Ex-Servicemen Pensionary Benefits

Government Orders on Cabinet Decision on  Pensionary Benefits to Ex-Servicemen to be Issued Next Month

Describing the twin tasks of improving the pensionary and medical benefits for ex-servicemen as ‘subjects of prime concern’ and ‘as an ongoing process’, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today announced that the orders authorizing payment to ex-servicemen and their families accruing from the recent cabinet decisions, hiking pension and other benefits amounting to nearly Rs.2300 crores per annum, would be issued next month.  Addressing a meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, here, Shri Antony said this is the third time in the last four years that the Government have systematically improved the post-retirement benefits for ex-servicemen.  Outlining the slew of measures taken by the MoD for improving the health care benefits of ex-servicemen, Shri Antony said the Government has been trying to expand the delivery mechanism and simplify procedures so that the ex-servicemen, who have given their best years of life for the security of the nation, get the required medical benefits without hassles.  He said under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), which has been in operation since April 2003, 227 polyclinics were initially approved by the Government. In 2010, another 199 polyclinics were sanctioned by the Government out of which 99 polyclinics have become functional and 100 polyclinics are under various stages of operationalization. The scheme is presently been implemented to 326 functional polyclinics. At present, the scheme has over 41 lakh beneficiaries including 13 lakh ex-servicemen and over 28 lakh dependents. The reach and coverage of the scheme is evident from the fact that in 2011-12, 90 lakh patients were attended to at the polyclinics. Shri Antony expressed confidence that with the commissioning of the remaining polyclinics the bulk of the ex-servicemen population throughout the country would be covered by the scheme.  Shri Antony said there is still a long way to go as presently, ECHS facilities are available only in 339 districts out of a total of 659 in the country. The delivery of medicare at polyclinics is also hampered by the shortage of staff and non-availability of the prescribed medicines.  Taking part in the discussion, the Members of Parliament urged the Government to prepare a roadmap to ensure that medical facilities are available to ex-servicemen in every district of the country. They also called for greater transparency in the process. Some Members pointed out that there is inordinate delay in settling the bills of private hospitals which should be ameliorated through technological means. Taking note of the rapid growth of healthcare facilities in the private sector in recent years and the innovative steps taken by some organizations and hospitals, the Members suggested that the Government should adopt the best practices readily available outside the government sector rather than handling the situation in a conservative fashion which is neither efficient nor cost-effective.  Replying to some of the queries of the Members, the Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh said the government is veering towards a ‘dashboard approach’ so that the healthcare mechanisms can be monitored online on a day-to-day basis by the administrators. He said the government’s efforts will always be to put a smile on the face of the ex-servicemen because they deserve it.  Members of Parliament who attended the meeting included Shri Navin Jindal, Shri GajananDharmshi Babar, Shri SS Ramasubbu, Shri Gopal Singh Shekhawat, Shri Suresh Kalmadi, Shri Harsh Vardhan, Shri Kailkesh N. Singh Deo, Shri Sultan Ahmed, Shri Ram Chandra Khuntia, DrMahendra Prasad, Shri Ishwarlal Jain, Smt. AmbikaSoni and Shri PiyushGoyal.  The Defence Secretary Shri Shashikant Sharma, Secretary Department of Defence Production Shri RK Mathur, Secretary Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Shri Vijay Chibber, Secretary Defence Finance Smt. PritiMohantyand other officials of the Ministry of Defence also attended the meeting.  SitanshuKar/NN  (Release ID :90878)

LATEST NEWS ONE RANK ONE PENSION

Rs.2300 crore approved to meet the demands of Ex-servicemen pensioners

The Union Cabinet has approved the recommendations of the Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary for benefits to ex-servicemen on four issues.   The financial implications of the improvements made as per the Cabinet decision on the four items are broadly estimated at Rs.2300 crore per annum.  The details are as follows: I.             One Rank One Pension: On One Rank One Pension, the demand of the Defence Forces and Ex-Servicemen Associations is that uniform pension be paid to the Defence Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.              The difference in the pension of present and past pensioners in the same rank occurs on account of the number of increments earned by the defence personnel in that rank.  There is also a difference between the pension of pre 1.1.06 and post 1.1.06 retirees belonging to a particular rank.  The UPA Government on two previous occasions has taken decisions to narrow the gap between the present and past pensioners, particularly those belonging to the ranks of JCOs and Other Ranks.             On the issue of One Rank One Pension, the following have been approved by the Cabinet: (i)         Bridging of the gap in the pension of pre 1.1.06 and post 1.1.06 JCO/OR retirees by determining the pension of pre 1.1.06 retirees on the basis of notional maximum for ranks and groups across the three Services as in the case of post 1.1.06 retirees.  In addition, the weightage of qualifying service in the ranks of Sepoys,Naik and Havaldar would be increased by two years for both pre and post 1.1.06 retirees. (ii)        The pension of pre 1.1.06 Commissioned Officer pensioners would be stepped up with reference to the minimum of fitment table for the ranks instead of theminimum of pay band.             These are expected to largely meet the demands of the defence pensioners on one rank one pension.  II.                   Enhancement of Family Pension : (i)                   The pension of pre - 1.1.2006 family pensioners(Commissioned Officers, Honorary Commissioned Officers, JCOs/ORs ) be stepped up based on the minimum of the fitment table instead of the minimum of the Pay Band; (i)            Establishing linkage of the family pension with the pension of JCOs/ORs, in those cases where the death takes place after the retirement of the JCO/OR since such a JCO/OR drew a pension based on the maximum of the pay scales, 60% of the pension applicable to JCO/OR pensioners would be granted to the family pensioner in case of normal family pension calculated a 30% of last pay drawn. Accordingly, based on the rank, group and length of service of the deceased JCO/OR pensioner, his pension would first be determined on notional basis. In cases where death of JCO/OR took place after retirement, the family pensioners in receipt of normal family pension would become entitled to 60% of the said pension determined on notional basis and those in receipt of enhanced family pension will be entitled to 100% of this pension. Similar entitlements would be determined in the case of Special Family Pension; and (ii)                 The family pensioner of the JCO/OR would be granted pension arrived at on the basis of the family pension worked out as per the formulation at (i) above or the pension on the basis of stepping up with reference to the minimum of the fitment table, whichever is beneficial. Further, the linkage of family pension with retiringpension be applied in the case of post 1.1.2006 family pensioners of JCOs/ORs also. III.           Dual Family Pension: Dual family pension would be allowed in the present and future cases where the pensioner drew, is drawing or may draw pension for military service as well as for civil employment. IV.          Family pension to mentally / physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage: Grant of family pension to mentally/physically challenged children who drew, are drawing or may draw family pension would continue even after their marriage. The above recommendations made by the Committee on pension issues of Ex-Servicemen may be implemented from a prospective date and payment made accordingly. *** SH/SKS

MEDICINES SUPPLY TO ECHS POLYCLINICS

Increasing Supply of Midicines to Polyclinics

For timely payment to empanelled hospitalsfor treatment availed by ex- servicemen, a pilot project for ‘on line bill processing’ through a Bill Processing Agency (UTI, ITSL) has been launched on 1st April, 2012 at 5 cities i.e. Delhi, Chandimandir, Pune, Secunderabad& Trivandrum. The Government has also approved a pilot project for `outsourcing of pharmacy operations` of ECHS to ensure that ECHS beneficiaries receive the prescribed medicines on time at Regional Centres Delhi, Chandigarh, Pune, Secunderabad, Trivandrum &Lucknow.  This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRaju in a written reply to Shri Mohd. Ali Khan in Rajya Sabha ON 22 Aug 2012

ECHS Facilities to Non-Pensioners

Medical Facilities to Non-Pensioners

Currently the policy does not cover the non-pensioners such as Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned officers. However, there is a proposal to make Short Service Commission more attractive which has been initiated in which the provision for grant of ECHS facilities in a restricted manner to Short Service Commissioned Officers has been included. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to ShrimatiParamjitKaurGulshanin Lok Sabha ON 27-08-2012

ONE RANK ONE PENSION NEW COMMITTEE

Pay and Pension Matters of  Personnel

The committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary is comprised of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Defence Secretary; Secretary, Department of Expenditure; Secretary, Department of Ex- Servicemen`s Welfare and Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training. Consequent to change in charge of the then Secretary, Department of Expenditure to Department of Revenue, Secretary, Department of Revenue has also been co-opted as a Member of the Committee. Chief of Naval Staff & Chairman, Chiefs of the Staff Committee made a presentation to the Committee. The Committee further interacted with all the Service Chiefs (Chief of Naval Staff & Chairman, Chiefs of the Staff Committee; Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Army Staff). The recommendations of the Committee have been submitted to the Prime Minister. This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri M.B.Rajesh and others in Lok Sabha on 27 Aug 2012.

One Rank One Pension : KEY POINTS OF PM‘S SPEECH

One Rank One Pension : KEY POINTS OF PM‘S SPEECH

GOVERNMENT TO ACT PROMPTLY ON DEFENCE ISSUES 
The government will take “ PROMPT ACTION” when suggestions are made related to the pay and pensions of Armed Forces personnel. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday. 

“ Our government has set up a committee to examine issues relating to (the) pay and pension, “ the Prime Minister said in his national address on the occasion of India’s Independence Day.

 “This committee will also look into matters concerning pension of retired men and officers and family pension.
 “ We will take prompt action on the recommendations of the (official) committee, once they are received “ 

“The Prime Minister said he would like to thank “ our security forces, who are guarding our frontiers bravely, from the bottom of my heart. We will continue to make efforts for their welfare”.

Malayalam Scraps at 123Malayalamscrap.com

Indian Military chiefs want own man in pay panel

Services chiefs want own man in pay panel

NEW DELHI: It's the armed forces versus the bureaucracy once again. The Army, Navy and IAF chiefs have lodged a strong protest over the composition of the new top-level committee constituted to look into the pay and pension grievances of serving and retired military personnel.

Admiral Nirmal Verma, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne and General Bikram Singh, in separate letters to defence minister A K Antony over the last week or so, have demanded that a military representative should be included in the committee headed by cabinet secretary Ajit Kumar Seth. The panel includes five other top IAS officers, including principal secretary to the PM, Pulok Chatterji, and defence secretary Shashikant Sharma

ONE RANK ONE PENSION VEDIO REPORT

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/168175/30-minutes-one-rank-one-pension.html

EXPECTED DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FROM JULY 2012

Expected DA from July 2012

Perhaps it is very early to calculate the status of  additional Dearness allowance from July, 2012 for Central Government employees and Pensioners, before releasing the AICPIN for the balance of two months i.e.May and June. Enquiries are being poured as comments and received emails to our inbox about the expected DA from July, 2012. We can assume that the AICPIN will certainly go up, because of the essential commodities prices are going high with non stop. Anyway we can assume the additional Dearness allowance from July 2012 will be minimum 7%. The existing Dearness allowance is 65%, it will become as 65% + 7% = 72%.

ONE RANK ONE PENSION

30 JUL, 2012, 11.13PM IST, PTI 

Antony writes to PM over wages, pension of services men

NEW DELHI: Observing there was "growing discontent" among armed forces personnel over anomalies in pay-related matters, Defence Minister A K Antony has written a letter to the Prime Minister saying if "corrective action" is not taken, the issue might take a "bad turn". 

After the letter was sent, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh constituted a high level-committee under theCabinet Secretary to address issues such as One Rank One Pension (OROP) and elevation of all Lt Gen-rank officers into a higher pay scale. 

In the letter written on June 25, sources said the Defence Minister has written that "there is growing discontentment among the services personnel due to the anomalies in fixation of payment and salaries." 

Pushing the case for accepting the demands of serving and retired soldiers, Antony pointed out that the service personnel, exservicemen and family pensioners are "equally agitated" over the anomalies in their salaries. He told the Prime Minister that "unless we take corrective action, things may take a bad turn." 

On July 13, the Prime Minister formed a six-member committee under Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, which has been asked by the government to finalise its recommendations and submit its report to Manmohan Singh by August 8. 

For serving defence personnel, the committee will look into the issues of having a common pay scale for serving Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), placing all Lt Gen-rank officers under the higher pay scale grade of Higher Administrative Group Plus (HAG+). 

For the large community of exservicemen, the government has tasked the committee to consider the issue of One-Rank-One-Pension which has been the main demand of the services personnel and has seen a lot of them returning their service and gallantry medals to the President in the last few years as a mark of protest.

PM SCHOLARSHIP - IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED FOR RENEWAL

ARMY CHIEF VISITS YOLE AND ADDRESSES EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY

ARMY CHIEF VISITS YOLE AND ADDRESSES EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY AT PATHANKOT

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh visited Rising Star Corps for a review of the operational preparedness of the Corps. On arrival at Yol Cantonment, he and Mrs Bubbles Singh were accorded a very warm welcome by Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C Western Command, Mrs Anshul Chachra and Lt Gen Anil Bhalla, GOC 9 Corps and Mrs Kavita Bhalla. After reviewing of the operational preparedness of the Corps, Chief and Mrs Bubbles Singh visited Pathankot.  Gen Singh on taking over had given out his key result areas, which include operational readiness, force modernisation, strengthening the work culture, effective human resource management, enhanced security consciousness and jointness with other services and welfare of veterans, Veer Naris and widows. To give thrust to the KRA of welfare of veterans, the Chief, addressed a large gathering of approximately 5000 veterans at Pathankot. The Rally in Pathankot, was one of the largest attended by ex-servicemen from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and assisted by local civil organisations looking after the welfare of Ex-Servicemen. The General assured the gathering that the government and the Army are sensitive to their needs and would take every step to ensure that the Ex-Servicemen and their families are cared for and looked after well.  At the rally, the Army had set up a number of stalls to render assistance on pension, health, education, housing, insurance, placement, recruitment and personnel records to resolve the problems of Ex-Servicemen and spread awareness about various rehabilitation and welfare schemes for the Veterans, Veer Naris, Gallantry Awardees, Disabled Soldiers and their dependents. The Chief told the gathering that the sacrifices made by these heroes would continue to inspire the present and future generations and motivate large number of youngsters to serve our motherland. On the occasion, the Army Chief honoured the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra winners and their families.  Mrs Bubbles Singh interacted with approximately 625 Veer Naris and 500 disabled soldiers. She also inaugurated new Asha School for differently-abled children at Pathankot and an ECHS Polyclinic at Unchi Bassi.

SANTHOSH TROPHY FOOT BALL WINNERS

Antony Congratulates Services Team on Lifting the Santosh Trophy

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the Services Football team for lifting the coveted Santosh Trophy. In a message to the President, Services Sports Control Board, Air Marshal JN Burma, Shri Antony said it was a rare honour for the Services to have bagged the title for only the second time in more than five decades since the last win in 1961. He said this victory should inspire the sportsmen of the Services to excel in the forthcoming London Olympics and other games.  In a thrilling match played at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack yesterday Services beat Tamil Nadu 3-2 to lift the 66th Santosh Trophy.  Sitanshu Kar/NN  (Release ID :84559)

DELEGATION TO MEET ANTONY ON ONE RANK ONE PENSION

Bajwa leads delegation to meet Antony on One Rank One Pension

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times
Gurdaspur, May 15, 2012

A delegation of retired army officers led by Gurdaspur member of parliament Partap Singh Bajwa met union defence minister AK Antony to stress on the long-pending demand of One Rank One Pension. 
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the minister highlighting the problems 

being faced by the military officers and jawans.

"Prior to the Third Central Pay Commission, the pension of Armed Forces personnel was regulated exclusively keeping in view the peculiarity and gravity of the service conditions which a soldier is subjected to in times of peace, and the danger to which he is exposed to during war," said Bajwa adding that, "the then government, appreciating their contribution to our motherland, decided to keep their status and living standards quite high without comparison with civilian employees but the Third Central Pay Commission reversed this trend leaving the defence personnel at a loss and the subsequent pay commissions have only made matters worse."

"We have apprised the minister of the demand of the ex-servicemen that there should be One Rank One Pension (OROP) and we have also apprised him of the decision of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Chandigarh in the cases of Babu Ram Dhiman versus Union of India and Sohan Singh versus Union of India, where in its judgment, it said that the grant of unequal pay in the same rank was a violation of the principles of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution.

The Tribunal further added that the state could not lay down different criteria for grant of pension for same rank of officers on the basis of cut-off date of retirement," he added. 

He further said, "Considering the disparity between duties of defence personnel and their civilian counterparts, due recognition and respect is not being given to them, the demand of one rank one pension is justified and long overdue. Even the standing committee on defence has recommended the inclusion of OROP."

Members of the delegation included Brig (Retd) KS Kahlon, Brig (Retd) MPS Bajwa, Col (Retd) Dharam Singh and Col (Retd) Ajay Opal, all of whom have been fighting for issues relating to welfare of defence personnel including voicing the demand for One Rank One Pension

The other issues which were raised in the memorandum include increasing the quota for youth in armed forces from border districts particularly in Punjab, early resolving the anomalies in the sixth pay commission, establishing a National Commission for Military Veteran Affairs on the lines of the minority commission, ensuring equitable representation of ex-servicemen in all central boards, corporations and PSU's, using the skills of ex-servicemen in training and raising battalions of National Disaster Relief and Environment Protection Forces nomination of military veterans to the Rajya Sabha.

Prisoners of War

Prisoners of War

Fifty four (54) missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 Wars are believed to be in the custody in Pakistan. The Government has repeatedly been taking up the matter with the Pakistan Government. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any such personnel in its custody. A delegation of 14 relatives of missing defence personnel also visited 10 Jails in Pakistan during 1st June, 2007 - 14th June, 2007. The delegation, however, could not conclusively confirm the physical presence of any missing defence personnel.

 The families of these missing defence personnel have been given liberalized pensionary/rehabilitation benefits as per extant rules. Further, orders have been issued for compliance of judgement dated 23.12.2011 passed by Hon`ble High Court of Gujarat regarding payment of service and retirement benefits to the next of kin of the missing defence personnel believed to be in the custody in Pakistan, as if they had retired on superannuation.

 This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A K Antony in written reply to shriS. Semmalai and Shri KuldeepBishnoi in Lok Sabha on 07-05-12

 PK/RK/NN  

EDUCATIONAL CONCESSIONS

EDUCATIONAL CONCESSIONS  for Wards of Ex-Servicemen

Wards of Ex-servicemen who are missing/disabled/killed in action are provided various educational concessions in Government/Government aided schools/educational institutes, Military/Sainik schools and other schools/colleges recognized by Central/State Governments. This facility is available upto First degree course.

 (i) The following concessions are provided in accordance with Gol letter No.6-1/2009/Edu.Concession/ll/D(Res), dated 26th October 2010:

 Tuition Fee: Full reimbursement.

 Hostel Charges: Full reimbursement of hostel charges for children studying in boarding schools and colleges.

 Cost of books/stationary: Rs.1,000/- per annum per student.

 Cost of Compulsory Uniform: Rs.1700/- maximum during 1st year and Rs.700/- for the subsequent year per student.

 Clothing: Rs.500/- for the 1st year and Rs.300/- for the subsequent years per annum per student

 (ii) Under RakshaMantri Discretionary Fund Children of Ex- servicemen up to Havaldar Rank are entitled to Education Grant of Rs.1000/- per month up to Graduation.

 (iii) Messing and accommodation is provided to the children of war widows, war disabled, attributable cases in 35 War Memorial Hostels. Recurring grant @ Rs.1350/- per month per inmate is provided to the hostel from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. For wards of non-attributable disabled soldiers also grants are provided @ Rs.675/- per month per inmate.

 (iv) Under Prime Minister`s Scholarship Scheme, every year 4000 new scholarships are given to wards of martyrs and ex-servicemen for pursuing, various recognized Professional Degree Courses like B.Tech& MBBS etc.

 35 war memorial hostels set up in Regimental centers in different parts of the country are catering to the welfare needs of wards of martyrs and ex-servicemen

 This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Dr.Mahendrasinh P. Chauhan in Lok Sabha on 07-05-2012.

 PK/NN  

Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

The Central/State Government provides for the following reservation for Ex-Servicemen in the civil jobs:-

Group`C`            Group `D`

(a)Central Ministries/Departments          10%                        20%

(b)PSUs/Nationalized Banks                  14.5%                    24.5%

(ii)        10% posts of Assistant Commandants in paramilitary forces and 100% posts are reserved for ESM in Defence Security Corps.

(iii)             Most State Governments also provide reservations to ESM in State Government jobs.

Government orders already exist to carry forward unfilled vacancies for Ex-Servicemen to the next year. The reservation policy for Ex-servicemen is implemented by the concerned Government/Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Banks. It is the responsibility of the concerned organization to implement the same. Since applying for Government jobs by Ex- Servicemen is voluntary, data in this regard is not maintained.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri NripendraNath Roy and Shri NarahariMahato in Lok Sabha on 07-05-2012.

PK/NN

ONE RANK ONE PENSION

Government in agreement on 'one rank one pension': Army chief

PTI May 4, 2012, 05.03PM IST

MADHYA PRADESH: The Centre has given in-principle approval to the 'one rank one pension' demand of ex-servicemen, Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh said today.

"I have written twice to the central government on the issue of one rank one pension and it has agreed to it in principle," he said while addressing a rally of ex-servicemen at Mahar Regiment Centre Ground in MP.

Rehabilitation of Disabled Soldiers

Rehabilitation of Disabled Soldiers

KendriyaSainik Board provides financial assistance to run vocational Training Centres at (i) Base Hospital, Barrackpore (WB), (ii) Command Hospital (SC), Pune, (iii) Military Hospital, Agra, (iv) Military Hospital, Namkum and (v) Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. 

The government does not have any proposal to open more such centres. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRaju in written reply to Shri Varun Gandhi in Lok Sabha today. 

 PK/NN  
(Release ID :82789)

ECHS POLYCLINICS

Facilities in Polyclinics

Government has approved a pilot project for online electronic bill processing at five stations, i.e. Delhi, Chandigarh, Pune, Secunderabad and Trivandrum. This will ensure prompt payment to hospitals. In order to ensure that medicines are available on demand at the polyclinics the Government is exploring various measures including outsourcing of pharmacy services to reputed pharmacy companies. This measure is expected to greatly enhance clientele satisfaction as 90% patients are treated and given medicines at the Polyclinics 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRaju in written reply to Shri RajaiahSiricilla and others in Lok Sabha today. 

PK/NN 
(Release ID :82788)

CAR SALES THROUGH CSD

Fresh information on Car sales through CSD

The Deputy Directorate General Canteen Services (DDGCS) at the QMG’s branch has issued a fresh letter reiterating the ban of car sales through CSD on account of budgetary constraints.

The letter issued on 22 Feb 2012 however states that despite the ban, the directorate has been authorised to grant permission on case to case basis and for this a special ‘Car Sanction Cell’ is being established.

The Cell would be manned by a Section Officer who would be available on telephone numbers (011) 23092563 and 23093572.

Irrespective of rank, anybody who is desirous of buying a car through CSD can apply to the DDG CS with an application with the following particulars :

(a)  Date of car last purchased from CSD

(b)  Reasons for requirement of the special sanction

(c)  Make and Model of the car required

(d)  Name of depot from where the car is required

The letter reiterates that the ban would be lifted completely when the budgetary situation improves but till that happens this adhoc arrangement shall continue.

Source - indianmilitaryinfo

VAT on CSD

Hooda reduces VAT on CSD goods by 1%

A civil military liaison conference between the Haryana government and the Army was held at Western Command Headquarters, Chandimandir, on Wednesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C), Western Command, Lieutenant General S R Ghosh.

Hooda announced reduction in VAT on CSD goods from 5.25 per cent to 4.25 per cent. The Army Commander said police personnel should visit Army units and establishments, which would lead to a better understanding of each other’s capability. The state government consented to nominate specific days for the defence personnel in RTO offices in other districts of Haryana as have been sanctioned at Panchkula, Ambala and Hisar. Concessions would be offered to group housing schemes of Army. The Chief Minister sanctioned additional Rs 75 lakh for the Army Industrial Training Institute located at Ambala.

Lieutenant General Ghosh sought cooperation of the state government for allocation of land in lieu of defence land acquired by the government. He made a request for land for welfare housing projects and allied facilities at subsidised rates. He also proposed that the Pinjore Flying Academy be jointly utilised by the state government and Army in view of the high capital costs involved in development of aviation infrastructure.

LATEST NEWS ONE RANK ONE PENSION FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

DEMAND FOR ONE RANK ONE PENSION FOR RETIRED ARMY PERSONNEL 

The ex-servicemen Associations have been demanding for several years grant of same pension which is granted to new pensioners with same rank and same length of service irrespective of date of retirement, popularly known as "One Rank One Pension" (OROP). The differentials in pension between the past and the new retirees arise on account of the fact that the computation of pension depends on the pay scale of the person at the time of retirement and pension undergoes change as and when the pay scales are revised.

Their requests have been considered by the Government and over the years several improvements have been made in pension of past pensioners in accordance with the recommendations of successive Pay Commissions, as accepted by the Government. The Cabinet Secretary Committee constituted by the Government of India to look into the demand of OROP and related issues gave seven recommendations to reduce the gap between past and current pensioners. All the seven recommendations were accepted and implemented which has significantly reduced the gap between the past and present pensioners and also considerably improved the pension of disabled ex-servicemen. However pension reform is a continuous process.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in written reply to Shri T.M. Selvaganapathi in Rajya Sabha today. 


Source : Public information bureau -Ministry of Defence dt 28 Mar 2012

HH/RK
(Release ID :81836)

Mobile Polyclinics for Ex-Servicemen

Providing Medicare to Ex-servicemen and their dependents is an ongoing process and the endeavor of the government is to continuously upgrade the quality of medicare services being provided. The Government has approved opening of additional 199 polyclinics including 17 mobile polyclinics besides the existing 227 polyclinics to improve accessibility of Ex-servicemen to medical facilities. Out of 199 polyclinics, 43 polyclinics have already been operationalised.  Opening of new polyclinics is based on the ESM population in a particular area. Mobile polyclinics are proposed for remote/hilly areas where the ESM population is less and scattered. Presently 342 districts have been covered with 426 ECHS polyclinics (270 operational & 156 proposed) including 17 mobile polyclinics. The newly sanctioned polyclinics will be operationalised across the country including Himachal Pradesh in a phased manner over a period of time.  This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shrimati Viplove Thakur in Rajya Sabha today.  HH/NN  (Release ID :81342)

ECHS Facilities to Ex-Servicemen

ECHS Facilities to Ex-Servicemen

The Government has sanctioned 426 Polyclinics for Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). 227 Polyclinics were sanctioned in the year 2002, all of which are functional. Due to increasing ESM population an additional 199 Polyclinics including 17 Mobile Clinics were sanctioned in October 2010, out of which 43 Polyclinics are operational, thus at present 270 Polyclinics are functioning. In addition the Government has sanctioned 15 new Regional Centers to strengthen the ECHS Services, out of which 6 Regional Centers are already functional. As on 1st March, 2012, there are 39,46,898 beneficiaries which include 12,34,069 ex-servicemen and 27,12,829 dependents. The ECHS beneficiaries can avail treatment at state Government hospitals/Clinics. The cost of treatment at Government hospitals is reimbursed at the approved rates and 80% advance of the estimated cost of the treatment at Government hospitals/Clinics is admissible to the ECHS beneficiaries.  At present 1383 Private hospitals/Dental Clinics/Diagnostics Centers and Eye clinics throughout the country are empanelled with ECHS, where the ECHS beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment. In emergency cases, reimbursement is made at approved rates, even for treatment in non-empanelled hospitals.  This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju in written reply to Shri Virender Kashyap and Shri Kuldeep Bishnoi in Lok Sabha today.  HH/NN/RK  (Release ID :81642)

NEW DA FROM JAN 2012

CABINET APPROVES 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE...

UNION CABINET APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO HIKE ADDITIONAL DEARNESS ALLOWANCE BY 7% FOR CENTRAL STAFF AND CENTRAL GOV. PENSIONERS. THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ON FRIDAY APPROVED A SEVEN PER CENT HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS, THIS HIKE IS TO BE EFFECTIVE RETROSPECTIVELY FROM JAN 2012.

THE DEARNESS ALLOWANCE AND DEARNESS RELIEF FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVING EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS WILL INCREASE FROM 58% PER CENT OF BASIC EMOLUMENTS TO 65% PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM 1.1.2012.