Sir ,
Some time back in your esteemed paper you had published an article on OROP by an Airforce Veteran , Gp Capt Anil Bendre, VM .
I feel that I should try to throw some more light and explain the conundrum of OROP about those aspects not covered by him .
From todays post on FB , Gen Satbir , a vetran who has been spearheading the OROP movement at Jantar Mantar will be in Nagpur on the 4th October . Full details of programme are not known . As there is likelyhood of massive morcha , I strongly feel that it would be in the best of journalistic traditions to inform the populace about this issue about which the print and electronic media, seems to have made deliberate attempts to completely blockout events related to this movement .
I sicerely hope that you will publish my article on OROP in Guest coloumn of you esteemed news paper . Unless ofcourse your esteemed paper has also been given GAG orders.
Thanking you ,
Yours Sincerely ,
Veteran , Group Captain P M Velankar, Vayusena Medal ( retd )
While I agree that amongst general civilian population , there is misinformation and may be no information at all about what is OROP and why one of the most disciplined and law abiding body of Indian citizens who have never ever in their life resorted to strikes , agtitations , demonstrations etc have been forced to so in the sunset years of their life. .
Here is my humble effort to explain OROP, its genesis and finally why was most disciplind section of the Indian population , forced to resort to peaceful agitation .
What is OROP . The full form of OROP is "One Rank One Pension" .
Some time back in your esteemed paper you had published an article on OROP by an Airforce Veteran , Gp Capt Anil Bendre, VM .
I feel that I should try to throw some more light and explain the conundrum of OROP about those aspects not covered by him .
From todays post on FB , Gen Satbir , a vetran who has been spearheading the OROP movement at Jantar Mantar will be in Nagpur on the 4th October . Full details of programme are not known . As there is likelyhood of massive morcha , I strongly feel that it would be in the best of journalistic traditions to inform the populace about this issue about which the print and electronic media, seems to have made deliberate attempts to completely blockout events related to this movement .
I sicerely hope that you will publish my article on OROP in Guest coloumn of you esteemed news paper . Unless ofcourse your esteemed paper has also been given GAG orders.
Thanking you ,
Yours Sincerely ,
Veteran , Group Captain P M Velankar, Vayusena Medal ( retd )
OROP , WHAT IS IT AND WHY THE AGITATION .
While I agree that amongst general civilian population , there is misinformation and may be no information at all about what is OROP and why one of the most disciplined and law abiding body of Indian citizens who have never ever in their life resorted to strikes , agtitations , demonstrations etc have been forced to so in the sunset years of their life. .
Here is my humble effort to explain OROP, its genesis and finally why was most disciplind section of the Indian population , forced to resort to peaceful agitation .
What is OROP . The full form of OROP is "One Rank One Pension" .
Koshiary Commitee , appointed by the Parliament , ( more about it later ) , defined OROP as " uniform pension be paid to the Armed 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 to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners."
This definition was accepted in Parliament by the outgoing UPA- II Government and also by the BJP led NDA Government in Parliament,soon after assuming power at the Center .
This definition was accepted in Parliament by the outgoing UPA- II Government and also by the BJP led NDA Government in Parliament,soon after assuming power at the Center .
To understand the genesis of more than almost 40 to 50 year old problem of OROP , it is most important to view some historical AND variafiable facts .
(1). After Independence in 1947 , Defence Services pensioners WERE getting OROP . This continued for the next 26 odd years . In 1973 , just prior to the formation of 3rd Central Pay Commission( CPC) , arbitrary orders were issued to discontinue OROP to Defence personnel . As is their wont none of the three services or the personnel raised slightest note of dessent . They had full trust in the Government and hoped that discontinuation of OROP would be taken care of in the 3rd CPC .
(2). Airforce and the Navy by very nature of their operational role , can , will , and do destroy the will of the enemy to wage or continue with war . But that is job only half done . Job is only done when the enemy forces are evicted and our Ground forces physically occupy the enemy held areas and establish our control over occupied territory . By very nature of their role and being in the forefront of the fighting , these infantry soldiers have to be young and at the peake of their phycical prowess . To maintain this most important and vital requirement of the defence forces , these peronnel , which form a very large percentage of the fighting forces are retired at the age of 35 - 37 years , unfortunately or unfortunately 37 - 37 years is considered an age past their prime . Incidently these very gallant pesons who fight in the vanguard of the battle field and most often many never return from the battle field. ( Toll 1962 war 1,383 killed, 1,047 wounded, 1,696 missing and never found due to most inhospitable terrain, 3,968 captured , 1965 War : more than 3000 killed , injured and missing and captured figures not readily available , 1971 War : 3843 killed , injured and missing and captured figures not readily available .) the Babus have been heard , disparagingly , to referre to these brave soldiers as " Cannon Fodder "
Even when in service , if these men are disabled before reaching 35-37 years of age they are "Medically Boarded" out , an euphemism for coumlesory retirement . As against this , even if they are not physically fit , the Babus and civil servants serve till the age of 60 years.
Considering this aspect and their retirement at an early age , up to the year 1973, defence personnel were granted pension which was 70% of their basic pay , where as the Babus and the civilservants were getting 30 % . However as per the recommendations of 3rd CPC , pension of defence services was reduced to 50% of the basic pay and and those of Babus increased to 50% . No retional or logic behind this gross insjustice was ever explained or made public . Ironically What is more intriguing is that this reduction in pension of the soldier came soon after the Indian Armed Forces had won a decisive victory in the war against Pakistan in 1971.
There were no proteste , nor strikes , nor street demonstrations nor any type of agitation or revolt .
(3). To mollyfy whatever the discontent was there , but which was never made public by defence forces, the Government stated that a new One Rank One Pension Scheme for Armed Forces was in the offing and would be announced soon .
Days , months and year passed . Nothing happened following this announcement . Finally , when the patience of the veterans was exhausted they resorted to a novel way to show their displeasure . In ones and twos and then in droves they visited The President of India , who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces , to return their medals given to them in recognition of their services to the Nation . It sad to say that as alleged , the political appointee did not even have the courtesy to meet the veterans and listen to their grivences , instead he sent his lackeys to receive these medals .
To the demand of OROP one of the Senior Babu had said " OROP over my dead body ." This rankeled the most . Other than going to the Judiciary the vterans had no alternative. Even after prolonged litgation , instigated by Babus , Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of OROP .
( go to web site : http://goo.gl/jp69D5 )
(4) . It is not known what prevented the Govt to take action but after many odd years Government finally formed a committee to look in to the whole question of Vetrans problems , including the OROP .
Armed Forces are supposed to be answerable and under Civilian control .
Civilian control .means 'political control' and not 'bureaucratic control'. Unfortunately today , due to incompenency of Political leaders The Babus (Bureucrates) seem to be assuming more and more
'bureaucratic control' over Armed Forces .The Government and the Nation must recognise the disasterous repurcussins on the future of the Country .
But I digress .
(2). Airforce and the Navy by very nature of their operational role , can , will , and do destroy the will of the enemy to wage or continue with war . But that is job only half done . Job is only done when the enemy forces are evicted and our Ground forces physically occupy the enemy held areas and establish our control over occupied territory . By very nature of their role and being in the forefront of the fighting , these infantry soldiers have to be young and at the peake of their phycical prowess . To maintain this most important and vital requirement of the defence forces , these peronnel , which form a very large percentage of the fighting forces are retired at the age of 35 - 37 years , unfortunately or unfortunately 37 - 37 years is considered an age past their prime . Incidently these very gallant pesons who fight in the vanguard of the battle field and most often many never return from the battle field. ( Toll 1962 war 1,383 killed, 1,047 wounded, 1,696 missing and never found due to most inhospitable terrain, 3,968 captured , 1965 War : more than 3000 killed , injured and missing and captured figures not readily available , 1971 War : 3843 killed , injured and missing and captured figures not readily available .) the Babus have been heard , disparagingly , to referre to these brave soldiers as " Cannon Fodder "
Even when in service , if these men are disabled before reaching 35-37 years of age they are "Medically Boarded" out , an euphemism for coumlesory retirement . As against this , even if they are not physically fit , the Babus and civil servants serve till the age of 60 years.
Considering this aspect and their retirement at an early age , up to the year 1973, defence personnel were granted pension which was 70% of their basic pay , where as the Babus and the civilservants were getting 30 % . However as per the recommendations of 3rd CPC , pension of defence services was reduced to 50% of the basic pay and and those of Babus increased to 50% . No retional or logic behind this gross insjustice was ever explained or made public . Ironically What is more intriguing is that this reduction in pension of the soldier came soon after the Indian Armed Forces had won a decisive victory in the war against Pakistan in 1971.
There were no proteste , nor strikes , nor street demonstrations nor any type of agitation or revolt .
(3). To mollyfy whatever the discontent was there , but which was never made public by defence forces, the Government stated that a new One Rank One Pension Scheme for Armed Forces was in the offing and would be announced soon .
Days , months and year passed . Nothing happened following this announcement . Finally , when the patience of the veterans was exhausted they resorted to a novel way to show their displeasure . In ones and twos and then in droves they visited The President of India , who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces , to return their medals given to them in recognition of their services to the Nation . It sad to say that as alleged , the political appointee did not even have the courtesy to meet the veterans and listen to their grivences , instead he sent his lackeys to receive these medals .
To the demand of OROP one of the Senior Babu had said " OROP over my dead body ." This rankeled the most . Other than going to the Judiciary the vterans had no alternative. Even after prolonged litgation , instigated by Babus , Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of OROP .
( go to web site : http://goo.gl/jp69D5 )
(4) . It is not known what prevented the Govt to take action but after many odd years Government finally formed a committee to look in to the whole question of Vetrans problems , including the OROP .
OROP was first defined by this Parliamentary committee. The committee members were: Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP), Chairman, Ram Vilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party), Nandi Yellaiah, Rajeev Shukla, Avinash Pande(INC), Balavant Apte(BJP), P. Rajeev (CPM) , Veer Pal Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Paul Manoj Pandian(Anna DMK), and Rajaram (BSP). This committee became known as " Koshiyari Committee," named so after its chairman,
This Committee defined OROP in these terms. "OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed 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 to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners."
This definition was accepted in parliament by the outgoing UPA-II government and also in parliament, by the the BJP led NDA government, soon after assuming power at the Centre.
The then Minister for Finance, Mr P Chidambaram, in 2013 stated while presenting the interim budget that "an initial sum of Rs.500 crores is being budgeted for OROP. After detailed calculations are done, whatever amount is needed will be provided." Unfortunately for the Indian National Congress it lost the elections and handed over power to the BJP led NDA.
Mr Arun Jaitley, who despite having lost the Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar, was given dual charge of Finance and Defence Ministries in the NDA government. Mr Jaitley too, like his predecessor in the UPA, allocated Rs.1000 crores in the budget towards OROP. He too mentioned that the amount was an interim figure and that sufficient funds would be provided to fulfil the BJP's pre-election commitment on OROP.
(5). We in the sercives have never understood the reason for the animosity the Babus (read bureaucrats) bear against the Armed Forces . May be looking at at our neighbours , Pakistan , Mayamnar etc , where the Babue were treated just as Babus and put in thier place ,The Babus here felt similar fate and loss of their position of lording over all and sundry . One may recall the panic created by news item in Indian Express about arrival of a Para Regiment for a preplanned exercise about which Babus seemed to have no information . These worthless fellow fail to understand the difference between ethos , dedication , and discipline of the Indian Armed Forces of those ofother countries .
Even when the DM announced sanctioning the OROP , The Babus had inserted a contentiuos issue of " voluntry retirement ". This caused heart burn and further spread dispondency and discontent amongst the Vetrans. It is alleged that Mrs Devika Raghuvanshi of MoD (finance) in PMO has repeatedly put spoke in the process along with Anurag Jain ,IAS at PMO. She got the VRS/PMR included in the proposal out of nowhere. Both these are apparently dead against the Armed forces . Her repeated dire warnings about "Continued and unending financial liability" seems to have really put the fear of Government bankruptcy in Political Masters . However every one conveniently forgets that the Govt in its generosity and magnanimity wrote off Rs. 63,000 Crores of Corporate taxes and Rs. 40,000 Crores of NPA of banks? Corores of rupees pumped in repeated revival of Air India , managed by a Babu , there is no doubt that the Babus had major part to play in these decisions.
Since Independence while they have rewarded themselves with a bonanza in the form of "Non-Functional Financial Upgrade" (NFU) . Which means even if they are not promoted they keep getting increase in pay till they reach maximum scale of pay when they retire. Recently they awarded themselves airfares and cost of treatment in foreign countries.While it is logical entitlement for those in Indian Foreign Services , why a babu of any other Indian Civil service should be given this facility is beyound understanding & comprhension .
While doing this , they systametically undermined the Armed Forces .They were continuesly brought down in the " precedence" , Dirty trick played about Grade Pay in 4th CPC , Insertion of " voluneet Retirement " in recent announcement by DM . are but some of the many many examples . The Babus will keep reduceing The Armed forces to such a level that it will be Catostraphic for the Nation .
Armed Forces are supposed to be answerable and under Civilian control .
Civilian control .means 'political control' and not 'bureaucratic control'. Unfortunately today , due to incompenency of Political leaders The Babus (Bureucrates) seem to be assuming more and more
'bureaucratic control' over Armed Forces .The Government and the Nation must recognise the disasterous repurcussins on the future of the Country .
But I digress .
My intention was to expalin what is OROP and I hope I have done it to the best of my ability .
How the Babus are destroying the Armed Forces is a major subject by itself and if this is published I will be encouraged to take up that subject.
JAI HIND .
PM Velankar ,
PM Velankar ,
Veterans are asking for the same pension as current retirees. This is the norm throughout the world. Only India is different.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, veterans are asking for equal pension, not for more pension.
Equal pension can be achieved either by raising old pensions to the current pensions, or by reducing current pensions to old pensions. Clearly, the latter is impractical. So there is a cost to raise old pensions to current pensions.
However, this cost is only a one time cost, especially since the VII Pay Commission recommendations are due to be implemented from 01 Jan 2016. All that the government has to do is moderate the increase in pay and pension to serving personnel. For e.g., instead of raising the basic pay by 30 % they can raise it by 20 %. This would allow the government to give proper OROP and still stay within the budget.
The long term cost of OROP is zero. Once we accept this basic fact, there is no need for government to haggle over petty one time costs.
OROP is simple. OROP is the norm throughout the world. OROP costs nothing (after the transitional phase). The bureaucrats have unnecessarily made it a prestige issue.
We have fallen into the trap of haggling over the one time costs and accepting that OROP has long term financial implications. The only long term financial implication is that pay increases to serving personnel must be moderated. After the transitional One Time Cost, OROP does not cost anything.
Similarly, there is no increase to the budget if OROP is given to everybody. Again, all that the government has to do is moderate the pay increase to serving people. Instead of giving a lavish pay increase, let them give a fair and reasonable pay increase. Such that OROP to everybody is feasible and the budget remains within reasonable limits.
There is no need for us to be concerned about railways or para military or anybody else demanding OROP. They can all get OROP without any increase in government expenditure.
The government's expenditure goes up because of lavish pay increases to serving personnel and not due to OROP. Solve the root cause and OROP is no problem.
Veterans are asking for the same pension as current retirees. This is the norm throughout the world. Only India is different.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, veterans are asking for equal pension, not for more pension.
Equal pension can be achieved either by raising old pensions to the current pensions, or by reducing current pensions to old pensions. Clearly, the latter is impractical. So there is a cost to raise old pensions to current pensions.
However, this cost is only a one time cost, especially since the VII Pay Commission recommendations are due to be implemented from 01 Jan 2016. All that the government has to do is moderate the increase in pay and pension to serving personnel. For e.g., instead of raising the basic pay by 30 % they can raise it by 20 %. This would allow the government to give proper OROP and still stay within the budget.
The long term cost of OROP is zero. Once we accept this basic fact, there is no need for government to haggle over petty one time costs.
OROP is simple. OROP is the norm throughout the world. OROP costs nothing (after the transitional phase). The bureaucrats have unnecessarily made it a prestige issue.
We have fallen into the trap of haggling over the one time costs and accepting that OROP has long term financial implications. The only long term financial implication is that pay increases to serving personnel must be moderated. After the transitional One Time Cost, OROP does not cost anything.
Similarly, there is no increase to the budget if OROP is given to everybody. Again, all that the government has to do is moderate the pay increase to serving people. Instead of giving a lavish pay increase, let them give a fair and reasonable pay increase. Such that OROP to everybody is feasible and the budget remains within reasonable limits.
There is no need for us to be concerned about railways or para military or anybody else demanding OROP. They can all get OROP without any increase in government expenditure.
The government's expenditure goes up because of lavish pay increases to serving personnel and not due to OROP. Solve the root cause and OROP is no problem.
" moderate the increase in pay and pension to serving personnel. For e.g., instead of raising the basic pay by 30 % they can raise it by 20 %." ????
ReplyDeleteI hope by " serving personnel " you do not mean men in Uniform .
If so , why only the serving personnel , why not acreoss the board to everyone Government service , including the babus .
I only hope that some crafty Babu does not come across this else we can be sure that neither the serving personnel get the merited increase nor we OROP .
Velu.
Across the board.
ReplyDeleteEspecially since Para Military Forces, Railways and others are also asking for OROP.
ReplyDeleteOROP is merely rank based pension.
OK Understood . TX.
ReplyDelete