MoD promises to offer immediate remedial steps in Rank Pay case
MoD had been allowed till May 31 to complete the payment of arrears and pensions.
Aggrieved ex-servicemen and war widows, who have been demanding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) fair implementation of the Supreme Court order concerning their pay and pension, may finally get relief. Top sources in the ministry said that they would soon take "significant steps" to resolve the conflict.
"The defence minister is extremely concerned at the reports alleging mistreatment of veterans, and towards settling it he has asked the Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur to study the matter and take immediate steps," a top official said.
It was also informed that the newly appointed defence secretary will form a team and ensure total compliance with regards to the implementation of the Supreme Court's order on the Rank Pay case. "Defence minister will, most probably in July, convene a meeting with all the veterans' organisations involved in this subject to personally understand and act," the official said.
As facts stand, the MoD had been allowed till May 31 to complete the payment of arrears and pensions to over 45,000 officers who were the affected parties in the Rank Pay case. Despite seeking facts from the MoD's public relations wing, the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), there was no reply on the subject. Notwithstanding the olive branch extended to it, the veteran community is not taking things at face value.
Air Marshal (Retd) S.Y. Savur of the Retired Defence Officers Association (RDOA) said, "My personal take is that Antony is being misled by his bureaucrats about the way in which the MoD is appearing in the courts and how dangerously it can backfire."
Another RDOA colleague of his, Lt-Col. (Retd) B.K. Sharma reacted by saying, "MoD is very late. They were to first pay in November 2012, then in February and then court gave them till May to pay to all beneficiaries, i.e nine months after the court order. Even today the part payment has not been made completely. So we are not inclined to take their words very seriously.
"The defence minister is extremely concerned at the reports alleging mistreatment of veterans, and towards settling it he has asked the Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur to study the matter and take immediate steps," a top official said.
It was also informed that the newly appointed defence secretary will form a team and ensure total compliance with regards to the implementation of the Supreme Court's order on the Rank Pay case. "Defence minister will, most probably in July, convene a meeting with all the veterans' organisations involved in this subject to personally understand and act," the official said.
As facts stand, the MoD had been allowed till May 31 to complete the payment of arrears and pensions to over 45,000 officers who were the affected parties in the Rank Pay case. Despite seeking facts from the MoD's public relations wing, the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), there was no reply on the subject. Notwithstanding the olive branch extended to it, the veteran community is not taking things at face value.
Air Marshal (Retd) S.Y. Savur of the Retired Defence Officers Association (RDOA) said, "My personal take is that Antony is being misled by his bureaucrats about the way in which the MoD is appearing in the courts and how dangerously it can backfire."
Another RDOA colleague of his, Lt-Col. (Retd) B.K. Sharma reacted by saying, "MoD is very late. They were to first pay in November 2012, then in February and then court gave them till May to pay to all beneficiaries, i.e nine months after the court order. Even today the part payment has not been made completely. So we are not inclined to take their words very seriously.
42 comments:
We are eagarly waiting to here the news of contempt filing in HSC by RDOA. The only remedy is to ensure that HSC punishes all culprits involved in harassing the Vetarans.
Well done RDOA!! We should not believe the promises. MOD should put money where the mouth is. Shri Anthony should not waste any more time and call for face to face meeting with the RDOA and the Babus. There should be stringent punishment to the Babus who have been and continue to mislead the courts and the RM.
Well done RDOA.
I think RDOA and the team is moving in the right direction. However, only the sword of contempt of court proceeds will keep the MOD on tender hooks.
Let us not budge thid time and fall an EASY PREY.
v.sundaresan
It goes without saying that RDOA obviously is on right track in going ahead with contempt case filing.Min of Def can go ahead with whatever measures being advised to him by his team.
Secondly HSC must be appraised about the mockery which has been made of its order on the subject & all the culprits must be pin-pointed & brought to books.
Well done RDOA.
It does not make any sense in waiting further.
MOD have been very arrogant and adamant till now.Reaction to telecast may have made some difference but the babus are too crock and nothing much should be read in their "reaction" now.They need to be taken to the task and contempt petition in HSC is the only way.Good that RDAO understand that and will surely go this way.
@ Dear all and RDOA : As result of telecast on Headlines Today, all concerned in Govt/ MoD / MoF seems started getting scared as date for Contempt Petition getting close. Saint Antony, well known to be very soft spoken but smart lawyer. Completely highjacked by bureaucratic versions of most of the Armed Forces and Veteran Issues. His priorities are to keep oiling the drastically failing UPA mechanisms and continue counseling Soniyaji and Rahulji about their uncertain future in 16 th Lok Sabha.Fallout of BJP's Goa Chintan Shivir, further multiplied his job many fold.
Request: let us not fall pray to their latest deceiving trick. Even though MoD comes out with changed version of Govt Order to comply with HSC directives in toto, pertaining to the Rank Pay Case, Contempt of Court must for award of suitable/ exemplary punishments to all concerned right up to the Sec in-charges of concerned Ministries, CGDA himself along with his PCDAs responsible for issuance of misleading and fraudulent govt order leading to incorrect compliance of HSC's verdict in RP case. Court may also be apprised of consistently growing designs of Politico-Bureaucratic nexus, to systematically degrade the Services, deny/ totally neglect the legitimate financial rights of Serving and Veteran Community, quoting incomplete award of Pay and Pension to AF personnel, even after sustained negotiations for more than 04 yrs. Good Luck and All the Very Best.
The "URGENCY" shown by our RM in resolving the conflict is very evident from the fact that he would meet the ESM in July ie 9 months after the SC Order to under stand our problems.If he was serious he should have done it much before and ensured that the problems are resolved by now.
It is an apt opportunity to punish the errant babus by contempt petition. THis will ensure that they dont try their usual tricks in future.
BUt it is really sad that the ministry of Defence cares two hoots for the defence personnel.
Could someone upload the link to show the discussion on Rank Pay case telecast on Headlines Today?
I could not view it in U.K. as all channels telecast only selected political news which they repeat so many times in a day that one can remember it verbatum
@SANTOKH: You could have a look at this comment in which I'd provided a link to the newscast even if not to the entire discussion.
Oh! What a joke? RM is planning to meet all veteran org in july for a face to face meeting. Why not today? Clear letters /meetings from /with COSC ,RDOA and no of letters from very senior Retired offrs had no effect on him.Now fear of contempt petition and active media has opened his eyes.Typical Indian politician .
GOI,MOD and CGDA have crossed all limits.Time is up.Let HSC give clear directions to all concern and punish / pardon the defaulters .Even, if we don,t get any arrears it is ok but those who have intentionally cheated defence officers must be in TIHAR for few months/years so that present/future defence offrs are not cheated.
Well done RDOA. File the Contempt Petition and see that the concerned BABUS are punished.
1. Let RM and his staff be not paid their salary of a month by last day they will not sleep till they get their pay.
2. In fact RM should have called face to face meeting of RDOA immediately in the first week after 4-9-12 the date of HSC verdict and should have solve the issues once for all as it was lingering since 1-1-1986.
3. RM woken up with shake only after 8 month.
4.Netaji ko to fursat hi nahi!
1.I request not to believe the words of RM (not even the words of PM).These politician make fools of us by making false promises and does nothing . Contempt of court must be progress vigoursly without delay/pause
2.Basically they now need lesson" how painful it is when things come to self and your staff one month salary if delayed by few days"
The blog post states, "....they would soon take "significant steps"....".
:-)
I don't know why there's an eerie sense of deja-vu about that statement.
Apart from fair reparations on account of the delay caused, the first reasonably acceptable "significant step" would be to implement the TRIPAS DGL in-toto.
LOLLYPOP……..
…..AFV are being shown LOLLYPOP from South Block……
…..this will be the biggest blunder to fall into their TRAP…..
…..Hello! RDOA ~ It is too late to show LOLLYPOP of July 2013….
….”CONTEMPT PETITION” be filed as planned in 1st Week July 2013 ~ there is no question of back tracking ….
This political response is ostensibly to the communications received from Chairman COSC and it should be accepted with graciousness and without cynicism.
But, the functionaries who have been so obviously playing fast and loose with even a judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court have certainly earned a dose of legal retribution.
And, why July 2013? Provisions exist for making a legal move even earlier.
Why in july to meet the veterans? is it because he knows the SC will not act/order again?
I think the best way is to go ahead with the contempt action; THAT ONLY WILL KEEP THE BABUS/MOD on theri toes.
v.sundaresan
As a member, I strongly request that contempt notice be served on the very day the courts open after the vacations. I we don't, we'll be kicked around even harder in the future. Our 'gentlemanly' behaviour in the past, even when being shoved around, has brought us to this pitiable state. Let us not repeat the mistake.
G O I,MOD should implement instructions drafted in TRIPAS D G L letter circulated earlier before 30 Jun 2013 and credited to Bank accounts of all veterans otherwise Contempt of HSC petition be filed on 01/02 Jul 2013 by RDOA as scheduled and promised so that MOD IAS/IDAS don't cheat/play with pay/pension of serving/retired armed forces officers.
Sir, the neither our MoD Babus nor his Highness (our great RM) are bothered about Fauj. They care a damn for SC orders.....
RM himself is a lawyer &&&&& The Government has lawyers as ministers , ASG,SG, AG (all anti armed forces)
TO TELL YOU A FACT; Even HSC cares a too hoot for people in UNIFORM...
Wait & Watch....Nothing will happen
AMEN
@Unknown : Your apprehension could be correct but fear unjustifiable. Who is trained to fight and win the war? Armed Forces or only constitutionally empowered ones !!! as mentioned in your comment.
At this juncture of Rank Pay Case, all of them together can delay the implementation and not deny altogether. At the most Govt may come up with an excuse that, desired funds not available with exchequer view needs to cater for expenses involved in implementation of Food Security Bill, prior to coming Gen Election. Because Food Security of Serving Faujis is in force for centuries and now same is needed to cover entire deprived and hungry population of the nation including Babujis and Mantrijis too (the are the actual PBL ones).
Who stops us from following the foot prints of like: Annas, Babas and Aam Adamiwalaji. we have a legacy of Father of the nation to follow, the path of (Dharana, Rastaroko, Chakkajam etc) 'Ahinsa'. Being trained in handling enemy and traitors, we add a terminology ' Ghero aur Sar Phodo' of concerned traitors, if need arises. Good luck and all the Very Best.
@DS Ramakrishna:"...Who stops us from following the foot prints of like: Annas, Babas and Aam Adamiwalaji..."
Nobody is stopping you from following, all the way to oblivion, those political ciphers some others have also tried to sing praises of.
As if that will solve the armed forces veterans' problems!!! Cheers!
Luckily, structures like RDOA have saner minds at their disposal and will hopefully continue to apply legal logic to seeing the problem to a proper conclusion.
"Footprints", indeed!
There is a meeting planned for 14th June by RM with military top brass. Hope some way out is found for the present state of affairs.
1.Comments of unknown are unwanted and not desirable .
2.It is wrt comments of Unknown dated 11-7-13 at 9.42P.M.
3.He is not AMEN but A....
The person who wants to communicate to people and want to hide name .whatever be the reason he is a person "full of shame and...",specially while he is taking rubbish.
4.one shall know that there is law of the land and one day even fool/corrupt/ bad/politician/who so ever he maybe will have to follow failliling that one day he will die like HITLER.
5.with thought of such uknown AMEN this world would have not exist.Shame.........
It will be fool hardy to trust Mr Antony,particlarly when UPA is spending on cheap gimmicks like Food security bill and planning for a snap poll
Does't the MOD know what is required to be done to implement the orders of HSC? Haven't the service HQs provided them with the all the inputs? What purpose does it serve to call a meeting of various veteran organizations, that too in July, after sleeping over the issue for so long.
The MOD would have thought of wearing out the veterans by resorting to endless litigations, as it is their SOP. I am sure, RDOA has taken them by complete surprise with their tenacity, patience and resolve.
I think we should have nothing to do with the so-called conferences/meetings to resolve the issue which, in any case, has been resolved by the HSC.
We must only concentrate on contempt petition now!
@ Murarilal Agrawal please go through SAINATHAN remaks
You can have your view & others his.If someone would have told you that Rank Pay will not be implemented in letter and Spirit; I am sure you would have termed that as Rubbish.
why is Armed Forces Fraternity frustrated with Babus & to a great extent with their own TOP BRASS? while it may be good to talk about the Law of Land ;AF are yet to get their due after 27 Years ......
with due respect to you I can say that laws are made by Netas in collaboration with BABUS.
"JAGO FAUJI JAGO"
@Unknown : As rightly reflected by corona8, "RDOA will hopefully continue to apply legal logic to seeing the problem to a proper conclusion".
So let us wait and watch and hope for the best to happen in near future.
From the nature of Judgement Awarded,
seems HSC understood the entirety of the case and intends to uphold the cause of petition.
When every thing is negated by all concerned including the Apex Court of the nation, then para 3 of my earlier comment will at least help us in creating mass awareness and expose the prevailing 'do not care less' attitude and approach of our Politico-Bureaucratic nexus, towards the issues of Serving as well as Retired personnel of the Armed Forces.
I am sure corona8 sir, shall definitely have some thing adequate up his sleeve, to take this issue to its logical end.
RDOA had correctly analysed that the way to resolve the matter is through an implementation of the TRIPAS DGL, as stated here previously.
Provisions of the TRIPAS DGL, as stated at paras 5 onwards in the DGL, are totally unambiguous and define the most rational manner in which this wrong can be righted.
Reading of the full text of the TRIPAS DGL, as reproduced at Encl. 23B of this Aerial View blog post will clarify as to what the Remedial Measures spoken of by MOD need to be.
It remains unclear whether RDOA now intend to wait and see whether the promised remedial measures, if any are forthcoming, will indeed remedy the situation or is the legal process to be initiated at the first opportunity.
@Sunlit, my impession (and I hope I am wrong this time) is that RDOA will await the outcome of the meeting taken by RM on 14.6.2013 and then decide whether to file a Contempt petition in July 2013.
I only hope, wish, and pray like many others, that RDOA files the Contempt petition if the meeting of 14.6.13 does not honour the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in letter and spirit.
@Voice in the Wilderness: I was unaware of a meeting on 14th June, that is today. I couldn't find any reference to it in this blog post or related media web-pages.
@sunlit meeting on 14th June
link http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Meet-on-salary-issue-of-military-officers/2013/06/11/article1629536.ece
@Unknowm: Thank you for the information. Let's see what transpires.
@Unknown : Kudos and congrats. You seems very active and current about status update of comments, to this particular Post of RDOA Blog.Can understand and appreciate your concern. Regards and best of luck.
@DS Ramakrishnan
I am a defence person presently serving with a Civil establishment.....I now understand these guys very well; they only talk of grade pay....
Faujis are naive esp Indian Army Generals!!!!!
I hold Admirals / Air Marshall in higher esteem when it comes to fighting for legitimate rights.
they don't get carried away by falsehood easily.....
@UNKNOWN
Thanks for update.
I feel that time has come when Hon'ble Supreme Court should sue-motto take cognizance of the matter. It should immediately set up a time-bound a high level inquiry commission, under its own supervision, to pinpoint the personnel responsible for wilfully denying rightful entitlements of Armed Forces for long 27 years i.e. since 1986 and also severely punish all those who are "bold" enough to openly defy very clear orders given in its judgement dated 04.9.2012. It will go a long way to clean the mal-administrative setups at higher levels.
Needless to emphasise that HSC may consider payment of all legitimately correct arrears, with penal interest wef 1.1.86, immediately when Contempt Petition is filed before it by RODA.
@Unknown: It was not a General who stood in the way of even a token benefit to end stagnation and needlessly caused the pre/post AVS-I anomaly. When it comes to brainless egotism, which of course causes harm to only others, the colour of the uniform hardly matters.
dear all,
the outcome of today's meeting will be welcome .can some active veterans help.
Sir,
If MoD is to be corrected for future as well, nothing short of punishment for CoC is the way.
A Soldier
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