PM emphasizes on farmers’ welfare, raising agricultural productivity
PM: OROP accepted “in-principle”, modalities being worked out
PM: Start-Up India, Stand-Up India
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today highlighted the resolve of 125 crore Indians, as “Team India”, to root out corruption, and to make India a developed nation by 2022 – the 75th anniversary of independence.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day, the Prime Minister gave a broad overview of the achievements of Team India, over the last 15 months. He said that the unity, simplicity and brotherhood of 125 crore Indians, is the strength of this nation, and casteism and communalism have no place in our society.
The Prime Minister explained how various initiatives of his Government have resulted in removing corruption from different aspects of governance. In this context, he highlighted the auctions of coal, spectrum and FM radio licenses. He mentioned the PAHAL scheme for direct transfer of LPG subsidy, which has resulted in savings of Rs. 15,000 crore. He said the introduction of “neem-coated urea” has helped to end diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural purposes. He acknowledged that the common man still faces problems because of corruption. The Prime Minister described corruption as a termite, which needs bitter medicine, with possible side-effects, to cure. Through the various initiatives of the Government, the Prime Minister highlighted how each had contributed to the elimination of middlemen. He said that in the last year, the CBI had registered 1800 cases against corruption, as against 800 in the year before that.
The Prime Minister said important steps had been taken in the drive against black money, and the outflow of unaccounted income to foreign destinations had been checked.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need for farmers’ welfare, and declared that the Ministry of Agriculture would be renamed as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. He said that his Government was focusing on raising farm productivity, and providing electricity and irrigation to farmers. He said the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana had been launched with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.
The Prime Minister recalled some of the resolves he had made in his Independence Day address last year. He said the promise of toilets in all schools had been almost fulfilled, with the cooperation of States. He said financial inclusion had received a big boost with the opening of 17 crore bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. He said the Rs. 20,000 crore deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts reflected the “richness of India’s poor” (गरीबों की अमीरी).
The Prime Minister also spoke of the welfare schemes launched by the Union Government, including Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and the schemes launched for labour welfare.
Describing children as the greatest brand ambassadors for “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” the Prime Minister said this vision had generated great interest for the people of India.
The Prime Minister announced the “Start-Up India” initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India. He said each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches, should encourage at least one Dalit or Adivasi entrepreneur, and at least one woman entrepreneur. “Start-Up India, Stand-Up India,” the Prime Minister said.
On the long-standing demand from ex-serviceman for One-Rank, One-Pension, the Prime Minister reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government “in-principle.” He said the modalities were being worked out with stakeholders, and he was hopeful of a positive outcome.
The Prime Minister reiterated his Government’s resolve to make India a developed nation by 2022, with a house and access to basic services like electricity, to all. He said the Government had resolved to connect with electricity, all the 18,500 villages which still remain without power, within the next 1000 days. He also reiterated his vision for the development of eastern India.
Questioning the practice of “interviews” for recruitments even at relatively junior levels, the Prime Minister called upon concerned departments to end this practice at the earliest, and to promote merit by recruiting only through transparent, online processes.
BALACHANDRAN NAIR P K says
I have only four years of service and as per Para 132 of Pension regulation 1961 minimum 15 years qualifying service is mandatory for grant of service pension. It means that those who have qualifying service of fourteen years and 11 months are not eligible for pension. The moot question then as to how and why these Lt generals and Major generals are sitting (hunger strike)in New Delhi demanding one rank one pension. Even retired generals are also supporting for the demand, when they are fully aware that there is no mention, even, in the said pension regulation act for OROP. Here kindly note that those who are getting good pension ,better medical treatment in almost all major private hospitals, canteen facilities and other French benefits are going on demanding 3% increment in their pension for every year. It was better to demand last drawn salary as pension which is being given in UN and its subsidiaries like WHO, UNESCO and others. But the question is that whether the so called ex-servicemen’s union had requested to sanction a proportionate pension, the least, to those who have more than 3 years of qualifying service but, unfortunately, less than fifteen years?
Kindly note that there was no war since 1971 (with Pakistan). So those who had joined in the Army post 1971 and retired do not know what is the war the deaths, disabilities and so on. But the same people are demanding for more pensions in the name of one rank one pension, which is prevailing in para military and even central civil service. What is the merit for that? What is the definition for it? It is all when those who have less than 15 years are not been given any kind of pension or extended welfare schemes. The haves are given more and more but the have not ANYTHING. In other words those who had triple bada khana of army officers styles going to give soft bed and cot to relax in A/c room. And those who are not given anything have to relax on the streets drinking water from the municipalty taps? I am not against any of the military pensioners. They should be given adequate amount for decent living, especially those who took part in the three wars ie; in 1962 with China and in 1965 & 1971 with Pakistan. Here many of them demanding unknown monies in the shadow of those who took part in the wars, including the widows. A govt must do justice to all equally and not who are capable of showing strength, strikes and such manners where newspapers are also supporting them without knowing the actual factors the ground realities..
P K Balachandran Nair.
3.9.2015.
NV Subramaniam says
IT SEEMS THAT OUR HON’BLE PM SHOULD TAKE STERN ACTION ON FM AND THE STAFF IN FINANCE MINISTRY DEALING WITH MODALITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING OROP. HOW MANY MORE YEARS IT REQUIRES TO FINALISE THE MODALITIES, AFTER APPROVAL FROM PM. IF THE PM REALLY WANTS TO IMPLEMENT, HE SHOULD INSTRUCT THE FM AND THEIR STAFF TO SIT DAY & NIGHT AND COMPLETE THE SO-CALLED MODALITIES
I REMEMBER VERY WELL THE DAY WHEN THE 1965 INDO-PAK WAR
BROKE OUT, OUR SENIOR OFFICERS CAME TO OUR BARRACKS AND
SHOUTED LOUDLY “OUR COUNTRY IS IN DANGER, ALL OF YOU GET UP ATTEND TO YOUR DUTIES IMMEDIATELY.” AND WE ALL WERE READY IN MINUTES AND ATTENDED TO OUR DUTIES CONTINUOULY/i.e. 24 HOURS ON DUTY.
SECONDLY, BANGLADESH COUNTRY WAS FORMED IN 1971 WAR MAINLY WITH THE SACRIFICES OF OUR INDIAN ARMED FORCES. OTHERWISE THERE WAS NO COUNTRY BY NAME BANGLADESH. RECENTLY OUR PM MODI HAS RECEIVED THE AWARD ON BEHALF OF OUR FORMER PM SHRI ATALJI. REALLY IT IS GREAT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS ONCE AGAIN, THAT THEIR COUNTRY’S HONOURABLE AWARD WAS PRESENTED, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICES OF OUR INDIAN ARMED FORCES.
I AM VERY HAPPY, HAVING TAKEN PART IN TWO MAJOR WARS, 1965 AND 1971 AND READY TO LAY DOWN MY LIFE PEACEFULLY.
MAY GOD BLESS OUR PM AND FM WITH THEIR CHERISHED LONG-LIFE.
NV SUBRAMANIAM
Brahmeshwar Pandey says
वित्तमंत्री श्री अरुण जेटली का OROP पर हालिया बयान बेहद निराशाजनक और पूर्व सैनिकों के प्रति भेदभाव के साथ संवेदनहीनता ही व्यक्त करता है। उसी दिन श्री रामजेठमलनी का जंतर मंतर पर सैनिक समर्थन में प्रधानमंत्री व वित्तमंत्री पर बेवाक टिप्पणी से समाधान की उम्मीद धूमिल होती लग रही है।
जेटली जी को पूरे देश की आर्थिक व्यवस्था संभालने की जिम्मेदारी का मतलब यह नहीं कि पूर्व सैनिकों व उनके आश्रितों की जायज हक को पूर्ववर्ती सरकारों की तरह नजरअंदाज किया जाना जारी रहे। वह भी तब जबकि उच्चत्तम न्यायालय ने पक्ष में आदेश दे दिया हो और लागू कराने के लिए पिछले 80 दिनों से जारी अंदोलन उग्र से उग्रत्तर होकर आमरण अनशन में बदल गया है परिणामतः कई अनशनकर्ताओं को गंभीर हालत में अस्पताल भेजना पड़ा है।
वित्तमंत्री जी की गणित क्या उच्चतम न्यायालय आदेश की अवहेलना कर सकता है? यह कैसी जटिल गणित है जो पूर्वसैनिकों के हक को सही नहीं मानता ? इन प्रश्नों पर वित्तमंत्री जी ने कोई पक्ष नहीं रखा।
वित्तमंत्री जी आपने यह नहीं बताया साल में दो बार महँगाई राहत पेंशन के साथ कैसे दी जाती है? उसी तरह OROP को सही अर्थों में परिभाषित करने की भावना से बिल्कुल किया जा सकता है। यदि दूसरे समूह का हक बनता है तो उन्हें भी माँग से पहले ही लागू किया जाना चाहिए। यह कथन कैसे उचित है कि दूसरों के माँग की संभावना से OROP लागू नहीं होगा। फिर यहीं तर्क उच्चतम न्यायालय के समक्ष रखते हुए इसे अवैध साबित क्यों नहीं कराया जाय? यदि यह वैध व न्यायसंगत है तो कई दशकों से रोकने की कोशिश आगे भी जारी रखने का आधार क्या है जिसको लागू करने की वचनवद्धता प्रधानमंत्री जी दोहराते रहे हैं अतः इसके लिए सरकार व देश की साख दाँव पर लगी है। ऐसे में वित्तमंत्री जी को स्थिति स्पष्ट करने की आवश्यकता है।
वित्तमंत्री जी ने 35 – 38 आयु में सेवानिवृत्त सैनिकों पर कुछ उदारता की बात रखी है। मतलब की 15 से 21 वर्षों की सेवा के साथ पेंशन भोगी। वित्तमंत्री जी ऐसी पेंशन व्यवस्था में क्या खामियां है जिससे इस समूह को अलग से सहानुभूति की आवश्यकता है? सांसद की पेंशन तो 5 वर्ष में है। क्या वहाँ भी ऐसी स्थिति दिखाई पड़ती है?
जब नियमानुसार निश्चित वर्ष के बाद पेंशन अर्जित हो जाती जिसका निर्धारण सेवानिवृत्ति समय वेतन, भत्ता आधारित है तो पेंशन इतनी कम क्यों होती है कि विशेष सहानुभूति व उदारता की जरूरत पड़े? वह भी तब जबकि इससे पहले न्यायालय को हस्तक्षेप करना पड़ा है न्यूनतम पेंशन व कुल वेतन का 50% के संबंध में जबकि हितैषी सरकार को स्वतः करना चाहिए था!
वित्तमंत्री जी देश आजादी के बाद सांसद शायद वेतनभोगी नहीं थे लेकिन आज तुलना करें सांसद वेतन भत्ता से लेकर अनेको सुविधा के साथ रियायती कैंटीन थाली! सैनिक समुदाय तो कहीं नहीं टिकता, तुलना तो बेकार है जबकि सैनिक सेवा के लिए न्यूनतम शैक्षिक, शारीरिक योग्यता व क्षमता निर्धारित जो कि देश सेवा में सब गँवा देता है। सेवानिवृत्ति पर अधिकतर सैनिक पुनर्वास में असफल रहते है। यहाँ तक कि पैतृक संपतियों में उनकी हिस्सेदारी के लिए लालची भाईयो से लड़ाई की नौबत आ जाती है। कानून व्यवस्था भ्रष्टाचार के प्रभाव में ही सक्रियता का दिखावा करते है।
तब पूर्व सैनिक अर्जित पेंशन के सहारे अपना जीवन आगे बढ़ाने की कोशिश में पाता है उपलब्ध पेंशन पर्याप्त नहीं है।
वित्तमंत्री जी क्या पूर्व सैनिक वर्तमान दर से पेंशन पाने का हकदार नहीं है? आपके अनुसार हर माह पेंशन बढ़ाने की वकालत कौन कर रहा है? अब व्यावहारिक पहलू पर गौर किया जाय तो सेवाकाल में सैनिक की वेतन बढ़ोतरी मुख्यतः वर्ष में एक बार annual increment और दो बार महँगाई भत्ता के माध्यम से होती है। महँगाई भत्ता का वही प्रतिशत पूर्व सैनिकों को मूल पेंशन पर दिया जाता है। वित्तमंत्री जी पेंशन निर्धारण जब कुल वेतन के अनुसार है तो OROP पवित्रता कोवैवाहिक बरकार रखने के लिए वेतन के वार्षिक बढ़ोतरी का अनुपात पूर्व सैनिकों को क्योंकि नहीं दिया जा सकता जबकि वह बढ़ोतरी पहले से ज्ञात है? वित्तमंत्री जी क्या पूर्वसैनिक मात्र वार्षिक वेतन बढ़ोतरी का अनुपातीय भाग से अधिक माँग रहा है? या यह कि पेंशन निर्धारण ऐसा है कि अन्तर बहुत अधिक होगा। तब तो पूर्व सैनिकों के साथ हर माह की दर से हकीकत में उनके हक से वंचित किया जा रहा है!
सबकुछ ऐसा मकड़जाल बनाने की कोशिश की जा रही है। अगर वास्तविकता ऐसी है तो सभी पहलू पर गौर करते हुए OROP पर अविलंब अंतिम सरकारी फैसला लागू किया जाय! वेतन आयोग के समय सीमा से इसे मुक्त रखा जाय!
Col R B S Gaur ( Retd) says
It is ridiculous for the Govt to celebrate the 1965 war jubilee celebrations & pay tributes to the people who by their brave acts at the cost/risk of their lives won the war. Majority of these soldiers are dead and those who are living are being treated as beggars far what they rightfully deserve. It is a shame far the Nation & far the Governments of the past and present where these soldiers have to sit on DHARNA etc. Mr Modi has taken over one year and few months so far and still talks about ACHHI KHABAR JALDI AYEGI and talks about good governace, whom is he fooling? The veterans of pre and post 1965 war are fully aware that Ministers like Mr Jetley etc who are anti armed forces and pro IAS/IPS lobby in this Govt,while they had Mr Chidambaran etc apart from Gandhi Family in previous Govt will never never allow any thing good to happen for the soldiers. What could be more more shameful that these very people were roughed by the Police people at the behest of someone in the Govt on the eve of independence day. Neither the Home Minister Nor the Prime Minister apologised far it. Does the Govt wants another Blue Star, does it know that this has demoralised even the serving soldiers who consider themselves to be the part of this large family? What is that the Government headed by Mr Modi wants ,will he talk on this issue after consulting his team headed by Amit Shah etc ? Mr Modi you have a very very weak Generalship who do not earn respects from his very men they command and are only paper tigers and Yes men, it is a fair warning to you.
The ex soldiers will do very well by boycotting all the Government functions and ignoring the the service chiefs and the army commanders and their equivalents .
Let us fight the last battle of our live cause, the Govt wants it and our present Generalship is incompetent to put pressure on the Govt.They are not like Thimmiyya or Th Nathu Singh and alike.
AG says
GENERAL SHAHAB APNI BETI(M.S) KO KINU BHEJA JANTAR MANTAR PE
KHUD CHAL KAR NAHNI AASKTATHA.MODI KA MINISTER BAN GYA? GENERAL KA OOSHUL BHOOL GYA? SHABAS ; brevo zulu GENERAL VK SINGH.
SHYED OCTOBER ME AANNA JI KO PANI PILANE AAJAO.
Simply this not a MILITARY GENERAL like Persona : Traits .You have lost every thing which you have learned earned in service. Money lost no loss, material lost little loss, Men and self esteem lost every thing lost.
God bless you my son.
Major AM Manohar says
Our former Chiefs are not mere veterans, they are the living strength of the Nation for decades since independence with an exception of one in the BJP crowd insensitive of OROP. They won all the wars for our Mother Land since independence with integrity and innovation with impoverished never complaining men, and the war machines not equaling to the US provided enemy, that too with no faltering at any juncture. Many governments fell down since, many leaders of the past both good and bad were forgotten. But these few General Officers took the Chetwode Motto to heart and behaved like real Gentlemen of the Armed Forces, a rarity which is never experienced by the common man in India. We praise them and their leadership even as veterans for they want our welfare first to theirs. No where in the civil service you will find and feel this comradeship under the disguise of strict discipline. None in civil shirts can understand this sacred relationship than an Armed Forces veteran/serving personnel. Any word of command in support of the Servicemen and the veterans will be taken seriously and act immediately, for we act with velour not for the time bound replaceable party in power/government but to our Mother Land and we were born and exist sna inspire the future MEN for our Mother Land. The Forces/Service’s discipline is 350 years old imbibed in our genes that cannot be erased by mere talk or deed of neglect. We are born to win and we will.
Vinod Dwivedi says
In my opinion, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost an opportunity to resolve this long pending and inevitable demand of Defence Personnel once and for all. It was much much expected from the PM to announce it from the rampart of the red fort on Independence Day, but ….. but…. What a shamefull act by Delhi Police with the disciplined defence veterans… It definitely affects the MORALE of the Serving Defence Personnel, the way veterans were mishandled… our PM must intervene in the matter and the guilty police officers must be punished….
Abdul Rehman C.K says
The late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri honoured the JAWAN with KISSAN after winning Indo Pak War and raised the slogan “JAI JAWAN JAI KISSAN”. In his Independence day speech PM Modi announced 50,000 million benefit for Kissans keeping away the long demand of Jawans saying it amounts 20,000 million to implement!!! Tea wala Modi does not realize the hardship of Ex Service veterans who fought and suffered Chineese aggression in 1962, Indo Pak war in 1965 and 1972. Shame for PM Modi and NDA Govt.
Gurmel Singh says
Mr PM yr LPG subsidy surrendered savings of Rs.15000 crore should be sufficient to meet OR OP demand of veterans. U admitted this saving in LAL QUICK. Now no excuse.
yr team is completely useless since they are not able to work out modalities. And let us know who are other groups with whom u r in touch with. WHY with others ? Why not with them who r at Jantar mantar. Modi do not try to divide them.
Every dog has a day. This a permanent line on stone that u will never get to this status again.
Ajit Datta says
Shobha De has hit the nail hard on the independence speech of the PM– if Daddy keeps on promising and there is nothing on ground soon daddy will be replaced by mummy. When MOD has worked out financial implications to the last paisa on OROP , the roles of FM and PM leave much to be desired or is that negotiating like trade unions will improve national security when gradually morale ie the will to fight disappears leading to a survival crisis like in 62 when Nehru Cried– my heart bleeds for the people of Assam- when Chinese forced evacuation of Tezpur Town in Assam on Army’s failure to defend NE. We never learn because the adversaris are within.
JOHN SAMUEL says
HEY, VETERANS OF INDIA, NOW REJOICE. THE MOST HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA THE GREAT MODI HAS REPEATED HIS UNHONEST PROMISE AND ASSURANCE ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THE HOT AND GENUINE DEMAND OF VETERANS OF INDIA WHICH IS BLOCKED ITS IMPLEMENTATION BY HIS UNDECLARED UNSOLVABLE MODALITIES ; THIS WILL TAKE INDEFINITE DELAY. THE MATTER IS THEREFORE, IN THE STAGE OF DISCUSSION WITH NON-SENSE PEOPLE NAMED THE STAKE HOLDERS AT VARIOUS LEVEL.
NO MORE SHOUTING, NO MORE STRIKE, NO MORE DEMAND, NO MORE UNREST. RELAX AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT TERM OF BJP AND MODI.
‘On the long-standing demand from ex-serviceman for One-Rank, One-Pension, the Prime Minister reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government “in-principle.” He said the modalities were being worked out with stakeholders, and he was hopeful of a positive outcome.”
HOPE FOR A HOPELESS POSITIVE OUTCOME OF OROP.
MAKE A BEAUTIFUL COFFIN AND BURY YOUR DEMAND OF LONG LIVED; EXPECTED ; PROMISED AND ASSURED DEMAND OF POOR EX-SERVICEMEN OF INDIA WHICH WILL REMAIN AS DREAM FOR EVER AND EVER AMEN.
LONG LIVE THE MODALITIES AGAINST OROP DEMAND. SAD! EX-SERVICEMEN!
DEEP CONDOLENCES.
Karunakaran.A Hav says
dear sirs,
how long MODI has been singing the same stanza like a depreciated phonogram, what it shows his immature attitude , irresponsibility and lack of political will, keep the armed forces welfare as the last one. I have been clearly saying modi will never implement OROP in his tenure. do not wait for his announcement like a parrot who waits for the cotton fruit to ripe, when ripes no fruit only cotton fines are hovering, we have to wait for another four years
AG says
Dear all’s all,
SHAME ON MODI SARKAR
WE SHALL NOT WAIT WORKING OUT OUR PROTEST LIKE NARENDRA MODI’S MODALITIES TILL 2019 AND FOR AANOTHER 25 YEARS .
IS HE SEARCHING MODALITIES FROM DEEP SEA——-SAHARA DESERT”””””””””””BLUE SKY?????????????.
PLEASE SOME ADVICE HIM TO CONTACT Pk… AND HIRE FOR WORKING OUT MODALITIES.
SHAME SHAME SHAME ON HIM.
AG says
The PM who is not able to release the DA w.e.f.July2015 to the central employees (which was automatically coming in Mr.Manmohan Singh’s time) that Orative , hotair balloon daydreamer is still working out modalities for OROP poor veterans.
Shame on you.
RK Upadhyay says
Dear all,
I feel that prime minister is honest in his approach but our view changes when we are effected with the decisions. He has to see welfare of 125 milian indians and results of decisions on votes before taking any decision. Further he has to depend on IAS lobby whither he beleives them or not. Let him do the work and allow to work freely and wait for next election to submit your view and cast vote. AAP is doing good work dispite many hurdels created by Lt Gov and Modi government. A big thumps up to them !
VBS Shekharan says
It is the will that is “Missing” .. !
Ajit Datta says
The heavy security displayed including anti aircraft guns at the ramparts of Lal killa clearly indicates the fear prevalent in Our political and the security establishment and their distrust in solid intelligence, which translate into disconnect with the ground reality. The addiction to corruption is still as strong as ever. Corruption is primarily proliferating because of failure of immediate heads. The reality can be checked at RTO offices anywhere in India.
The biggest victim of long sordid drama of OROP is the personal credibility of the PM who repeatedly repeat the same modalities being worked by a lethargic team. Outsource OROP to TCS and they will provide modalities within hours. It is time the utility of finace ministry is examined and their function outsourced for better financial management.
It is very disappointing to see that addiction to lethargy is still very strong and unless there is a political will, same fate awaits as the earlier goverment