Some myths doing the rounds, and the truth thereon: by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh
Since many improbable queries are being raised on One Rank One Pension, more so on social media, let me attempt to clarify some of these again to put an end to misinformation, especially for those not connected with the Armed Forces who may be unaware about the modalities of the concept.
Here are the three biggest myths doing the rounds on Social Media.
Myth No 1: Since OROP is to cater for early retirement, why should those officers who retire at 60 be granted OROP?
Truth: Nobody in the military retires at 60 except Lieutenant Generals. Civil employees retire at 60.
Myth No 2: Pay progression in civil service is faster and hence pension is higher but civil services cannot be compared with defence services and when an officer joins up, he/she knows what he/she is getting into.
Truth: Though many civil services had a faster career graph, the situation has gravely deteriorated since the 6th Central Pay Commission (w.e.f 01-01-2006) when Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) was introduced for Organised Group A Civil Services. The said scheme provides that all officers of such civil services, if otherwise eligible, shall be granted the higher pay of promotional grades, even if they are not promoted. Hence, by default, officers who are unable to be promoted in their cadres are now retiring with the pay of an Additional Secretary to Govt of India (HAG) which results in (almost) de facto OROP. This concept of NFU has been denied to the defence services but remains applicable to civil officers working shoulder to shoulder even under the Ministry of Defence. For example, today, a Chief Engineer (CE) of the Military Engineering Services who may be a military officer of the rank of Brigadier may have his Civilian Superintending Engineer (SE) who would be serving under him, drawing the pay of a Lieutenant General under NFU and hence also the pension of a Lt Gen. So the boss gets a lower pay and pension than his subordinate!
Myth No 3: Personnel of the forces are granted employment on the civil side after being released from the Army, why then are they demanding OROP?
Truth: Absolutely untrue. There is no job protection for defence personnel after they are released from the forces, and by the way, they start retiring at the age of 34 years. Most of the personnel of lower ranks end up guarding our neighbourhood ATMs and a minuscule percentage is given the opportunity of government employment but much below their erstwhile military status and at Group D levels at times. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) who are Group-B (formerly known as Class-II) gazetted officers are being offered appointments below the rank of Sepoy. To make this more understandable for those on the civil street, it is like offering a job profile below the rank of Constable to a recently retired Deputy Superintendent of Police. Is this fair?
Those who may like to know more about One Rank One Pension and related issues may like to peruse my two recent opinion pieces on the subject: Oped in Rediff Oped in Moneylife
Read at: Militaryinfoblog
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COMMENTS
Navdeep Sir, U did always key point decision, very hardworks for veterans. Thanks
– Ex. Corporal, Swaraj K. Mukerji – Air Craft Technician, Warrior – 1965 & 1971, Med. Category – CEE , Discharged from Service (I.A.F.) !974. 1)- Receive Pesion ( Service Element ) – NIL (R) NIL. 2)- Receive Disability Pension (Disability Element) – Rs.1,225/- Only P.M. ( Rs. On Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Five Only. That to after 4th, 5th, & 6th C.P.C.s), other words after 42years. Shame on Govt. Of India. May be, A Rapist / Murderer Convict gets More. .
In India we must enact rule/law to make it compulsory for the IAS aspirants soon after their successful selection for the IAS, to serve in defense forces either in Indian Army, Indian Air Force or Indian Navy for three years before they are posted for civil services. This will enable them to realise/feel the hardship faced by the defense personnel and to study all about our preparedness to meet the consequences of war if any is forced against our country.
In India the defence services should be made compulsory to one and all for atleast five years so that they will realise what the life of a soldier is.
Even some officers retired after 40 years of service ,they are paid pension for 33 years only.What is incentive for extra service of 7 years?
There is one way to make the trouble making civilians understand the true picture of rank structure in the army. Give them six months military training and post in forward area for three years. Those who are unfit for military training and post them as civilian and put them on duties similar to that of a soldier for a certain period so that they can imagine the living condition of a soldier in forward area.
I retired in JULY 1986 as JWO GP.1 ELECTRICAL FITTER & GRADUATE but employment exchange sponcered for technical helper in army workshop and very very ESM get good job, mostly get 2 to 5000 PM, every one says you are getting pension, somes wife employed , thus consider having 3 pay, which combined is less than their single pay though their less service as well qualifications, above that even we were not getting DR/DP and not even 33 years pension because it was said maximum 33 years pension, since we did 24 years in military and 15 years in civil but 33-24=comes to 9 and 2nd pension is for minimum 10 years. This was told to then PM ATAL JEE on 16 JULY 1999, while handing over donations by 15 ESM Rs.1000 each, after that orders came, so was some of getting TWO PENSIONS BUT AFTER THEIR DEMISE, their families one pension till 24 SEP, 2012, OLD PENSIONERS & THEIR FAMILY PENSION INCREASED FROM 24/9/2012 ONLY THOUGH WE GOT INCREASE IN PENSION wef JAN2006
Who so ever employee viz CPF and others competing with Armed Forces should accept terms and conditions like them :-
(a) should retire like a sepoy in the Armed Forces at the age of 34.
(b) should have a compulsory tenure in Glacier sply around the age 52-54 yrs like our Bri,Maj Gen and all JCOs and Senior NCOs whose age fall around that category.