph Refers).
(c) MSP should be as was recommended by the 6th CPC ie 64% of basic pay for JCOs and ORs and 52% of basic for officers.
7. Copy of the updated Memorandum was handed over to the Chairman and members of 7th CPC.
8. The aim of the Govt and in turn the 7th CPC, as far as the Defence Forces are concerned, is to so package the compensation in term of pay, pensions, allowances and other service conditions that the most suitable youth is attracted to the profession and shortages of over 14000 officers is made up at the earliest to give the required leadership punch at the cutting edge of the Defence Forces.
9. The meeting was held in a very cordial environment and all the members and the staffs of the 7th CPC were very responsive and positive to the issues discussed. IESM thanked the Chairman 7th CPC and members for affording us the opportunity to discuss our recommendation and suggested that IESM will be privileged to answer any query and come again for any discussion.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: [email protected]
Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II says
Sir, at least one channel to my notice has discussed OROP where BJP spokes person has clearly and openly come out दिल की बात that defence personnel come immediately to help Administration क्योंकि उनका फर्ज है। sir, this is Reality as FM is advocate and PM is Ignorent. I would only wish to be cleared by Media at all channels after clarification ” oath by defence personnel” on recruitment. Is it to fight Enemy and defend Border? As for as I was explained, defence personnel only give Aid to civil Power where civil authority has to be in attendance to execute his orders. Therefore, it is not defence personnel duty. We have done our duty in hard living and fighting conditions without automatic machinery. BJP spoke person is too young to know …? God is Great! Guilty conscious has no accuser. We must realise that PM has cancelled his Punjab visit having seen IESM rally. It is not money which matter but Clear Heart which is Impossible from Politicians. Request to pray God who is punishing without their Realisation. We active and retired defence personnel must abide by our duty towards Indian citizen whose money is paid to us. Our pension is not PM/FM/DM money. It is ALL GOD! Request all ESM to bear it and feel proud of what we are getting. GOD is with us. Our one rupee pension is equal to others hundred rupees provided you maintain FAITH that GOD is paying NOT the GOI. Hope, it brings tolerence and happy Living to yuo all. Regards,
Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II, Mumbai (07738115388).
Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II says
Sir,hy a member remark of less payment to OR was contradicted and justified. This is the mentality of officers towards JCOs and ORs. But it is understood by Babus. They treat JCOs and ORs as their servents. It causes frustration and unrest. The officers are only fighting for their pension. It has been correctly noted and Havaldar and below have been reasonably notified but not so enhanced financially. I hope 7th CPC would certainly do juctice to them As they only suffer either being wounded or killed at Border/ Operation at an early age as being seen every day. Sir, Pension should be fixed at minimum 15 years service in National financial and national output. It matters at recruitment also. May God Bless! Regards,
Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II, Mumbai (07738115388).
SUB/CLERK RAGHUPAL S TOMAR, Retd says
IT is observed [on perusal of IESM delegation, who met with 7 CPC] that 4 Offrs + 1 Hony rank Offr have met with 7 CPC. No JCO or OR was present in that meeting. Though I apreciate the good effort done by above delegation but still feel that facts about injustice in pay/pensions of JCOs/OR have not been correctly repsented by the delegation. I am volunteer to give my efforts and time if needed for proper presentation of JCOs/OR cause. Thanks.
Hony Flt. Lt. B P Yadav (Retd.) says
The points taken by IESM is indeed laudable. It is suggested that 7CPC should consider giving higher honorary rank to the retiring PBORs in the 3 services, that is the initial honorary rank to be given should be Flt. Lt. and equivalent in the army and the navy. As the initial rank of permanent officers in the three services has already been abolished. When the starting rank of PC officers was pilot officer/second Lt. in Air Force and Army, the first honorary rank given/granted was Flying Officer. Now it is logical to grant first rank as Flt. Lt. and equivalent in Army, Navy and Air Force. As so much improvement and betterment is happening in the defense services, PBOR should also hope to get a slice of it.
Wg Cdr P.K.Sanyal (Retd) says
It should be impressed upon the 7th CPC without any ambiguity that in case of those who retired prior to 2006 with 20 years or more service but less than 33 years, MUST be treated at par with those who retired after 2006 and should be considered eligible for full pension. This is only fair and the 6th CPC did not actually discriminate between the pre and post 2006 retirees. It was only the bureaucrats who deliberately made this discrimination and the Govt letters were issued accordingly. Therefore, this anomaly and discriminatory order should beset aside and the 7th CPC must clearly spell out this and recommend payment of all arrears to the pre 2006 pensioners.
Wg Cdr P.K.Sanyal (Retd) says
It should be impressed upon the 7th CPC without any ambiguity that in case of those who retired prior to 2006 with 20 years or more service but less than 33 years, MUST be treated at par with those who retired after 2006 and should be considered eligible for full pension. This is only fair and the 6th CPC did not actually discriminate between the pre and post 2006 retirees. It was only the bureaucrats who deliberately made this discrimination and the Govt letters were issued accordingly. Therefore, this anomaly and discriminatory order should beset aside and the 7th CPC must clearly spell out this and recommend payment of all arrears to the pre 2006 pensioners.
PC Bahuguna says
Dear Sir,
The points submitted by Chairman exservicemen movement to 7 th CPC are very much relevent and full of facts. Exservicemen should be happy that their greviances are very boldly brought out and will certainly be fought with great zeal by such a highly learned Gen. We are proud to have such an Officer representing poor exservicemen who knows each and every problem of Sep to Gen.
With profound regards.
Truly yours.
PC Bahuguna
Sub Maj (Retd)
FLT.LT. M.Maheswaran(Retd) says
Please refer para 5 (k).
It is requested that Captains and equivalent with more than 6.5 years commissioned service , above 20 years of total service and drawing pension may be considered for pension of Majors as recommended in the case of Major and LT.Cols.
FLT.LT. M.Maheswaran(Retd)
25 Nov 2014.
Capt SPS Panesar says
Point 5(k) captains (commissioned officers only) retired with service of 20 years and above may please be considered at par with Majors for grant of pension.
surendrasharma says
It is not understood why the defence personnel are treated so shabbily in our country.Leave aside the retired personnel who are alive ,there is no land available where we can make War Memorial for the martyrs .
Sunil S Desai says
Sir,
Since, Long time, we are hearing OROP only, no implementation.
After watching, all these systems & delays by today’s generation.
How, today’s youth will join to Defence & How I encourage to them ?
Hony Capt RK Shamra says
I don`t think they are implementing OROP as the promised with armed forces now they are including para military forces
PK Panda Ex-Sgt says
Now they are going to include para military forces. So this time also we may not get actual orop like previous declarations.
Sivadasan.P says
Sir,
please issue the orop implement circular/order
H/Capt Anil Kumar Mahatoar Mahato says
Sir, may the pre-2006 retirees know, when the OROP will be implemented by the Govt.?
Urban Pereira says
the fight never gets over for defence personnel
fight the enemy while in service
fight for your rights after service