IESM ECHS Division
Feedback for improvement of ECHS Services
Quarter Ending Mar 10
Part I- Mission and Terms of Reference(No change from earlier Feedbacks)
Introduction
With the increasing cost of healthcare, and depleting income post retirement, issues concerning Health are obvious areas of concern to veterans.
The ECHS, designed on lines of CGHS providing healthcare to Civil Services Government employees are a big help in this regard. However, given the spread of ESM habitations, and the sheer numbers of ESM, certain innovative/ out of box thinking is essential to ensure that this fundamental right of ESM is guarded.
It is assumed that ‘numbers’ should give US a bargaining leverage with reference to private hospitals / establishments, provided we are able to become a ‘commercial possibility’, and are therefore able to drive a bargain to our advantage. Implicit in this statement is the possibility of better rates, at point of usage delivery for health products/ medicines and modernizing of our polyclinics and processes.
Responding to this requirement, the Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) constituted an ECHS division, as ESM user interface with ECHS. Accordingly Region Liaison Cells (RLC) and Polyclinic Liaison Cells (PLC) have been created, to provide this user interface at all levels. With ‘eyes and ears’ at the grass root level, and with an ESM apex at NCR, it is believed that a reasonable feedback would be available on a continual basis, to the MD ECHS and accordingly to the AG and the DGAFMS, to be able to create the finest healthcare system for the ESM; perhaps surpassing the CGHS
Essentials of ‘The Finest Healthcare System’. (No change from Earlier Feedbacks)
a) Clean, comfortable polyclinics with hygienic facilities for drinking water, toilets and spacious, ventilated waiting areas with adequate seating.
b) Speedy Registration.
c) Empathetic staff and Doctors. ECHS is basically a ‘Service Industry’. The ‘Comfort and Feel Good of the client (patient) comes FIRST – Always and Every time.
d) A Prioritization system for patients in distress/ Senior Veterans and those needing urgent attention.
e) Quick consultation with Doctor and issue of medicine.
f) Expeditious procurement of NA medicines. Intimation to patient about availability.
g) Issued medicines to have sufficient residual shelf life.
h) Simplification of processes to ensure patient is not harassed / made to run around for referrals, approvals etc.
i) Simple processes to ensure empanelled hospitals and not the patient , run around to get approvals/ intimations etc. Polyclinic to be the Single window for all the patient’s requirements.
j) Speedy processing and clearing of hospital bills.
k) Speedy processing and clearance of patient reimbursements.
l) Monitoring and Performance Audit of Empanelled Hospitals.
m) A support system to render advice including legal, to ‘wronged’ veterans to file consumer complaints in case of default/ deficiency in services at any level of the medical chain.
n) In case of any dispute/doubt on what is to be done, the Patients’ convenience and comfort must be the supreme, overriding, deciding factor ALWAYS AND EVERYTIME.
Part II- Review of Previous Feedback Points
Feedback from RLC/ PLC So Far
Major Areas of concern .
(a) TAC. On being issued the Smart Card the ESM were assured that the card would be usable Pan India. In actual practice however, a Temporary Attachment Certificate (TAC) is required when a user wishes to use polyclinic facilities other than his/ her own. It has been opined, both formally and in informal discussions, that the Smart Card MUST be honoured Pan India. Software experts confirm that the present card HAS the potential to be so used. Irrespective of this, a NEW ECHS card is being introduced that as per ECHS authorities, would overcome this problem.THIS POINT IS A CARRY OVER FROM FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
(b) Emergency Treatment.THE Procedural aspects HAVE BEEN CLARIFIED IN ECHS LETTER NO B/49774/AG/ECHS/Referral DATED 01 Dec 2009. THERE HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS AT SOME POLYCLINICS, WHICH HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO NOTICE OF ECHS HQ.
(c) Financial Reimbursement in Emergency Admissions. A case has been reported wherein Lt Col Joglekar-a veteran got admitted to an empanelled hospital in Pune in a cardiac emergency. An emergency referral was obtained two days later, but he died in hospital. The officer’s wife was asked to pay which she did. Later, when the ECHS paid the hospital, the latter refunded PART of the payment made by the lady. Question arises
i) If the hospital knew that the officer was an ECHS member, WHY did they ask the widow to pay?
ii) When they got the payment from the ECHS, why was the ENTIRE amount charged from the lady NOT refunded to her? In all fairness, it should have been. AND if the bill was cleared BY THE Polyclinic in parts, why was she not advised how much and why the deductions were being made? Regrettably the local authorities have not responded to her queries in this regard.
BASED ON A FORMAL COMPLAINT LODGED BY MRS JOGLEKAR, ECHS HQ HAS BEEN APPRISED OF THE CASE. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKE BY THEM ARE NOT KNOWN.
(d) Issue of Three Months Medicine. With chronic ailments, medicines are prescribed for long durations and patient asked to report for review in say six months, one year. As medicines continue for the same duration, it would be greatly helpful for the patient to be given (at the doctor’s discretion), medicine for three months. This requirement is pertinent also to patients proceeding abroad for long durations. But more importantly, is relevant to patients in outlying, rural areas, who often need to travel 150-200 km to the polyclinic. Two illustrative cases are attached as Annexure 1. It is strongly recommended that in interests of effective patient care, up to 90 days medicine MUST be permitted to be issued at the doctors’ discretion. THE CASE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED UP AT THE APEX LEVEL. THE PROBLEM IS PERCEPTIONAL, WITH DGAFMS PRINCIPALLY DISAGREEING WITH THE PROPOSAL ON ‘ETHICAL GROUNDS’. THIS HOWEVER RUNS CONTRARY TO GOI LETTER NO MH & FW, O.M. No. S-11011/8/99-CGHS(P), dt 13.10.1999, ISSUED TO CLARIFY A SIMILAR SITUATION IN CONTEXT OF CGHS. THE CASE IS BEING FOLLOWED UP. IN A MEETING WITH AG, IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY US, AND SOME OTHER ESM ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE REPS ALSO ATTENDED THE MEETING.
(e) Dis-empanellment of Quality Hospitals. While initial perspectives envisaged good and reputed hospitals for in house treatment of ESM, the delays in clearing their bills by ECHS has resulted in their gradual weaning away. To correct this - IT IS HEARTENING THAT ECHS HAS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT TRIALS FOR INTRODUCTION OF TPA METHODOLOGY IN THEIR OPS. IT IS HOPED THAT THIS WOULD OVERCOME THE PROBLEM OF DELAYED PAYMENTS. THIS WAS CONFIRMED DURING OUR MEETING WITH AG (mentioned above).
(f) NA Medicine. While it is appreciated that ‘exact’ brand prescribed by an empanelled hospital OPD may not be immediately available, those prescribed after a hospital admission must be immediately disbursed to the patient. It has been suggested that on discharge, a patient may be issued medicine from the hospital itself for up to one week, and billed for in the hospital bill. As for others, procedures for NA procurements may be refined to expedite its issue. The ECHS division of IESM, is encouraging a system of veteran volunteers to assist ESM patients at polyclinics, and one of their contributions is proposed to be to inform veterans through sms, phone etc that their NA medicine have arrived. ECHS supply chain on its part must plan on ‘Point of Usage’ delivery of medicine, as against stocking and transporting medicine which adds to cost and delays. With an All India network of pharmaceutical companies, this should be negotiated. This would reduce requirements of storage, and guard against medicine going overage. It may even be a good measure to have pharmaceutical companies establish pharmacies on contractual basis/ outsourced in close proximity of polyclinics. IT IS HEARTENING TO LEARN THAT ECHS IS CONTEMPLATING CHANGED LOGISTIC SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT INCLUDING OUTSOURCING TO OVECOME STOCKING/ SUPPLY PROBLEMS. THIS POINT IS A CARRY OVER SINCE OCT 09.
(g) Pharmacists. Currently pharmacists are not on the establishment of polyclinics, and where posted, are on a lower scale of pay than their counterparts in nursing services. It is felt that their emoluments and aspects of desired retention need careful attention. THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
(h) Dental Care. O P D Dental care is being provided by the ECHS. However, referral facilities for dentures & other specialised requirements are outsourced but are practically non-existent in the E C H S system (there is ONE dental care facility empanelled in NCR- ONE! At Delhi), the rates are fixed in a manner to deter any worthwhile establishment from seeking empanelment. It is recommended that this be reviewed upward. We have volumes and should be able to strike a bargain in rates. THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
(i) Manning/ Organizing for Effectiveness. Present ad-hoc /improvised manning of the Rs 720 crore ECHS, based on offsets is clearly undesirable. Its effect on the Operational effectiveness aside, it deprives the scheme of continuity and growth. It is recommended that GOI approval for a dedicated authorization for the ECHS be taken up. THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09. IT IS HOWEVER INFORMALLY LEARNT THAT SUCH A COMMITTTEE IS BEING SET UP TO ATTEND TO THIS SERIOUS CONGENITAL ANOMALY.
(j) The Polyclinics. Polyclinics are the ‘delivery points of service’ from the ECHS. It is essential they be well laid out, suitably equipped and efficiently and empathetically manned. Some suggestions in this regard are
i) The layout/ design of Polyclinics should be standardized in consultation with an architect specializing in hospital layouts. Should be adopted Pan India.
ii) It should cater for enough space for comfortable, ventilated, protected from vagaries of weather, waiting areas. Enough rooms for the facilities and provision clean drinking water, sufficient conveniences and storage.
iii) It should lend itself for expansion.
iv) Criteria for selection of OC Polyclinic must include being net savvy, and possessing an understanding of service industry - preferably that of healthcare services.
v) Must have LAN connectivity to ensure optimal smart cards usage, pharmaceutical inventory control and correct demand procedures. This WILL ensure cost effectiveness.
THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
(k) Compensating Military Hospitals for In-house Treatment.
i) Service hospitals (MHs) are authorised & scaled as per the Garrison strength (authorised soldiers only) of the station. ESM are entitled for indoor treatment under specified provisions, as an exception. ECHS was conceived & sanctioned in view of large number of restrictions for treatment of ESM as per the GOI rules vide the RMSAF (Regulations for Medical Services of the Armed Forces).
ii) With gradually increasing number of ECHS patients being admitted to MHs, since inception of the scheme, the load on these units has increased. The staff strength at MHs, particularly the Group D staff is consequently inadequate. All patients invariably complain of poor cleanliness, poor service by safaiwallas, ward boys & ayahs. On the other hand, ECHS has been advised to use the spare capacities of the MHs & rightly so. However in view of the aforesaid problems of staffing/ resourcing, patients do not get the best care which they deserve.
iii) To compensate the MHs ECHS should authorise payment of a nominal amount, say Rs 500/- for each ordinary bed occupied per day to the MH & Rs 1000/- per day for ICU beds. All expensive consumables for eg catheters, stents etc should be paid for by the ECHS. The money paid from ECHS at these nominal rates will bring huge savings to the ECHS in comparison to the Empanelled Civil Hospitals which charge Rs 2000/- to Rs 4000/- per day. At the same time, these funds could be used towards qualitative improvements in patient care and cleanliness.
iv) To improve the facilities of the MH concerned this money should be retained by the MH Commandant, properly accounted for, and utilised only for improvement of facilities for ECHS patients. It could be used for additional hiring of safaiwallas, ward boys and ayahs etc.
THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09. HOWEVER IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE COMMITTEE REFERRED ABOVE WILL LOOK INTO THIS AND SUCH SOLUTIONS TO MAKE HEALTHCARE AT MIILITARY FACILITIES BETTER.
l) Staffing Pattern at Polyclinics. The present pattern of having type A,B, C and D polyclinics requires a relook. After 5 years the load on polyclinics should be well known. High pressure polyclinics need to have additional staff based on their dependency. Noida , Gurgaon and Chandigarh are in excess of other type A polyclinics. THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
m) OPD Treatment in Off Hours. There is a definite need for permitting empanelled hospitals to undertake OPD treatment after Polyclinic closing hours. An acceptable system (of either having Polyclinic Doctor on Call/ permitting OPD outsourced needs to be put in place. THIS POINT IS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF OCT 09.
n) Locating Polyclinics. The intricate logistics and difficulty of ‘getting to’ the polyclinics in some stations, eg Mumbai, have been reported by veterans. Apparently the need to utilize existing infrastructure for polyclinics overlooked the ‘convenience’ of users. As the latter becomes more important with age, it is felt that this needs higher priority. In Mumbai for instance, both, the ‘time and space’ aspect of travel, and the road/ rail alignments needed to be borne in mind while firstly, locating polyclinics AND secondly, working out Area dependencies. It is recommended that as a start, this be studied, coopting inputs / assistance from local IESM ECHS Division representatives. THIS POINT IS A CARRY OVER SINCE JAN 10.
o) Tenure and QR of OC Polyclinics. It has been suggested by veterans that a contract of one year is inadequate for OC Polyclinics. By the time he learns the job, its time to move on. It has been recommended that it should be five years. It has also been suggested that OC Polyclinic must be one who is computer savvy, and has had at least two years in the civvies street, before assuming this appointment. This exposure would give him/her, an empathetic understanding of the handling of staff/ clients (ESM). THIS POINT IS A CARRY OVER SINCE JAN 10.
PART III- FRESH FEEDBACK POINTS FOR CURRENT QUARTER
Relocation of Polyclinic Needed. Gahmar in Gazipur distt, UP, is one of the largest villages in Asia. Referred to as the SOLDIERS’ VILLAGE, it has the unique distinction of having 2-3 members of each family in the defence forces of India. There are fair number of World War II veterans..........some as old as 104 years. The nearest polyclinic is at Gazipur, the district Hq, approx 50Km away. It is felt that this needs relocation to Gahmar, considering the village’s substantial contribution to the Defence forces, and the ESM population there.
Loss of ECHS Membership Card. There is a need to evolve a procedure that enables continuous ECHS support even without the card. There is also a requirement to review the current ECHS rules that dictate a ‘cancellation’ of membership when a card is lost the second time. With a photo attached to the card and Biometric checks built in, it is reiterated that such restrictions are not needed.
Integration of Existing Healthcare Services . Neither serving personnel, nor their dependents are eligible for ECHS benefits. In the circumstances, a separated family member has queried as to what does a separated family/dependent family do when the nearest service hospital facilities are over 125 kms from the selected place of residence? There may be an NCC unit located close by and so...even in their case neither servicemen nor their families can avail of the services of the ECHS. That stated, however, they are treated on 'humanitarian grounds.
This anomaly needs to be addressed. Carrying this further, there is a need to explore a nationwide integration with CGHS empanelled facilities if not their clinics.
Upgrade of Hospital Accomodation. A point often projected is regarding upgrades of hospital accommodation beyond the ‘entitled class’. It is understood that this stays a personal adjustment between the ESM patient and the hospital. Currently, hospitals are charging difference between the Full rates between the two rents (ie Full Rental of Room to which upgrading MINUS the rent of accommodation entitled). It is suggested that such contingencies be built into the contract with hospitals and they be required to charge the differential at the contracted rates.
Hospitalization while Abroad. There have been instances of veterans being admitted to hospitals while abroad. Present rules do not permit reimbursement/ coverage for them. It is suggested that a modality be worked out on lines of Non Empanelled hospitalizations, wherein, in such cases at least ECHS rates of local hospitals be reimbursed to them.
Empanelling Hospitals. Very many hospitals are currently empanelled for specific referrals.eg for Cardio only OR Iconology only. It is felt that such contractual agreements of part empanelment deprive ESM of majority of services available with the hospital. At the same time, the hospital benefits in cashing in on the more commercially viable services. It is suggested that a ‘package contract’ specifying rates etc be projected to the hospitals, and a ’package’ be offered to ECHS users. While the hospital would lose out in some services, profit in some and cut even in others, such standardized contracts across the country would immensely benefit ECHS users. We have numbers, which is a marketing cantilever.
PART IV- CASE STUDIES
Case of Cpl Bhandari’s Reimbursement. It will be recalled that following an accident, an AF veteran (Cpl Bhandari) at Jabalpur was admitted to a hospital (empanelled/ Non empanelled stayed a confusion for sometime even for us – the ECHS website does not mention it) by his son’s friends, as the latter is at Dubai. Hospital bill was cleared by the patient on discharge. When his son mailed to the IESM ECHS Division narrating the case, we advised him to submit the bill to the Polyclinic, which was done, wherein we were advised by Polyclinic to submit it to the Hospital who would follow up with them. It was then that we learnt that it is an empanelled hospital which in order to overcome delays in bill clearing has resorted to having patients pay and then claim and reimburse to the patient. Despite constant follow up, the Hospital did not budge from their stand that they would refund ONLY the amount received from the ECHS. Such malpractices by hospitals seem commonplace countrywide, as was earlier witnessed in Mrs Joglekar’s case (see Feedback Oct 09). After being constantly harassed by the Jabalpur hospital , Cpl Bhandari’s family has taken a decision to take the hospital to a consumer court, purely on principles. As per them, though the road would be tough, and even though ‘money’ is not the issue, they would like to do it in larger interest of the ESM community. Our salute to them, and we hope their effort will be backed suitably by the ECHS.
Mrs Joglekar’s Reimbursement. It will be recalled that Mrs Joglekar was made to clear the hospital bill after her husband expired in hospital. After prolonged follow up, while she got the ECHS rates refunded, the full amount paid by her was not refunded to her. At our behest, she took up the case with Station Hq and ECHS. The case is presently stuck up with Region Hq who needs to revert to the ECHS Hq with their comments. (ECHS Hq letter No B/49717-C/AG/ECHS/2767 dated 27 Apr 2010 refers).
Dependency Certificate for absence away from Parent Polyclinic. A veteran pointed out that his mother (herself a military veteran’s wife) faces problems of ECHS support while travelling in NCR, being asked to revert to her dependent polyclinic (BH) even when staying variedly with her sons settled in Noida, Gurgaon and Delhi. It has been clarified by ECHS Hq that such matters can be addressed on Regional basis and the Regional Centre is empowered to issue dependency instructions on a case by case basis.
Conclusion
Excellence is a constant pursuit. While enough ground has been covered in improving ECHS services since inception, creating the “FINEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM” in the country would still involve constant refinement and respecting client feed back as a challenging opportunity to improve. Question that needs to be asked, to the Armed Forces Health Services hierarchy, to quote
Posted by Indian ExServicemen Movement at 10:56 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 15, 2010
Cpl Bhandari case at Jabalpur
Kuthiala Sir,
This case continues to get deeper into needless issues. WE have been in picture from Day one.
An accident, at the very least with a fracture "would constitute 'emergency'.
On Reporting, there was some confusion about the empanellment. You would recall that till the Polyclinic asked for the documents to be submitted through the hospital, we were thinking we were dealing with a non empanelled hospital. This stage was the first indicator (and we spoke about it in detail) that it was an empanelled hospital with an identical 'pay first, claim and then be reimbursed the ECHS cleared amount' philosophy followed in Mrs Jogelkar's case. While on the issue, you will recall we checked on web and did not find the hospital in the annexure of empanelled hospitals. This deepened the mystery.
Be that as it may, the Hospital had NO business to charge and then reimburse ECHS rates to the veteran. They are ONLY ENTITLED to ECHS rates, including audit deductions if any, and must therefore reimburse the TOTAL amount.
We need to convey to the hospital that there is no getting away from this, and it would be a no holds barred action by us, jointly, to ensure they honor what they are committed to, in being an empanelled hospital.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Circular 430 of PCDA
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
New Pension Scales: JCOs, NCOs and Sepoys and equivalents Circular No 430: Improvement in the pension to bridge the gap in pension of Pre 01.01.2006 and Post 01.01.2006 discharged Personnel of Armed Forces.
Gist of the 156 orders vide circular 430 of PCDA is given below courtesy Cdr Balaji of Pension Cell.
Dear Sir
Gist of the 156 orders vide circular 430 of PCDA is given below courtesy Cdr Balaji of Pension Cell.
The orders are too complicated for a layman to comprehend.
Individuals having any questions may write to pension@iesm.org
Brgds
R W Pathak
PCDA CIRCULAR 430
Para 4.1 – Not applicable to Families of PBOR
Para 3 - GOI letter to take effect from 1.7.09 and Fixation / arrears paid in a Time Bound manner say 2-3 months.
Para 4.2 Does not apply to Hony Commissioned Officers
Para 6.1 – PDAs to revise the Pension with out calling for applications and taking down the details from the Original PPO (to ascertain which Group, etc)
Para 6.1 (i) on wards is very important – PDAs to refix Pension of all PBORs w.e.f. 1.1.996 as was fixed in 1997.
Para 6.2 – Existing Pension as on 1.1.96, pre- 10.10.2007 and post 10.10.2007 will be the same (This is as a sequel to the Supreme Court Order given recently as it is an anomaly corrected and has to be from ORIGINAL DATE and some artificial date………as per Judgement) and hence the PDAs have really work on it In my view the addl Pensionery benefits given w.e.f. 10.10.97) – all have to be re-fixed with DRs etc and that is a huge job)
Para 6.4 – Pension can be corrected if there is any discrepancy vis a vis the Tables provided.
Para 7.1 – Qualifying Service – It is shown in PPO from 1988 but for Personnel prior to that they have to produce their discharge certificate (IAFA-369)
Para 7.3 – From 9.10.1997 all those in different Trade were regrouped in X, Y & Z and this has to followed and is effective form 1.1.1996.
Para 8 – Pensioners in receipt of 2 Pensions – Both would be revised as per the Tables below.
Para 8.2 DSC Personnel – Those in receipt of Army Pension and DSC Pension – only Army Pension would be revised and for the DSC Pension to be referred to PCDA.
However, if they are receiving only DSC Pension then their Pension can be revised as per the Tables.
Para 9.1 – Where the Pensioner was alive on 1.7.2009 and died subsequent to this date then the legal heir is entitled to Life Time arrears
Para 10 – No arrears will be applicable prior to 1.7.2009
Para 11.1 Banks to render a Monthly Progress report to PCDA as per Annexure ‘C’
Para 11.3 (Verbatim) A copy of the said Annexure “C” will invariably be provided by the PDA to the Pensioners concerned for their information
NOTE: A copy of PCDA Circular and GOI, MOD letter PC10(1) 2009(D)/(Pen/Pol) dated 8.3.2010 is available on the Web Site www.pcdapension.nic.in
GOI MOD LETTER DATED 8.3.2010
Para 1.1 – All pre-1997 retirees to be brought on par with post 10.10.1997 retirees
Para 1.2 To be fixed notionally at the highest scale of Pay in which retired
Para 1.2.2 – Enhanced weightages to be continued with as per GOM decision(2006)
Para 3.1 Pension Fixation –
Highest scale of Pay in the rank retired applicable from 10.10.1997 corresponding to the fitment tables given in SAI 1/S/2008 +
Minimum of the Pay in Pay Band + 50% of MSP and GP+50% of Highest of Classification Allowance (revised rates effective from 1.9.2008)
Note; Havildars granted Hony rank of Naik Subedar to get additional Pension of Rs.226/-
Para 5.1 – Hony SLT / LT – 50% of the Minimum of Pay Band + 50% of MSP and GP RANKPAY BANDGPMSPPENSION MINIMUM OF PAY BAND + 50% OF GP+MSP
HONY SLT15600-391005400600013500
HONY LT15600-391006100600013850
Para 8 – No arrears will be paid prior to 1.7.2009.
Para 9 – No additional commutation permissible on enhganced Pension.
Para 10 – Will not affect the DCRG already paid. In other words no Additional DCRG in view of enhanced Pension Admissible.
Para 13 – PDAs to fix Pension and Pay arrears with out calling for Applications from the Pensioners.
Para 13.2 – The Pension determined in the Tables is inclusive of Weight age Factor
New Pension Scales: JCOs, NCOs and Sepoys and equivalents Circular No 430: Improvement in the pension to bridge the gap in pension of Pre 01.01.2006 and Post 01.01.2006 discharged Personnel of Armed Forces.
Gist of the 156 orders vide circular 430 of PCDA is given below courtesy Cdr Balaji of Pension Cell.
Dear Sir
Gist of the 156 orders vide circular 430 of PCDA is given below courtesy Cdr Balaji of Pension Cell.
The orders are too complicated for a layman to comprehend.
Individuals having any questions may write to pension@iesm.org
Brgds
R W Pathak
PCDA CIRCULAR 430
Para 4.1 – Not applicable to Families of PBOR
Para 3 - GOI letter to take effect from 1.7.09 and Fixation / arrears paid in a Time Bound manner say 2-3 months.
Para 4.2 Does not apply to Hony Commissioned Officers
Para 6.1 – PDAs to revise the Pension with out calling for applications and taking down the details from the Original PPO (to ascertain which Group, etc)
Para 6.1 (i) on wards is very important – PDAs to refix Pension of all PBORs w.e.f. 1.1.996 as was fixed in 1997.
Para 6.2 – Existing Pension as on 1.1.96, pre- 10.10.2007 and post 10.10.2007 will be the same (This is as a sequel to the Supreme Court Order given recently as it is an anomaly corrected and has to be from ORIGINAL DATE and some artificial date………as per Judgement) and hence the PDAs have really work on it In my view the addl Pensionery benefits given w.e.f. 10.10.97) – all have to be re-fixed with DRs etc and that is a huge job)
Para 6.4 – Pension can be corrected if there is any discrepancy vis a vis the Tables provided.
Para 7.1 – Qualifying Service – It is shown in PPO from 1988 but for Personnel prior to that they have to produce their discharge certificate (IAFA-369)
Para 7.3 – From 9.10.1997 all those in different Trade were regrouped in X, Y & Z and this has to followed and is effective form 1.1.1996.
Para 8 – Pensioners in receipt of 2 Pensions – Both would be revised as per the Tables below.
Para 8.2 DSC Personnel – Those in receipt of Army Pension and DSC Pension – only Army Pension would be revised and for the DSC Pension to be referred to PCDA.
However, if they are receiving only DSC Pension then their Pension can be revised as per the Tables.
Para 9.1 – Where the Pensioner was alive on 1.7.2009 and died subsequent to this date then the legal heir is entitled to Life Time arrears
Para 10 – No arrears will be applicable prior to 1.7.2009
Para 11.1 Banks to render a Monthly Progress report to PCDA as per Annexure ‘C’
Para 11.3 (Verbatim) A copy of the said Annexure “C” will invariably be provided by the PDA to the Pensioners concerned for their information
NOTE: A copy of PCDA Circular and GOI, MOD letter PC10(1) 2009(D)/(Pen/Pol) dated 8.3.2010 is available on the Web Site www.pcdapension.nic.in
GOI MOD LETTER DATED 8.3.2010
Para 1.1 – All pre-1997 retirees to be brought on par with post 10.10.1997 retirees
Para 1.2 To be fixed notionally at the highest scale of Pay in which retired
Para 1.2.2 – Enhanced weightages to be continued with as per GOM decision(2006)
Para 3.1 Pension Fixation –
Highest scale of Pay in the rank retired applicable from 10.10.1997 corresponding to the fitment tables given in SAI 1/S/2008 +
Minimum of the Pay in Pay Band + 50% of MSP and GP+50% of Highest of Classification Allowance (revised rates effective from 1.9.2008)
Note; Havildars granted Hony rank of Naik Subedar to get additional Pension of Rs.226/-
Para 5.1 – Hony SLT / LT – 50% of the Minimum of Pay Band + 50% of MSP and GP RANKPAY BANDGPMSPPENSION MINIMUM OF PAY BAND + 50% OF GP+MSP
HONY SLT15600-391005400600013500
HONY LT15600-391006100600013850
Para 8 – No arrears will be paid prior to 1.7.2009.
Para 9 – No additional commutation permissible on enhganced Pension.
Para 10 – Will not affect the DCRG already paid. In other words no Additional DCRG in view of enhanced Pension Admissible.
Para 13 – PDAs to fix Pension and Pay arrears with out calling for Applications from the Pensioners.
Para 13.2 – The Pension determined in the Tables is inclusive of Weight age Factor
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
PDCA Pensions...Circulars
Pension Website Must for Pensioners..Click me
REGISTERED
MOST IMPORTANT CIRCULAR
OFFICE OF THE PCDA (PENSIONS), DRAUPADI GHAT ALLAHABAD
The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt. Bank Account Central
C-7 IInd Floor Bandre Kurla Complex, P.B. No. 8143 Bandre East,
All CMDs of Public Sector Banks
CMD of ICICI Bank
CMD of HDFC Bank
Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu Nepal.
The Defence Pension Disbursing Officers.
The Treasury officers.
The Pay and Accounts Office.
Pay and Accounts Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
The Post Master Kathua (J & K), Camp Bell Bay (Andaman &
Implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations
of the Sixth Central Pay Commission – Revision of Pension of Pre
2006 Armed Forces Pensioners / Family Pensioners.
Reference:-GOI, MOD letter No. No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 and this Office Circulars No. 397 dated 18.11.2008, 398 dated 18.11.2008 and No. 401 dated 18.12.2008
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Annexure – II of the Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D
(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 which was modified/substituted vide Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.12.2008 is further substituted by enclosed Annexure II vide MOD letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D
(Pen/Policy) dated 20.01.2009(copy enclosed), which is self explanatory.
In Annexure-III, Table - 2 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008, the rate of
family pension in respect of Nb Subedar Group ’A’/’X’ and Subedar Group ’A’/’X’
Nb Sub Group “A”/”X”
Subedar Group “A”/”X’”
The words and figures “under Para 5.1” as appearing below the Table but
above the Notes of Annexure –I
(Pen/Services) dated 11.11.2008 may be deleted as it has no relevance to Para
5.(Para 5.1.not in existence)
4.
It has come to the notice that some of the PDAs while consolidating the Pension/family pension under Annexure –I to MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 are
not stepping up the pension/family pension vide Annexure –II and Annexure-III
to MOD letter where it is beneficial than the pension under Annexure -I in
respect of the commissioned officers / PBOR. They are resorting only to the
consolidation of pension as per the Annexure –I. Such action on the part of the
PDAs, in particular to Banks, is not in accordance to the Government Orders,
leads to complaints from the Pensioners/ Family Pensioners and has been viewed
seriously by the Government as it is affecting the morale of the Ex Service men.
Detailed instructions in this regard already exist in Para 6 of this office circular
No. 397 dated 18.11.2008.
However, it is once again reiterated that the PDAs may invariably adhere
to the following steps while revising the pension/family pension with effect from
1.1.2006.
(i)
First, determine the basic pension from the records held and consolidate
as per Annexure –I to MOD letter No.17 (4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/services) dated
11.11.2008.
(ii)
Thereafter check the pension so consolidated against the minimum
pension authorised under the protection clause as in Annexure – II in respect of
the commissioned officers and Annexure –III in respect of Personnel Below
Officers Rank with reference to rank last held and qualifying service. The
pension/family pension as per Annexure –II or Annexure-III as the case may be,
if beneficial, is to be paid with effect from 1.1.2006.
5.
Lt General holding appointment of Army Commander and Vice Chief of the
Army Staff in Army and equivalent rank in Navy and Air Force were granted
higher rate of pension on their retirement after 1.3.1978.Pension Payment Order
(PPO) in their respect do/do not indicate the specific appointment they held on
the date of retirement. However, while revising their pension on implementation
of Fifth CPC, the Corrigendum PPO in each case indicate the appointment held by
the Lt General as Army Commander or Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS).PDAs
are therefore, requested to look into their records and revise the pension of
Army Commanders/VCOAS accordingly vide Annexure –I read with Annexure –II
to MOD letter 11.11.2008 as now substituted. Where the PDAs are not able to
locate the Corr PPO revising pension for Army Commander/VCOAS with effect
from 1.1.1996, in their record, the officer may be requested to provide his copy
of PPO(Photocopy may be retained by the Officer) and pension may be revised
and simultaneously the case may be referred to the Pension Sanctioning
authority concerned for confirmation of the revised rate of pension with effect
from 1.1.2006.
6.
In Annexure-I of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008, consolidated rate of
pension for basic pension of above Rs. 13000/- but less than Rs. 15000/- have
not been indicated due to the fixed scale of pension. In cases where existing
pension is more than Rs. 13000/- the same shall be consolidated as per
provision of Para 4 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008.
2
7.
Further, in some cases the quantum of pension indicated in Annexure –III
to MOD’s letter No.17 (4)/2008(1)/ D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 as
circulated vide this office Circular No. 397 dated 18.11.2008 quoted under
reference, in respect of Naik and Havildar having less qualifying service than
their full terms of engagements plus admissible weightage works out to be less
as compared to the one shown for the rank of a Sepoy. This is due to higher
weightage of 10 years admissible to a Sepoy as compared to the rank of Naik
and Havildar, the admissible weightage for whom is comparatively less viz. 8
years and 6 years respectively. Therefore, where even if each of them have
rendered equal number of years of actual qualifying service, the qualifying
service for pension with weightage in the case of Sepoy will be more by 4 years
as compared to Havildar and by 2 years as compared to Naik. The prorata
reduction in the quantum of admissible pension will thus be more in the case of
Havildar by 4 years and 2 years for Naik as compared to the Sepoy even if they
render equal number of actual qualifying service.
It is further clarified that the said Annexure-III is not the ultimate
determinator for the entitlement of pension and in case the revised pension as
per Annexure –I to the MOD’s letter dated 11.11.2008 happens to be more
beneficial than the one indicted in the Annexure -III ibid, more beneficial
pension will be payable. However, in case the pension consolidated as per
Annexure –I read with para 4 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 is less than the
amount indicated in Annexure –III, the pension protection as indicated in these
tables will be given. The rate of pension in Annexure –III is protective and not
the entitlement.
8.
Appendix ‘A’ of Circular No. 397 dated 18.11.2008 has been slightly
modified. Now the Pay Bands in respect of PBOR and Commissioned Officers
introduced in 6th CPC with effect from 1.1.2006 are also included in this
Appendix ‘A’ for information. The modified Appendix “A” is enclosed for
information of all concerned.
9.
It is observed that during implementation of Ministry of Defence letter
dated 11.11.2008 (Circular NO 397 dated 18.11.2008), several queries are being
received from various corners.
Therefore,the following further clarifications/instructions are issued for the smooth implementation of Ministry of Defence letter on the subject:-
(i)
As per existing rule, pension of TS Naik/Hony NK and Hony Havildar is
Re 1/- less than pension admissible for NK and Havildar for the same length of
qualifying Service and group of pay in which he was last paid respectively. It is
therefore, clarified that the rate of pension shown in Annexure III (modified
parity of pension) may be reduced by Re 1/- while comparing revised pension for
TS Naik, Hony Naik and Hony Havildar between Annexure –I and Annexure-III –
Table 1.
(ii)
Havildar granted Hony rank of Nb Subedar and retired prior to 1.1.96 are
drawing consolidated pension taking into account the additional pension of
Rs 100/- pm with effect from 1.1.1996 as per MOD letter dated 14.07.1998.The
scheme of improvement in pension of PBOR introduced with effect from 1.1.2006
vide MOD letter No.14 (3)/2004-D(Pen/Sers) –Vol –III dated 1.2.2006 and No.
14(3)/2004-D(Pen/Sers) –Vol V dated 2.5.2006 was not beneficial to Havildar
3
granted honorary rank of Naib Subedar. However, Havildar retired on or after
1.1.96 and granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar and who are in receipt of
additional pension of Rs 100/-pm with pension for Havildar, during revision of
their pension as per orders of Improvement of Pension of PBOR this additional
pension of Rs 100/- is included in RCP shown in table No.6, 18 and 24 of Circular
No.350 dated 19.5.2006. Thus the pension of Havildar granted Hony Nb Sub
whether retired prior to 1.1.96 or on or after 1.1.96, their revised pension as per
orders of Improvement in Pension of PBOR i.e. Circular No.350 may be
consolidated under Annexure –I of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008. Neither further
additional pension of Rs 100/- will be taken for consolidation in such cases nor
will it be paid further in addition to the consolidated as per Annexure I or
stepped up pension where rate of pension is beneficial in Annexure – III.
(iii)
PBOR discharged prior to 1.6.1953 may be equated to PBOR of “Y” group
as there were no groups prior to 01.06.53. Therefore revised pension as in
Annexure –III in respect of those PBOR who retired prior to 01.06.53 may be
treated equivalent to Gp ‘Y’.
(iv)
An Artificer rank of the Navy will be treated in Gp ‘X’ of that rank.
(v)
For the purpose of modified parity as per Annexure – III, Gp ‘V’ in Air
Force and Naval Aviation and Sub Marine Sailors other than those on Gp ‘A’ rate
of pay in Navy, will be treated as Gp ‘Y’ of that rank and service.
(vi) Certain ranks and their abbreviated form as indicated in the PPOs are
given in this office Circular No. 362 dated 01.02.2007.The alternative names as
well as connected abbreviation are given below:-
Rank Also Known As
Sepoy Craftsman(Cfn),Rifleman(Rfn),Sapper(Spr),Guardsman
(Gdsm),Signalman, Para Trooper (PTR), Recruit
(Rect),Gunner(GNR),Pioneer (PNR), Sowar (SWR),
Grenadier(GDR) etc Lance Naiks are also Sepoy.
Naik Lance Dafadar or NK or L/Dafadar
Havildar Dafadar, Hav, Dfr
Nb Subedar Jamadar
Subedar Risaldar
Subedar Major Risaldar Major
(vii) In cases where Armed Forces Officers/Personnel Below Officer Rank died
in service or retired and died later after 1.1.1999, in their case Ordinary Family
Pension at enhanced rate is payable to the family member. In such cases
enhanced rate of Ordinary Family Pension is to be consolidated under Annexure
–I only and be payable upto the period notified in the PPO.
4
10.
All the Pension Disbursing Authorities are requested to intimate the
progress of consolidation/Revision of Pension/Family Pension as on 31.01.2009
in the enclosed proforma as Appendix “B”. In the case of Banks, the Paying
Branches of Bank shall render the progress report through their Link Branch /
Zonal Office (LHO in case of SBI). The Link Branches will consolidate the report
for the Paying Branches under their jurisdiction and Zonal Offices will consolidate
the progress report for the Link Branches under their control and submit the
report to the Shri D C Hansda, IDAS, Dy. CDA (P), Group Officer Audit
Section, Office of the PCDA (P), Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad by
28.02.2009.Thereafter, progressive monthly report may please be
rendered by the end of the month to the nominated officer indicated
above.
11. This circular has been uploaded on PCDA (P) website
www.pcdapension.nic.in for disseminated across the defence pensioners
and PDAs.
No. Grants/Tech/0165-VIII
(S R MEENA)
Dated: 02.02.2009
Jt. C.D.A. (P)
Copy to :-
1.
Director General Re- Settlement
2.
All Record Offices/Regiment. Corp.
3.
Bureau of Sailors, Cheetah Camp, Mumbai.
4.
Air Force Record, Dhaula Kunwa, Delhi Cantt.
5.
Rajya Sainik Welfare and Re settlement Boards
6.
Ex Servicemen league.
7.
All Defence Pensioners Associations.
As the pensioners/family pensioners might not be aware about the precise reasons
leading to the stated variation in the quantum of pension as shown in Annexure –III in the case of Naik and Havildar vis a vis Sepoy. It is requested that the position as brought out in Para 7 above may be suitably explained to the Naik/Havildar pensioners. It may be clarified to them that the said Annexure – III is not the ultimate determinator for the entitlement of pension and in case the revised pension as per Annexure –I to MOD letter dated 11.11.2008
happens to be more beneficial than the one indicated in Annexure –III ibid, more beneficial pension will be payable.
2.
Consequent upon the implementation of recommendations of Sixth CPC, the
enhanced rate of ordinary family pension shall now be payable for a period of ten years, without any upper age limit from the date following the date of death of the personnel, to the family of a personnel who dies in service. These provisions will, however, not apply in cases where the period of seven years for payment of enhanced family pension has already been completed as on 01.01.2006 and the family was in receipt of normal rate of ordinary family pension on that date. There will be no change in the period for payment of enhanced family pension to the family in the case of death of a pensioner i.e. 7 years from the date of
5
death or till attaining the age 67 years whichever is earlier. Where, however family pensioner
was in receipt of Enhanced rate of Ordinary Family pension on or after 01.01.2006
consequent upon death of Armed Forces Personnel in service he/ she may be advised to
contact his/ her Record Office in the case of a PBOR and CDA (O) in the case of officers to
refer his/her case for enhancement of period of payment by 3 years through a Corrigendum
PPO to his/her Pension Disbursing Authority.
8
The Dy. Secretary, Govt. of India, Ministry of PPG & P (Deptt. of P & PW), Lok Nayak
Bhawan, New Delhi.
9 Director (Pensions), Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence D(Pen/Sers), Sena Bhawan,
Wing ‘A’ New Delhi.
10. Army HQrs AG’s Branch, PS-4(b) DHQ, PO New Delhi – 110011.
11. AHQ GS Branch, TA Directorate, DHQ PO New Delhi – 110011.
12. Naval HQrs, PP & A, DHQ PO New Delhi.
13. DPA, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi – 11.
14. Air HQrs Ad PP & P – 3, West Block-VI, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
15. Shri A. K. JENA, IDAS, Dy. CGDA(AT-II), O/O the CGDA, West Block-V, R. K.
Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
16. PCDA(Navy) No.-1, Cooperage Road, Mumbai – 400039.
17. CDA(AF), West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
18. JCDA(AG) Subroto Park, New Delhi – 110010.
19. Director of Audit, Defence Service, New Delhi
20. All Addl CsDA/Jt. CsDA in Main Office.
21. All GOs in Main Office.
22. The OI/C, G-1(M), AT(ORs)-Tech. & G-1/Civil (Tech.)
23. All SAOs/AOs/AAOs/SOs(A) in Gts/Ors Complex.
24. The OI/C, EDP Manual.
25. The OI/C, EDP Centre.
26. Defence Pension Liaison Cell.
27. All Sections in Main Office.
28. Spare copies in file No. Gts/Tech/0148, 148, 0162 & 0158
29. OIC,G -2 Section
30. OI/C, G - 3 Section.
31. OI/C, G - 4 Section.
32. OI/C Grants Revision Cell
33. OI/C O & M Cell
34. OI/C Complaint Cell
35. The OI/C, Reception Centre
36. The OI/C, EDP Centre (Website)
37. The OI/C, DPTI
38. Spare
(S R MEENA)
Jt. C.D.A. (P)
6
No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi, Dated: 20th January, 2009.
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOVERNMENT DECISION ON THE
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF
THE
SIXTH
COMMISSION – REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-1.1.2006 ARMED
FORCES PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS.
The undersigned is directed to refer to Annexure-II to this Ministry’s letter No.
17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 as amended vide this Ministry’s letter
of even number dated 11.12.2008 on the above subject matter and to state that in
the said Annexure-II, pension and family pension in respect of Colonel & Brigadier is
higher than that of Major Generals and Lt. Generals due to non inclusion of the
element of Military Service Pay (MSP) in the case of Maj. Generals and Lt. Generals.
This anomaly has been reviewed and it has been decided that keeping in view the
fact that Colonel/Brigadier have been placed in PB-4 and MSP of Rs. 6,000/- is
reckoned in their case for the purpose of stepping up of the pension/family pension,
the pension of Maj. Generals/Lt. Generals may also be regulated under Para 5 of the
Ministry’s above quoted letter dated 11.11.2008 so as to ensure that consolidated
pension is not lower than 50% of the minimum of the PB-4 (Rs. 37,400/-) plus grade
pay of Rs. 10,000/- plus notional MSP of Rs. 6,000/- in the case of Maj. Generals &
equivalent and not lower than 50% of the minimum of PB-4 (Rs. 37,400/-) plus grade
pay of Rs. 12,000/- plus notional MSP of Rs. 6,000/- in the case of Lt. Generals &
equivalent, where the pensioners have full qualifying service including weightage.
Hence, for the purpose of stepping up, the pension of Pre-1.1.2006 retirees with
qualifying service of 33 years will be Rs. 26,700/- in the case of Maj. Generals &
equivalent and Rs. 27,700/- in the case of Lt. Generals & equivalent. Pension to
those Commissioned officers retired with qualifying service including weightage of
less than 33 years, will continue to be proportionate to the full pension based on their actual qualifying service with weightage.
2.
The stepped up family pension would also accordingly be Rs. 16,020/- for
families of Maj. Generals & equivalent and Rs. 16,620/- for families of Lt. Generals & equivalent.
3.
A revised table to the above effect is enclosed as Annexure-II to this letter in
substitution of the Annexure-II (Revised)) to this Ministry’s above quoted letter dated 11.12.2008.
4.
The following amendment in Annexure-III, Table-2 : Family Pension, is also
made-
“The rate of Family Pension in respect of Nb Subedar “A”/”X” and Subedar
“A”/”X” may be amended to read as “5070” and “5190” for 5570 and 5490
respectively”.
5. All other entries remain unchanged.
6. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide
their UO No. 157/DFA(P) dated 20.1.2009.
7.Hindi version will follow.
Copy to:
As per standard distribution list.
Pension Website Must for Pensioners..Click me
REGISTERED
MOST IMPORTANT CIRCULAR
OFFICE OF THE PCDA (PENSIONS), DRAUPADI GHAT ALLAHABAD
The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt. Bank Account Central
C-7 IInd Floor Bandre Kurla Complex, P.B. No. 8143 Bandre East,
All CMDs of Public Sector Banks
CMD of ICICI Bank
CMD of HDFC Bank
Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu Nepal.
The Defence Pension Disbursing Officers.
The Treasury officers.
The Pay and Accounts Office.
Pay and Accounts Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
The Post Master Kathua (J & K), Camp Bell Bay (Andaman &
Implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations
of the Sixth Central Pay Commission – Revision of Pension of Pre
2006 Armed Forces Pensioners / Family Pensioners.
Reference:-GOI, MOD letter No. No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 and this Office Circulars No. 397 dated 18.11.2008, 398 dated 18.11.2008 and No. 401 dated 18.12.2008
-----*-----*-----
Annexure – II of the Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D
(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 which was modified/substituted vide Ministry of Defence letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.12.2008 is further substituted by enclosed Annexure II vide MOD letter No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D
(Pen/Policy) dated 20.01.2009(copy enclosed), which is self explanatory.
In Annexure-III, Table - 2 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008, the rate of
family pension in respect of Nb Subedar Group ’A’/’X’ and Subedar Group ’A’/’X’
Nb Sub Group “A”/”X”
Subedar Group “A”/”X’”
The words and figures “under Para 5.1” as appearing below the Table but
above the Notes of Annexure –I
(Pen/Services) dated 11.11.2008 may be deleted as it has no relevance to Para
5.(Para 5.1.not in existence)
4.
It has come to the notice that some of the PDAs while consolidating the Pension/family pension under Annexure –I to MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 are
not stepping up the pension/family pension vide Annexure –II and Annexure-III
to MOD letter where it is beneficial than the pension under Annexure -I in
respect of the commissioned officers / PBOR. They are resorting only to the
consolidation of pension as per the Annexure –I. Such action on the part of the
PDAs, in particular to Banks, is not in accordance to the Government Orders,
leads to complaints from the Pensioners/ Family Pensioners and has been viewed
seriously by the Government as it is affecting the morale of the Ex Service men.
Detailed instructions in this regard already exist in Para 6 of this office circular
No. 397 dated 18.11.2008.
However, it is once again reiterated that the PDAs may invariably adhere
to the following steps while revising the pension/family pension with effect from
1.1.2006.
(i)
First, determine the basic pension from the records held and consolidate
as per Annexure –I to MOD letter No.17 (4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/services) dated
11.11.2008.
(ii)
Thereafter check the pension so consolidated against the minimum
pension authorised under the protection clause as in Annexure – II in respect of
the commissioned officers and Annexure –III in respect of Personnel Below
Officers Rank with reference to rank last held and qualifying service. The
pension/family pension as per Annexure –II or Annexure-III as the case may be,
if beneficial, is to be paid with effect from 1.1.2006.
5.
Lt General holding appointment of Army Commander and Vice Chief of the
Army Staff in Army and equivalent rank in Navy and Air Force were granted
higher rate of pension on their retirement after 1.3.1978.Pension Payment Order
(PPO) in their respect do/do not indicate the specific appointment they held on
the date of retirement. However, while revising their pension on implementation
of Fifth CPC, the Corrigendum PPO in each case indicate the appointment held by
the Lt General as Army Commander or Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS).PDAs
are therefore, requested to look into their records and revise the pension of
Army Commanders/VCOAS accordingly vide Annexure –I read with Annexure –II
to MOD letter 11.11.2008 as now substituted. Where the PDAs are not able to
locate the Corr PPO revising pension for Army Commander/VCOAS with effect
from 1.1.1996, in their record, the officer may be requested to provide his copy
of PPO(Photocopy may be retained by the Officer) and pension may be revised
and simultaneously the case may be referred to the Pension Sanctioning
authority concerned for confirmation of the revised rate of pension with effect
from 1.1.2006.
6.
In Annexure-I of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008, consolidated rate of
pension for basic pension of above Rs. 13000/- but less than Rs. 15000/- have
not been indicated due to the fixed scale of pension. In cases where existing
pension is more than Rs. 13000/- the same shall be consolidated as per
provision of Para 4 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008.
2
7.
Further, in some cases the quantum of pension indicated in Annexure –III
to MOD’s letter No.17 (4)/2008(1)/ D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 as
circulated vide this office Circular No. 397 dated 18.11.2008 quoted under
reference, in respect of Naik and Havildar having less qualifying service than
their full terms of engagements plus admissible weightage works out to be less
as compared to the one shown for the rank of a Sepoy. This is due to higher
weightage of 10 years admissible to a Sepoy as compared to the rank of Naik
and Havildar, the admissible weightage for whom is comparatively less viz. 8
years and 6 years respectively. Therefore, where even if each of them have
rendered equal number of years of actual qualifying service, the qualifying
service for pension with weightage in the case of Sepoy will be more by 4 years
as compared to Havildar and by 2 years as compared to Naik. The prorata
reduction in the quantum of admissible pension will thus be more in the case of
Havildar by 4 years and 2 years for Naik as compared to the Sepoy even if they
render equal number of actual qualifying service.
It is further clarified that the said Annexure-III is not the ultimate
determinator for the entitlement of pension and in case the revised pension as
per Annexure –I to the MOD’s letter dated 11.11.2008 happens to be more
beneficial than the one indicted in the Annexure -III ibid, more beneficial
pension will be payable. However, in case the pension consolidated as per
Annexure –I read with para 4 of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008 is less than the
amount indicated in Annexure –III, the pension protection as indicated in these
tables will be given. The rate of pension in Annexure –III is protective and not
the entitlement.
8.
Appendix ‘A’ of Circular No. 397 dated 18.11.2008 has been slightly
modified. Now the Pay Bands in respect of PBOR and Commissioned Officers
introduced in 6th CPC with effect from 1.1.2006 are also included in this
Appendix ‘A’ for information. The modified Appendix “A” is enclosed for
information of all concerned.
9.
It is observed that during implementation of Ministry of Defence letter
dated 11.11.2008 (Circular NO 397 dated 18.11.2008), several queries are being
received from various corners.
Therefore,the following further clarifications/instructions are issued for the smooth implementation of Ministry of Defence letter on the subject:-
(i)
As per existing rule, pension of TS Naik/Hony NK and Hony Havildar is
Re 1/- less than pension admissible for NK and Havildar for the same length of
qualifying Service and group of pay in which he was last paid respectively. It is
therefore, clarified that the rate of pension shown in Annexure III (modified
parity of pension) may be reduced by Re 1/- while comparing revised pension for
TS Naik, Hony Naik and Hony Havildar between Annexure –I and Annexure-III –
Table 1.
(ii)
Havildar granted Hony rank of Nb Subedar and retired prior to 1.1.96 are
drawing consolidated pension taking into account the additional pension of
Rs 100/- pm with effect from 1.1.1996 as per MOD letter dated 14.07.1998.The
scheme of improvement in pension of PBOR introduced with effect from 1.1.2006
vide MOD letter No.14 (3)/2004-D(Pen/Sers) –Vol –III dated 1.2.2006 and No.
14(3)/2004-D(Pen/Sers) –Vol V dated 2.5.2006 was not beneficial to Havildar
3
granted honorary rank of Naib Subedar. However, Havildar retired on or after
1.1.96 and granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar and who are in receipt of
additional pension of Rs 100/-pm with pension for Havildar, during revision of
their pension as per orders of Improvement of Pension of PBOR this additional
pension of Rs 100/- is included in RCP shown in table No.6, 18 and 24 of Circular
No.350 dated 19.5.2006. Thus the pension of Havildar granted Hony Nb Sub
whether retired prior to 1.1.96 or on or after 1.1.96, their revised pension as per
orders of Improvement in Pension of PBOR i.e. Circular No.350 may be
consolidated under Annexure –I of MOD letter dated 11.11.2008. Neither further
additional pension of Rs 100/- will be taken for consolidation in such cases nor
will it be paid further in addition to the consolidated as per Annexure I or
stepped up pension where rate of pension is beneficial in Annexure – III.
(iii)
PBOR discharged prior to 1.6.1953 may be equated to PBOR of “Y” group
as there were no groups prior to 01.06.53. Therefore revised pension as in
Annexure –III in respect of those PBOR who retired prior to 01.06.53 may be
treated equivalent to Gp ‘Y’.
(iv)
An Artificer rank of the Navy will be treated in Gp ‘X’ of that rank.
(v)
For the purpose of modified parity as per Annexure – III, Gp ‘V’ in Air
Force and Naval Aviation and Sub Marine Sailors other than those on Gp ‘A’ rate
of pay in Navy, will be treated as Gp ‘Y’ of that rank and service.
(vi) Certain ranks and their abbreviated form as indicated in the PPOs are
given in this office Circular No. 362 dated 01.02.2007.The alternative names as
well as connected abbreviation are given below:-
Rank Also Known As
Sepoy Craftsman(Cfn),Rifleman(Rfn),Sapper(Spr),Guardsman
(Gdsm),Signalman, Para Trooper (PTR), Recruit
(Rect),Gunner(GNR),Pioneer (PNR), Sowar (SWR),
Grenadier(GDR) etc Lance Naiks are also Sepoy.
Naik Lance Dafadar or NK or L/Dafadar
Havildar Dafadar, Hav, Dfr
Nb Subedar Jamadar
Subedar Risaldar
Subedar Major Risaldar Major
(vii) In cases where Armed Forces Officers/Personnel Below Officer Rank died
in service or retired and died later after 1.1.1999, in their case Ordinary Family
Pension at enhanced rate is payable to the family member. In such cases
enhanced rate of Ordinary Family Pension is to be consolidated under Annexure
–I only and be payable upto the period notified in the PPO.
4
10.
All the Pension Disbursing Authorities are requested to intimate the
progress of consolidation/Revision of Pension/Family Pension as on 31.01.2009
in the enclosed proforma as Appendix “B”. In the case of Banks, the Paying
Branches of Bank shall render the progress report through their Link Branch /
Zonal Office (LHO in case of SBI). The Link Branches will consolidate the report
for the Paying Branches under their jurisdiction and Zonal Offices will consolidate
the progress report for the Link Branches under their control and submit the
report to the Shri D C Hansda, IDAS, Dy. CDA (P), Group Officer Audit
Section, Office of the PCDA (P), Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad by
28.02.2009.Thereafter, progressive monthly report may please be
rendered by the end of the month to the nominated officer indicated
above.
11. This circular has been uploaded on PCDA (P) website
www.pcdapension.nic.in for disseminated across the defence pensioners
and PDAs.
No. Grants/Tech/0165-VIII
(S R MEENA)
Dated: 02.02.2009
Jt. C.D.A. (P)
Copy to :-
1.
Director General Re- Settlement
2.
All Record Offices/Regiment. Corp.
3.
Bureau of Sailors, Cheetah Camp, Mumbai.
4.
Air Force Record, Dhaula Kunwa, Delhi Cantt.
5.
Rajya Sainik Welfare and Re settlement Boards
6.
Ex Servicemen league.
7.
All Defence Pensioners Associations.
As the pensioners/family pensioners might not be aware about the precise reasons
leading to the stated variation in the quantum of pension as shown in Annexure –III in the case of Naik and Havildar vis a vis Sepoy. It is requested that the position as brought out in Para 7 above may be suitably explained to the Naik/Havildar pensioners. It may be clarified to them that the said Annexure – III is not the ultimate determinator for the entitlement of pension and in case the revised pension as per Annexure –I to MOD letter dated 11.11.2008
happens to be more beneficial than the one indicated in Annexure –III ibid, more beneficial pension will be payable.
2.
Consequent upon the implementation of recommendations of Sixth CPC, the
enhanced rate of ordinary family pension shall now be payable for a period of ten years, without any upper age limit from the date following the date of death of the personnel, to the family of a personnel who dies in service. These provisions will, however, not apply in cases where the period of seven years for payment of enhanced family pension has already been completed as on 01.01.2006 and the family was in receipt of normal rate of ordinary family pension on that date. There will be no change in the period for payment of enhanced family pension to the family in the case of death of a pensioner i.e. 7 years from the date of
5
death or till attaining the age 67 years whichever is earlier. Where, however family pensioner
was in receipt of Enhanced rate of Ordinary Family pension on or after 01.01.2006
consequent upon death of Armed Forces Personnel in service he/ she may be advised to
contact his/ her Record Office in the case of a PBOR and CDA (O) in the case of officers to
refer his/her case for enhancement of period of payment by 3 years through a Corrigendum
PPO to his/her Pension Disbursing Authority.
8
The Dy. Secretary, Govt. of India, Ministry of PPG & P (Deptt. of P & PW), Lok Nayak
Bhawan, New Delhi.
9 Director (Pensions), Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence D(Pen/Sers), Sena Bhawan,
Wing ‘A’ New Delhi.
10. Army HQrs AG’s Branch, PS-4(b) DHQ, PO New Delhi – 110011.
11. AHQ GS Branch, TA Directorate, DHQ PO New Delhi – 110011.
12. Naval HQrs, PP & A, DHQ PO New Delhi.
13. DPA, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi – 11.
14. Air HQrs Ad PP & P – 3, West Block-VI, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
15. Shri A. K. JENA, IDAS, Dy. CGDA(AT-II), O/O the CGDA, West Block-V, R. K.
Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
16. PCDA(Navy) No.-1, Cooperage Road, Mumbai – 400039.
17. CDA(AF), West Block-V, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066.
18. JCDA(AG) Subroto Park, New Delhi – 110010.
19. Director of Audit, Defence Service, New Delhi
20. All Addl CsDA/Jt. CsDA in Main Office.
21. All GOs in Main Office.
22. The OI/C, G-1(M), AT(ORs)-Tech. & G-1/Civil (Tech.)
23. All SAOs/AOs/AAOs/SOs(A) in Gts/Ors Complex.
24. The OI/C, EDP Manual.
25. The OI/C, EDP Centre.
26. Defence Pension Liaison Cell.
27. All Sections in Main Office.
28. Spare copies in file No. Gts/Tech/0148, 148, 0162 & 0158
29. OIC,G -2 Section
30. OI/C, G - 3 Section.
31. OI/C, G - 4 Section.
32. OI/C Grants Revision Cell
33. OI/C O & M Cell
34. OI/C Complaint Cell
35. The OI/C, Reception Centre
36. The OI/C, EDP Centre (Website)
37. The OI/C, DPTI
38. Spare
(S R MEENA)
Jt. C.D.A. (P)
6
No. 17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi, Dated: 20th January, 2009.
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOVERNMENT DECISION ON THE
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF
THE
SIXTH
COMMISSION – REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-1.1.2006 ARMED
FORCES PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS.
The undersigned is directed to refer to Annexure-II to this Ministry’s letter No.
17(4)/2008(1)/D (Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 as amended vide this Ministry’s letter
of even number dated 11.12.2008 on the above subject matter and to state that in
the said Annexure-II, pension and family pension in respect of Colonel & Brigadier is
higher than that of Major Generals and Lt. Generals due to non inclusion of the
element of Military Service Pay (MSP) in the case of Maj. Generals and Lt. Generals.
This anomaly has been reviewed and it has been decided that keeping in view the
fact that Colonel/Brigadier have been placed in PB-4 and MSP of Rs. 6,000/- is
reckoned in their case for the purpose of stepping up of the pension/family pension,
the pension of Maj. Generals/Lt. Generals may also be regulated under Para 5 of the
Ministry’s above quoted letter dated 11.11.2008 so as to ensure that consolidated
pension is not lower than 50% of the minimum of the PB-4 (Rs. 37,400/-) plus grade
pay of Rs. 10,000/- plus notional MSP of Rs. 6,000/- in the case of Maj. Generals &
equivalent and not lower than 50% of the minimum of PB-4 (Rs. 37,400/-) plus grade
pay of Rs. 12,000/- plus notional MSP of Rs. 6,000/- in the case of Lt. Generals &
equivalent, where the pensioners have full qualifying service including weightage.
Hence, for the purpose of stepping up, the pension of Pre-1.1.2006 retirees with
qualifying service of 33 years will be Rs. 26,700/- in the case of Maj. Generals &
equivalent and Rs. 27,700/- in the case of Lt. Generals & equivalent. Pension to
those Commissioned officers retired with qualifying service including weightage of
less than 33 years, will continue to be proportionate to the full pension based on their actual qualifying service with weightage.
2.
The stepped up family pension would also accordingly be Rs. 16,020/- for
families of Maj. Generals & equivalent and Rs. 16,620/- for families of Lt. Generals & equivalent.
3.
A revised table to the above effect is enclosed as Annexure-II to this letter in
substitution of the Annexure-II (Revised)) to this Ministry’s above quoted letter dated 11.12.2008.
4.
The following amendment in Annexure-III, Table-2 : Family Pension, is also
made-
“The rate of Family Pension in respect of Nb Subedar “A”/”X” and Subedar
“A”/”X” may be amended to read as “5070” and “5190” for 5570 and 5490
respectively”.
5. All other entries remain unchanged.
6. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide
their UO No. 157/DFA(P) dated 20.1.2009.
7.Hindi version will follow.
Copy to:
As per standard distribution list.
Pension Website Must for Pensioners..Click me
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS AND BENEFITS
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS AND BENEFITS
AVAILABLE TO WAR WIDOWS/WAR DISABLED AND
RETIRED/SERVING DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Education
Educational Concessions
Children of Defence personnel killed or disabled in action, including casualties of OP PAWAN and MEGHDOOT, who are studying in educational institutions under the Department of Education are entitled to the following educational concessions (Authority : AG's Branch, Army HQ letter No.56268/Policy/AG/ CW 3(b) dated 17 Aug 90 and Ministry of Human Resources Development (Dept. of Education) letter No.F.14-1/94-School-1 dated 10 Nov 95) :
(a) Complete exemption from tuition fee and other fees levied by the educational institution concerned,
(b) Grants to meet hostel charges in full for those studying in Boarding Schools and Colleges.
(c) Full cost of books and stationery.
(d) Full cost of uniform where this is compulsory.
The above concessions would be available up to and inclusive of the first Degree Course. If any entitled child is, however studying in a Post Graduate Course, the concession would be admissible to him also.
The educational concession is also applicable to the following:
(a) Children of Officers and Personnel below officers rank (PBOR) who have been declared missing
for a period of six months or till the date of return of the missing officer or PBOR, whichever is
earlier.
(b) Children of prisoners of war.
(c) Widows of officers and men of Armed Forces including Para military personnel killed during Indo
Pak conflict of 1971.
(d) Children of war widow would continue to get the educational concession even if she re-marries.
Admission into Professional Colleges
Medical and Engineering. Around 28 seats in MBBS and one seat in BDS and 2 seats in Engineering College at Annamalai University are available through KSB for wives/widows and wards of categories of Defence personnel in the following order of priority:
(a) Killed in action.
(b) Disabled in action and boarded out from service.
(c) Died while in service with death attributable to military service.
(d) Disabled in service and boarded out with disability attributable to military service.
(e) Gallantry Award/Other Award Winners.
Reservation of seats in IITs. A joint entrance examination is conducted every year by the six IITs for admission to the IITs at Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology. Two seats in each of the above six institutes are reserved for children of the Defence/Para Military Force Personnel killed or permanently disabled in action. Such candidates are however, required to qualify in the joint entrance examination.
Reservation in Sainik and Military Schools.
(a) Sainik Schools. 25 percent seats for serving and ex Services personnel.
(b) Military Schools. Reservation of seats for wards of JCOs/ORs: 67 percent & Officers: 20 percent.
Reservation of seats in professional colleges for ex Servicemen and serving personnel granted by States/UTs are covered in the later chapters under each State/UT.
Accommodation in War Memorial Hostels
35 War Memorial Hostels have already been constructed in various Regimental Centres. These hostels provide accommodation to wards of war bereaved, disabled and attributable/non attributable peace time casualties to enable them to pursue their studies. KSB provides Rs.600/ p.m., education grant for each child except in respect of non attributable cases where the grant is Rs.300/ p.m,.
MEDICAL
Entitlement for Medical Treatment from Service Hospitals for ex Service Pensioners and their Families
Ex Service pensioners and their families are entitled to medical treatment from service hospitals under provision of Para 296(O) of RMSAP 1983. The pensioners/widows are required to produce a non employment certificate at the hospital to ensure proper recovery of hospital stoppages vide DGAFMS letter No.1630/ DGAFMS/ DG3A dated 08 Oct 86.
This entitlement card has come into effect from 01 Jan 94.
All ex Service pensioners/widows are advised to get the entitlement card made through Zila/Rajya Sainik Boards.
Medical Benefits for ex Servicemen/Widows and Dependents
Through Service Hospitals and Medical Establishments. Ex Servicemen, their families and families of deceased service personnel drawing pension of any kind are entitled to free out patient treatment at Military Hospitals. These personnel can also be provided in patient treatment in such hospitals subject to certain conditions. 24 MI Rooms and 12 Dental Centres have been created from the funds provided by the Service HQs and KSB for providing medical facilities to ex Servicemen pensioners and their dependents. The location of these MI Rooms and Dental Centres are given as under:
MI Rooms Dental Centres
(a) Large Hospitals
(i) Base Hospital, Delhi (3) Delhi Cantt.
(ii) CH, Chandimandir Chandimandir (1)
(iii) MH, Jalandhar Jalandhar (1)
(iv) MH, Ambala Ambala (1)
(v) 159 GH, Ferozpur
(vi) MH, Amritsar
(vii) 166 MH, Jammu
(viii) 167 MH, Pathankot
(ix) BH, Lucknow Lucknow (1)
(x) MH, Dehradun
(xi) BH, Barrackpore
(xii) CH (EC), Kolkatta Kolkata (1)
(xiii) MH, Jodhpur
(xiv) MH, Agra Cantt
(xv) CH (SC), Pune Pune (1)
(xvi) INHS Asvini, Mumbai Mumbai (1)
(xvii) AF Hospital, Bangalore Bangalore (1)
(xviii) INHS Sanjeevani, Cochin
(b) Small Hospitals
(i) MH, Chennai
(ii) MH, Secunderabad
(iii) MH, Jaipur
(iv) MH, Aurangabad
(v) MH, Dharamshala
(vi) MH, Faizabad
(vii) Trivandrum (1) -
Through State Government Hospitals. Ex-Servicemen can also avail medical treatment from their State Govt. Hospitals as normal State citizens.
Financial Assistance for Medical Treatment
(a) All Ex Servicemen suffering from serious diseases are given financial assistance for treatment in civil hospitals in case they cannot be treated in Military Hospitals and have not availed similar assistance from other sources. These are :
(i) By pass surgery 90% and 75% of the authorised expenditure in case of JCOs/ORs and Officers respectively.
(ii) Angiography -do-
(iii) Kidney/Renal transplant -do-
(iv) Cancer/spastic Paraplegic -do-
(restricted to Rs. 75,000/- per annum)
(v) Coronary Artery Surgery/Angioplasty -do-
(vi) Open Heart Surgery/Valve replacement -do-
(vii) Pace Maker implant -do-
(viii) Stroke -do-
(ix) Arterial Surgery -do-
(x) Prostate Surgery -do-
(xi) Total Joint Replacement -do-
xii) Dialysis -do- (restricted to Rs 75,000/- per annum)
(b) Procedure for Application. Financial assistance for medical treatment for serious diseases mentioned in para (a) above to ex Servicemen and their dependents is available from the Kendriya Sainik Board. For this purpose the individual has to apply to the Secretary, KSB, West Block 4, R K Puram, New Delhi 110 066 through his Zila/Rajya Sainik Board with the following documents:
(i) Original cash receipts in support of medicines purchased for the treatment/operation duly countersigned by the hospital authorities.
(ii) Photocopy of Hospital's discharge slip/prescription slip.
(iii) If the case was referred by Military Hospital, a copy of the Military Hospital's letter referring the case to Civil Hospital.
(iv) The details of financial assistance, if any, received.
(v) If re employed, the details of Medical facilities being provided by the employer.
(vi) If also a civil pensioner, the details of the medical facilities being provided by the Civil authorities to their pensioners.
(vii) Photocopy of discharge book/ex Servicemen Identity Card/ and MBS of AGIF Card.
NOTES
(i) KSB has tied up with different specialised hospitals in the country for direct payment of 90 percent and 75 percent of the stipulated amount on account of treatment of JCOs/ORs & Officers respectively. For the purpose, letter issued by KSB is required to be sent by the ESM to the concerned Hospital.
(ii) Those ex-Servicemen who have been members of AGI/AFGI Medical Benefit Scheme and have already availed financial benefits from them are considered for financial assistance from Kendriya Sainik Board if they go in for subsequent treatment of serious disease and are not eligible for availing AGI/AFGI benefits for any further financial assistance.
TRAVEL
Rail Travel Concession. Govt. of India have announced free rail travel in I Class/II AC Class to the recipients of PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, Kirti Chakra, VrC and Shourya Chakra and the widows of posthumous winners of these Gallantry Awards along with a companion. (Ministry of Railways letter No. E(W)96PS 5 6/22 dated 23 Feb 96.)
75 percent concession in rail fare for travel in II Class is available to war widows including those of IPKF and Kargil casualties. This concession can be availed on production of the I Card issued by the KSB.
Air Travel Concession. Following categories of personnel are eligible to 50 percent concession in fare for air travel in domestic flights of the Indian Airlines:
(a) Recipients of Gallantry Awards of Class I & Class II viz., PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, and Kirti Chakra.
(b) Permanently war disabled officers who have been invalidated out of service and the dependent members of their families.
(c) War widows of post Independence era.
CSD CANTEEN
Canteen Facilities. In accordance with Army Order AO 32/84, Ex Servicemen and their families and ex-Defence personnel with minimum 5 years of service are entitled to CSD (I) Canteen facilities available in units/establishments. Cadets/Recruits boarded out on medical grounds are also entitled to avail CSD facilities. In addition, the following categories of TA personnel are entitled to canteen facilities after their retirement:
(a) Pension holders for continuous embodied service.
(b) Persons with disability attributable to Military Service.
(c) Gallantry Award Winners.
PRIORITY TELEPHONE FACILITIES
The following categories of subscribers are exempted from payment of Registration Charges and installation charges for priority telephones connection under Non-OYT/Special Category and are entitled to 50 percent concession in normal rental charges. However, Gallantry Award winners are entitled to full concession in normal rental charges. (Authority : Ministry of Communications (Deptt. of Telecom Services) letter No. 2-47/92-PHA dated 19 Mar 93, circular NO 7/2000 dated 13 Jun 2000 and 2.47/92 PHA dt 18 Sep 2000):-
(a) Gallantry Award Winners in the three Services (PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, KC, VrC & SC).
(b) War widows.
(c) Disabled soldiers.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE
KSB THROUGH AFFDF/RMDF/DMACP
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM ARMED FORCES FLAG DAY FUND
Grant for Construction/Repair of Houses. 50 percent of the grant, paid to War Widows, War Disabled by the State Govt.s for construction/repair of houses is reimbursed by the KSB subject to a maximum of Rs.10,000/ (KSB letter No.105 SB(7)/EC/91/KSB/D dated 16 Nov 92).
Grant for Marriage of Daughters of War Widow/War Disabled. Kendriya Sainik Board gives a grant of Rs.8,000/ for the marriage of daughters of a war widow or war disabled ex Servicemen whose disability is more than 50 percent
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM RAKSHA MANTRI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND (RMDF)
The following cases of financial assistance from RMDF are considered by KSB:-
(a) Assistance to old infirm Ex-Servicemen/ widows of ESM Rs 1000/- p.m. for two years.
(b) Marriage of daughter Ex-Servicemen/ widows in penury Rs 8,000/-.
(c) Repair of house for ESM/Widows in penury. Rs 10,000/-
(d) Medical treatment Depending on the nature and gravity of ailment Subject to a maximum of Rs 15,000/-
(e) Education of children of ESM/ widows in penury Rs 100/- p.m. per child for max of three children up to XII class.
(f) Other cases in respect of ESM/widows in penury. like natural calamities, accidental or where feels that the case deserves sympathetic consideration) No single transaction to exceed Rs 15, 000/-
Note : The cases of financial assistance from RMDF are submitted by the
concerned Zila/Rajya Sainik Boards to KSB.
DEFENCE MINISTER’S APPELLATE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS (DMACP)
Cases where family pension claims have been rejected or where disability is neither attributable nor aggravated by military service are given the following types of grants by the DMACP:
(a) Educational allowance Rs 25/ p.m. up to three children of ex Servicemen who were enrolled prior to 01 Jan 85. For personnel enrolled on or after 01 Jan 85, the grant is admissible to only two children. The maximum amount of educational grant is, however, restricted to Rs. 3,000/ .
(b) A lump sum grant up to Rs. 2,000/ to aged parents of the deceased ex Servicemen.
(c) Cost of sewing machine to the wife of deceased/ disabled ex Servicemen.
(d) A one time grant of Rs 1,000/ for daughter's marriage.
Appeals for financial assistance on rejection of pension claims should be made to the Defence Minister's Appellate Committee on pension within six months of rejection of the claim. The appeals are considered by the Committee based on merits of each case and the financial assistance granted which is, subsequently, paid by the Kendriya Sainik Board through the concerned Rajya/Zila Sainik Board.
Ex gratia allowance to Burma Army Pensioners. Burma Army Pensioners who are Indian Nationals and are drawing their pension in India are given ex gratia allowance so as to raise their existing pension and relief drawn thereon to Rs 1275/ per month w.e.f 01 Nov 97. This allowance would be admissible to the families of such pensioners in the event of their death.
Tool Kit for ex Servicemen Technicians. Out of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, tool kits are provided, amount not exceeding Rs.2,000/ , provided the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) The ex Serviceman hold the qualification to utilise the tool kit.
(b) The ex Serviceman has the appropriate infrastructure to set up for himself the proposed trade. (KSB letter No.105 SB(7)/EC/91/KSB/D dated 16 Nov 92)
Reimbursement of Interest by way of subsidy on loan taken from Bank for construction of House to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties and their dependents. There is a scheme for re imbursement of interest subsidy on loan taken from Banks by war bereaved, war disabled, attributable peace time casualties and their dependents for construction of houses with the following conditions:
(a) The upper limit is Rs.10,000/ for eligibility of grant of interest subsidy, even though the loan taken may be of a higher amount.
(b) Apart from the Banks, loan taken from reputed organisations in Government/Public Sector Undertakings, LIC. GIC and HUDCO except private organisations are also made eligible for the grant of interest subsidy subject to the condition that the loan given by these organisations are based on genuineness of the requirement and the repaying capacity of the individual.
(c) The rates of the interest subsidy and the period for re payment of loan is as under:
(i) The subsidy will be paid up to a maximum period of five years or the date of final repayment of loan whichever is earlier.
(ii) 50 percent of the interest charges by the Banks or Govt. of Public Sector including LIC, GIC and HUDCO would be reimbursed as interest subsidy.
INSTITUTIONAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY KSB
Sainik Rest House Facility
To facilitate short stay of ex Servicemen during their visit to District HQs in connection with settlement of their pensionary claims, for medical treatment, litigation, etc. a number of Sainik Rest Houses have been established all over the country. At present, there are 243 Sainik Rest Houses in the country. For details of Sainik Rest Houses click here. After Care of ex Servicemen/their dependents for Leprosy/TB etc. in the Cheshire Homes.
Kendriya Sainik Board is providing grants to Cheshire Homes/Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre/QMTI so that the ex Servicemen/their dependents inmates are looked after by them. At present the following Cheshire Homes/Centres are being given grants:
(a) Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, Dehradun.
(b) Cheshire Home, Thiruvananthapuram
(c) Cheshire Home, Delhi
(d) Cheshire Home, Lucknow
(e) Cheshire Home, Vellore
(f) Cheshire Home, Bangalore (g) QMTI, Pune
Grant in Aid in respect of Welfare Services undertaken by the Indian Red Cross Society
Annual grant is provided to the Indian Red Cross Society for welfare Services provided by the Society to sick and wounded Servicemen/ex Servicemen in the Armed Forces Hospitals.
Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen Welfare Organisation
Kendriya Sainik Board provides grants to Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen Welfare Association, Dehradun to look after the welfare of Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen and their families.
Rehabilitation Centres/Training cum Production Centres for Widows of Defence Personnel
There are 18 Rehabilitation Centres/Training Centres/ Training cum Production Centres/Vocational Centres. These Centres provide Training Courses in Tailoring, Knitting, Stitching, Typing, Sewing, Stenography, Computer Programming, etc. For details of the location of Rehabilitation Centers click here.
Hostels for War Widows/Widows of Defence Personnel
Kendriya Sainik Board shares expenditure on 50 percent basis of the cost of the construction and thereafter the maintenance of Widows Hostels and Old Age Homes. These Hostels/Homes are at Bihar (Albert Eeka Memorial Complex, Patna), J&K (Jammu), Maharashtra (Naval War Memorial Hostel at Mumbai for Naval War Widows), Madhya Pradesh (Mahar Regimental Centre, Saugor and J&K Rifles Regimental Centre, Jabalpur), Meghalaya (Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong), Uttar Pradesh (Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre, Lansdowne, Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet, Rajput Regimental Centre, Fatehgarh and AMC Centre & School, Lucknow), Delhi (War Widow Home Capacity for 30 inmates located at 18/1, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110057) and Tamil Nadu (War Widows Home, Chennai 600 004).
Posted by Indian ExServicemen Movement at 12:55
AVAILABLE TO WAR WIDOWS/WAR DISABLED AND
RETIRED/SERVING DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Education
Educational Concessions
Children of Defence personnel killed or disabled in action, including casualties of OP PAWAN and MEGHDOOT, who are studying in educational institutions under the Department of Education are entitled to the following educational concessions (Authority : AG's Branch, Army HQ letter No.56268/Policy/AG/ CW 3(b) dated 17 Aug 90 and Ministry of Human Resources Development (Dept. of Education) letter No.F.14-1/94-School-1 dated 10 Nov 95) :
(a) Complete exemption from tuition fee and other fees levied by the educational institution concerned,
(b) Grants to meet hostel charges in full for those studying in Boarding Schools and Colleges.
(c) Full cost of books and stationery.
(d) Full cost of uniform where this is compulsory.
The above concessions would be available up to and inclusive of the first Degree Course. If any entitled child is, however studying in a Post Graduate Course, the concession would be admissible to him also.
The educational concession is also applicable to the following:
(a) Children of Officers and Personnel below officers rank (PBOR) who have been declared missing
for a period of six months or till the date of return of the missing officer or PBOR, whichever is
earlier.
(b) Children of prisoners of war.
(c) Widows of officers and men of Armed Forces including Para military personnel killed during Indo
Pak conflict of 1971.
(d) Children of war widow would continue to get the educational concession even if she re-marries.
Admission into Professional Colleges
Medical and Engineering. Around 28 seats in MBBS and one seat in BDS and 2 seats in Engineering College at Annamalai University are available through KSB for wives/widows and wards of categories of Defence personnel in the following order of priority:
(a) Killed in action.
(b) Disabled in action and boarded out from service.
(c) Died while in service with death attributable to military service.
(d) Disabled in service and boarded out with disability attributable to military service.
(e) Gallantry Award/Other Award Winners.
Reservation of seats in IITs. A joint entrance examination is conducted every year by the six IITs for admission to the IITs at Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology. Two seats in each of the above six institutes are reserved for children of the Defence/Para Military Force Personnel killed or permanently disabled in action. Such candidates are however, required to qualify in the joint entrance examination.
Reservation in Sainik and Military Schools.
(a) Sainik Schools. 25 percent seats for serving and ex Services personnel.
(b) Military Schools. Reservation of seats for wards of JCOs/ORs: 67 percent & Officers: 20 percent.
Reservation of seats in professional colleges for ex Servicemen and serving personnel granted by States/UTs are covered in the later chapters under each State/UT.
Accommodation in War Memorial Hostels
35 War Memorial Hostels have already been constructed in various Regimental Centres. These hostels provide accommodation to wards of war bereaved, disabled and attributable/non attributable peace time casualties to enable them to pursue their studies. KSB provides Rs.600/ p.m., education grant for each child except in respect of non attributable cases where the grant is Rs.300/ p.m,.
MEDICAL
Entitlement for Medical Treatment from Service Hospitals for ex Service Pensioners and their Families
Ex Service pensioners and their families are entitled to medical treatment from service hospitals under provision of Para 296(O) of RMSAP 1983. The pensioners/widows are required to produce a non employment certificate at the hospital to ensure proper recovery of hospital stoppages vide DGAFMS letter No.1630/ DGAFMS/ DG3A dated 08 Oct 86.
This entitlement card has come into effect from 01 Jan 94.
All ex Service pensioners/widows are advised to get the entitlement card made through Zila/Rajya Sainik Boards.
Medical Benefits for ex Servicemen/Widows and Dependents
Through Service Hospitals and Medical Establishments. Ex Servicemen, their families and families of deceased service personnel drawing pension of any kind are entitled to free out patient treatment at Military Hospitals. These personnel can also be provided in patient treatment in such hospitals subject to certain conditions. 24 MI Rooms and 12 Dental Centres have been created from the funds provided by the Service HQs and KSB for providing medical facilities to ex Servicemen pensioners and their dependents. The location of these MI Rooms and Dental Centres are given as under:
MI Rooms Dental Centres
(a) Large Hospitals
(i) Base Hospital, Delhi (3) Delhi Cantt.
(ii) CH, Chandimandir Chandimandir (1)
(iii) MH, Jalandhar Jalandhar (1)
(iv) MH, Ambala Ambala (1)
(v) 159 GH, Ferozpur
(vi) MH, Amritsar
(vii) 166 MH, Jammu
(viii) 167 MH, Pathankot
(ix) BH, Lucknow Lucknow (1)
(x) MH, Dehradun
(xi) BH, Barrackpore
(xii) CH (EC), Kolkatta Kolkata (1)
(xiii) MH, Jodhpur
(xiv) MH, Agra Cantt
(xv) CH (SC), Pune Pune (1)
(xvi) INHS Asvini, Mumbai Mumbai (1)
(xvii) AF Hospital, Bangalore Bangalore (1)
(xviii) INHS Sanjeevani, Cochin
(b) Small Hospitals
(i) MH, Chennai
(ii) MH, Secunderabad
(iii) MH, Jaipur
(iv) MH, Aurangabad
(v) MH, Dharamshala
(vi) MH, Faizabad
(vii) Trivandrum (1) -
Through State Government Hospitals. Ex-Servicemen can also avail medical treatment from their State Govt. Hospitals as normal State citizens.
Financial Assistance for Medical Treatment
(a) All Ex Servicemen suffering from serious diseases are given financial assistance for treatment in civil hospitals in case they cannot be treated in Military Hospitals and have not availed similar assistance from other sources. These are :
(i) By pass surgery 90% and 75% of the authorised expenditure in case of JCOs/ORs and Officers respectively.
(ii) Angiography -do-
(iii) Kidney/Renal transplant -do-
(iv) Cancer/spastic Paraplegic -do-
(restricted to Rs. 75,000/- per annum)
(v) Coronary Artery Surgery/Angioplasty -do-
(vi) Open Heart Surgery/Valve replacement -do-
(vii) Pace Maker implant -do-
(viii) Stroke -do-
(ix) Arterial Surgery -do-
(x) Prostate Surgery -do-
(xi) Total Joint Replacement -do-
xii) Dialysis -do- (restricted to Rs 75,000/- per annum)
(b) Procedure for Application. Financial assistance for medical treatment for serious diseases mentioned in para (a) above to ex Servicemen and their dependents is available from the Kendriya Sainik Board. For this purpose the individual has to apply to the Secretary, KSB, West Block 4, R K Puram, New Delhi 110 066 through his Zila/Rajya Sainik Board with the following documents:
(i) Original cash receipts in support of medicines purchased for the treatment/operation duly countersigned by the hospital authorities.
(ii) Photocopy of Hospital's discharge slip/prescription slip.
(iii) If the case was referred by Military Hospital, a copy of the Military Hospital's letter referring the case to Civil Hospital.
(iv) The details of financial assistance, if any, received.
(v) If re employed, the details of Medical facilities being provided by the employer.
(vi) If also a civil pensioner, the details of the medical facilities being provided by the Civil authorities to their pensioners.
(vii) Photocopy of discharge book/ex Servicemen Identity Card/ and MBS of AGIF Card.
NOTES
(i) KSB has tied up with different specialised hospitals in the country for direct payment of 90 percent and 75 percent of the stipulated amount on account of treatment of JCOs/ORs & Officers respectively. For the purpose, letter issued by KSB is required to be sent by the ESM to the concerned Hospital.
(ii) Those ex-Servicemen who have been members of AGI/AFGI Medical Benefit Scheme and have already availed financial benefits from them are considered for financial assistance from Kendriya Sainik Board if they go in for subsequent treatment of serious disease and are not eligible for availing AGI/AFGI benefits for any further financial assistance.
TRAVEL
Rail Travel Concession. Govt. of India have announced free rail travel in I Class/II AC Class to the recipients of PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, Kirti Chakra, VrC and Shourya Chakra and the widows of posthumous winners of these Gallantry Awards along with a companion. (Ministry of Railways letter No. E(W)96PS 5 6/22 dated 23 Feb 96.)
75 percent concession in rail fare for travel in II Class is available to war widows including those of IPKF and Kargil casualties. This concession can be availed on production of the I Card issued by the KSB.
Air Travel Concession. Following categories of personnel are eligible to 50 percent concession in fare for air travel in domestic flights of the Indian Airlines:
(a) Recipients of Gallantry Awards of Class I & Class II viz., PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, and Kirti Chakra.
(b) Permanently war disabled officers who have been invalidated out of service and the dependent members of their families.
(c) War widows of post Independence era.
CSD CANTEEN
Canteen Facilities. In accordance with Army Order AO 32/84, Ex Servicemen and their families and ex-Defence personnel with minimum 5 years of service are entitled to CSD (I) Canteen facilities available in units/establishments. Cadets/Recruits boarded out on medical grounds are also entitled to avail CSD facilities. In addition, the following categories of TA personnel are entitled to canteen facilities after their retirement:
(a) Pension holders for continuous embodied service.
(b) Persons with disability attributable to Military Service.
(c) Gallantry Award Winners.
PRIORITY TELEPHONE FACILITIES
The following categories of subscribers are exempted from payment of Registration Charges and installation charges for priority telephones connection under Non-OYT/Special Category and are entitled to 50 percent concession in normal rental charges. However, Gallantry Award winners are entitled to full concession in normal rental charges. (Authority : Ministry of Communications (Deptt. of Telecom Services) letter No. 2-47/92-PHA dated 19 Mar 93, circular NO 7/2000 dated 13 Jun 2000 and 2.47/92 PHA dt 18 Sep 2000):-
(a) Gallantry Award Winners in the three Services (PVC, Ashok Chakra, MVC, KC, VrC & SC).
(b) War widows.
(c) Disabled soldiers.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE
KSB THROUGH AFFDF/RMDF/DMACP
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM ARMED FORCES FLAG DAY FUND
Grant for Construction/Repair of Houses. 50 percent of the grant, paid to War Widows, War Disabled by the State Govt.s for construction/repair of houses is reimbursed by the KSB subject to a maximum of Rs.10,000/ (KSB letter No.105 SB(7)/EC/91/KSB/D dated 16 Nov 92).
Grant for Marriage of Daughters of War Widow/War Disabled. Kendriya Sainik Board gives a grant of Rs.8,000/ for the marriage of daughters of a war widow or war disabled ex Servicemen whose disability is more than 50 percent
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM RAKSHA MANTRI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND (RMDF)
The following cases of financial assistance from RMDF are considered by KSB:-
(a) Assistance to old infirm Ex-Servicemen/ widows of ESM Rs 1000/- p.m. for two years.
(b) Marriage of daughter Ex-Servicemen/ widows in penury Rs 8,000/-.
(c) Repair of house for ESM/Widows in penury. Rs 10,000/-
(d) Medical treatment Depending on the nature and gravity of ailment Subject to a maximum of Rs 15,000/-
(e) Education of children of ESM/ widows in penury Rs 100/- p.m. per child for max of three children up to XII class.
(f) Other cases in respect of ESM/widows in penury. like natural calamities, accidental or where feels that the case deserves sympathetic consideration) No single transaction to exceed Rs 15, 000/-
Note : The cases of financial assistance from RMDF are submitted by the
concerned Zila/Rajya Sainik Boards to KSB.
DEFENCE MINISTER’S APPELLATE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS (DMACP)
Cases where family pension claims have been rejected or where disability is neither attributable nor aggravated by military service are given the following types of grants by the DMACP:
(a) Educational allowance Rs 25/ p.m. up to three children of ex Servicemen who were enrolled prior to 01 Jan 85. For personnel enrolled on or after 01 Jan 85, the grant is admissible to only two children. The maximum amount of educational grant is, however, restricted to Rs. 3,000/ .
(b) A lump sum grant up to Rs. 2,000/ to aged parents of the deceased ex Servicemen.
(c) Cost of sewing machine to the wife of deceased/ disabled ex Servicemen.
(d) A one time grant of Rs 1,000/ for daughter's marriage.
Appeals for financial assistance on rejection of pension claims should be made to the Defence Minister's Appellate Committee on pension within six months of rejection of the claim. The appeals are considered by the Committee based on merits of each case and the financial assistance granted which is, subsequently, paid by the Kendriya Sainik Board through the concerned Rajya/Zila Sainik Board.
Ex gratia allowance to Burma Army Pensioners. Burma Army Pensioners who are Indian Nationals and are drawing their pension in India are given ex gratia allowance so as to raise their existing pension and relief drawn thereon to Rs 1275/ per month w.e.f 01 Nov 97. This allowance would be admissible to the families of such pensioners in the event of their death.
Tool Kit for ex Servicemen Technicians. Out of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, tool kits are provided, amount not exceeding Rs.2,000/ , provided the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) The ex Serviceman hold the qualification to utilise the tool kit.
(b) The ex Serviceman has the appropriate infrastructure to set up for himself the proposed trade. (KSB letter No.105 SB(7)/EC/91/KSB/D dated 16 Nov 92)
Reimbursement of Interest by way of subsidy on loan taken from Bank for construction of House to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties and their dependents. There is a scheme for re imbursement of interest subsidy on loan taken from Banks by war bereaved, war disabled, attributable peace time casualties and their dependents for construction of houses with the following conditions:
(a) The upper limit is Rs.10,000/ for eligibility of grant of interest subsidy, even though the loan taken may be of a higher amount.
(b) Apart from the Banks, loan taken from reputed organisations in Government/Public Sector Undertakings, LIC. GIC and HUDCO except private organisations are also made eligible for the grant of interest subsidy subject to the condition that the loan given by these organisations are based on genuineness of the requirement and the repaying capacity of the individual.
(c) The rates of the interest subsidy and the period for re payment of loan is as under:
(i) The subsidy will be paid up to a maximum period of five years or the date of final repayment of loan whichever is earlier.
(ii) 50 percent of the interest charges by the Banks or Govt. of Public Sector including LIC, GIC and HUDCO would be reimbursed as interest subsidy.
INSTITUTIONAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY KSB
Sainik Rest House Facility
To facilitate short stay of ex Servicemen during their visit to District HQs in connection with settlement of their pensionary claims, for medical treatment, litigation, etc. a number of Sainik Rest Houses have been established all over the country. At present, there are 243 Sainik Rest Houses in the country. For details of Sainik Rest Houses click here. After Care of ex Servicemen/their dependents for Leprosy/TB etc. in the Cheshire Homes.
Kendriya Sainik Board is providing grants to Cheshire Homes/Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre/QMTI so that the ex Servicemen/their dependents inmates are looked after by them. At present the following Cheshire Homes/Centres are being given grants:
(a) Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre, Dehradun.
(b) Cheshire Home, Thiruvananthapuram
(c) Cheshire Home, Delhi
(d) Cheshire Home, Lucknow
(e) Cheshire Home, Vellore
(f) Cheshire Home, Bangalore (g) QMTI, Pune
Grant in Aid in respect of Welfare Services undertaken by the Indian Red Cross Society
Annual grant is provided to the Indian Red Cross Society for welfare Services provided by the Society to sick and wounded Servicemen/ex Servicemen in the Armed Forces Hospitals.
Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen Welfare Organisation
Kendriya Sainik Board provides grants to Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen Welfare Association, Dehradun to look after the welfare of Indian Gorkha Ex Servicemen and their families.
Rehabilitation Centres/Training cum Production Centres for Widows of Defence Personnel
There are 18 Rehabilitation Centres/Training Centres/ Training cum Production Centres/Vocational Centres. These Centres provide Training Courses in Tailoring, Knitting, Stitching, Typing, Sewing, Stenography, Computer Programming, etc. For details of the location of Rehabilitation Centers click here.
Hostels for War Widows/Widows of Defence Personnel
Kendriya Sainik Board shares expenditure on 50 percent basis of the cost of the construction and thereafter the maintenance of Widows Hostels and Old Age Homes. These Hostels/Homes are at Bihar (Albert Eeka Memorial Complex, Patna), J&K (Jammu), Maharashtra (Naval War Memorial Hostel at Mumbai for Naval War Widows), Madhya Pradesh (Mahar Regimental Centre, Saugor and J&K Rifles Regimental Centre, Jabalpur), Meghalaya (Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong), Uttar Pradesh (Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre, Lansdowne, Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet, Rajput Regimental Centre, Fatehgarh and AMC Centre & School, Lucknow), Delhi (War Widow Home Capacity for 30 inmates located at 18/1, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110057) and Tamil Nadu (War Widows Home, Chennai 600 004).
Posted by Indian ExServicemen Movement at 12:55
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Armed Forces Tribunal
Dear Members,
A copy of the GOI announcement on setting up of the Armed Forces Tribunal is given below. A brief prepared by Maj Navdeep Singh is also placed below. Both are self explanatory and important issues have been highlighted.
What is of interest to the Veterans is that Pensions and other service related grievances are also covered by the AFT and will now go before the tribunal and will hopefully get a sympathetic and much quicker hearing and cut out the long existing delays. Appeal against the judgement of the AFT will only be to the Supreme Court. What is also likely is that if the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee does not give us relief on OROP and we have to take a legal recourse , then the AFT may be our first stop.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President, NFDC
*************************************************************
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
******
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL APPOINTED
New Delhi: June 22, 2009
The Government has approved the appointment of following as Judicial and Administrative Members in the Armed Forces Tribunal (Principal Bench and Various Regional Benches), in scale of pay Rs. 26,000/- (fixed) (pre revised), for a period of 4 years from the date of assumption of the post or till the age of 65 years,. Whichever is earlier:-
Judicial Members
1. Mr. Justice Janardan Sahai
2. Mr. Justice K Padmanabhan Nair (Retd)
3. Mr. Justice Shilendra Shanker Kulshrestha (Retd)
4. Mr. Justice Ghanshyam Prasad (Retd)
5. Mr. Justice Manak Lall Mohta
6. Mr. Justice AC Arumugaperumal Adityan
7. Mr. Justice Anwar Ahmad (Retd)
8. Mr. Justice Bhanwaroo Khan
Administrative Members:
1. Lt. Gen (Retd) S Pattabhiraman
2. Lt. Gen (Retd) Amrik Singh Bahia
3. Lt. Gen (Retd) Madan Gopal
4. Lt. Gen (Retd) Susheel Gupta
5. Lt. Gen (Retd) M L Naidu
6. Lt. Gen (Retd) HS Panag
7. Lt. Gen ( Retd) Thomas Mathew
8. Lt. Gen ( Retd) PR Gangadharan
9. Lt. Gen ( Retd) SS Dhillon
10. Lt. Gen (Retd) ZU Shah
11. Lt. Gen (Retd) RK Chhabra
12. Lt. Gen (Retd) NS Brar
13. Vice Adm (Retd) RF Contractor
14. Lt. Gen (Retd) BS Sisodia
15. Commodore (Retd) Mohan Phadke
The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the creation of 31 posts for the Armed Forces Tribunal on June 24, 2008 paving the way for the creation of the proposed independent adjudicating forum for dispensing cost effective and speedy justice to the armed forces personnel. The posts include 1 of Chairperson and 29 posts of members for the Principal Bench at New Delhi and 8 Regional Branches. It also includes one post of Principal Registrar at the Principal Bench.
The Principal Bench at New Delhi will have three courts and will have jurisdiction over High Courts in the State of Delhi.
Similarly, the Chandigarh and Lucknow Benches will have 3 courts each. The Chandigarh Bench will have jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana, J&K and Himachal Pradesh. The Lucknow Bench will have jurisdiction over Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.
The other locations for the Benches with one court each will be Kolkata, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai and Jaipur.
The Kolkata Bench will have jurisdiction over West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Guwahati Bench will have jurisdiction over Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Mumbai Bench will have jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. While Kochi Bench will have jurisdiction over Kerala and Karnataka, Chennai Bench will look after Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Jaipur Bench will have jurisdiction over Rajasthan.
The setting up of the Armed Forces Tribunal has fulfilled a long-felt need of the country’s three defence services. Over 9,800 cases filed by Service personnel are pending before various High Courts. The maximum number of cases numbering 2487 will be transferred to the Chandigarh Bench while 2407 will be adjudicated by the Lucknow Bench. Two thousand three hundred and six (2,306) cases are proposed to be transferred to the Delhi Principal Bench.
The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 which was passed by the Parliament during the Winter Session of 2007 received the assent of the President on 25th December, 2007. The Act was notified on 28th December, 2007. It provides for adjudication or trial by the tribunal of disputes and complaints with respect to commission, appointments, enrolment and conditions of service in respect of persons subject to Three Services Acts as also for appeals arising out of orders, findings or sentences of court martial held under the said Acts and for matters connected with them. The Act came into force with effect from 15th June, 2008.
The Tribunal will have original jurisdiction in service matters and appellate jurisdiction in court martial matters. Mr. Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur was appointed as the Chairman of the Tribunal. The Tribunal will consist of 1 Chairperson, 14 judicial and 15 administrative members.
The administrative members shall be officer of the rank of Major General or above in the Army or equivalent rank in the Navy or the Air Force with three years of service in that rank. JAG of three Services with at least one year of service as JAG shall also be eligible. The judicial member should be serving or retired judge of the High Court. All appointments to the Tribunal are made in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The Tribunal has powers to punish for its contempt.
Comments by Maj Navdeep Singh
Many pejorative adjectives have been used to describe the present system of military justice in India, but does it deserve such criticism ? More than the statutes themselves, the problem perhaps is with the executors, the method of understanding the spirit behind, and the final implementation of the statutory provisions of the Army Act, 1950, Air Force Act, 1952 and Navy Act, 1957. The provisions of these Acts, though oppressive in parts, were never meant to be draconian and do have a number of inbuilt checks and balances, but of course the method of using the best of these is open to debate. So what was wrong with the system that forced the govt to bring in the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007? the one line answer echoed in legal corridors would be - ‘lack of an effective appeal’. The same sentiment was reflected by the Supreme Court in the case of Lt Col Prithi Pal Singh Bedi Vs Union of India (1982) where the Court observed that the absence of even one appeal and power to review evidence was distressing and a glaring lacuna.
Where in the world would you find a judicial system without an appeal, here in India of course. The three Acts did not contain a single provision that could be deemed akin to a judicial appeal. There was a provision of pre and post confirmation petitions but these were rarely used in a fashion more than a mere formality. No judicial authority had the jurisdiction to look into or examine the evidence on the basis of which court martial sentences were rendered or the merits of the issues involved. The High Courts and the Apex Court under the writ jurisdiction could of course intervene but only in cases where there was a flouting of statutory provisions or when the sentences rendered were particularly harsh and not commensurate with the offence. The Supreme Court further observed in Ranjit Thakur Vs Union of India (1987) that conscience shaking sentences which are irrationally disproportionate would not be immune from judicial review. The Supreme Court opined that irrationality and perversity were definite grounds wherein Courts could intervene. These shortcomings notwithstanding, it would not exactly be appropriate to say that the three military Acts are without enough checks to avoid miscarriage of justice, there are ample provisions parallel to those available under the criminal system of jurisprudence but the problem remains that unlike the criminal courts, courts martial are presided over not by judicial officers but by officers of the regular army who neither have the acumen nor the bent towards legal and judicial modalities. Moreover, all procedures finally leading to conviction by a court martial (such as Courts of Inquiry, Summary of Evidence etc) are handled by military personnel who may just follow provisions of military Acts and Rules in formal letter but not in spirit - and this makes all the difference. And this also brings us to the answer why a body of professionals such as the AFT is so very urgently required to sit in judgement and appeal over justice rendered to men and women in uniform by another set of men and women in uniform.
The military Acts of India were derivatives of similar Acts of the British and that was the basis why these Acts seemed oppressive. These were moulded as such so as to maintain a grip on discipline over the native Army. The existing Army Act of India, for example, can trace its origin to East India Company’s Mutiny Act, 1754 and the Articles of War of the late 1800s, followed by the Indian Army Act of 1911. Of course this could not be justification enough to retain provisions such as Summary Court Martial after independence or to use terms as ‘customs of war’ in these Acts leading to ambiguity of action by those who want to repress. There is no place for ‘customs’ and ambiguity in criminal jurisprudence and all provisions certainly need to be codified and brought out in black and white. Yes, there may be a difference in the quantum of punishment prescribed for offences in operational and non-operational areas and there may be operation-specific offences but all need to be put in words without leaving any scope of indistinctness in action. Other countries following contemporary systems of justice such as the UK and the USA have since long recognised the need of reducing ‘customs’ to the barest minimum and having an elaborate system of appeal, but India, despite observations by various High Courts, committees and even the Supreme Court, failed to come out of a crude grundnorm which forms the basis of the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts till date.
So how would the AFT help? Firstly, the AFT would be a forum of professionals with judicial and military background, a perfect mix to handle legal issues of the military. While the Chairperson can either be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, Judicial Members shall be former Judges of High Courts. The Administrative Members would be retired Major Generals or above of any of the three defence services. Each bench of the Tribunal shall consist of a Judicial and an Administrative Member. The Tribunal shall have the power to deal with all findings, orders and decisions of Courts Martial and related matters. As a welcome measure, the AFT has also been granted the power to release persons under military custody on bail. The AFT has also been conferred with powers of Contempt. Unlike the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), an appeal from the AFT shall lie directly with the Supreme Court.
Besides courts martial, the subject matter of the AFT shall also include service matters such as remuneration, pension, retiralbenefits, tenure, appointment, seniority, promotion, superannuation and the like. However Summary trials where dismissal is awarded or Summary Court Martial awards except where dismissal or imprisonment over three months is awarded, would not be under the ambit of the Tribunal. Transfers, postings and leave related matters shall also not be under the purview of the AFT. In case of service matters, even dependants, successors and heirs would be able to approach the Tribunal for justice.
The setting up of the AFT which is bound to bring the much needed relief to military litigants, shall also ensure handling of critical issues by former members of judiciary who would be from outside the ‘chain of command’ and therefore dealing cases with a clean slate with no biases or prejudices. They shall of course be assisted by former military officers - the administrative members, who would, with consensus, be providing important inputs resulting in what hopefully would be well-rounded judicial pronouncements meeting the aspirations of all affected. The AFT would also be in conjunction with the observations by the Supreme Court about providing a proper appellate body for courts martial. But the AFT, without in-house introspection (below) would not be an answer to the shortcomings of the system. What needs to be eliminated is the subjectivity at all levels, starting from initial stages of Inquiry ending with the Trial. The letter of law at all stages needs to be followed in spirit and not as a sheer formality, an effective system of defence for the accused needs to be put into place and senior officers in the chain of command need to be sensitised so as not to interfere in the deliverance of justice in the military. Presiding officers and officers of the JAG Branch have to be absolutely inert from slanted influences and pre-decisions at all levels.
A copy of the GOI announcement on setting up of the Armed Forces Tribunal is given below. A brief prepared by Maj Navdeep Singh is also placed below. Both are self explanatory and important issues have been highlighted.
What is of interest to the Veterans is that Pensions and other service related grievances are also covered by the AFT and will now go before the tribunal and will hopefully get a sympathetic and much quicker hearing and cut out the long existing delays. Appeal against the judgement of the AFT will only be to the Supreme Court. What is also likely is that if the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee does not give us relief on OROP and we have to take a legal recourse , then the AFT may be our first stop.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh (Retd)
President, NFDC
*************************************************************
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
******
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL APPOINTED
New Delhi: June 22, 2009
The Government has approved the appointment of following as Judicial and Administrative Members in the Armed Forces Tribunal (Principal Bench and Various Regional Benches), in scale of pay Rs. 26,000/- (fixed) (pre revised), for a period of 4 years from the date of assumption of the post or till the age of 65 years,. Whichever is earlier:-
Judicial Members
1. Mr. Justice Janardan Sahai
2. Mr. Justice K Padmanabhan Nair (Retd)
3. Mr. Justice Shilendra Shanker Kulshrestha (Retd)
4. Mr. Justice Ghanshyam Prasad (Retd)
5. Mr. Justice Manak Lall Mohta
6. Mr. Justice AC Arumugaperumal Adityan
7. Mr. Justice Anwar Ahmad (Retd)
8. Mr. Justice Bhanwaroo Khan
Administrative Members:
1. Lt. Gen (Retd) S Pattabhiraman
2. Lt. Gen (Retd) Amrik Singh Bahia
3. Lt. Gen (Retd) Madan Gopal
4. Lt. Gen (Retd) Susheel Gupta
5. Lt. Gen (Retd) M L Naidu
6. Lt. Gen (Retd) HS Panag
7. Lt. Gen ( Retd) Thomas Mathew
8. Lt. Gen ( Retd) PR Gangadharan
9. Lt. Gen ( Retd) SS Dhillon
10. Lt. Gen (Retd) ZU Shah
11. Lt. Gen (Retd) RK Chhabra
12. Lt. Gen (Retd) NS Brar
13. Vice Adm (Retd) RF Contractor
14. Lt. Gen (Retd) BS Sisodia
15. Commodore (Retd) Mohan Phadke
The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the creation of 31 posts for the Armed Forces Tribunal on June 24, 2008 paving the way for the creation of the proposed independent adjudicating forum for dispensing cost effective and speedy justice to the armed forces personnel. The posts include 1 of Chairperson and 29 posts of members for the Principal Bench at New Delhi and 8 Regional Branches. It also includes one post of Principal Registrar at the Principal Bench.
The Principal Bench at New Delhi will have three courts and will have jurisdiction over High Courts in the State of Delhi.
Similarly, the Chandigarh and Lucknow Benches will have 3 courts each. The Chandigarh Bench will have jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana, J&K and Himachal Pradesh. The Lucknow Bench will have jurisdiction over Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.
The other locations for the Benches with one court each will be Kolkata, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai and Jaipur.
The Kolkata Bench will have jurisdiction over West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Guwahati Bench will have jurisdiction over Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Mumbai Bench will have jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. While Kochi Bench will have jurisdiction over Kerala and Karnataka, Chennai Bench will look after Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Jaipur Bench will have jurisdiction over Rajasthan.
The setting up of the Armed Forces Tribunal has fulfilled a long-felt need of the country’s three defence services. Over 9,800 cases filed by Service personnel are pending before various High Courts. The maximum number of cases numbering 2487 will be transferred to the Chandigarh Bench while 2407 will be adjudicated by the Lucknow Bench. Two thousand three hundred and six (2,306) cases are proposed to be transferred to the Delhi Principal Bench.
The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 which was passed by the Parliament during the Winter Session of 2007 received the assent of the President on 25th December, 2007. The Act was notified on 28th December, 2007. It provides for adjudication or trial by the tribunal of disputes and complaints with respect to commission, appointments, enrolment and conditions of service in respect of persons subject to Three Services Acts as also for appeals arising out of orders, findings or sentences of court martial held under the said Acts and for matters connected with them. The Act came into force with effect from 15th June, 2008.
The Tribunal will have original jurisdiction in service matters and appellate jurisdiction in court martial matters. Mr. Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur was appointed as the Chairman of the Tribunal. The Tribunal will consist of 1 Chairperson, 14 judicial and 15 administrative members.
The administrative members shall be officer of the rank of Major General or above in the Army or equivalent rank in the Navy or the Air Force with three years of service in that rank. JAG of three Services with at least one year of service as JAG shall also be eligible. The judicial member should be serving or retired judge of the High Court. All appointments to the Tribunal are made in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The Tribunal has powers to punish for its contempt.
Comments by Maj Navdeep Singh
Many pejorative adjectives have been used to describe the present system of military justice in India, but does it deserve such criticism ? More than the statutes themselves, the problem perhaps is with the executors, the method of understanding the spirit behind, and the final implementation of the statutory provisions of the Army Act, 1950, Air Force Act, 1952 and Navy Act, 1957. The provisions of these Acts, though oppressive in parts, were never meant to be draconian and do have a number of inbuilt checks and balances, but of course the method of using the best of these is open to debate. So what was wrong with the system that forced the govt to bring in the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007? the one line answer echoed in legal corridors would be - ‘lack of an effective appeal’. The same sentiment was reflected by the Supreme Court in the case of Lt Col Prithi Pal Singh Bedi Vs Union of India (1982) where the Court observed that the absence of even one appeal and power to review evidence was distressing and a glaring lacuna.
Where in the world would you find a judicial system without an appeal, here in India of course. The three Acts did not contain a single provision that could be deemed akin to a judicial appeal. There was a provision of pre and post confirmation petitions but these were rarely used in a fashion more than a mere formality. No judicial authority had the jurisdiction to look into or examine the evidence on the basis of which court martial sentences were rendered or the merits of the issues involved. The High Courts and the Apex Court under the writ jurisdiction could of course intervene but only in cases where there was a flouting of statutory provisions or when the sentences rendered were particularly harsh and not commensurate with the offence. The Supreme Court further observed in Ranjit Thakur Vs Union of India (1987) that conscience shaking sentences which are irrationally disproportionate would not be immune from judicial review. The Supreme Court opined that irrationality and perversity were definite grounds wherein Courts could intervene. These shortcomings notwithstanding, it would not exactly be appropriate to say that the three military Acts are without enough checks to avoid miscarriage of justice, there are ample provisions parallel to those available under the criminal system of jurisprudence but the problem remains that unlike the criminal courts, courts martial are presided over not by judicial officers but by officers of the regular army who neither have the acumen nor the bent towards legal and judicial modalities. Moreover, all procedures finally leading to conviction by a court martial (such as Courts of Inquiry, Summary of Evidence etc) are handled by military personnel who may just follow provisions of military Acts and Rules in formal letter but not in spirit - and this makes all the difference. And this also brings us to the answer why a body of professionals such as the AFT is so very urgently required to sit in judgement and appeal over justice rendered to men and women in uniform by another set of men and women in uniform.
The military Acts of India were derivatives of similar Acts of the British and that was the basis why these Acts seemed oppressive. These were moulded as such so as to maintain a grip on discipline over the native Army. The existing Army Act of India, for example, can trace its origin to East India Company’s Mutiny Act, 1754 and the Articles of War of the late 1800s, followed by the Indian Army Act of 1911. Of course this could not be justification enough to retain provisions such as Summary Court Martial after independence or to use terms as ‘customs of war’ in these Acts leading to ambiguity of action by those who want to repress. There is no place for ‘customs’ and ambiguity in criminal jurisprudence and all provisions certainly need to be codified and brought out in black and white. Yes, there may be a difference in the quantum of punishment prescribed for offences in operational and non-operational areas and there may be operation-specific offences but all need to be put in words without leaving any scope of indistinctness in action. Other countries following contemporary systems of justice such as the UK and the USA have since long recognised the need of reducing ‘customs’ to the barest minimum and having an elaborate system of appeal, but India, despite observations by various High Courts, committees and even the Supreme Court, failed to come out of a crude grundnorm which forms the basis of the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts till date.
So how would the AFT help? Firstly, the AFT would be a forum of professionals with judicial and military background, a perfect mix to handle legal issues of the military. While the Chairperson can either be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, Judicial Members shall be former Judges of High Courts. The Administrative Members would be retired Major Generals or above of any of the three defence services. Each bench of the Tribunal shall consist of a Judicial and an Administrative Member. The Tribunal shall have the power to deal with all findings, orders and decisions of Courts Martial and related matters. As a welcome measure, the AFT has also been granted the power to release persons under military custody on bail. The AFT has also been conferred with powers of Contempt. Unlike the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), an appeal from the AFT shall lie directly with the Supreme Court.
Besides courts martial, the subject matter of the AFT shall also include service matters such as remuneration, pension, retiralbenefits, tenure, appointment, seniority, promotion, superannuation and the like. However Summary trials where dismissal is awarded or Summary Court Martial awards except where dismissal or imprisonment over three months is awarded, would not be under the ambit of the Tribunal. Transfers, postings and leave related matters shall also not be under the purview of the AFT. In case of service matters, even dependants, successors and heirs would be able to approach the Tribunal for justice.
The setting up of the AFT which is bound to bring the much needed relief to military litigants, shall also ensure handling of critical issues by former members of judiciary who would be from outside the ‘chain of command’ and therefore dealing cases with a clean slate with no biases or prejudices. They shall of course be assisted by former military officers - the administrative members, who would, with consensus, be providing important inputs resulting in what hopefully would be well-rounded judicial pronouncements meeting the aspirations of all affected. The AFT would also be in conjunction with the observations by the Supreme Court about providing a proper appellate body for courts martial. But the AFT, without in-house introspection (below) would not be an answer to the shortcomings of the system. What needs to be eliminated is the subjectivity at all levels, starting from initial stages of Inquiry ending with the Trial. The letter of law at all stages needs to be followed in spirit and not as a sheer formality, an effective system of defence for the accused needs to be put into place and senior officers in the chain of command need to be sensitised so as not to interfere in the deliverance of justice in the military. Presiding officers and officers of the JAG Branch have to be absolutely inert from slanted influences and pre-decisions at all levels.
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