Govt implementing One-Rank One-Pension for ex-servicemen

Govt implementing One-Rank One-Pension for ex-servicemen

Appealing to ex-servicemen not to take the extreme step of returning their gallantry awards, government today said it has started implementing recommendations of the high level panel on One-Rank One-Pension.

However, Defence Minister A K Antony said in the Rajya Sabha that implementing the award in one go was difficult.

"In one stretch, we will not be able to implement it but we are near that goal... it is a long process," he said.

He said the government has implemented all recommendations of the committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary which went into the demands for One-Rank One-Pension.

This would have a financial implication of Rs 2,200 crore and would help 12 lakh ex-servicemen, he said.


Source: PTI

Main aspects of one-rank one-pension addressed: Govt.

Main aspects of one-rank one-pension addressed: Govt.

With ex-servicemen protesting over the one-rank one-pension issue, Government has said the main aspects of the demand have already been addressed which are benefitting around 12 lakh personnel.

"The main aspects have already been addressed in-principle and there has been a substantial addressing of the issue and I think 12 lakh personnel below officer rank have benefitted because of these decisions," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Ex-servicemen have been demanding equal pension for personnel retiring from the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement.

Persons retiring before the pay commission cut-off date get lesser pension than those retiring after that date.

Recently, while replying to a Parliamentary query, Raju had stated that government had accepted several recommendations of a Committee looking into the 'one rank one pension' demand to improve benefits of armed forces pensioners.

Among the recommendations were revision of Lt Generals' pension after carving out a separate pay scale for them and bringing parity between pension of pre- and post-October 10, 1997 for pensioners of personnel below officer rank. Fifth Pay Commission was implemented on that day.

He had said that around 12 lakh pensioners have benefitted by the government's decisions.
Source: DD News

Welfare Of Defence Personnel - "One Rank One Pension"

Welfare Of Defence Personnel

A committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look in the issue of ‘One Rank One Pension and other related issues’. After considering all aspects and keeping in mind the spirit of the demand, several recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Armed Forces pensioners have been made, which have been accepted and are as follows:-

(i) Inclusion of classification Allowance for PBOR from January 01, 2006.

(ii) Removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from January 01, 2006.

(iii) Revision of Lt General Pension after carving out a separate pay scale for them.

(iv) Bringing parity between pension of pre and post October 10, 1997 PBOR pensioners.

(v) Further improving PBOR pensions based on award of Group of Ministers 2006.

(vi) Broad banding percentage of disability /war injury pensions for pre- January 01, 2006 disability/war injury pensioners.

(vii) Removal of cap on war injury element of pension in the case of disabled pensioners belong to Category E.

Government orders in implementation of the same have been issued on October 30, 2009, January 19, 2010, January 20, 2010 and March 08, 2010. Approximately 12 lac pensioners are benefitted by the recommendations.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Smt Sumitra Mahajan in Lok Sabha today.
PIB

Welfare of Ex-Servicemen - Defence Minister informed in Lok Sabha

Welfare of Ex-Servicemen

The number of ex-servicemen as on date in the country, statewise is as under:-

Sl No.	State	Number of Ex-Servicemen
1.	Andhra Pradesh	72801
2.	Arunachal Pradesh	1148
3.	Assam	42722
4.	Bihar	106997
5.	Chandigarh	375
6.	Chhatisgarh	1677
7.	Dadra Nagar Haveli	8
8.	Delhi	16887
9.	Goa Daman & Diu	424
10.	Gujarat	24433
11.	Haryana	217528
12.	Himachal Pradesh	110508
13.	Jammu & Kashmir	95282
14.	Jharkhand	11692
15.	Karnataka	65448
16.	Kerala	138114
17.	Madhya Pradesh	52596
18.	Maharastra	170431
19.	Manipur	7656
20.	Meghalaya	3041
21.	Mizoram	3723
22.	Nagaland	4677
23.	Orissa	34342
24.	Pondicherry	1153
25.	Andaman & Nicobar	823
26.	Lakshadweep	47
27.	Punjab	306743
28.	Rajasthan	167175
29.	Sikkim	911
30.	Tamil Nadu	129718
31.	Tripura	2257
32.	Uttar Pradesh	300643
33.	Uttarakhand	98326
34.	West Bengal	70399
	Total	2260705

The details of schemes being implemented for the welfare, rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen is as under:

Training

Ex-Servicemen are given training to prepare them for civilian life. Directorate General Resettlement is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing both-Ex-Servicmen and retiring service personnel for second carrier. Towards this end Officers and PBORs are given resettlement training at IIMs and various other institutes across the country.

Self Employment

The following self-employment schemes are operated for the welfare of officers and PBORs Ex-Servicemen:

(i) Security agencies.

(ii) Allotment of surplus army vehicles.

(iii) Coal Transportation Scheme.

(iv) Allotment of oil product agencies.

(v) Coal Tipper scheme.

(vi) Allotment of BPCL GHAR outlets.

(vii) Mother Dairy Milk and Fruits and Vegetables shops.

(viii) Management of CNG station by ESM officers in NCR.

(ix) Management of Toll Plaza under NHAI.

Financial Assistance

(i) Treatment of serious ailments

(ii) Supply of modified scooters for ESM paraplegics

(iii) Tools kits for ESM technician

(iv) Financial assistance for needy ESM for house repair, daughters marriage, children education etc.

Prime Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme

4000 scholarships are awarded every year to the wards of ex-servicemen to pursue technical and professional course.

Funds for maintenance of paraplegic rehabilitation centres, Cheshire home and St. Dustan aftercare organisation and war memorial hostels.

Besides the above the following benefits are also available to Ex-servicemen:-

(i) Tuition fee exemption for wards of war widows/war disable ex-Servicemen.

(ii) Allotment of medical / BDS seats to wards of defence personnel

(iii) Reservation in State Government jobs and in professional colleges for wards of ESM/widows.

(iv) Reservation in allotment of house sites/flats.

(v) Cash incentives for winners of gallantry awards.

(vi) Exgratia grant to war widows.

(vii) Concession in fare for rail and air to recipients of gallantry awards, permanently disabled officers and war widows.

(viii) Legal assistance and exemption of court fee

(ix) 10 to 24.5 % reservation in Group C and D posts in Central and State Government, PSUs, nationalized banks and paramilitary forces.

Medical Facility:

Along with the above benefit 100 % medical coverage is provided to ex-servicemen pensioners through Ex-Service Contributory health Scheme (ECHS), who are members of the scheme.

State-wise details of beneficiaries/expenditure are not maintained, however during the last three years 4326 officers, 83079 PBORs and 2998 Ex-Servicemen were trained for resettlement. In addition 1,17,779 Ex-Servicemen were provided employment during this period through Directorate General Resettlement. The expenditure for resettlement and welfare during the last three years is Rs. 100.18 crores. Moreover, Rs. 2009.77 crores was spent on medical treatment of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents.

The amount for rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen is based on the yearly requirement as projected by the implementing agencies. Ex-Servicemen are getting appropriate placements.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Harishchandra Chavan in Lok Sabha today.
PIB

Army Decides to Take 124 More MBT Arjun

Army Decides to Take 124 More MBT Arjun

The Army has decided to place fresh order for an additional home-built 124 Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun. This is over and above the existing order of 124 tanks. The development follows the success of the indigenous MBT Arjun in the recent gruelling desert trials.

The project for the design and development of the MBT Arjun was approved by the Government in 1974 with an aim to give the required indigenous cutting edge to our Mechanised Forces. After many years of trial and tribulation it has now proved its worth by its superb performance under various circumstances, such as driving cross-country over rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing and quickly engaging targets, accurately hitting targets – both stationary and moving, with pin pointed accuracy. Its superior fire-power is based on accurate and quick target acquisition capability during day and night in all types of weather and shortest possible reaction time during combat engagements.

Successful Test of AGNI – 2

Successful Test of AGNI – 2

The Strategic Forces Command today successfully launched the AGNI A2 missile. The launch was carried out from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa. The vehicle lifted off at 0918 hrs and was tracked by various downrange stations. All mission objectives have been met. With this launch the Strategic Forces have carried out launch of all three versions of Agni within three months demonstrating their capability.

Dr VK Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister & Secretary, DRDO and Dr Avinash Chander Programme Director, AGNI were present in the Wheeler Island during the mission.

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony spoke to Dr. Saraswat over phone and congratulated him for the successful launch of Agni – 2. Shri Antony conveyed his appreciation for the contribution of the DRDO Scientists to make the endeavour a success.