The following is posted for the benefit of information of all veteran brothers:-
====================================
Mr.Nagarajan Sundararajan, an active GConnect Discussion Board member posting in the name of ’sundarar’ feels that this Order (NO.3/39/09-3FPPC/201 DATED 22.02.2010 ISSUED BY GOVT OF PANJAB FOR REVISION OF PENSION IN RESPECT OF PRE-1.1.2006 PENSIONERS) though relates to Pensioners of Government of Punjab, might draw the attention of Central Government in certain aspects.
(source-GConnect)
================================
Even if the similar orders are extended to the Armed Forces Pensioners, the element of (50%)MSP is to be added, thereby fixing the Minimum Pension at Rs.4500/-(civ.pen 3500+1000msp), for Y group AC/LAC and Rs.5200/-(3500+1000+700) for X Group AC/LAC. In addition, Classification Allowance at the lowest rates(100% FULL NEW RATES i.e. Rs.100/_) and the Good Conduct Badge Pay (I,II,III rates=Rs.240/-)shall also to be included. Therefore, the minimum pension of a 15 year service AC/LAC shall have to be fixed at about this rate i.e. Rs.4500/-+100+240=Rs.4840/- for Y group AC/LAC and Rs.5540/-(Rs.5200+100+240) w.e.f. 1.1.2006.
-------------------------------------------------------
(PBORs-REVISED PAY SCALES PBOR : IAF
Rank Recommended Pay Band Grade Pay MSP Gp X Pay
MWO 9300-34800 4800 2000 1400
WO 9300-34800 4600 2000 1400
JWO 9300-34800 4200 2000 1400
SGT 5200-20200 2800 2000 1400
CPL 5200-20200 2400 2000 1400
AC/LAC 5200-20200 2000 2000 1400 )
---------------------------------------------
THE WAIT FOR THE ACTUAL PENSION TABLES IS UNENDING..........
THE OPPOSITION LEADER BLAMED THE GOVT OF GONE BACK ON PROMISE OF OROP.....
BUT THE PM STATED IN THE LS THAT THE PROMISE REDEEMED ON OROP AND IT IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED .................
AND WE AWAIT THE GOVT PENSION ORDERS FOR ARMED FORCES PENSIONERS(PRE-2006)................
HOPING TO END THE WAIT SOON.........
==============================
Thursday, March 4, 2010
LK Advani said - Govt went back on pension promise : PM insisted that the promise had been completely redeemed
New Delhi: BJP leader L K Advanis remark in Parliament on Wednesday that the government was close to a clandestine deal with Pakistan over Kashmir under US pressure provoked a usually calm Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and led to a brief spat between the two. The Lok Sabha also witnessed Congress president Sonia Gandhi encouraging Sriprakash Jaiswal to challenge Advanis claim that the government was contemplating a secret deal.But she was less than enthusiastic over a National Conference MPs loud support for Jammu and Kashmirs pre-1953 status.
The PM took on Advani over the latters claims that the one-rank,one-pension promise had not been fully implemented. It does not behove anyone to create a rift between the government and the Services, the PM said. Singh insisted that the promise had been completely redeemed.
Opening the discussion for BJP on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address, Advani accused the government of going back on its promise to implement the one-rank,one-pension policy for the armed forces. On Advanis point that former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf had claimed that he was close to an understanding on Jammu and Kashmir with India in 2007,Singh was sharp.You are using the forum of Parliament to sow the seeds of... he said,leaving the retort incomplete. Singh was perhaps provoked by the BJP leaders pointed charges raising doubts about the governments stand on the Kashmir issue.
(source-toi)
The PM took on Advani over the latters claims that the one-rank,one-pension promise had not been fully implemented. It does not behove anyone to create a rift between the government and the Services, the PM said. Singh insisted that the promise had been completely redeemed.
Opening the discussion for BJP on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address, Advani accused the government of going back on its promise to implement the one-rank,one-pension policy for the armed forces. On Advanis point that former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf had claimed that he was close to an understanding on Jammu and Kashmir with India in 2007,Singh was sharp.You are using the forum of Parliament to sow the seeds of... he said,leaving the retort incomplete. Singh was perhaps provoked by the BJP leaders pointed charges raising doubts about the governments stand on the Kashmir issue.
(source-toi)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A time limit cause is holding up a national honour for an IAF fighter pilot who made the supreme sacrifice.
Honour eludes a war hero 
-Flying Officer K.P. Muralidharan
Kochi: Morbid red-tapism is hindering a well-deserved honour from coming to a valiant young air warrior who is believed to have made the supreme sacrifice in the Indo-Pak war in 1971. Almost three decades after Flying Officer K.P. Muralidharan was first declared ‘missing in action’ (MIA) and then ‘presumed killed [for official purposes]’ in a rather unsuccessful air raid over Peshawar in Pakistan on the second day of the war, a national honour for gallantry still eludes the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot who was with the magnificent No.20 Squadron ‘Lightnings’.
Apparently, what is holding up his case is a time-limit clause recently introduced by the government in conferring such medals. “I am given to understand that acting on my petition to Defence Minister A.K. Antony last year, the Air Force Hq. pitched for the award of the Mahavir Chakra to Muralidharan after it was convinced that the officer had gone down fighting like a hero. But a two-year bracket recently set by the government has now brought the case in limbo,” says K. Rajendran Nair, a relative of Muralidharan.
Last week, the former Supreme Court Judge V.R. Krishna Iyer despatched a powerfully-worded letter to Mr. Antony advocating Muralidharan’s case. Terming the alleged denial of the Mahavir Chakra a “betrayal of the nation’s duty to honour an act of self sacrifice,” he wrote: “Those who plead the bar of limitation to withhold this legitimate honour have done an act of disgrace by the neglect…I entreat you on behalf of the nation to hasten and reverse the neglect so far made.”
INTERCEPTED - Muralidharan, 26, who was born to Padamanabhan Thirumulpad of Nilambur Kovilakam and Malathi, was hardly two years in service when he took off from Pathankot on a Hunter aircraft on that fateful day, December 4, 1971, for a strafing run on the Peshawar airfield. Squadron Leader K.N. Bajpai, flying another Hunter, was also part of the mission. As it turned out, they were intercepted by Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-86 Sabres, as it was IAF’s second attack on Peshawar that day. Flying to Peshawar meant stretching the Hunter to its limit which forbade any probable combat as it would cause fuel shortage. While Bajpai managed to return, Muralidharan went missing in the ensuing dogfight with one of the Sabres. Overtime, it was deemed that he was among the 54 Prisoners of War (PoW) Pakistan was believed to have interned in its jails post the war.
That was the case until a few years ago when a retired PAF officer, Wing Commander Salim Mirza Baig, who was in the thick of action in 1971, revealed in a personal war account that the Hunter flown by Muralidharan was among the two Indian fighter aircraft brought down by him in separate air battles in the war. (The second was a Gnat flown by Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who took on six marauding Sabres over Srinagar before being gunned down by Baig). Sekhon was posthumously decorated with the Param Vir Chakra, the IAF’s sole PVC till date. In his tale of the battle over Peshawar, Baig admires the Hunter (flown by Muralidharan) that he took on, calling it a ‘tough nut to crack’ and conclusively says that the pilot was killed in air combat. "Even as time limit is said to be standing in way of a belated honour to the war hero, there’s precedence to the contrary,” says Mr. Nair.
“Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra 23 years after the 1965 war based on a PAF officer’s account of his bravery. After the Kargil war, Pakistan conferred its highest military award the ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ posthumously on Captain Karnal Sher Khan based on an Indian officer’s war account. What, then, impedes Muralidharan’s case?” he asks.
As Mr. Iyer highlights in his letter to Mr. Antony: “… bureaucracy sometimes delays and in an ungrateful manner defeats what is due.”
(source-HINDU)
-Flying Officer K.P. Muralidharan Kochi: Morbid red-tapism is hindering a well-deserved honour from coming to a valiant young air warrior who is believed to have made the supreme sacrifice in the Indo-Pak war in 1971. Almost three decades after Flying Officer K.P. Muralidharan was first declared ‘missing in action’ (MIA) and then ‘presumed killed [for official purposes]’ in a rather unsuccessful air raid over Peshawar in Pakistan on the second day of the war, a national honour for gallantry still eludes the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot who was with the magnificent No.20 Squadron ‘Lightnings’.
Apparently, what is holding up his case is a time-limit clause recently introduced by the government in conferring such medals. “I am given to understand that acting on my petition to Defence Minister A.K. Antony last year, the Air Force Hq. pitched for the award of the Mahavir Chakra to Muralidharan after it was convinced that the officer had gone down fighting like a hero. But a two-year bracket recently set by the government has now brought the case in limbo,” says K. Rajendran Nair, a relative of Muralidharan.
Last week, the former Supreme Court Judge V.R. Krishna Iyer despatched a powerfully-worded letter to Mr. Antony advocating Muralidharan’s case. Terming the alleged denial of the Mahavir Chakra a “betrayal of the nation’s duty to honour an act of self sacrifice,” he wrote: “Those who plead the bar of limitation to withhold this legitimate honour have done an act of disgrace by the neglect…I entreat you on behalf of the nation to hasten and reverse the neglect so far made.”
INTERCEPTED - Muralidharan, 26, who was born to Padamanabhan Thirumulpad of Nilambur Kovilakam and Malathi, was hardly two years in service when he took off from Pathankot on a Hunter aircraft on that fateful day, December 4, 1971, for a strafing run on the Peshawar airfield. Squadron Leader K.N. Bajpai, flying another Hunter, was also part of the mission. As it turned out, they were intercepted by Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-86 Sabres, as it was IAF’s second attack on Peshawar that day. Flying to Peshawar meant stretching the Hunter to its limit which forbade any probable combat as it would cause fuel shortage. While Bajpai managed to return, Muralidharan went missing in the ensuing dogfight with one of the Sabres. Overtime, it was deemed that he was among the 54 Prisoners of War (PoW) Pakistan was believed to have interned in its jails post the war.
That was the case until a few years ago when a retired PAF officer, Wing Commander Salim Mirza Baig, who was in the thick of action in 1971, revealed in a personal war account that the Hunter flown by Muralidharan was among the two Indian fighter aircraft brought down by him in separate air battles in the war. (The second was a Gnat flown by Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who took on six marauding Sabres over Srinagar before being gunned down by Baig). Sekhon was posthumously decorated with the Param Vir Chakra, the IAF’s sole PVC till date. In his tale of the battle over Peshawar, Baig admires the Hunter (flown by Muralidharan) that he took on, calling it a ‘tough nut to crack’ and conclusively says that the pilot was killed in air combat. "Even as time limit is said to be standing in way of a belated honour to the war hero, there’s precedence to the contrary,” says Mr. Nair.
“Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra 23 years after the 1965 war based on a PAF officer’s account of his bravery. After the Kargil war, Pakistan conferred its highest military award the ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ posthumously on Captain Karnal Sher Khan based on an Indian officer’s war account. What, then, impedes Muralidharan’s case?” he asks.
As Mr. Iyer highlights in his letter to Mr. Antony: “… bureaucracy sometimes delays and in an ungrateful manner defeats what is due.”
(source-HINDU)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
COLOURFUL HOLI GREETINGS
Holi ki shubh kamna aur Happy Holi
A touch of green i send to u. A drop of blue to cool the hue. A tinge of red for warmth and
zest for a colorful HOLI! Happy and colorful Holi
Bright colors, water balloons, lavish gujiyas and melodious songs are the ingredients
of perfect Holi. Wish you a very happy and wonderful Holi.
Dipped in hues of love and trust has come the festival of Holi. Happy Holi!!
You can choose to be happy or sad and whichever you choose that is what you get.
No one is really responsible to make someone else happy, no matter what most
people have been taught and accept as true.
Auspicious red. Sun kissed gold. Soothing silver. Pretty purple. Blissful blue. Forever green.
I wish u and all family members The most colorful Holi.
Celebrating the colors of our beautiful relationship, I wish you and your family all the bright
hues of life. Have a colourful holi !
One day to go…Holi aane mein…happy bath anniversary and HAPPY HOLI to U…
Just like a red rose that fills the world with beauty & fragrance…You have made my life
so beautiful by being in it. On Holi, the festival of colors and joy I wanna say thank you for all the
love and smiles you’ve brought to my life. Happy Holi
Best wishes to you for a Holi filled with sweet moments and memories to cherish for long.
Happy Holi!
Red 4 Prosperity. Green 4 Happiness, Blue 4 Longitivity, Orange 4 Progress, Pink 4 Friendship.
May U be Blessed with all shades of Holi.
A true and caring relation doesn’t have to speak loud, a soft sms is just enough to express
the heartiest feelings. Enjoy the Indian festival of Holi with lot of fun.
If wishes come in rainbow colors then I would send the brightest one to say Happy Holi.
May God gift you all the colors of life, colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship,
colors of love and all other colors you want to paint in your life. Happy Holi.
HOLI KE KHUBSURAT RANGO KI TARAH AAPKO OR AAPKE PURE PARIVAR KO HAMARI TARAF SE BAHUT BAHUT RANGO BHARI UMANGO BHARI SHUBHKAMNAYE
Dil mai utha tufan bheja hai, aapse na mil pane ka malal bheja hai waqt mile to
thoda sa yaad karna aapke dost ne holi ka ram ram bheja hai
Bin Sawan Barsat nahi hoti, Suraj Dooebe bina raat nahi hoti, Apni tau aadat hai aisi ki,
Aapko wish kiye bina festival ki shurat nahi hoti.
Agar Aurat Hai, Ladki hai, Janana Hai, Patakha Hai, Maal Hai, Item Hai,
Cheej Hai tau - "TILKAK HOLI" Khelo aur mard hai to, ASLI HOLI khelo.
Aaiso basant nahin bar bar phagan ke din char holi khel ke mana re seel santokh ke
kesar gholi prem preet pichkaar re urat gulal lal bhiyo ambar barsat rang apaar re.
------------------------------
From Gopal Singh Negi & Family, Chittorgarh (Raj)
======================================
zest for a colorful HOLI! Happy and colorful Holi
Bright colors, water balloons, lavish gujiyas and melodious songs are the ingredients
of perfect Holi. Wish you a very happy and wonderful Holi.
Dipped in hues of love and trust has come the festival of Holi. Happy Holi!!
No one is really responsible to make someone else happy, no matter what most
people have been taught and accept as true.
Auspicious red. Sun kissed gold. Soothing silver. Pretty purple. Blissful blue. Forever green.
I wish u and all family members The most colorful Holi.
Celebrating the colors of our beautiful relationship, I wish you and your family all the bright
hues of life. Have a colourful holi !
Just like a red rose that fills the world with beauty & fragrance…You have made my life
so beautiful by being in it. On Holi, the festival of colors and joy I wanna say thank you for all the
love and smiles you’ve brought to my life. Happy Holi
Best wishes to you for a Holi filled with sweet moments and memories to cherish for long.
Happy Holi!
May U be Blessed with all shades of Holi.
A true and caring relation doesn’t have to speak loud, a soft sms is just enough to express
the heartiest feelings. Enjoy the Indian festival of Holi with lot of fun.
If wishes come in rainbow colors then I would send the brightest one to say Happy Holi.
colors of love and all other colors you want to paint in your life. Happy Holi.
HOLI KE KHUBSURAT RANGO KI TARAH AAPKO OR AAPKE PURE PARIVAR KO HAMARI TARAF SE BAHUT BAHUT RANGO BHARI UMANGO BHARI SHUBHKAMNAYE
Dil mai utha tufan bheja hai, aapse na mil pane ka malal bheja hai waqt mile to
thoda sa yaad karna aapke dost ne holi ka ram ram bheja hai
Aapko wish kiye bina festival ki shurat nahi hoti.
Agar Aurat Hai, Ladki hai, Janana Hai, Patakha Hai, Maal Hai, Item Hai,
Cheej Hai tau - "TILKAK HOLI" Khelo aur mard hai to, ASLI HOLI khelo.
Aaiso basant nahin bar bar phagan ke din char holi khel ke mana re seel santokh ke
kesar gholi prem preet pichkaar re urat gulal lal bhiyo ambar barsat rang apaar re.
------------------------------
From Gopal Singh Negi & Family, Chittorgarh (Raj)
======================================
Saturday, February 27, 2010
ABORPTION OF ESM IN RAILWAYS - RAILWAY MINISTER IN HER BUDGET SPEECH :24 FEB 10
THE RELEVANT PARAS IN RAIL BUDGET SPEECH (24.2.10) ON ESM/AF PERSONNEL IS POSTED BELOW FOR THE INFORMATION OF ALL VETERAN BROTHERS:-
=========================================
RAILWAY BUDGET 2010-11
"As a mark of respect to the contribution of the Armed forces personnel in defending the borders of our country the Indian Railways will run special trains titled as ‘Janmabhoomi’ between Ahmadabad and Udhampur every week linking Jodhpur, Phalodi, Lalgarh, Biradhwal, Pilibanga, Mahajan, Suratgarh, Hanumangarh, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Firozpur, Jalandher, Chakki bank, Samba, Bari Brahman, Jammu-Tawi and Udhampur. "
The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee today announced that her Ministry will follow a twin strategy of adopting the highest level of technology and pressing into force well-trained manpower, as emphasized in Vision 2020 for safety and security. Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, the Minister said that safety and security never sleeps and zero tolerance for accidents is our vision and mission. She said 17,000 trains run everyday carrying 18 million passengers over 64,015 route- kms. In such a vast operation and due to technical problems, sabotage, fog, rail roko, natural disaster and human failure, there are some unfortunate incidents of accidents. The Minister said Railways has to go in for new, cutting-edge equipment to prevent accidents. Anti-collision device (ACD) and Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) are two such devices. She said ACD has already been installed on Northern Frontier Railway and is now proposed to be extended to three more Zonal Railways. The Minister said that four projects of TPWS covering 828 route-kms for improving safety and preventing collision accidents will be implemented during the year. Railways are also developing crashworthy coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains as pilot project. The Minister said that accidents at unmanned level crossings are a source of deep concern to all. Even now, there are about 17,000 unmanned level crossings. She said that manning of around 3,000 level crossings was approved in 2009-10 and a further 1,000 level crossings will be taken up next year. A special drive in this regard is being launched so that in the coming five years, all the unmanned LCs are manned, she added. Kumari Mamata Banerjee said Railways would construct more under-passes, limited height sub-ways besides Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) and Rail Under Bridges (RUBs). She said Railways will explore the possibility of using jute geo-textiles wherever the soil formation of railway track is unstable and weak.
The Minister said that law and order being a state subject, security cannot be ensured without the whole-hearted cooperation of the State Governments. She said, in fact, Railways bear 50 per cent of the cost of State Government Railway Police. (GRP). She appealed to the people not to target the Railways during any local issue and frequent rail rooks agitation. The Minister said her Ministry has to strengthen the Railway Protection Force(RPF) as an organization and to modernize RPF, full support is being given. Railways will bring a comprehensive bill for providing security to passengers. She said as security is an important area, Railways has decided to involve ex-servicemen to strengthen Railway Protection Force. Referring to security of women passengers, she said it will be improved by raising 12 companies of women RPF personnel to be named ‘Mahila Vahini’. Railway Protection Special Force(RPSF) will also be strengthened and priority will be given to women especially those belonging to minorities, SC/ST, OBC and economically backward classes. This was announced by the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee in the Lok Sabha today while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11.
(SOURCE-PIB)
=======================
THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL FROM MAJ (DR)TC RAO(retd) IS POSTED ALONGWITH COMMENTS OF AIR CMDE RAGHUBIR SINGH (RETD):-
------------------------------------
Dear Veterans,
1. 24 Feb 2010, was the golden day for Ex-servicemen, as one of our outstanding demands was accepted by Hon’ble Railway Minister and was announced in her Railway budget speech that Ex-servicemen will be absorbed in Railway protection force. I have written a letter of thanks to her which is enclosed. I had put up this request one and a half year back to the UPA Govt.
2. Our many more demands/plans for rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen are in pipe line. I am pursuing it with Defence Minister, Labour Minister, Aviation Minister, Home Minister, Sports & Youth Minister, Chief Minister of Delhi and Chairman of MCD & NDMC for the following to absorb Ex-servicemen.
a. Disaster Management Group.
b. To Preserve Ecology.
c. In Common Wealth Games.
d. Security cover to Govt or Public sector undertakings
e. Managing of Parking lots of NDMC, MCD DDA, Delhi Metro, Indian Railways & and at Airports.
f. Parks Security and upkeep in Delhi.
g. To Maintain green strips at Delhi.
h. Education Institute to induct Teacher & Admin staff in Schools & Collages.
i. Security cover, Housekeeping & Maintain of following at Delhi.
i. Youth Centres.
ii. Swimming Pools
iii. Barat Ghars
iv. Senior Citizen Houses
v. Working Women Hostels
vi. Libraries
j. Sports and Gymnasium complex to be looked after by Ex-servicemen.
k. Parallel absorption in Govt. Jobs
3. a. Up keep, Security & Housekeeping of Railway Platform.
b. Mechanical cleaning of Railway Coaches.
c. House Keeping, Security & Up keep locomotive shed of the Railways.
4. I am hopeful that with your good wishes and your moral support to me, I will be able to achieve. I am very hopeful and positive.
5. Wishing you Happy Holi. “Jai Hind”
Maj (Dr) T C Rao
Chairman
DPCC
-----------------------
Dear Major TC Rao,
I am appreciative of the way you have been putting in efforts to ameliorate the peculiar problems of the ESM community.I feel best way to utilise this vast pool of highly disciplined & motivated manpower pool would be to take advantage of their service background. With our neighbourhood becoming mukier and sinister with terror as potect weapon-ESM in younger age group can handle private security very well. But not @ Rs 3000-4000 pm with contractors taking lion's share. Perhaps it could be Coop Society under the aegis of ESM welfare org.Secondly ESM would do well in Police too through lateral entry. Public Distribution system can operate best under ESM's.
At higher level-the ESM can be involved in speedy dispensation of justice to clear the backlog in just three years.Retd general rank officers can do much better as heads of various commissions than producing dud reports even after decades. Now that exit at 20 years is comfortable- why not tap officers cadres for IAS/IPS. Mamta Banerji has been quite sympathetic to the ESM's. Wish she would have introduced free passes for them. Even now it is not too late? .
Air Cmde Raghubir Singh(Retd)
-----------------------------------
=========================================
RAILWAY BUDGET 2010-11
"As a mark of respect to the contribution of the Armed forces personnel in defending the borders of our country the Indian Railways will run special trains titled as ‘Janmabhoomi’ between Ahmadabad and Udhampur every week linking Jodhpur, Phalodi, Lalgarh, Biradhwal, Pilibanga, Mahajan, Suratgarh, Hanumangarh, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Firozpur, Jalandher, Chakki bank, Samba, Bari Brahman, Jammu-Tawi and Udhampur. "
The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee today announced that her Ministry will follow a twin strategy of adopting the highest level of technology and pressing into force well-trained manpower, as emphasized in Vision 2020 for safety and security. Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, the Minister said that safety and security never sleeps and zero tolerance for accidents is our vision and mission. She said 17,000 trains run everyday carrying 18 million passengers over 64,015 route- kms. In such a vast operation and due to technical problems, sabotage, fog, rail roko, natural disaster and human failure, there are some unfortunate incidents of accidents. The Minister said Railways has to go in for new, cutting-edge equipment to prevent accidents. Anti-collision device (ACD) and Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) are two such devices. She said ACD has already been installed on Northern Frontier Railway and is now proposed to be extended to three more Zonal Railways. The Minister said that four projects of TPWS covering 828 route-kms for improving safety and preventing collision accidents will be implemented during the year. Railways are also developing crashworthy coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains as pilot project. The Minister said that accidents at unmanned level crossings are a source of deep concern to all. Even now, there are about 17,000 unmanned level crossings. She said that manning of around 3,000 level crossings was approved in 2009-10 and a further 1,000 level crossings will be taken up next year. A special drive in this regard is being launched so that in the coming five years, all the unmanned LCs are manned, she added. Kumari Mamata Banerjee said Railways would construct more under-passes, limited height sub-ways besides Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) and Rail Under Bridges (RUBs). She said Railways will explore the possibility of using jute geo-textiles wherever the soil formation of railway track is unstable and weak.
The Minister said that law and order being a state subject, security cannot be ensured without the whole-hearted cooperation of the State Governments. She said, in fact, Railways bear 50 per cent of the cost of State Government Railway Police. (GRP). She appealed to the people not to target the Railways during any local issue and frequent rail rooks agitation. The Minister said her Ministry has to strengthen the Railway Protection Force(RPF) as an organization and to modernize RPF, full support is being given. Railways will bring a comprehensive bill for providing security to passengers. She said as security is an important area, Railways has decided to involve ex-servicemen to strengthen Railway Protection Force. Referring to security of women passengers, she said it will be improved by raising 12 companies of women RPF personnel to be named ‘Mahila Vahini’. Railway Protection Special Force(RPSF) will also be strengthened and priority will be given to women especially those belonging to minorities, SC/ST, OBC and economically backward classes. This was announced by the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee in the Lok Sabha today while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11.
(SOURCE-PIB)
=======================
THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL FROM MAJ (DR)TC RAO(retd) IS POSTED ALONGWITH COMMENTS OF AIR CMDE RAGHUBIR SINGH (RETD):-
------------------------------------
Dear Veterans,
1. 24 Feb 2010, was the golden day for Ex-servicemen, as one of our outstanding demands was accepted by Hon’ble Railway Minister and was announced in her Railway budget speech that Ex-servicemen will be absorbed in Railway protection force. I have written a letter of thanks to her which is enclosed. I had put up this request one and a half year back to the UPA Govt.
2. Our many more demands/plans for rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen are in pipe line. I am pursuing it with Defence Minister, Labour Minister, Aviation Minister, Home Minister, Sports & Youth Minister, Chief Minister of Delhi and Chairman of MCD & NDMC for the following to absorb Ex-servicemen.
a. Disaster Management Group.
b. To Preserve Ecology.
c. In Common Wealth Games.
d. Security cover to Govt or Public sector undertakings
e. Managing of Parking lots of NDMC, MCD DDA, Delhi Metro, Indian Railways & and at Airports.
f. Parks Security and upkeep in Delhi.
g. To Maintain green strips at Delhi.
h. Education Institute to induct Teacher & Admin staff in Schools & Collages.
i. Security cover, Housekeeping & Maintain of following at Delhi.
i. Youth Centres.
ii. Swimming Pools
iii. Barat Ghars
iv. Senior Citizen Houses
v. Working Women Hostels
vi. Libraries
j. Sports and Gymnasium complex to be looked after by Ex-servicemen.
k. Parallel absorption in Govt. Jobs
3. a. Up keep, Security & Housekeeping of Railway Platform.
b. Mechanical cleaning of Railway Coaches.
c. House Keeping, Security & Up keep locomotive shed of the Railways.
4. I am hopeful that with your good wishes and your moral support to me, I will be able to achieve. I am very hopeful and positive.
5. Wishing you Happy Holi. “Jai Hind”
Maj (Dr) T C Rao
Chairman
DPCC
-----------------------
Dear Major TC Rao,
I am appreciative of the way you have been putting in efforts to ameliorate the peculiar problems of the ESM community.I feel best way to utilise this vast pool of highly disciplined & motivated manpower pool would be to take advantage of their service background. With our neighbourhood becoming mukier and sinister with terror as potect weapon-ESM in younger age group can handle private security very well. But not @ Rs 3000-4000 pm with contractors taking lion's share. Perhaps it could be Coop Society under the aegis of ESM welfare org.Secondly ESM would do well in Police too through lateral entry. Public Distribution system can operate best under ESM's.
At higher level-the ESM can be involved in speedy dispensation of justice to clear the backlog in just three years.Retd general rank officers can do much better as heads of various commissions than producing dud reports even after decades. Now that exit at 20 years is comfortable- why not tap officers cadres for IAS/IPS. Mamta Banerji has been quite sympathetic to the ESM's. Wish she would have introduced free passes for them. Even now it is not too late? .
Air Cmde Raghubir Singh(Retd)
-----------------------------------
Friday, February 26, 2010
THE LEGALITY OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION/ONE POST ONE PENSION - AND URGENT NEED
The following write-up of Onkar Singh Riar, a Defence Services Civilian Pensioner living in Jalandhar is an excellent piece of information on the issue of OROP/OPOP and its probable solution, is posted for the benefit of information of all Veteran Brothers:-
=========================================
IVth Pay Commission’s View on Pension Structure
It was for the first time, that the pension structure for pensioners, both past and future, had been entrusted for examination to the Fourth Central Pay Commission. The IV CPC have examined the case of past pensioners and observed that law of the land had been declared in Nakara’s case that pensioners formed one class by themselves and this class was not divisible for purpose of entitlement and payment of pension to those who retire ‘before’ and those who retire ‘after’ a certain date arbitrarily fixed for the purpose.They further stated that this being the law, it is a factor to reckon that any changed formula for computation of pension will work back all pensioners who retired earlier also.
Measures taken by Vth Pay Commission
As a follow up of the basic objective of parity Vth Central Pay Commission recommended the pension of all the pre-1986 retirees to be updated by notional fixation of their pay as on 1-1-1986 by adopting the same formula as for the serving employees. Pay Commission termed it as ‘Complete Parity’. There-after all the pensioners who were brought on the Fourth CPC pay scales by notional fixation of their pay and those who retired after 1-1-1986 were treated alike in consolidation of their pensions on 1-1-1996 by allowing the same fitment weightage as for the serving employees. Pay Commission termed it as ‘Modified Parity’.
Vth Central Pay Commission then enunciated a principle for the future revision of pensions to the effect that complete parity should normally be conceded up to the date of last pay revision and modified parity (with pension equated at least to the minimum of the revised pay scale) be accepted at the time of each pay revision. The Vth CPC hoped that the enunciation of principle would imply that the time of next pay revision say, in the year 2006, complete parity should be given to past pensioners as between pre-1996 and post-1996 and modified parity be given to pre-2006 and post-2006 pensioners.
Pension Structure after 6CPC
Sixth Central Pay Commission stated that in order to maintain existing modified parity between present and future retirees, it will be necessary to allow the same fitment benefit as is being recommended for the existing Government employees. In contradiction to their own statement; in violation of the law laid down by the Apex Court and ignoring the principles enunciated by the Vth CPC the Sixth CPC allowed different fitment formula for the past and future pensioners.
Sixth Central Pay Commission thus disturbed the concept of parity between past and future pensioners. It defied completely the law laid down by the Apex Court regarding complete parity among pensioners. It also ignored the principles enunciated by 5th CPC for future revisions of pensions maintaining complete parity. It distributed roses of different colours viz: red, pink, white and yellow to different segments of the Pensioners which resulted in the creation of classes within the class. In this classification the past pensioners were given a fitment formula which can be called a Black Rose (Kala Gulab).
What Law of the land says
Concept of parity among the pensioners is based on the various Judgments of the Honourable Supreme Court. In the India Ex-Services League and Ors 1991(2) SCC 104 Justice Verma interpreted the scope of Judgment in the D.S. Nakara case as detailed below:
“It was clearly stated that if pensioners form a class,their computation cannot be by different formula affording unequal treatment solely on the ground that some retired earlier and some retired later. This is to us the decision in the Nakra case and no more.”
In the case of V Kasturi vs. MD, SBI, Bombay & Anr 1998 (2) supp. SCR 269 (Judgement dated 9-10-1998) following Judgement was pronounced regarding past pensioners:
“If the person retiring is eligible for pension at the time of his retirement and if he survives till the time by subsequent amendment of the relevant pension scheme, he would become eligible to get enhanced pension or would become eligible to get more pension as per the new formula of computation of pension subsequently brought into force. He would be entitled to get the benefit of the amended pension provision from the date of such order as he would be a member of the very same class of pensioners when the additional benefit is being conferred on all of them. In such a situation the additional benefit available to the same class of pensioners cannot be denied to him on the ground that he had retired prior to the date on which the aforesaid additional benefit was conferred on all the members of the same class of pensioners who had survived by the time the scheme granting additional benefit to these pensioners came into force. The line of decisions tracing their roots to the ratio of Nakara’s case (supra) would cover this category of cases.”
Pensioner’s Case in the background of Merger of Posts by 6CPC
Sixth Pay Commission recommended different rates of fitment benefits in case of pay and pensions. In case of pensions 40% increase on basic pension being actually drawn has been allowed and in case of pay, benefit of grade pay has been allowed to the employees as 40% of the maximum of the old higher pay scale bracketed in the same pay band even though neither the rate of pay nor the scale was being drawn by the employees. Now 50% of grade pay will constitute as pension of future pensioners; which is higher than 40% in all cases of pensioners. Pay scales of Rs 5000-8000, Rs 5500-9000, Rs 6500-6900 and Rs 6500-10500, have been placed in the Pay Band -2 (9300-34800) with Grade Pay of Rs 4200/-. Grade pay of Rs 4200/- is the 40% of Rs 10500/- maximum of the pay scale of Rs 6500-10500/- This is neither, complete parity, nor modified parity, nor disparity but conscious discrimination.
Sixth pay Commission merged the existing pay scales and posts and then prescribed a pay band and grade pay for each scale/band. This has also caused injustice to certain pensioners who retired from these scales.
As an example the scales of pay of Rs 5000-8000, Rs 5500-9000 and Rs 6500-10500 have been merged. Excluding some post Pay Commission recommended merging posts in these scales also. Pay Commission recommended that in case it is not feasible to merge posts in these scales on functional basis, the posts in the scale of Rs 5000-8000 and Rs 5500-9000 should be merged, with the post in the scale of Rs 6500-10500 being upgraded to the next higher grade in the pay ban d PB-2 i.e. to the grade of pay of Rs 4600/-corresponding to pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7450-11500, the post being upgraded from the scale of Rs 6500-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs 7450-11500.
In Department of Military Engineer Services under Ministry of Defence Vth Central Pay Commission had restructured the Administrative Cadre. The post of Administrative Officer Gde II (AO II) (Rs 2000-3200) was restructured as AO II (Rs 2000-3500) and then was prescribed the Vth pay Commission scale of Rs 6500-10500.The post of Administrative Officer Gde I (AO-1) (Rs 2375-3500) was restructured as AO-1(Rs 2500-4000) in line with general pattern. And now Ministry of Defence has not merged the post of AO-II with the posts in the Scales of Rs 5000-8000 and Rs 5500-9000. Thus this post is upgraded to the scale of Rs 7450-11500. But the post of AO-1 is in the scale of Rs 2500-4000 and thus it has to be merged with the Post of AO-1 in the scale of Rs 7500-12000. But the benefit of this upgradation has not been passed on to the past pensioners. Pensioners in these scales and posts loose their identities in the jungle of pay scales pay bands and posts.
Radical Changes that affects Pre-2006 Pensioners
Sixth Pay Commission introduced radical changes. Traditional pay scale culture has been replaced by Pay Bands, Grade Pay requiring new version of the posts and new recruitment rules. In such a situation it was essential to notionally fix the pay of pre-2006 retirees in Pay Bands with grade pay. This would have been inconsonance with the law laid down by the Apex Court and the principle enunciated by Vth CPC. This towering anomaly needs to be solved.
Pre-1996 pensioners were due for complete parity. This has not been done. With the radical changes made in the pay structure now it is appropriate that all pre-2006 pensioners are given complete parity by fixing their pay in the new scales/bands notionally and then revising their pensions duly adding the grade pay.
And finally the Solution
One RankOne Pension and One PostOne Pension is the rightful solution for ever. For its implementation pensioner’s identity with the posts shall have to be preserved. Till this is finalized, pre-2006 pensioners should be given complete parity by notionally fixing their pay in the New Pay Bands with grade pay and then fixing their pensions as in the case post-2006 pensioners. It shall also preserve identities of their posts, scales, pay bands and grade pay.
=========================
(source-GCONNECT)
=========================================
IVth Pay Commission’s View on Pension Structure
It was for the first time, that the pension structure for pensioners, both past and future, had been entrusted for examination to the Fourth Central Pay Commission. The IV CPC have examined the case of past pensioners and observed that law of the land had been declared in Nakara’s case that pensioners formed one class by themselves and this class was not divisible for purpose of entitlement and payment of pension to those who retire ‘before’ and those who retire ‘after’ a certain date arbitrarily fixed for the purpose.They further stated that this being the law, it is a factor to reckon that any changed formula for computation of pension will work back all pensioners who retired earlier also.
Measures taken by Vth Pay Commission
As a follow up of the basic objective of parity Vth Central Pay Commission recommended the pension of all the pre-1986 retirees to be updated by notional fixation of their pay as on 1-1-1986 by adopting the same formula as for the serving employees. Pay Commission termed it as ‘Complete Parity’. There-after all the pensioners who were brought on the Fourth CPC pay scales by notional fixation of their pay and those who retired after 1-1-1986 were treated alike in consolidation of their pensions on 1-1-1996 by allowing the same fitment weightage as for the serving employees. Pay Commission termed it as ‘Modified Parity’.
Vth Central Pay Commission then enunciated a principle for the future revision of pensions to the effect that complete parity should normally be conceded up to the date of last pay revision and modified parity (with pension equated at least to the minimum of the revised pay scale) be accepted at the time of each pay revision. The Vth CPC hoped that the enunciation of principle would imply that the time of next pay revision say, in the year 2006, complete parity should be given to past pensioners as between pre-1996 and post-1996 and modified parity be given to pre-2006 and post-2006 pensioners.
Pension Structure after 6CPC
Sixth Central Pay Commission stated that in order to maintain existing modified parity between present and future retirees, it will be necessary to allow the same fitment benefit as is being recommended for the existing Government employees. In contradiction to their own statement; in violation of the law laid down by the Apex Court and ignoring the principles enunciated by the Vth CPC the Sixth CPC allowed different fitment formula for the past and future pensioners.
Sixth Central Pay Commission thus disturbed the concept of parity between past and future pensioners. It defied completely the law laid down by the Apex Court regarding complete parity among pensioners. It also ignored the principles enunciated by 5th CPC for future revisions of pensions maintaining complete parity. It distributed roses of different colours viz: red, pink, white and yellow to different segments of the Pensioners which resulted in the creation of classes within the class. In this classification the past pensioners were given a fitment formula which can be called a Black Rose (Kala Gulab).
What Law of the land says
Concept of parity among the pensioners is based on the various Judgments of the Honourable Supreme Court. In the India Ex-Services League and Ors 1991(2) SCC 104 Justice Verma interpreted the scope of Judgment in the D.S. Nakara case as detailed below:
“It was clearly stated that if pensioners form a class,their computation cannot be by different formula affording unequal treatment solely on the ground that some retired earlier and some retired later. This is to us the decision in the Nakra case and no more.”
In the case of V Kasturi vs. MD, SBI, Bombay & Anr 1998 (2) supp. SCR 269 (Judgement dated 9-10-1998) following Judgement was pronounced regarding past pensioners:
“If the person retiring is eligible for pension at the time of his retirement and if he survives till the time by subsequent amendment of the relevant pension scheme, he would become eligible to get enhanced pension or would become eligible to get more pension as per the new formula of computation of pension subsequently brought into force. He would be entitled to get the benefit of the amended pension provision from the date of such order as he would be a member of the very same class of pensioners when the additional benefit is being conferred on all of them. In such a situation the additional benefit available to the same class of pensioners cannot be denied to him on the ground that he had retired prior to the date on which the aforesaid additional benefit was conferred on all the members of the same class of pensioners who had survived by the time the scheme granting additional benefit to these pensioners came into force. The line of decisions tracing their roots to the ratio of Nakara’s case (supra) would cover this category of cases.”
Pensioner’s Case in the background of Merger of Posts by 6CPC
Sixth Pay Commission recommended different rates of fitment benefits in case of pay and pensions. In case of pensions 40% increase on basic pension being actually drawn has been allowed and in case of pay, benefit of grade pay has been allowed to the employees as 40% of the maximum of the old higher pay scale bracketed in the same pay band even though neither the rate of pay nor the scale was being drawn by the employees. Now 50% of grade pay will constitute as pension of future pensioners; which is higher than 40% in all cases of pensioners. Pay scales of Rs 5000-8000, Rs 5500-9000, Rs 6500-6900 and Rs 6500-10500, have been placed in the Pay Band -2 (9300-34800) with Grade Pay of Rs 4200/-. Grade pay of Rs 4200/- is the 40% of Rs 10500/- maximum of the pay scale of Rs 6500-10500/- This is neither, complete parity, nor modified parity, nor disparity but conscious discrimination.
Sixth pay Commission merged the existing pay scales and posts and then prescribed a pay band and grade pay for each scale/band. This has also caused injustice to certain pensioners who retired from these scales.
As an example the scales of pay of Rs 5000-8000, Rs 5500-9000 and Rs 6500-10500 have been merged. Excluding some post Pay Commission recommended merging posts in these scales also. Pay Commission recommended that in case it is not feasible to merge posts in these scales on functional basis, the posts in the scale of Rs 5000-8000 and Rs 5500-9000 should be merged, with the post in the scale of Rs 6500-10500 being upgraded to the next higher grade in the pay ban d PB-2 i.e. to the grade of pay of Rs 4600/-corresponding to pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7450-11500, the post being upgraded from the scale of Rs 6500-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs 7450-11500.
In Department of Military Engineer Services under Ministry of Defence Vth Central Pay Commission had restructured the Administrative Cadre. The post of Administrative Officer Gde II (AO II) (Rs 2000-3200) was restructured as AO II (Rs 2000-3500) and then was prescribed the Vth pay Commission scale of Rs 6500-10500.The post of Administrative Officer Gde I (AO-1) (Rs 2375-3500) was restructured as AO-1(Rs 2500-4000) in line with general pattern. And now Ministry of Defence has not merged the post of AO-II with the posts in the Scales of Rs 5000-8000 and Rs 5500-9000. Thus this post is upgraded to the scale of Rs 7450-11500. But the post of AO-1 is in the scale of Rs 2500-4000 and thus it has to be merged with the Post of AO-1 in the scale of Rs 7500-12000. But the benefit of this upgradation has not been passed on to the past pensioners. Pensioners in these scales and posts loose their identities in the jungle of pay scales pay bands and posts.
Radical Changes that affects Pre-2006 Pensioners
Sixth Pay Commission introduced radical changes. Traditional pay scale culture has been replaced by Pay Bands, Grade Pay requiring new version of the posts and new recruitment rules. In such a situation it was essential to notionally fix the pay of pre-2006 retirees in Pay Bands with grade pay. This would have been inconsonance with the law laid down by the Apex Court and the principle enunciated by Vth CPC. This towering anomaly needs to be solved.
Pre-1996 pensioners were due for complete parity. This has not been done. With the radical changes made in the pay structure now it is appropriate that all pre-2006 pensioners are given complete parity by fixing their pay in the new scales/bands notionally and then revising their pensions duly adding the grade pay.
And finally the Solution
One RankOne Pension and One PostOne Pension is the rightful solution for ever. For its implementation pensioner’s identity with the posts shall have to be preserved. Till this is finalized, pre-2006 pensioners should be given complete parity by notionally fixing their pay in the New Pay Bands with grade pay and then fixing their pensions as in the case post-2006 pensioners. It shall also preserve identities of their posts, scales, pay bands and grade pay.
=========================
(source-GCONNECT)
SUPREME COURT DISAPPROVES ARROGANCE, VANITY OF SUPERIOR OFFICERS
THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF INFORMATION OF ALL VETERAN BROTHERS:-
=============================
2/22/2010
The Supreme Court has strongly disapproved the arrogance and vanity of superior officers while dealing with their subordinates.
A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A K Patnaik while allowing the appeal of CRPF Head Constable Angad Das noted, ‘People in power and authority should not easily lose equanimity, compose and appreciation for the problems of the lesser mortals.’ ‘They are always expected to remember that power and authority must be judiciously exercised according to the laws and human compassion. Arrogance and vanity have no place in discharge of their official functions and duties,’ the bench further said.
The constable was posted in Jammu and Kashmir and was compulsorily retired on the ground that his date of birth was false. Following which, Das wrote a letter to DIG and made a humble request for his reinstatement.
The DIG responded to his request by enhancing his punishment from compulsory retirement to removal from service.
The apex court while imposing a cost of Rs 50,000 on the Union Government directed that Das shall be paid all pensionary benefits which have become due with nine per cent interest and expressed the hope that senior officers in future would not be totally oblivious of the problems of the humble and modest employees and pass similar orders.
The apex court restored the punishment of compulsory retirement.
(SOURCE : LAWYERSCLUBINDIA NEWS)
=============================
2/22/2010
The Supreme Court has strongly disapproved the arrogance and vanity of superior officers while dealing with their subordinates.
A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A K Patnaik while allowing the appeal of CRPF Head Constable Angad Das noted, ‘People in power and authority should not easily lose equanimity, compose and appreciation for the problems of the lesser mortals.’ ‘They are always expected to remember that power and authority must be judiciously exercised according to the laws and human compassion. Arrogance and vanity have no place in discharge of their official functions and duties,’ the bench further said.
The constable was posted in Jammu and Kashmir and was compulsorily retired on the ground that his date of birth was false. Following which, Das wrote a letter to DIG and made a humble request for his reinstatement.
The DIG responded to his request by enhancing his punishment from compulsory retirement to removal from service.
The apex court while imposing a cost of Rs 50,000 on the Union Government directed that Das shall be paid all pensionary benefits which have become due with nine per cent interest and expressed the hope that senior officers in future would not be totally oblivious of the problems of the humble and modest employees and pass similar orders.
The apex court restored the punishment of compulsory retirement.
(SOURCE : LAWYERSCLUBINDIA NEWS)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
THE OUTCOME OF DELEGATION MET WITH RM ON 23.2.2010 - ESM WELFARE POINTS
The following e-mail sent from Brig CM Harnal(Retd) and reply received from Maj(Dr) TC Rao, is posted below for the benefit of information of all Veeteran Brothers:-
--------------------------------------------------------
25.2.10(1 hour ago)
Dear Maj Rao,
Thanks for the updates.
However I would like to enquire about the status of the most imp issue- OROP, which affects you and all of us, incl those in uniform once they relenquinsh the same. When is it likely to see the light of the day, if at all. May I know what efforts are being put in at your end.
Thanks and regards.
Brig C M Harnal(retd)
==================================
25.2.10.
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed herewith, Regards,
Maj (Dr) T C Rao (Retd)
----------------------------
Dear Veteran,
1. Under signed led a delegation of Ex-servicemen to meet Dr MM Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Minister of State of Defence, on 23 Feb 2010, at his office in Ministry of Defence. The aim of the meeting was to apprise him about the difficulties faced by the residents of Delhi Cantt and also to dicusses various wefare points concerning Ex-servicemen.
2. Ex-servicemen welfare points discussed as under:-
a. I reminded the Hon’ble Minister that gazette notification for “One Rank One Pension” in respect PBOR is not yet out. It was mentioned by minister that all normal formalities for gazette notification are complete and it will be announced soon for implementation.
b. I had also assured the delegation that War Memorial for Delhi state will be constructed to honour those who scarified for the nation from Delhi.
c. He had also agreed to construct a rest house with 100 rooms and dormitory for the ex-servicemen visiting Delhi in connection with medical treatment and various other works.
3. The under mentioned also requested to ear mark a land in Delhi Cantt to house following under one roof.
a. DGR office.
b. Conventional Hall/Auditorium
c. Rest House for both officers & PBOR
d. ECHS facilities.
e. CSD Canteen
f. Recreation facilities
4. Opening of 100 bed Cantt board Hospital in Delhi Cantt.
5. Beautification & difficulties faced by Delhi Cantt residents were also discussed.
6. We are hopeful and positive about the outcome of our meeting.
7. I am always at your services.
“Jai Hind”
Maj (Dr) T C Rao
Chairman, ESM Cell
DPCC
==========================
--------------------------------------------------------
25.2.10(1 hour ago)
Dear Maj Rao,
Thanks for the updates.
However I would like to enquire about the status of the most imp issue- OROP, which affects you and all of us, incl those in uniform once they relenquinsh the same. When is it likely to see the light of the day, if at all. May I know what efforts are being put in at your end.
Thanks and regards.
Brig C M Harnal(retd)
==================================
25.2.10.
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed herewith, Regards,
Maj (Dr) T C Rao (Retd)
----------------------------
Dear Veteran,
1. Under signed led a delegation of Ex-servicemen to meet Dr MM Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Minister of State of Defence, on 23 Feb 2010, at his office in Ministry of Defence. The aim of the meeting was to apprise him about the difficulties faced by the residents of Delhi Cantt and also to dicusses various wefare points concerning Ex-servicemen.
a. I reminded the Hon’ble Minister that gazette notification for “One Rank One Pension” in respect PBOR is not yet out. It was mentioned by minister that all normal formalities for gazette notification are complete and it will be announced soon for implementation.
b. I had also assured the delegation that War Memorial for Delhi state will be constructed to honour those who scarified for the nation from Delhi.
c. He had also agreed to construct a rest house with 100 rooms and dormitory for the ex-servicemen visiting Delhi in connection with medical treatment and various other works.
3. The under mentioned also requested to ear mark a land in Delhi Cantt to house following under one roof.
a. DGR office.
b. Conventional Hall/Auditorium
c. Rest House for both officers & PBOR
d. ECHS facilities.
e. CSD Canteen
f. Recreation facilities
4. Opening of 100 bed Cantt board Hospital in Delhi Cantt.
5. Beautification & difficulties faced by Delhi Cantt residents were also discussed.
6. We are hopeful and positive about the outcome of our meeting.
7. I am always at your services.
“Jai Hind”
Maj (Dr) T C Rao
Chairman, ESM Cell
DPCC
==========================
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Facilities and concessions as offered by Govt of NCT Delhi : ESM
The following e-mail is posted below for the benefit of information to all veteran brothers:-
==============================
Dear Veterans, Facilities and concessions as offered by Govt of NCT Delhi are enumerated below for your information. "Jai Hind"--Regards, ----Maj (Dr) T C Rao (Retd)
------------------------------------------
Facilities An Concessions
1. Priority (1) Employment for disabled ex-servicemen vide Govt. of NCT of Delhi letter No. F. 16/146/98/S-III/457 dt 24/2/99.
2. Carry over of reserved vacancy for one year vide Govt. of NCT of Delhi letter No. F 16/146/98/ S-III458 dt 24/2/99.
3. Reservation of 10% and 20% in Group C and D posts respective in Delhi Police vide letter No. 3431/E.II (PHQ) dt 13/3/97.
4. 5% Seats in Delhi institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
5. Reservation of 10% and 20% in Group C and D posts in Govt Jobs and 14.5% and 24% in PSUs vide Govt. of Delhi Lr No F.16 (146)/ 98-S. III/9148 dt 18/12/98.
6. Reservation of 10 seats in college of Arts 20-22, Tiak Marg, New Delhi-110001.
7. Reservation of 3% seats in two years diploma courses in elementary Teachers Education in 9 institutions through state council of education research & Training. Varun marg Defence Colony, New Delhi- 110024.
8. Reservation of 5% seats in each polytechnic, college of pharmacy, pushp Vihar and food craft institute for wards of ex-servicemen.
9. rent control act has been amended to facilitate resumption of houses/flats by servicemen personnel on their tetirement.
10. Grant of stipend of Rs. 250/- PM to ex-servicemen trainees in managerial, Vocational and Agricultural training.
11. 1% interest concession to ex-servicemen on loan taken from deli finance corporation.
12. Priority allotment of flats to gallantry (Chakra Series) award winners.
13. Reservation for ex-servicemen/widows/dependents:-
a. DDA Shops- 2%
b. Fair Price Shops – 10%
c. Priority for allotment of DTC Bus routes
d. Allotment of milk booths & fruit /vegetable shops through Dir Gen Resettlement.
14. DDA Shops allotment under the category of ex-servicemen will be able to arrange finance to the tune of two thirds of the property price from delhi finance corporation.
15. Exemption of payment of fees for the recruitment of Group c posts by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi vide letter No. 27 (1) /2000/P & P/3028 dt 24/8/2000.
16. 100% property tax exemption to war widows/ex-servicemen who are Gallantry Award Winners for self occupied , not rented out property and 30 % rebate in property tax for ex-servicemen provided the house is in their name, is self-occupied and not rented out, which is applicable to only unit of property.
Welfare Schemes Instituted by the Government of Delhi
Destitute Grant to world war-II Veterans/Widows Rs. 1800/- PM
Ex-Gratia to serving soldiers/disabled soldiers & widows of soldiers killed in counter insurgency operations. The scheme has been modified as per the recommendations of the ministry of Defecne, which came into face w. e.f 26/6/2006.
Died in War/Operations - 2,00,000/-
To parents if martyr is married and they are alive -3,00,000/-
To Widow if parents of martyr is alive - 5,00,000
To widow if martyr’s parents are not alive - 5,00,000
To parents if martyr is unmarried - 5,00,000
To Nominee if unmarried & parents not alive - 5,00,000
Housing
Officers- 35% subsidy or assistance if no house - 5,00,000
JCOs/Ors- 50% subsidy or assistance if no house -5,00,000
Children’s Education -War Widows & Disabled
Free Tuition fee, Books & Transportation
OR Financial assistance per year: -
Upto 10+2- 8,000/-,Graduation-10,000/-,PG including B.Tech/BDS/Medicine/MCS/MCA-20,000/-
(2% reservation to wards) - Job Priority- As per DOPT, GOI Rules
Disabled in war/Oprs
60% and above disability - 5,00, 000/-
Upto 59% disability- 3,00,000/-
Prisoner of War- 25,000 + 1000 Per dependent
Missing in War/Ops- 25,000 + 2000 Per dependent
3. Cash Grant, Cash in lieu of land and annuity to Gallantry Award Winners.
Award One time Grant (w.e.f. 01/01/2008)Revised Annuity to existing awardees
Pram Vir Chakra (PVC) - Rs.25,00,000/- Nil
Ashok Chakra (AC) - Rs.25,00,000/- Nil
Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)-Rs.15,00,000/-, Rs.1,20,000/-
Kirti Chakra (KC) - Rs.15,00,000/- Rs.96,000/-
Vir Chakra (VrC) - Rs.10,00,000/- Rs.60,000/-
Shaurya Chakra (SC)-Rs.10,00,000/- Rs.48,000/-
Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)-Rs.5,00,000/- Rs.24,000/-
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal(SYSM)-Rs.1,27,000/- Nil
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal- Rs.75,000/-, Rs.2,500/-
Yudh Seva Medal (YSM)-Rs.34,000/-, Rs 2,500/-
Mentio in Despatch (MID)- Rs.12,000/-, Rs.500/-
All earlier awardees who have not claimed any monetary grant from the Government of Delhi, rates prevalent at the award will be paid as and when claim is preferred.
Cash Grant to distinguished Services Medal winners who have received the award on or after 01- 01- 2008 onwards.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) - Rs.1,15,000/-
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ( AVSM) - Rs.57,000/-
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) - Rs.23,000/-
Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal - Rs.45,000/-
===================================
==============================
Dear Veterans, Facilities and concessions as offered by Govt of NCT Delhi are enumerated below for your information. "Jai Hind"--Regards, ----Maj (Dr) T C Rao (Retd)
------------------------------------------
Facilities An Concessions
1. Priority (1) Employment for disabled ex-servicemen vide Govt. of NCT of Delhi letter No. F. 16/146/98/S-III/457 dt 24/2/99.
2. Carry over of reserved vacancy for one year vide Govt. of NCT of Delhi letter No. F 16/146/98/ S-III458 dt 24/2/99.
3. Reservation of 10% and 20% in Group C and D posts respective in Delhi Police vide letter No. 3431/E.II (PHQ) dt 13/3/97.
4. 5% Seats in Delhi institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
5. Reservation of 10% and 20% in Group C and D posts in Govt Jobs and 14.5% and 24% in PSUs vide Govt. of Delhi Lr No F.16 (146)/ 98-S. III/9148 dt 18/12/98.
6. Reservation of 10 seats in college of Arts 20-22, Tiak Marg, New Delhi-110001.
7. Reservation of 3% seats in two years diploma courses in elementary Teachers Education in 9 institutions through state council of education research & Training. Varun marg Defence Colony, New Delhi- 110024.
8. Reservation of 5% seats in each polytechnic, college of pharmacy, pushp Vihar and food craft institute for wards of ex-servicemen.
9. rent control act has been amended to facilitate resumption of houses/flats by servicemen personnel on their tetirement.
10. Grant of stipend of Rs. 250/- PM to ex-servicemen trainees in managerial, Vocational and Agricultural training.
11. 1% interest concession to ex-servicemen on loan taken from deli finance corporation.
12. Priority allotment of flats to gallantry (Chakra Series) award winners.
13. Reservation for ex-servicemen/widows/dependents:-
a. DDA Shops- 2%
b. Fair Price Shops – 10%
c. Priority for allotment of DTC Bus routes
d. Allotment of milk booths & fruit /vegetable shops through Dir Gen Resettlement.
14. DDA Shops allotment under the category of ex-servicemen will be able to arrange finance to the tune of two thirds of the property price from delhi finance corporation.
15. Exemption of payment of fees for the recruitment of Group c posts by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi vide letter No. 27 (1) /2000/P & P/3028 dt 24/8/2000.
16. 100% property tax exemption to war widows/ex-servicemen who are Gallantry Award Winners for self occupied , not rented out property and 30 % rebate in property tax for ex-servicemen provided the house is in their name, is self-occupied and not rented out, which is applicable to only unit of property.
Welfare Schemes Instituted by the Government of Delhi
Destitute Grant to world war-II Veterans/Widows Rs. 1800/- PM
Ex-Gratia to serving soldiers/disabled soldiers & widows of soldiers killed in counter insurgency operations. The scheme has been modified as per the recommendations of the ministry of Defecne, which came into face w. e.f 26/6/2006.
Died in War/Operations - 2,00,000/-
To parents if martyr is married and they are alive -3,00,000/-
To Widow if parents of martyr is alive - 5,00,000
To widow if martyr’s parents are not alive - 5,00,000
To parents if martyr is unmarried - 5,00,000
To Nominee if unmarried & parents not alive - 5,00,000
Housing
Officers- 35% subsidy or assistance if no house - 5,00,000
JCOs/Ors- 50% subsidy or assistance if no house -5,00,000
Children’s Education -War Widows & Disabled
Free Tuition fee, Books & Transportation
OR Financial assistance per year: -
Upto 10+2- 8,000/-,Graduation-10,000/-,PG including B.Tech/BDS/Medicine/MCS/MCA-20,000/-
(2% reservation to wards) - Job Priority- As per DOPT, GOI Rules
Disabled in war/Oprs
60% and above disability - 5,00, 000/-
Upto 59% disability- 3,00,000/-
Prisoner of War- 25,000 + 1000 Per dependent
Missing in War/Ops- 25,000 + 2000 Per dependent
3. Cash Grant, Cash in lieu of land and annuity to Gallantry Award Winners.
Award One time Grant (w.e.f. 01/01/2008)Revised Annuity to existing awardees
Pram Vir Chakra (PVC) - Rs.25,00,000/- Nil
Ashok Chakra (AC) - Rs.25,00,000/- Nil
Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)-Rs.15,00,000/-, Rs.1,20,000/-
Kirti Chakra (KC) - Rs.15,00,000/- Rs.96,000/-
Vir Chakra (VrC) - Rs.10,00,000/- Rs.60,000/-
Shaurya Chakra (SC)-Rs.10,00,000/- Rs.48,000/-
Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)-Rs.5,00,000/- Rs.24,000/-
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal(SYSM)-Rs.1,27,000/- Nil
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal- Rs.75,000/-, Rs.2,500/-
Yudh Seva Medal (YSM)-Rs.34,000/-, Rs 2,500/-
Mentio in Despatch (MID)- Rs.12,000/-, Rs.500/-
All earlier awardees who have not claimed any monetary grant from the Government of Delhi, rates prevalent at the award will be paid as and when claim is preferred.
Cash Grant to distinguished Services Medal winners who have received the award on or after 01- 01- 2008 onwards.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) - Rs.1,15,000/-
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ( AVSM) - Rs.57,000/-
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) - Rs.23,000/-
Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal - Rs.45,000/-
===================================
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ADDRESS BY THE HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, TO PARLIAMENT, New Delhi, 22nd February 2010
The relevant paras relating to the issues concerning Armed Forces is appended below for the benefit of information of all veteran brothers:-
==================================
"..........
14. The Nation is proud of our armed forces. They have distinguished themselves in preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity and in defending our borders. Government is fully committed to the modernization of the armed forces. We will accord the highest priority to modernisation programmes to equip our armed forces with the required weaponry, equipment and platforms. The successful launch of the Agni-III missile is a shining example of the capabilities of our scientists and engineers who deserve full praise. Efforts to enhance our technological self-reliance received a new impetus with the commencement of the handing over of the main battle tank, Arjun, to the Indian Army.
15. My government is committed to the welfare of servicemen and ex-servicemen. An Armed Forces Tribunal has been established for adjudication of complaints and disputes regarding service matters and other appeals. The recommendations regarding substantial improvements in the pensionary benefits of personnel below officers rank and commissioned officers have been accepted.
............"
===========================
(Source-President of India website)
==================================
"..........
14. The Nation is proud of our armed forces. They have distinguished themselves in preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity and in defending our borders. Government is fully committed to the modernization of the armed forces. We will accord the highest priority to modernisation programmes to equip our armed forces with the required weaponry, equipment and platforms. The successful launch of the Agni-III missile is a shining example of the capabilities of our scientists and engineers who deserve full praise. Efforts to enhance our technological self-reliance received a new impetus with the commencement of the handing over of the main battle tank, Arjun, to the Indian Army.
15. My government is committed to the welfare of servicemen and ex-servicemen. An Armed Forces Tribunal has been established for adjudication of complaints and disputes regarding service matters and other appeals. The recommendations regarding substantial improvements in the pensionary benefits of personnel below officers rank and commissioned officers have been accepted.
............"
===========================
(Source-President of India website)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
RAJYA SABHA QUESTIONS - WRITTEN REPLY OF DEFENCE MINISTER ON OROP FORMULA
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look into the issue of One Rank One Pension and other related matters. After considering all aspects of the issue, the Committee did not find it administratively feasible to recommend One Rank One Pension, as such. However, keeping in mind the spirit of the demand several other recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers have been made, which have been accepted by the Government:-
i) Inclusion of Classification Allowance for PBOR from Jan 01, 2006.
ii) Removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from Jan 01, 2006.
iii) Revision of Lt Gen pension after carving out a separate pay scale for them.
iv) Bringing parity between pension of pre and post October 10, 1997 PBOR pensions.
v) Further improving PBOR pensions based on award of GOM, 2006.
vi) Broad banding of percentage of disability/war injury pension for pre Jan 01, 2006 disability/war injury pensioners.
vii) Removal of cap on war injury element of pension in the case of disabled pensioners belonging to Category ‘E’.
The recommendations at (i) and (ii) stand implemented by issue of Government letter dated October 30, 2009. Average hike in pension of Ex-servicemen of the three forces of Indian Defence will be known only after all the recommendations of the Committee have been implemented.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Prakash Javadekar and Shri Parimal Nathwani in Rajya Sabha today.
------------------------------------------------------------
(SOURCE- CG EMPLOYEES NEWS)
=======================================
- PCDA ISSUED CIRCULAR 428 D/D IN R/O ITEM (iii)
- MOD ORDER D/D 19.1.2010 ISSUED IN R/0 ITEM NO. (vi) AND (vii) ABOVE.
- ORDERS ON ITEMS (iv) AND (v) ARE NOT YET ISSUED.
------------------------------------------------------------
THE 19.1.2010 ORDER IS POSTED BELOW FOR INFORMATION AND NECESSARY ACTION BY ALL AFFECTED VET. BROTHERS, AS PER THE APPENDIX.:-
-------------------------------------------------------------
No.10 (01)/D (Pen/Pol)/2009/Vol.II
Government of India, Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi
Dated 19th Jan, 2010.
To, The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
Subject: Revision of Disability/War Injury Element of pension in respect of Armed Forces Officers and PBOR pensioners based on the recommendations of Cabinet Secretary Committee Report.
Sir,
The undersigned is directed to state that in order to consider various issues on pension of Armed Forces Pensioners, Government had set up a Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The recommendations of the said Cabinet Secretary’s Committee on disability/war injury pension have been considered by the Government and the President is pleased to decide that with effect from 1.7.2009, the concept of broad banding of percentage of disability/war injury, as provided in Para 7.2 of this Ministry’s letter No 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001, shall be extended to Armed Forces Officers and PBOR who were invalided out of service prior to 1.1.1996 and are in receipt of disability/war injury pension as on 1.7.2009. Wherever, the disability being accepted as less than 20% at initial stage or subsequent stage on reassessment of disability, the same will continue to be disallowed and such cases will not be re-opened.
2. Further, the President is also pleased to decide that the cap on war injury pension with reference to emoluments last drawn in the case of disabled pensioners belonging to category ‘E’ of Para 4.1 of this Ministry’s above mentioned letter dated 31.1.2001, shall stand removed with effect from 1.7.2009 for Armed Forces Officers and PBOR pensioners. The provision contained in Para 8 of this Ministry’s letter No PC 1(2)97/D(Pen-C) Dated 16.5.2001, Para 10.1(b). of this Ministry letter No. 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 and para 6.4 & 7.4 of this Ministry’s letter No. 16(6)/2008(2)/D(Pen/Pol) dated 5.5.2009, shall stand modified to that extent.
3. The disability/war injury element of pension in all such cases shall be recomputed accordingly under these orders by the Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) concerned for regulating payment under this Ministry’s letter No. 16(6)/2008(1)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated 4.5.2009 and letter No. 16(6)/2008(2)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 5.5.2009. For this purpose, each affected Armed Forces pensioner who is in receipt of disability/war injury element of pension as on 1.7.2009 will submit an application in the format enclosed as Annexure to this letter to PSAs concerned for revision of disability/war injury element of pension in terms of Para 1 and 2 above, as the case may be. Further implementation instructions to all concerned will be issued by PCDA(Pensions) Allahabad immediately on receipt of these orders.
4. Revision of war injury element of pension in respect of those who have been retired/discharged/ invalidated out of service on or after 1.7.2009 under category ‘E’ and in whose case war injury pension has already been notified in terms of this Ministry’s above mentioned letter dated 5.5.2009, will be carried out suo-moto by PSAs concerned by issue of corrigendum PPOs without any application from the concerned pensioners.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their U.O.No. 51/Fin/Pen dated 08.01.2010.
Hindi version will follow.
Yours faithfully,
Sd xxx
(Harbans Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)
Encl: a/a
Copy to : - As per standard distribution list.
----------
Annexure
(Referred to Para 3 of MOD letter No 10(1)/2009/D(Pen/Policy) dated 19.1.2010)
FORM OF APPLICATION
(To be submitted IN TRIPLICATE by Armed Forces disability pensioners invalided out prior to 1.1.1996 and war injury pesnioners invalided out prior to 1.7.2009 and those released after 1.1.2008 but before 1.7.2009 and drawing disability/war injury element of pension as on 1.7.2009)
To (Pension Disbursing Authority)
.....................................
.....................................
Sub: Recomputation of disability/war injury element of pension drawing pension as on 1.7.2009
Sir,
With a view to recompute my disability/war injury element of pension in terms of Ministry of Defence letter No 10(1)/2009/D(Pen/Policy) dated ........ 2009, the requisite particulars are given below : -
1. Name of the pensioner
2. Rank/group and Regt No/IC No
3. Date of Enrolment/Commission
4. Date of invalidment
5. Type of pension admissible
6. PPO No/Corr.PPO No under which
disability/war injury element of pension
on invalidment was notified.
7. Percentage of disability for which
disability/war injury element is being
drawn as on 1.7.2009
8. Amount of existing disability/war
injury element being drawn as on 1.7.2009
9. Amount of existing service element of
disability/war injury element being drawn
as on 1.7.2009
10. Pension Disbursing Agency (Paying
bank branch with SB/Current A/c No/
Treasury/DPDO/PAO
11. Name of applicant if the application is
being made on behalf of pensioner for
Life-Time Arrears (LTA)
12. Address of the family pensioner/applicant
Date:
(Signature of Pensioner/Applicant)
------------------------------------------------------
PART II
(To be completed by the PDA of the pensioner)
The particulars mentioned above are verified with reference to pension account held and forwarded to the Record Office .............................................. (full address) in the case of PBOR and PSAs concerned ............................................... (full adress) in the case of commissioned officers.
No ......
Date .....
(SIGNATURE)
Rubber stamp of Pension Disbursing Authority
PART III
(To be completed by the Record office of the pensioner)
Verified and forwarded to the PSAs concerned .................................................
(full address)
No ......
Date .....
(SIGNATURE)
Rubber stamp of Pension Disbursing Authority
Address of Pension Sanctioning Authorities:
Army, Navy & Air Force Officers
1. The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions)
Draupdighat, Allahabad – 211014.
For such Naval and Airforce officers who retired from service on or after 1.11.1985
2. The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Navy)
2, Cooper Road, Mumbai – 400039.
3. Jt Controller of Defence Accounts (AF)
Subroto Park, Delhi Cantt – 110010.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look into the issue of One Rank One Pension and other related matters. After considering all aspects of the issue, the Committee did not find it administratively feasible to recommend One Rank One Pension, as such. However, keeping in mind the spirit of the demand several other recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers have been made, which have been accepted by the Government:-
i) Inclusion of Classification Allowance for PBOR from Jan 01, 2006.
ii) Removal of linkage of full pension with 33 years from Jan 01, 2006.
iii) Revision of Lt Gen pension after carving out a separate pay scale for them.
iv) Bringing parity between pension of pre and post October 10, 1997 PBOR pensions.
v) Further improving PBOR pensions based on award of GOM, 2006.
vi) Broad banding of percentage of disability/war injury pension for pre Jan 01, 2006 disability/war injury pensioners.
vii) Removal of cap on war injury element of pension in the case of disabled pensioners belonging to Category ‘E’.
The recommendations at (i) and (ii) stand implemented by issue of Government letter dated October 30, 2009. Average hike in pension of Ex-servicemen of the three forces of Indian Defence will be known only after all the recommendations of the Committee have been implemented.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Prakash Javadekar and Shri Parimal Nathwani in Rajya Sabha today.
------------------------------------------------------------
(SOURCE- CG EMPLOYEES NEWS)
=======================================
- PCDA ISSUED CIRCULAR 428 D/D IN R/O ITEM (iii)
- MOD ORDER D/D 19.1.2010 ISSUED IN R/0 ITEM NO. (vi) AND (vii) ABOVE.
- ORDERS ON ITEMS (iv) AND (v) ARE NOT YET ISSUED.
------------------------------------------------------------
THE 19.1.2010 ORDER IS POSTED BELOW FOR INFORMATION AND NECESSARY ACTION BY ALL AFFECTED VET. BROTHERS, AS PER THE APPENDIX.:-
-------------------------------------------------------------
No.10 (01)/D (Pen/Pol)/2009/Vol.II
Government of India, Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi
Dated 19th Jan, 2010.
To, The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
Subject: Revision of Disability/War Injury Element of pension in respect of Armed Forces Officers and PBOR pensioners based on the recommendations of Cabinet Secretary Committee Report.
Sir,
The undersigned is directed to state that in order to consider various issues on pension of Armed Forces Pensioners, Government had set up a Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The recommendations of the said Cabinet Secretary’s Committee on disability/war injury pension have been considered by the Government and the President is pleased to decide that with effect from 1.7.2009, the concept of broad banding of percentage of disability/war injury, as provided in Para 7.2 of this Ministry’s letter No 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001, shall be extended to Armed Forces Officers and PBOR who were invalided out of service prior to 1.1.1996 and are in receipt of disability/war injury pension as on 1.7.2009. Wherever, the disability being accepted as less than 20% at initial stage or subsequent stage on reassessment of disability, the same will continue to be disallowed and such cases will not be re-opened.
2. Further, the President is also pleased to decide that the cap on war injury pension with reference to emoluments last drawn in the case of disabled pensioners belonging to category ‘E’ of Para 4.1 of this Ministry’s above mentioned letter dated 31.1.2001, shall stand removed with effect from 1.7.2009 for Armed Forces Officers and PBOR pensioners. The provision contained in Para 8 of this Ministry’s letter No PC 1(2)97/D(Pen-C) Dated 16.5.2001, Para 10.1(b). of this Ministry letter No. 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.1.2001 and para 6.4 & 7.4 of this Ministry’s letter No. 16(6)/2008(2)/D(Pen/Pol) dated 5.5.2009, shall stand modified to that extent.
3. The disability/war injury element of pension in all such cases shall be recomputed accordingly under these orders by the Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) concerned for regulating payment under this Ministry’s letter No. 16(6)/2008(1)/ D(Pen/Policy) dated 4.5.2009 and letter No. 16(6)/2008(2)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 5.5.2009. For this purpose, each affected Armed Forces pensioner who is in receipt of disability/war injury element of pension as on 1.7.2009 will submit an application in the format enclosed as Annexure to this letter to PSAs concerned for revision of disability/war injury element of pension in terms of Para 1 and 2 above, as the case may be. Further implementation instructions to all concerned will be issued by PCDA(Pensions) Allahabad immediately on receipt of these orders.
4. Revision of war injury element of pension in respect of those who have been retired/discharged/ invalidated out of service on or after 1.7.2009 under category ‘E’ and in whose case war injury pension has already been notified in terms of this Ministry’s above mentioned letter dated 5.5.2009, will be carried out suo-moto by PSAs concerned by issue of corrigendum PPOs without any application from the concerned pensioners.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their U.O.No. 51/Fin/Pen dated 08.01.2010.
Hindi version will follow.
Yours faithfully,
Sd xxx
(Harbans Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)
Encl: a/a
Copy to : - As per standard distribution list.
----------
Annexure
(Referred to Para 3 of MOD letter No 10(1)/2009/D(Pen/Policy) dated 19.1.2010)
FORM OF APPLICATION
(To be submitted IN TRIPLICATE by Armed Forces disability pensioners invalided out prior to 1.1.1996 and war injury pesnioners invalided out prior to 1.7.2009 and those released after 1.1.2008 but before 1.7.2009 and drawing disability/war injury element of pension as on 1.7.2009)
To (Pension Disbursing Authority)
.....................................
.....................................
Sub: Recomputation of disability/war injury element of pension drawing pension as on 1.7.2009
Sir,
With a view to recompute my disability/war injury element of pension in terms of Ministry of Defence letter No 10(1)/2009/D(Pen/Policy) dated ........ 2009, the requisite particulars are given below : -
1. Name of the pensioner
2. Rank/group and Regt No/IC No
3. Date of Enrolment/Commission
4. Date of invalidment
5. Type of pension admissible
6. PPO No/Corr.PPO No under which
disability/war injury element of pension
on invalidment was notified.
7. Percentage of disability for which
disability/war injury element is being
drawn as on 1.7.2009
8. Amount of existing disability/war
injury element being drawn as on 1.7.2009
9. Amount of existing service element of
disability/war injury element being drawn
as on 1.7.2009
10. Pension Disbursing Agency (Paying
bank branch with SB/Current A/c No/
Treasury/DPDO/PAO
11. Name of applicant if the application is
being made on behalf of pensioner for
Life-Time Arrears (LTA)
12. Address of the family pensioner/applicant
Date:
(Signature of Pensioner/Applicant)
------------------------------------------------------
PART II
(To be completed by the PDA of the pensioner)
The particulars mentioned above are verified with reference to pension account held and forwarded to the Record Office .............................................. (full address) in the case of PBOR and PSAs concerned ............................................... (full adress) in the case of commissioned officers.
No ......
Date .....
(SIGNATURE)
Rubber stamp of Pension Disbursing Authority
PART III
(To be completed by the Record office of the pensioner)
Verified and forwarded to the PSAs concerned .................................................
(full address)
No ......
Date .....
(SIGNATURE)
Rubber stamp of Pension Disbursing Authority
Address of Pension Sanctioning Authorities:
Army, Navy & Air Force Officers
1. The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions)
Draupdighat, Allahabad – 211014.
For such Naval and Airforce officers who retired from service on or after 1.11.1985
2. The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Navy)
2, Cooper Road, Mumbai – 400039.
3. Jt Controller of Defence Accounts (AF)
Subroto Park, Delhi Cantt – 110010.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Defence imports affects National Security, Foreign Policy: Pallam Raju
16/2/2010-17:34 IST
Following is the text of the inaugural address delivered by the Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju to the Seminar on ‘The Indian Army : Next Generation Systems, An Evolution’, organised by the PHD Chamber at DefExpo – 2010, here today:-
It is my proud privilege to speak to an august gathering, which has deep understanding and keen insight into Military matters. The history of warfare is as old as the history of the mankind. Man does not have to be prepared for war only for the sake of subjugating the other to his will but he had to be remain prepared to defend his own well being and safety. The requirements of the Nation are no different albeit more complex.
India has no record or intention to unnecessarily project Military Might beyond our frontiers, yet we can ill afford to remain unprepared from external challenges emanating or likely to emanate from far and near to our defined frontiers. The external challenges are going to be complex and multifarious in times to come, given the global geopolitical situation and specially the one in our near neighbourhood. As you are aware that India as a Nation State is progressing and progressing fast economically and in many other sectors, which is going to result in multi-spectral and multi-dimensional challenges from within and outside, for which our Armed forces have to remain ever ready for all eventualities.
History is a testimony that no nation has been able to prevail in a conflict with lower threshold of technology in defence sector. Countries or the Armies with lower technologies would have won a battle here and there, but you will find hardly any example, wherein a higher technology Military power has been overwhelmed by lower technology power in the long run. Though total self reliance in any sector, let alone the Defence Sector may be outside the realm of possibility for any nation and especially for the emerging nations, yet the importance of technological sovereignty and self reliance has no substitute. Self reliance in Defence requirements is one of the important aims of the Ministry of Defence. Heavy preponderance on imports put tremendous strain and uncertainty in defence capabilities, which we can ill afford, apart from high cost of maintenance and equipment exploitation. Further it has got implication on our foreign policy. Moreover dependence on imports of Arms directly affects ‘National Security Capability’. Therefore, it is imperative for overall economic and social development; the Defence Industrial Base (DIB) is developed, expanded and strengthened if I may use the word, on ‘War Footing’.
The benefits of having indigenous and strong DIB are obvious and well known, but achieving the same is a big challenge though well within the realm of possibilities, provided there is an all round synergy of action amongst all stakeholders, unity of thought, will and purpose of the cause. I am sanguine that we all are capable of achieving the same, whatever the challenges may be and much more. Indian Industry has the potential to play key role in this regards.
There are certain factors which restricts, the speedy build up of DIB at the desired pace like limited size of market for defence products, long gestation period for maturing of technology, lack of cutting edge technology with the Industry, multiplicity and complexities of the defence technology coupled with vastness of the spectrum spread of defence equipment and Defence Industrial Base itself. We have to keep in mind and the requirement of keeping the Defence Forces operational ready for any eventuality without waiting for the full indigenisation and integration to take place within the country. Add to the list, various international regimes and regulations denying the cutting edge technologies to the developing nation, the situation becomes quite complex. I assure you, that the Government is committed and alive to the challenges and difficulties faced by the Industry and taking proactive steps to mitigate these difficulties to the extent possible and it is a continuous endeavour.
The Acquisition process has continuously been revamped. Defence Procurement procedure was evolved over a period of time. Based on the experience gained over a period of time in the Defence Procurement, DPP-2006 was issued in July 2006. The revised version was issued in September 2008 and amended in November to accommodate the challenges required to streamline the system and take care of the aspirations of all stakeholders. You will be glad to know that New Categorization of ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ has been introduced from the month of December 2009 onwards. Private industry is being invited for SCAPCC meetings to provide their views.
During this phase, the New Acquisition structures have been created at successive levels of Government like DAC, Defence Procurement Board, Defence Production Board and Defence R&D Board. Recently, a high level committee under Defence Secretary has been set up, for implementation of Rama Rao Committee recommendations, to restructure DRDO. MoD is taking all positive steps to ensure that the Acquisition processes are streamlined and speeded up to meet the requirement of Armed Forces in the desirable time frame, with highest degree of probity and public transparency. At the same time in order to build up sound DIB with the participation of private industry, the provisions of offsets were introduced in 2006 and these have apparently been helpful in more than one way. As on date, 10 offset contracts have been signed worth Rs. 8200 crores wherein 31 private Indian firms have been benefited apart from the OFB/DPSUs. There are 41 offset contact worth more than Rs. 49000 crores in the pipeline at various stages of negotiations which are going to materialise in the next couple of years. This will provide further impetus to the Indian industry. I would like to mention here that Government of India is committed and alive to aspirations of private industry and their problems and you will be glad to know that more than Rs. 4200 crores of contracts out of total offset contracts of worth Rs. 8200 crores signed so far have gone to private Defence Industry.
There are number of high tech systems which the Indian Land Forces require to fight the future battles. There is a requirement to upgrade the Infantry soldiers into a systems i.e. F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldiers as system) which will include latest Assaults rifles, Head up display helmets, bullet proof jackets, Boot Anti Mine etc for which the procurement process has already commenced. In the field of Artillery the future calibres of gun will be 155 mm / 52” calibre. The plans are already underway to procure the Towed Ultra Light Howitzer Self Propelled Track & Wheeled and Mounted Gun System. The Rocket System SMERCH and PINAKA has already been introduced into the service.
Arjun and T-90 tanks have been inducted into the service and production within the country as already commenced. The upgradation or older version tanks (T-72) is already underway with the collaboration of Private Industry. ALH (Dhruv) has been introduced in service with latest weapon mounted platform. Similarly procurement of Cheetal helicopters is already underway. Replacement of L-70 guns and ZU 23 guns by new generation Air Defence weapon systems and induction of AKASH Missile Systems has commenced. The upgradation of Base workshops and the CODs is progressing at good pace.
These acquisition processes mentioned above and many more in the pipe line will provide ample opportunity to private defence industry of the country to play a significant role in near future. Government would like the industries to grab the opportunity to make full use of it.
Under this backdrop I urge all of you to synergize your efforts in a concerted manner so that Nation gets what it wants i.e. security at the lowest cost in a transparent manner. Armed Forces gets the best Arms and equipment to discharge their tremendous responsibility without looking behind their shoulders and Industry including the private industry along with the Government delivers these at the lowest cost in most efficient manner. I wish the Industry, all the institutions and associations all the very best. I am sure that we shall continue to do our best and beyond. We shall not let down our man in uniform at any cost, for that the price is too high and none of us will wish that to happen. Once again, I will say Good Luck, good way forward. PK/RAJ
(Source - PIB Release)
Following is the text of the inaugural address delivered by the Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju to the Seminar on ‘The Indian Army : Next Generation Systems, An Evolution’, organised by the PHD Chamber at DefExpo – 2010, here today:-
It is my proud privilege to speak to an august gathering, which has deep understanding and keen insight into Military matters. The history of warfare is as old as the history of the mankind. Man does not have to be prepared for war only for the sake of subjugating the other to his will but he had to be remain prepared to defend his own well being and safety. The requirements of the Nation are no different albeit more complex.
India has no record or intention to unnecessarily project Military Might beyond our frontiers, yet we can ill afford to remain unprepared from external challenges emanating or likely to emanate from far and near to our defined frontiers. The external challenges are going to be complex and multifarious in times to come, given the global geopolitical situation and specially the one in our near neighbourhood. As you are aware that India as a Nation State is progressing and progressing fast economically and in many other sectors, which is going to result in multi-spectral and multi-dimensional challenges from within and outside, for which our Armed forces have to remain ever ready for all eventualities.
History is a testimony that no nation has been able to prevail in a conflict with lower threshold of technology in defence sector. Countries or the Armies with lower technologies would have won a battle here and there, but you will find hardly any example, wherein a higher technology Military power has been overwhelmed by lower technology power in the long run. Though total self reliance in any sector, let alone the Defence Sector may be outside the realm of possibility for any nation and especially for the emerging nations, yet the importance of technological sovereignty and self reliance has no substitute. Self reliance in Defence requirements is one of the important aims of the Ministry of Defence. Heavy preponderance on imports put tremendous strain and uncertainty in defence capabilities, which we can ill afford, apart from high cost of maintenance and equipment exploitation. Further it has got implication on our foreign policy. Moreover dependence on imports of Arms directly affects ‘National Security Capability’. Therefore, it is imperative for overall economic and social development; the Defence Industrial Base (DIB) is developed, expanded and strengthened if I may use the word, on ‘War Footing’.
The benefits of having indigenous and strong DIB are obvious and well known, but achieving the same is a big challenge though well within the realm of possibilities, provided there is an all round synergy of action amongst all stakeholders, unity of thought, will and purpose of the cause. I am sanguine that we all are capable of achieving the same, whatever the challenges may be and much more. Indian Industry has the potential to play key role in this regards.
There are certain factors which restricts, the speedy build up of DIB at the desired pace like limited size of market for defence products, long gestation period for maturing of technology, lack of cutting edge technology with the Industry, multiplicity and complexities of the defence technology coupled with vastness of the spectrum spread of defence equipment and Defence Industrial Base itself. We have to keep in mind and the requirement of keeping the Defence Forces operational ready for any eventuality without waiting for the full indigenisation and integration to take place within the country. Add to the list, various international regimes and regulations denying the cutting edge technologies to the developing nation, the situation becomes quite complex. I assure you, that the Government is committed and alive to the challenges and difficulties faced by the Industry and taking proactive steps to mitigate these difficulties to the extent possible and it is a continuous endeavour.
The Acquisition process has continuously been revamped. Defence Procurement procedure was evolved over a period of time. Based on the experience gained over a period of time in the Defence Procurement, DPP-2006 was issued in July 2006. The revised version was issued in September 2008 and amended in November to accommodate the challenges required to streamline the system and take care of the aspirations of all stakeholders. You will be glad to know that New Categorization of ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ has been introduced from the month of December 2009 onwards. Private industry is being invited for SCAPCC meetings to provide their views.
During this phase, the New Acquisition structures have been created at successive levels of Government like DAC, Defence Procurement Board, Defence Production Board and Defence R&D Board. Recently, a high level committee under Defence Secretary has been set up, for implementation of Rama Rao Committee recommendations, to restructure DRDO. MoD is taking all positive steps to ensure that the Acquisition processes are streamlined and speeded up to meet the requirement of Armed Forces in the desirable time frame, with highest degree of probity and public transparency. At the same time in order to build up sound DIB with the participation of private industry, the provisions of offsets were introduced in 2006 and these have apparently been helpful in more than one way. As on date, 10 offset contracts have been signed worth Rs. 8200 crores wherein 31 private Indian firms have been benefited apart from the OFB/DPSUs. There are 41 offset contact worth more than Rs. 49000 crores in the pipeline at various stages of negotiations which are going to materialise in the next couple of years. This will provide further impetus to the Indian industry. I would like to mention here that Government of India is committed and alive to aspirations of private industry and their problems and you will be glad to know that more than Rs. 4200 crores of contracts out of total offset contracts of worth Rs. 8200 crores signed so far have gone to private Defence Industry.
There are number of high tech systems which the Indian Land Forces require to fight the future battles. There is a requirement to upgrade the Infantry soldiers into a systems i.e. F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldiers as system) which will include latest Assaults rifles, Head up display helmets, bullet proof jackets, Boot Anti Mine etc for which the procurement process has already commenced. In the field of Artillery the future calibres of gun will be 155 mm / 52” calibre. The plans are already underway to procure the Towed Ultra Light Howitzer Self Propelled Track & Wheeled and Mounted Gun System. The Rocket System SMERCH and PINAKA has already been introduced into the service.
Arjun and T-90 tanks have been inducted into the service and production within the country as already commenced. The upgradation or older version tanks (T-72) is already underway with the collaboration of Private Industry. ALH (Dhruv) has been introduced in service with latest weapon mounted platform. Similarly procurement of Cheetal helicopters is already underway. Replacement of L-70 guns and ZU 23 guns by new generation Air Defence weapon systems and induction of AKASH Missile Systems has commenced. The upgradation of Base workshops and the CODs is progressing at good pace.
These acquisition processes mentioned above and many more in the pipe line will provide ample opportunity to private defence industry of the country to play a significant role in near future. Government would like the industries to grab the opportunity to make full use of it.
Under this backdrop I urge all of you to synergize your efforts in a concerted manner so that Nation gets what it wants i.e. security at the lowest cost in a transparent manner. Armed Forces gets the best Arms and equipment to discharge their tremendous responsibility without looking behind their shoulders and Industry including the private industry along with the Government delivers these at the lowest cost in most efficient manner. I wish the Industry, all the institutions and associations all the very best. I am sure that we shall continue to do our best and beyond. We shall not let down our man in uniform at any cost, for that the price is too high and none of us will wish that to happen. Once again, I will say Good Luck, good way forward. PK/RAJ
(Source - PIB Release)
Friday, February 19, 2010
APPLY THE 90/10 PRINCIPLE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF INFORMATION TO ALL VETERAN BROTHERS:-
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Have you read this before? Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How?
By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let’s use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You haveno control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.
Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.Why?
Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D.
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, “It’s ok honey, you just need,to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves.You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, nd do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged
You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life.
(SOURCE - GCONNECT)
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By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let’s use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You haveno control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.
Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.Why?
Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D.
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, “It’s ok honey, you just need,to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves.You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, nd do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged
You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life.
(SOURCE - GCONNECT)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
THE SPEAKING TREE - Clear All The Clutter And Enjoy Space
A fisherman casts his net and catches all kinds of fish. There is one kind of fish though that always eludes him. A few fish struggle and manage to swim away. Others strive to get out but remain imprisoned . The majority in the net relaxes. They are not even aware that they are in a life-threatening situation. They do not feel the danger. A few moments later they are dead.
There are four types of people . Most belong to the fourth category . Caught in the net of maya, delusion, they are oblivious of dangers. They, the bogies, are content in the bondage of worldly life. There are some who have awakened to a higher dimension and are aware of lifes pitfalls .
They make sincere attempts to free themselves. They are the yogis. A few, the sanyasis are able to free themselves. Rare is the person who, even while living in the world, remains out of it ever free, the nitya mukta, the jnani.
The Gitas fifth chapter describes three types of spiritual aspirants who remain liberated even while transacting with the world and enjoying its offerings. A yogi is a spiritual novice who is not yet free of desires. He has to tread the path of action.
A sanyasi has divested himself of most desires and is ready for contemplation and meditation . He is unaffected by pairs of opposites. Liberation is within his reach. However, one has to plough through karma yoga, the path of action, to be fit for meditation .
Krishna underscores the importance of action before plunging into meditation. A jnani has purified his soul, overcome his mind and subdued the senses. He sees himself in all. He remains unscathed even while acting.
How do the yogi, sanyasi and jnani act in the world A jnani is a dynamic actor but maintains his objectivity right through. He thinks "I do nothing at all" while actions are going on.
A sanyasi dedicates all actions to Brahmn. As the lotus leaf is untouched by water despite being in constant touch with it, a sanyasi is detached from the world despite living in it, transacting with it and giving of himself to it. He is anchored in the thought of atman while fulfilling worldly obligations. A yogi is focused on self-purification while acting with detachment. Renunciation is not life denying, it is life enabling . It is the turning away from a trivial now for a more significant future. A sportsperson , for instance, who turns his back on the trophy gets the trophy and enjoys the celebration.
Renunciation is not giving up action. It is acting in a spirit of renunciation . Renunciation is preventing the clutter of inconsequential things from interfering with the more important aspects of life. It is intelligent waste disposal . You dont have to give up things that are dear to you. It is evolving to appreciate far more fulfilling avenues of enjoyment. Then your own erstwhile preoccupations seem petty.
Renunciation is not keeping away and living a life of seclusion . It is learning to live a life of inclusion by weeding out that which comes in the way of a fulfilled life.
Ultimately, renunciation opens the doors to realisation. Life then becomes one in which you are not hampered by the limitations of body, mind and intellect . You sail aloft, unaffected by the finitude of the world and enjoy the realm beyond.
-----------------------------------------
(source- toi)
There are four types of people . Most belong to the fourth category . Caught in the net of maya, delusion, they are oblivious of dangers. They, the bogies, are content in the bondage of worldly life. There are some who have awakened to a higher dimension and are aware of lifes pitfalls .
They make sincere attempts to free themselves. They are the yogis. A few, the sanyasis are able to free themselves. Rare is the person who, even while living in the world, remains out of it ever free, the nitya mukta, the jnani.
The Gitas fifth chapter describes three types of spiritual aspirants who remain liberated even while transacting with the world and enjoying its offerings. A yogi is a spiritual novice who is not yet free of desires. He has to tread the path of action.
A sanyasi has divested himself of most desires and is ready for contemplation and meditation . He is unaffected by pairs of opposites. Liberation is within his reach. However, one has to plough through karma yoga, the path of action, to be fit for meditation .
Krishna underscores the importance of action before plunging into meditation. A jnani has purified his soul, overcome his mind and subdued the senses. He sees himself in all. He remains unscathed even while acting.
How do the yogi, sanyasi and jnani act in the world A jnani is a dynamic actor but maintains his objectivity right through. He thinks "I do nothing at all" while actions are going on.
A sanyasi dedicates all actions to Brahmn. As the lotus leaf is untouched by water despite being in constant touch with it, a sanyasi is detached from the world despite living in it, transacting with it and giving of himself to it. He is anchored in the thought of atman while fulfilling worldly obligations. A yogi is focused on self-purification while acting with detachment. Renunciation is not life denying, it is life enabling . It is the turning away from a trivial now for a more significant future. A sportsperson , for instance, who turns his back on the trophy gets the trophy and enjoys the celebration.
Renunciation is not giving up action. It is acting in a spirit of renunciation . Renunciation is preventing the clutter of inconsequential things from interfering with the more important aspects of life. It is intelligent waste disposal . You dont have to give up things that are dear to you. It is evolving to appreciate far more fulfilling avenues of enjoyment. Then your own erstwhile preoccupations seem petty.
Renunciation is not keeping away and living a life of seclusion . It is learning to live a life of inclusion by weeding out that which comes in the way of a fulfilled life.
Ultimately, renunciation opens the doors to realisation. Life then becomes one in which you are not hampered by the limitations of body, mind and intellect . You sail aloft, unaffected by the finitude of the world and enjoy the realm beyond.
-----------------------------------------
(source- toi)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
HEY - RAM/YAA - ALLAH/OH - MY GOD!#? BEING INDIAN......MY HEART WRITHES/BLEEDS IN PAIN......
THE FOLLOWING (DULY EDITED) E-MAIL FORWARDED FROM ONE OF OUR SENIOR VETERAN GOPAL SINGH NEGI IS POSTED BELOW FOR THE BENEFIT OF INFORMATION OF ALL VETERAN BROTHERS. DEEPLY GRIEVED, .......I AM CHOKED AND FAIL TO WRITE ANYTHING MORE....
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Really shame .........Shame Shame Shame ! If These Are Breaking News....
.The following also become the masala breaking news of Indian news channels:
* If Tendulkar cuts the cake which is made to look like national flag, he is condemned.
* If Mandira Bedi wears a saree with the flags of all the countries being portrayed on that, is made to apologise.
* If one cop in Kolkata and one in Bangalore is dismissed from his services for throwing the Indian national flag on ground, by mistake.
Then why double standards:
* During the ongoing Amarnath Sangarsh, Jammuites holding the Indian National Flag and chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' are fired and the Peaceful protesters are killed.
* Like in case of Amarnath case, people in Kashmir when want to get some demand fulfilled, protest by burning Indian national Flag, hosting Pakistani Flag and chanting 'Hindustan Murdabad, Pakistan Jindabad'. No one condemns.
* Every year on 14th Aug (Pakistani Independence Day), Pakistani flag is hosted every where in Kashmir, including the govt. buildings and on 15th Aug, same people burn the Indian flag.
Shame.... Media for not making it Breaking News
THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN INDIA!!!..
Regards
GOPAL SINGH NEGI
(FWD E-MAIL)
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Really shame .........Shame Shame Shame ! If These Are Breaking News....
* If Tendulkar cuts the cake which is made to look like national flag, he is condemned.
* If Mandira Bedi wears a saree with the flags of all the countries being portrayed on that, is made to apologise.
* If one cop in Kolkata and one in Bangalore is dismissed from his services for throwing the Indian national flag on ground, by mistake.
Then why double standards:
* During the ongoing Amarnath Sangarsh, Jammuites holding the Indian National Flag and chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' are fired and the Peaceful protesters are killed.
* Like in case of Amarnath case, people in Kashmir when want to get some demand fulfilled, protest by burning Indian national Flag, hosting Pakistani Flag and chanting 'Hindustan Murdabad, Pakistan Jindabad'. No one condemns.
* Every year on 14th Aug (Pakistani Independence Day), Pakistani flag is hosted every where in Kashmir, including the govt. buildings and on 15th Aug, same people burn the Indian flag.
Hosting Pakistani Flag and burning Indian Flag
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THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN INDIA!!!..
Regards
GOPAL SINGH NEGI
(FWD E-MAIL)
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Amendments required in the Draft minutes of the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee
Dated: 10th Feb. 2010.
Dear Comrades,
The draft minutes of the last meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 12.12.2009. were discussed with the Director JCA(Secretary Official Side). It was decided that the amendments required would be communicated to him in writing and thereafter the same could be finalized after further discussion with the Staff Side, a procedure that had been followed till date. Accordingly, the Staff Side had submitted the amendments to the draft minutes. We place hereunder the copy of the letter the Staff Side Secretary had sent to the Official side requesting to incorporate the amendments to the minutes. .
The official side without any further discussion, finalized the minutes incorporating some of the amendments (in Bold print) which have been placed on their website indicated. VIEW THE MINUTES
It has been decided that Staff side would further discuss this matter with Director JCA and press for incorporation of leftout amendments.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty.
Secretary General
Encl:Copy of staff side secretary's letter addressed to the Secretary Official Side, JCM. National Council.
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Amendments required in the Draft minutes of the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee.
Page No.4. Item No.1-4. Line No. (in page No.4):4. Add the following as the penultimate sentence:
The Staff Side reiterated that it was an anomaly precisely for the reason that vide Para 2.2.19, the 6th CPC has stated unambiguously that where pre revised pay scales have been merged it has been done by extending the minimum prescribed for the highest pay scale with which the other pay scales are being merged. However, the pay band has been fixed with reference to the minimum of the lowest pay scales which have been merged.
Page No.4 Item No. 5. Line No. 15. The last sentence in the para (i) of agenda Item No. 5. may be replaced with the following:
The JS(Per) agreed to allow the employees to revise their option and to delegate powers to the administrative ministries to allow such revised options.
Page No. 5. Item No. 5(iv) Line 16. Add the following sentence. The Staff Side further stated that the pay granted to the fresh entrant is the deemed minimum pay of the post and no promotees can be fixed below the minimum pay of the post to which he is promoted on regular basis.
Replace the last sentence in the said para with the following:
The Department of Expenditure agreed to issue enabling orders in the matter.
Page No. 6. Item No. 5(v). Add the following at the end of the paragraph.
The Staff Side further stated that the Revised Pay Rules in relaxation of F.R. are meant only for the purpose of fixing the pay in the revised Pay scales. It has no application thereafter. It is on this specific understanding that the staff side had demanded the one time relaxation as otherwise the one time relaxation would not address similar issues of future recruitees and promotees. The Official Side contended that the Revised Pay Rules would override the provisions of the Fundamental Rules permanently. The Staff Side then contended that an increment has to be granted on completion of one year service. It must not be postponed except on award of a penalty on initiation of disciplinary proceedings. After some further discussion, the official side agreed to reconsider this matter.
Page No. 6 Item No.5(vii).Add the following at the beginning of the paragraph:
The Staff Side stated that as per the existing scheme the temporary status employees have been granted the minimum of the corresponding scale of pay of regular employees (with benefit of annual increments). Therefore it would be necessary that these employees if they are non matriculates are given the requisite training and the benefit of fixation of pay at Rs. 7000/- (with grade pay of Rs. 1800_ with effect from 1.01. 2006. The Secretary, Staff Side pointed out that in respect of those who have retired/died during the period between 1.1.2006 and 1.9. 2008 it would not be possible to impart training to them. He, therefore, suggested, referring to his letter in this regard that they may be given the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs. 1800 with effect from 1.01.2006. Regarding granting of temporary status to casual labourers, JS(Per) informed that the Department of Expenditure had already rendered their advice in the matter to JS(E) DOPT. Further action is to be taken by DOPT. The Chairman said that this issue would be considered sympathetically.
Item No.15,16 & 17- Parity in Pension to all Pensioners. Line No. 17.
Kindly omit 16 and 17 in the heading as these items were not discussed at the meeting.
Add the following in Line No. 23 after the sentence ending with the word 'recommendations.'
The Staff Side further stated that the 6th CPC in para 5.1.47 has stated that in order to maintain the existing modified parity between present and future retirees it will be necessary to allow the same fitment benefit as is being recommended for the existing Government employees.
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line.3. Add the word "same" in between the words "allowing" and "fitment"
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line 3. Replace the words: "equal to 40% of their existing pension" with the following:
As is being recommended to the existing Government employees
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line.9 Replace the following sentence
"Officers of Department of Expenditure stated that this was not the intent of the recommendation of the Pay Commission.
With the following:
After some discussions, the official side agreed to re-examine the issue.
Add the following in page No. 8 at the end.
"At the conclusion of the meeting, the Staff Side took up the matter concerning non representation of Postal Federations in the National Council as some members of a Federation which could not muster even 5% membership had been approaching one court or the other in a bid to delay the verification process and consequent recognition of the Associations and Federations in the Postal Department. As it would be a never ending process, the denial for the unions who had mustered more than 75% of the membership representation in the National Council would be a miscarriage of justice, the Staff Side added.. The Director (SR) of the Postal Department, who had represented the Postal Department in the official side agreed with the contention of the Staff Side and reported to the Chairman, that they had granted adhoc recognition to the Unions who had mustered the requisite membership and the Department Council had also been convened and met on adhoc basic. The question of granting of representation to the representatives of the Staff in the National Council had been referred to the Department of Personnel and their advice in the matter was being solicited. The Chairman assured the Staff Side to look into the matter and take appropriate decision soon.
The denial of revised higher Grade Pay to Master Craftsmen of Workshops in MMS in the Postal Department, while affording the same to those in Railways and Defence was also raised by the Staff Side. The Department of Expenditure pointed out that they had not received any reference from the Postal Department in this matter, whereas the official side representative of the Postal Department stated that they had referred this matter to them earlier. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Department of Expenditure and the Postal Department would sort out this matter expeditiously."
Amendments in the bold print have been incorporated in the finalized Minutes
Posted by Confederation Of Central Government Employees
Dear Comrades,
The draft minutes of the last meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 12.12.2009. were discussed with the Director JCA(Secretary Official Side). It was decided that the amendments required would be communicated to him in writing and thereafter the same could be finalized after further discussion with the Staff Side, a procedure that had been followed till date. Accordingly, the Staff Side had submitted the amendments to the draft minutes. We place hereunder the copy of the letter the Staff Side Secretary had sent to the Official side requesting to incorporate the amendments to the minutes. .
The official side without any further discussion, finalized the minutes incorporating some of the amendments (in Bold print) which have been placed on their website indicated. VIEW THE MINUTES
It has been decided that Staff side would further discuss this matter with Director JCA and press for incorporation of leftout amendments.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty.
Secretary General
Encl:Copy of staff side secretary's letter addressed to the Secretary Official Side, JCM. National Council.
=============================
Amendments required in the Draft minutes of the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee.
Page No.4. Item No.1-4. Line No. (in page No.4):4. Add the following as the penultimate sentence:
The Staff Side reiterated that it was an anomaly precisely for the reason that vide Para 2.2.19, the 6th CPC has stated unambiguously that where pre revised pay scales have been merged it has been done by extending the minimum prescribed for the highest pay scale with which the other pay scales are being merged. However, the pay band has been fixed with reference to the minimum of the lowest pay scales which have been merged.
Page No.4 Item No. 5. Line No. 15. The last sentence in the para (i) of agenda Item No. 5. may be replaced with the following:
The JS(Per) agreed to allow the employees to revise their option and to delegate powers to the administrative ministries to allow such revised options.
Page No. 5. Item No. 5(iv) Line 16. Add the following sentence. The Staff Side further stated that the pay granted to the fresh entrant is the deemed minimum pay of the post and no promotees can be fixed below the minimum pay of the post to which he is promoted on regular basis.
Replace the last sentence in the said para with the following:
The Department of Expenditure agreed to issue enabling orders in the matter.
Page No. 6. Item No. 5(v). Add the following at the end of the paragraph.
The Staff Side further stated that the Revised Pay Rules in relaxation of F.R. are meant only for the purpose of fixing the pay in the revised Pay scales. It has no application thereafter. It is on this specific understanding that the staff side had demanded the one time relaxation as otherwise the one time relaxation would not address similar issues of future recruitees and promotees. The Official Side contended that the Revised Pay Rules would override the provisions of the Fundamental Rules permanently. The Staff Side then contended that an increment has to be granted on completion of one year service. It must not be postponed except on award of a penalty on initiation of disciplinary proceedings. After some further discussion, the official side agreed to reconsider this matter.
Page No. 6 Item No.5(vii).Add the following at the beginning of the paragraph:
The Staff Side stated that as per the existing scheme the temporary status employees have been granted the minimum of the corresponding scale of pay of regular employees (with benefit of annual increments). Therefore it would be necessary that these employees if they are non matriculates are given the requisite training and the benefit of fixation of pay at Rs. 7000/- (with grade pay of Rs. 1800_ with effect from 1.01. 2006. The Secretary, Staff Side pointed out that in respect of those who have retired/died during the period between 1.1.2006 and 1.9. 2008 it would not be possible to impart training to them. He, therefore, suggested, referring to his letter in this regard that they may be given the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs. 1800 with effect from 1.01.2006. Regarding granting of temporary status to casual labourers, JS(Per) informed that the Department of Expenditure had already rendered their advice in the matter to JS(E) DOPT. Further action is to be taken by DOPT. The Chairman said that this issue would be considered sympathetically.
Item No.15,16 & 17- Parity in Pension to all Pensioners. Line No. 17.
Kindly omit 16 and 17 in the heading as these items were not discussed at the meeting.
Add the following in Line No. 23 after the sentence ending with the word 'recommendations.'
The Staff Side further stated that the 6th CPC in para 5.1.47 has stated that in order to maintain the existing modified parity between present and future retirees it will be necessary to allow the same fitment benefit as is being recommended for the existing Government employees.
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line.3. Add the word "same" in between the words "allowing" and "fitment"
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line 3. Replace the words: "equal to 40% of their existing pension" with the following:
As is being recommended to the existing Government employees
Page No. 8 Item No.15. Line.9 Replace the following sentence
"Officers of Department of Expenditure stated that this was not the intent of the recommendation of the Pay Commission.
With the following:
After some discussions, the official side agreed to re-examine the issue.
Add the following in page No. 8 at the end.
"At the conclusion of the meeting, the Staff Side took up the matter concerning non representation of Postal Federations in the National Council as some members of a Federation which could not muster even 5% membership had been approaching one court or the other in a bid to delay the verification process and consequent recognition of the Associations and Federations in the Postal Department. As it would be a never ending process, the denial for the unions who had mustered more than 75% of the membership representation in the National Council would be a miscarriage of justice, the Staff Side added.. The Director (SR) of the Postal Department, who had represented the Postal Department in the official side agreed with the contention of the Staff Side and reported to the Chairman, that they had granted adhoc recognition to the Unions who had mustered the requisite membership and the Department Council had also been convened and met on adhoc basic. The question of granting of representation to the representatives of the Staff in the National Council had been referred to the Department of Personnel and their advice in the matter was being solicited. The Chairman assured the Staff Side to look into the matter and take appropriate decision soon.
The denial of revised higher Grade Pay to Master Craftsmen of Workshops in MMS in the Postal Department, while affording the same to those in Railways and Defence was also raised by the Staff Side. The Department of Expenditure pointed out that they had not received any reference from the Postal Department in this matter, whereas the official side representative of the Postal Department stated that they had referred this matter to them earlier. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Department of Expenditure and the Postal Department would sort out this matter expeditiously."
Amendments in the bold print have been incorporated in the finalized Minutes
Posted by Confederation Of Central Government Employees
THE SPEAKING TREE - SPECIAL NIGHT OF DIVINE REST AND WAKEFULNESS - SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
Shiva means your very self, the purest Self, your innermost core. Shiva means good or benevolent. The word ratri in Sanskrit means that which relieves you from three types of agony ethereal, mental and material. At night everything becomes quiet and peaceful. The body gets tired and goes to sleep. Shivaratri literally means that night which infuses the Shiva tatva or the transcendental principle to the three instruments: the body, mind and speech.
Shivaratri is a night of deep rest. It is the night that takes you into its lap, comforts you and gives rest. When the mind rests on the lap of the Divine, thats real rest. Like the mind, memory and intellect , Shiva is also a tatva or principle in us. Shivaratri is when the Shiva tatva and Shakti become one. The jagran in Shivaratri staying awake all night is not just forcing oneself to be awake or sing devotional songs. It is about being consciously aware of the inner rest that sleep brings everyday. When you surpass a certain layer of sleep, samadhi happens. Samadhi is often referred to as Shiva Sayujya, the presence of Shiva, a state of deep rest with alertness, which brings freedom from all identities. Kabir Das calls it koti kalpa vishram a billion years of rest consolidated in a moment. When you come out of it, you experience certain pleasantness and reduced entropy , which brings an unusual freshness to the mind and senses. The linga in Shiva temples symbolises identification or sign through which you identify someone as being male, female or neutral. The Divine is beyond the three genders; hence the Divine is called Ekalinga, or unigender. What is that one gender The Self, the Atma. The Self is beyond body, mind or intellect; it is beyond likes and dislikes. Ekalinga is the Lord of the Self.
On Shivaratri, the Shiva Shakti merges into the whole universe. Shiva has been associated with destruction; but transformation , new beginning for the better, can only happen when something is destroyed. Shiva is the factor of transformation. Sham means peace and good and kara means one who does that. Shankara means one who gives peace and does good.
The whole of Creation is the dance or play of Shiva, the tandav or dance of one consciousness, one seed, which manifested into a million species in the world. The whole world moving in an auspicious rhythm of innocence and intelligence is Shiva. Shiva is the permanent and eternal source of energy the one and only eternal state of Being. There is a story related to Shivaratri, about the union of Shiva and Shakti. The primordial and dynamic energy is wedded to the transcendental. Shiva is the silent witness and Shakti is chitti or chidvilasa, the energy that plays and displays in infinite space. Shiva is the formless Being; Shakti is manifestation in the field. This is the recognition of the dual aspect of matter and energy, prakriti and purusha, the dravya and guna substance and its qualities. Recognising the underlying non-dual nature of Brahmn is Shivaratri.
It is only wakefulness that brings out this knowledge in our consciousness and Shivaratri is the night to celebrate the wakefulness of one universal consciousness without falling into the unconscious sleep state. Breaking the pattern of unconscious sleep gives you a glimpse that you are not a mechanical apparatus but a legend in Creation. To recognise the Shiva tatva, you have to be awake.
==============================
Shivaratri is a night of deep rest. It is the night that takes you into its lap, comforts you and gives rest. When the mind rests on the lap of the Divine, thats real rest. Like the mind, memory and intellect , Shiva is also a tatva or principle in us. Shivaratri is when the Shiva tatva and Shakti become one. The jagran in Shivaratri staying awake all night is not just forcing oneself to be awake or sing devotional songs. It is about being consciously aware of the inner rest that sleep brings everyday. When you surpass a certain layer of sleep, samadhi happens. Samadhi is often referred to as Shiva Sayujya, the presence of Shiva, a state of deep rest with alertness, which brings freedom from all identities. Kabir Das calls it koti kalpa vishram a billion years of rest consolidated in a moment. When you come out of it, you experience certain pleasantness and reduced entropy , which brings an unusual freshness to the mind and senses. The linga in Shiva temples symbolises identification or sign through which you identify someone as being male, female or neutral. The Divine is beyond the three genders; hence the Divine is called Ekalinga, or unigender. What is that one gender The Self, the Atma. The Self is beyond body, mind or intellect; it is beyond likes and dislikes. Ekalinga is the Lord of the Self.
On Shivaratri, the Shiva Shakti merges into the whole universe. Shiva has been associated with destruction; but transformation , new beginning for the better, can only happen when something is destroyed. Shiva is the factor of transformation. Sham means peace and good and kara means one who does that. Shankara means one who gives peace and does good.
The whole of Creation is the dance or play of Shiva, the tandav or dance of one consciousness, one seed, which manifested into a million species in the world. The whole world moving in an auspicious rhythm of innocence and intelligence is Shiva. Shiva is the permanent and eternal source of energy the one and only eternal state of Being. There is a story related to Shivaratri, about the union of Shiva and Shakti. The primordial and dynamic energy is wedded to the transcendental. Shiva is the silent witness and Shakti is chitti or chidvilasa, the energy that plays and displays in infinite space. Shiva is the formless Being; Shakti is manifestation in the field. This is the recognition of the dual aspect of matter and energy, prakriti and purusha, the dravya and guna substance and its qualities. Recognising the underlying non-dual nature of Brahmn is Shivaratri.
It is only wakefulness that brings out this knowledge in our consciousness and Shivaratri is the night to celebrate the wakefulness of one universal consciousness without falling into the unconscious sleep state. Breaking the pattern of unconscious sleep gives you a glimpse that you are not a mechanical apparatus but a legend in Creation. To recognise the Shiva tatva, you have to be awake.
==============================
--------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 11, 2010
THE SPEAKING TREE - FERVENT PRAYERS THAT GO UN-ANSWERED
This is the story of a little girl called Ranu, who grew up studying in a convent, where besides the three Rs, she was taught to pray. Ask and you shall receive, says the Bible and Ranu had been trained well in the art of asking . Not just that, she also learned to do small acts of kindness,to be generous and cultivate virtues. She was taught to remember that her Guardian Angel watched over her constantly. In school, she and her other little friends prayed regularly for a variety of favours. Prayers included appeals for a bright, sunny morning on sports day, for flowers to bloom in the manicured school garden in time for the flower show, for seniors at school to perform well in their Board exams the list was quite long.
Ranu also had her own little list of personal prayers that she was certain needed immediate attention . Please, God, give the measles to Miss P Alvarez, she pleaded, for giving me a zero in my drawing test. But Miss Alvarez looked none the worse than she was; in fact, she seemed to look even better with each passing day. Reluctantly, the disappointed Ranu gave up on this. She didnt give up praying, however. Ive never fainted at morning assembly, she informed Him, though girls around me keep dropping like nine pins. I feel so jealous of them God, especially when theyre fussed over and given a glass of yummy orange juice. Cant You let me have a blackout too, just once But no! He had decided to ignore her plea again. Then her best friend Anju fractured a bone in her foot. Her foot was now in a cast, and Anju was turned into a hero overnight . Her classmates rallied around her to touch the cast and write little messages of encouragement on the plaster of Paris. Anjus fan following grew by the day; they followed her around. Ranus heart was consumed by envy.
Cant You do anything for me I want to feel important, too. Its just not fair. I want a fracture. Perhaps You could break my hand No, on second thought, i need both hands to do my favourite needle work. Okay, my foot, but not the right one, please. Ranu had no such luck. All her pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears why wasnt He listening It seemed as though she simply did not exist (for Him). She tried her best. She slid down the banisters backwards, raced up and down the staircase three steps at a time and even jumped off the swing in the hope that she would at least sprain her ankle.
And what did she get in return An unscathed body and a summons to appear before Mother Superior in her office! Child, we have had enough of your wild ways. You will be gated. No morning walks for you for the next three weeks. For Ranu, who loved nothing more than meandering in the woods that surrounded her school, this was an awful punishment . What would she do? Later, much later, when life had moved on beyond childish dreams and innocent school girlish demands, when Ranu had grown to adulthood having weathered many challenges in life, she learnt the true value of prayers that go unanswered.
And, that when He leaves some prayers unanswered, it is His way of showing that He knows what is best for us. He does answer every single prayer but in His own time and sometimes, when a prayer goes unanswered, that is the answer.
========================
HARD TO SWALLOW: Street performer Chayne Hultgren aka 'The Space Cowboy' , re-enacts his 18-sword swallowing attempt for a Guinness World Record in front of the Sydney Opera House on Monday. The Australian beat his own world record when he simultaneously swallowed 18 swords, each blade measuring 50.8cm by 1.3cm, in the lead-up to this years International Sword Swallowing Day on February 28
Ranu also had her own little list of personal prayers that she was certain needed immediate attention . Please, God, give the measles to Miss P Alvarez, she pleaded, for giving me a zero in my drawing test. But Miss Alvarez looked none the worse than she was; in fact, she seemed to look even better with each passing day. Reluctantly, the disappointed Ranu gave up on this. She didnt give up praying, however. Ive never fainted at morning assembly, she informed Him, though girls around me keep dropping like nine pins. I feel so jealous of them God, especially when theyre fussed over and given a glass of yummy orange juice. Cant You let me have a blackout too, just once But no! He had decided to ignore her plea again. Then her best friend Anju fractured a bone in her foot. Her foot was now in a cast, and Anju was turned into a hero overnight . Her classmates rallied around her to touch the cast and write little messages of encouragement on the plaster of Paris. Anjus fan following grew by the day; they followed her around. Ranus heart was consumed by envy.
Cant You do anything for me I want to feel important, too. Its just not fair. I want a fracture. Perhaps You could break my hand No, on second thought, i need both hands to do my favourite needle work. Okay, my foot, but not the right one, please. Ranu had no such luck. All her pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears why wasnt He listening It seemed as though she simply did not exist (for Him). She tried her best. She slid down the banisters backwards, raced up and down the staircase three steps at a time and even jumped off the swing in the hope that she would at least sprain her ankle.
And what did she get in return An unscathed body and a summons to appear before Mother Superior in her office! Child, we have had enough of your wild ways. You will be gated. No morning walks for you for the next three weeks. For Ranu, who loved nothing more than meandering in the woods that surrounded her school, this was an awful punishment . What would she do? Later, much later, when life had moved on beyond childish dreams and innocent school girlish demands, when Ranu had grown to adulthood having weathered many challenges in life, she learnt the true value of prayers that go unanswered.
And, that when He leaves some prayers unanswered, it is His way of showing that He knows what is best for us. He does answer every single prayer but in His own time and sometimes, when a prayer goes unanswered, that is the answer.
========================
HARD TO SWALLOW: Street performer Chayne Hultgren aka 'The Space Cowboy' , re-enacts his 18-sword swallowing attempt for a Guinness World Record in front of the Sydney Opera House on Monday. The Australian beat his own world record when he simultaneously swallowed 18 swords, each blade measuring 50.8cm by 1.3cm, in the lead-up to this years International Sword Swallowing Day on February 28
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