Date: 11/06/2013
USELESS MINISTER OF DEFENCE IN INDIA.
CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF WROTE TWO LETTERS TO THE DEFENCE MINISTER OF INDIA ABOUT NON PAYMENT OF DUES TO SERVICE PERSONNEL BUT GOT NO REPLY.
DEFENCE SERVICES PERSONNEL ARE NOT BEING PAID THEIR DUES AND EVEN PENSIONS BY THE USELESS & FAILED
MINISTER OF DEFENCE. THE ARMED FORCES FEEL THAT HE IS THE ENEMY WITHIN THE COUNTRY.
THE BANKS, TOO, ARE NOT EFFECTIVE AND ARE NOT RESPONDING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO RECORDS, OR SIMPLY KEEP SILENT.
THE SOLDIERS ARE BEING INSULTED. THE AMOUNT IS RIGHTFULLY THEIRS, NOT DOLE.
PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEING THE ILLTREATMENT OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL WILL NOT RECOMMEND MILITARY CAREER TO ANYBODY.
War veterans move Supreme Court over outstanding pay. Headlines Today | June 8, 2013 A contempt of court case is being filed against CAG Shashi Kant Sharma, ex-defence secretary and top MoD babus for maltreatment of war veterans and widows.
Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/war-veterans-supreme-court-cag-shashi-kant-sharma-ministry-of-defence/1/279190.html
WATCH THE VIDEO: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/war-veterans-supreme-court-cag-shashi-kant-sharma-ministry-of-defence/1/279190.html
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Over the last six months, the rift between the uniformed services and the civilian leadership of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has widened, right at the top over the maltreatment of the veterans and widows.
Leading the charge is Air Chief Marshal (ACM) NAK Browne, who as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) has sought the Defence Minister AK Antony's attention for resolving the issue, but to no avail.
The genesis of the spat lies in the MoD's 'selective' implementation of the Supreme Court order of September 2012 in the Rank Pay case, which the ex-servicemen community won after battles in the Kerala High Court as well as in the apex court from 1996 to 2012.
After the anomalies emanating from a 'faulty' order were pointed out, the ministry has been unable to rectify its stand.
Letters accessed by this correspondent, written by ACM Browne to Antony written on January 18 and May 27, 2013 show the utter disappointment of the uniformed services at the MoD's conduct.
Both these letters were written with the intention to get Antony to make the bureaucrats fall in line. However, there has not been much progress.
In his latest letter, ACM Browne writes to Antony, "The present approach the infirmities has caused a inordinate delay which has given rise to apprehensions in the environment that the delay may be intentional... the beneficiaries to this verdict include many of such officers who retired decades ago and do not have a long time left to wait for their dues. It will be a grave injustice to these veterans if they pass on without getting their rightful arrears."
ACM Browne went on to state, "It is with a deep sense of regret that I convey to the honourable Raksha Mantri about a growing feeling that cases involving Armed Forces personnel are unnecessarily being dragged to higher courts whereas the same could so easily be resolved in the ministry itself."
In fact in his previous letter to Antony on January 18, ACM Browne had specifically pointed out three major anomalies arising out of MoD's implementation order. Towards solving that, Browne had made four recommendations.
In that too, ACM Browne had stated, "The implementation order suffers from unprecedented disparity. It falls much short of expectations and I fear it will fuel further litigation and may enhance the feeling of alienation among veterans."
Lt. Col (Retd) BK Sharma of the Retired Defence Officers Association (RDOA), which fought the case in the Supreme Court said, "It is very strange. We met the Defence Minister twice, the last time we requested him to ensure implementation of court orders. While he was positive, his ministry does everything to negate that. If this is how they treat veterans, which youngster will want to join the armed forces?"
His colleague, Lt. Col (Retd) Satwant Singh added, "I squarely hold the babus of the MoD responsible. What they are doing to our morale is indirectly aiding the enemy!"
The RDOA, it was learnt is planning on filing a contempt petition in the SC against the MoD as soon as the vacation ends.
Despite repeated requests made to the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), MoD's public relations wing, there was no response.
Even written requests made at the office of the Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) for a response did not elicit a response.
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