A letter from Brig CS VIDYASAGAR

Dear Sir,
1. I keep getting a number of grievances from ESMs and Family pensioners with a request that TSEWA should take it up with Govt of India, Min of Def. TSEWA is not a recognized Association as its membership is not 1 lakh yet. Therefore, any memorandum submitted to Min of Def will end up in the waste paper basket of a desk officer of Min of Def. Then what is the alternative?
2. As per my past experience of 15 years out of which I was Director Sainik Welfare, Andhra Pradesh (from 2006 to 2012), I am convinced that there are only two methods by which we can get our grievances heard and some of them getting resolved. One is through AFTs which as on date are non-functional. I am told only two out of 17 courts are functional. Rest do not have judicial and administrative members. The second is to have a periodical meeting by one umbrella organization with support from ESMs and family pensioners from all 28 States and 9 UTs with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.
3. Col TN Raman (Retd) from Chennai, a very senior and devoted officer to the cause of ESMs and family pensioners having seen thousands of small ESM Associations from village level to State level getting nothing till date suggested formation of National Confederation of ESM Organizations (NCESMO). There is no merger of one Association with another. There is no loss of identity of Association. The Association will continue to work on their own agenda. They can have their own Office bearers. There is no need for NCESMO to have any registration. It is a loose organization which comes into effect for the meeting with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. Rest of the times, the Associations will continue to run as independent associations.
4. Inspired by well-meaning aim of NCESMO put forward by Col TN Raman, Cmde Sudheer Parakala of TSEWA made an approach paper as to how to form NCESMO. TSEWA took the initiative and requested those who believe in this umbrella organization to come for an inaugural meeting in Secunderabad on 17 Aug 2018. 12 Major and minor ESM Associations attended the meeting and agreed to come under banner of NCESMO. The member Associations elected President, IESL being the biggest ESM Association as President of NCESMO and President, TSEWA as Vice – President of NCESMO. This is an interim organization for a period of two years.
5. The benefit of formation of NCESMO is that it could have two quarterly meetings in Nov 2018 and Feb 2019 with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. Till now we could not have any kind of deliberations during which grievances of ESMs and family pensioners could be put across to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri heard our agenda points for almost one hour but unfortunately, the change of portfolios resulted in our getting new Raksha Mantri who assured next quarterly meeting of NCESMO will be held very soon.
6. Col N Sitaramaiah of TSEWA convinced few district level ESM Associations in Andhra Pradesh of utility of forming AP State Confederation. TSEWA again helped in the formation of AP State Confederation. The result is Govt of AP issued a government order (GO) constituting district level ESM Grievance Committees for subjects like allotment of house sites, allotment of barren government land to ESMs, carry forward of vacancies reserved for ESMs to next year, employment to wives of martyred soldiers, reservation of seats in medical, engineering, dental, management colleges to children of Armed Forces personnel, grant of cash award to gallantry award winners, financial assistance to World War II veterans etc.
7. Seeing the benefit AP State Confederation has got from their Government, few district ESM Associations approached TSEWA to help them in forming Telangana State Confederation. Telangana State Confederation was formed on 21 Sep 2019 in the office of TSEWA. With this, strength of NCESMO goes upto 14. It I hoped Manipur State Confederation is likely to be formed on 27 Sep 2019.
8. Who benefits by NCESMO? Officers get reasonably good pension. Their children are well settled. They hardly need any assistance from Central or State Governments. They do not need NCESMO. JCOs / OR who constitute 95% of ESM fraternity need NCESMO.
9. Unless we have 28 State Confederation of ESM Organisations & nine UT Confederation of ESM Organisations, our voice will not be heard by Min of Def. Therefore, it is in the interest of JCOs / OR of all States and UTs to come together to form their own State Confederations. In the beginning all District level ESM Associations will not come forward. If any JCO /NCO / OR is keen to serve the veteran community, then he can speak to four to five district ESM office bearers and try to form State level Confederation. They can then become member of NCESMO and sit in the round table of Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.
10. I do not need NCESMO as I get monthly pension of Rs 1,07,307 and this is likely to go up further by OROP – 2018.
11. TSEWA will help any District level ESM Associations in any part of the country to form your State / UT level Confederation.

Warm regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd)
040-48540895
9493191380
WhatsApp: 9390994106
Email id: csvidyasagar@gmail.com

International Speed Post to New Countries

Ministry of Communications

Posted On: 18 SEP 2019 2:47PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Posts has announced commencing of International Speed Post (EMS) Service to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Lithuania and North Macedonia.

EMS or Express Mail Service is a premium service that enables its users to send documents and merchandise faster and with the added facility of being able to track the movement of the item on the internet. This facility is expected to augment people to people contact with these countries and foster trade as EMS is popular channel for small and medium enterprises.

The EMS service to these countries will henceforth be available at major Post offices across India.

<><><><>

SNC

DRDO conducts five trials of Air-to-Air Missile ‘Astra’; All successful

Ministry of Defence

DRDO conducts five trials of Air-to-Air Missile ‘Astra’; All successful

Posted On: 19 SEP 2019 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’ from Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. The trials were held from 16^th to 19^th September 2019. The trials were conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) against Jet Banshee target aircraft simulating all possible threat scenarios.

The five trials conducted during this period tested missiles in different configurations. During the campaign, three missiles were launched in combat configuration with warhead and manoeuvring targets were neutralized to establish the end game capability of the missile. The trial campaign also included a direct hit of the target by the telemetered missile at maximum range. All the subsystems performed accurately meeting all the mission parameters and objectives.

Astra BVRAAM has range of more than 100 kms with modern guidance and navigation techniques. The missile has midcourse guidance and RF seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy.

The effort for building a state-of-the-art BVRAAM by DRDO, together with IAF has completed the user trial phase of the weapon system successfully. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system.

The present flight trials have proved the end to end performance of the missile system in various combat scenarios giving greater confidence to users. The five successful trials of Astra will culminate into induction of the missile system into Indian Air Force, which will certainly be a force multiplier considering its accuracy and effectiveness in neutralizing aerial threats.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO congratulated team ‘Astra’ for developing and flight testing such a formidable class of weapon system. The technologies developed under the programme will be the building blocks for development of future variants of Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air Missiles.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and IAF teams for the successful trials.

 

ABB/Nampi/Savvy/MTJ/ADA/Anand

 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh appreciates development of indigenous defence systems

Ministry of Defence

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh appreciates development of indigenous defence systems

Posted On: 19 SEP 2019 6:55PM by PIB Delhi

During his day-long visit to Bengaluru, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited Centre for Airborne Systems, DRDO, where he was shown several indigenous products of various DRDO labs. The products included AEW&C, Radar Systems, EW Systems, UAV’s, Nirbhay Missile, Robotic vehicles, Indigenous Aircraft Engine, Small Turbofan Engine, Bio Medical Systems, Microwave transmitters for missiles, semiconductor components and several other products.

Earlier in the day, Shri Rajnath Singh scripted history by becoming the first Raksha Mantri to fly the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’. He undertook 30-minute sortie in the indigenously-built multi-role fighter aircraft with Air Vice Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport.

Addressing the DRDO fraternity at Centre for Airborne Systems, Raksha Mantri said it was a very proud and memorable moment for him to fly the indigenously developed fighter aircraft. He appreciated the constant effort put forth by the scientists and technicians in the development of indigenous defence systems. Shri Rajnath Singh stated that continuing success of ASTRA missile, LCA Tejas and successful utilization of NETRA in Balakot has re-imposed the confidence of country in DRDO. He declared that with continuing efforts, country should aim at meeting the requirement of our Defense Services through indigenous efforts.

Raksha Mantri complemented the Indian industries who are part of the manufacturing ecosystem of the country. He said indigenous content shall reach 75 per cent by 2030. He congratulated all the Scientists and personnel of DRDO on various successes and for excellent organization of exhibition of indigenous products.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO said Raksha Mantri flying LCA Tejas and his visit to the exhibition of DRDO is an immense boost to the DRDO Scientists & personnel and it will enthuse them to work towards indigenous efforts.

Eminent dignitaries such as Chairman HAL, Director General (ECS), Director General (Aeronautics Systems), Director General (PC& SI), Director General (Med&Cos) financial advisers, DRDO Scientists, Service Officers from armed forces, HAL and other agencies were present on the occasion.

ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA/Anand

Election Commission announces Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies

Election Commission

Election Commission announces Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra, 2019 as also the Schedule for bye-elections to fill casual vacancy in the Parliamentary Constituency & State Legislative Assemblies of various States/UTs

Posted On: 21 SEP 2019 1:32PM by PIB Delhi

Election Commission of India today announced the Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra, 2019 as also the Schedule for bye-elections to fill casual vacancy in the Parliamentary Constituency & State Legislative Assemblies of various States/UTs.

Click here to See Schedule-1

Click here to See Schedule-2

****

SBS/MR

Visit of Admiral Karambir Singh Chief of the Naval Staff to Bangladesh

Ministry of Defence

Visit of Admiral Karambir Singh Chief of the Naval Staff to Bangladesh (21 to 24 Sep 19)

Posted On: 21 SEP 2019 9:53AM by PIB Delhi

Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC,Chief of the Naval Staff will be visiting Bangladesh from 21 to 24 September 2019. The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance the bilateral maritime relations between India and Bangladesh.

During his visit, the CNS will hold bilateral discussions with Adm Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy, Service Chiefs and other senior Government officials.

CNS will be conducted for a tour of the Khulna Shipyard Limited, BN naval bases in Chattogram and Khulna and will also address cadets at the Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA). In addition, he will participate in the first anniversary celebration of Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD).

The Bangladesh Navy is an active member of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and is a member of all three working groups, viz Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Maritime Security and ‘Information Sharing and Interoperability’.

The Indian Navy regularly interacts with  Bangladesh Navy through the medium of Staff Talks, Annual Defence Dialogue and other operational interactions which includes Port visits, Passage Exercises, Training, Ship Design and Ship Building cooperation besides regular participation by Indian Navy serving and retired officers in Victory Day Celebrations held in Bangladesh to commemorate ‘ Liberation War ‘ of 1971.

*****

VM/AC

Army Air Defence 6th Army AD Reunion: Gopalpur

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 22 SEP 2019 6:55PM by PIB Delhi

1. The Sixth Reunion of the Corps of Army Air Defence was celebrated on 20 and 21 Sep 2019 at Army AD College, Gopalpur on Sea near Brahmapur in Odisha.

2. The Corps of Army Air Defence is a relatively young arm. However in a short span of twenty five years since its bifurcation from the Regiment of Artillery, the Army Air Defence has already created a legacy for itself within the Indian Army. As sentinels of the skies, the Army Air Defence has proved its mettle in war, internal security duties and during natural calamities.

3. The role of Army Air Defence in preserving strategic assets & key assets in the Tactical Battle Area of the nation assumes great significance in view of the emerging air threat. Army Air Defence will play a defining role in future conflicts and has thus taken a lead in induction of technologically sophisticated weapons and equipment besides selective upgradation of the existing equipment.

4. The exploits of Army Air Defence warriors have earned the Corps numerous Gallantry & Distinguished Services awards incl two Ashoka Chakras, two Kirti Chakras, 20 Vir Chakras, nine Shaurya Chakras, 112 Sena Medals, one Medal of British Empire, seven India Distinguished Service Medal, two order of British Empire, 10 PVSMs, 22 AVSMs, and 44 VSMs in various operations including the 1947 Internal Disturbance, 1965 & 71 Indo-Pak Wars, besides operations in J & K, North Eastern states and the Siachin Glacier. In addition, four Army Air Defence units have been awarded the coveted Honour Titles in the 1971 War.

5. The sixth Army Air Defence Reunion provided a platform for interaction among the serving and retired Army Air Defence gunners to renew their ties, pay tributes to their martyred comrades and to honour their Veer Naries. The celebrations included Wreath Laying at the War Memorial, a specially convened Sainik Sammelan for all ranks including veterans, felicitation of gallantry award winners and Veer Naris, display of transformation of Army Air Defence equipment profile, as also the traditional military gettogether over a Barakhana. A spectacular display of Army Air Defence history and heritage, Light and Sound Show at Army Air Defence Museum & Army Air Defence Band symphony were also organised to commemorate this occasion.

***

Col  Aman Anand, PRO (Army)

(Release ID: 1585790) Visitor Counter : 134

PM addresses the Indian community event' Howdy Modi'at Houston

Prime Minister's Office

President of United States of America Donald J Trump joins the event

Posted On: 23 SEP 2019 12:39AM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today addressed over fifty thousand people at the 'Howdy Modi' event at NRG stadium in Houston, Texas. Prime Minister was joined by the President of United States of America, Donald J Trump.

Addressing the massive gathering, Prime Minister said that new history and new chemistry are being made at the venue in Houston. “The presence of Donald Trump and the senators talking about India's progress is a respect to the achievement of the 1.3 billion Indians”, Prime Minister said. He added that the energy at the stadium shows the increasing synergy between India and United States.

“The name of this event is Howdy Modi. But Modi alone is nothing. I am a person working for the wishes of 130 crore people in India. So when you ask - Howdy Modi, I would say all is well in India.”, Prime Minister said. Saying “Everything is fine” in multiple Indian languages,Prime Minister said that thisunity in diversity is the strength of our vibrant democracy.

“Today, India is determined and working hard towards creating a New India”, PM said. He said that lots of efforts are being provided to build a new and better India.  “India is not putting off challenges, we are taking them head on. India is not going for incremental changes, we areworking on creating permanent solutions, and makingimpossible possible”, PM said

Highlighting the achievements of NDA government in the past five years, Prime Minister said, "In the last five years, 130 crore Indians have achieved things which on one could have even imagined. We are aiming high, we are achieving higher,". He mentioned about the transformational action done by his government in providing gas connections to households, improving rural sanitation, creating rural road infrastructure, opening of bank accounts etc.

Prime Minister reiterated the commitment of his government towards ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Business’. He outlined the various initiatives undertaken by the government for ensuring ‘Ease of Living’, including removal of obsolete laws, ensuring faster delivery of service, cheap data rate, strong action against corruption, rolling out of GST etc. He said that under his government development will reach each and every Indian.

Speaking about the abrogation of Article 370, PM asked the gathering to give standing ovation to the parliamentarians for taking such a decisive strong action. He said that Article 370 had kept people of Jammu and Kashmir &Ladakh away from development and progress. “Now people of Jammu &Kashmir and Ladakh have the same rights as every Indian.”, PM said.

Prime Minister said that time has come for tough decisive fight against terrorism and those who support terrorism. He praised President Trump’s resolve in fighting against terrorism.

Prime Minister extended an invite for President Trump and his family to visit India. “Our friendship will give new heights to the vibrant future of India and the United States.”, Prime Minister said.

Terming it as a honour and privilege to welcome Donald J Trump to the Howdy Modi event, Prime Minister that the U.S President has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere. He hailed the leadership qualities of the President of United States. He said that every time they met, he felt the friendliness, warmth and energy of Donald J Trump.

Addressing the event, Donald J Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing an exceptional   job for India and its citizens. He congratulated the Prime Minister for his unprecedented election victory. Headded that the relationship between India and United states are better than ever.

Hailing Primes Minister’s pro-growth policies, Trump said “India has lifted nearly three hundred million people out of poverty under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. That is incredible”.He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the world is witnessing a strong, thriving Republic of India.President thanked the Indian community for their contributions and said that his administration is committed towards the betterment of the community.           

Welcoming Prime Minister to Houston, House Majority leader StenyHoner said that United States is inspired by modern India. He said that Prime Minister Modi leads the nation while being mindful of the challenges, undeterred as India reaches into a new frontier of space and equally determined to lift millions out of poverty back on earth.

Earlier, Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner presented the 'Key to Houston' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mark of respect, solidarity and long standing India-Houston relationship.

******

VRRK/AK

7th Pay Commission Latest News Today 2019: 7th CPC salary hike before Dussehra?

7th Pay Commission Latest News: The Central government employees are hoping that they would be able to avail hike in their minimum pay and fitment factor beyond the 7th Pay Commission recommendations ahead of Dussehra, following the benefits extended to different departments by the Narendra Modi government, according to media reports. The Centre recently gave a bumper hike in the salary of health services employees, who would get increased pay from Rs 4100 to Rs 5300 per month, and the benefit will be considered from July 1, 2017.

Notably, the central government employees have been demanding the hike in their basic pay Rs 18,000, since the 7th Pay Commission report was submitted, but now, reports in the media are doing the rounds that the Modi-led NDA government is likely to give attention to their long-pending demand, and these central government employees may get the pay hike before Dussehra.

According to the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, these central government employees currently get basic pay of Rs 18,000, but they have been demanding from the government should fix it at Rs 26,000, as the present pay has failed to meet their financial needs.

Along with a hike in their basic pay, the central employees have also been eagerly waiting for hike in their Dearness Allowances (DA). They are currently getting 12 per cent DA which was implemented in January 2019.

The Haryana government has announced the DA hike by 6% for its thousands of NHM employees ahead of the assembly elections. These Haryana staff will get an increased DA from 148 to 154 per cent and the same would applicable from January 1, 2019.

Watch Zee Business Live TV

A TRANSITION FROM THE DREAM LAND TO REALITY

THE WAY AHEAD

There is great brainstorming in VOP chatbox since past few days about snatching away weightage and pro-rata max. of the scale from us. I wonder whether those were FACILITIES or DEPRIVATION of 50% LPD. I will give my example how I (15yr X-gp Sgt) was deprived by the  so-called facilities. Weightage was of course a facility but pro-rata of max. eaten away much more than the gain.

IV CPC (1986) fixed my pension Rs.564/- as per weightage and pro-rata maximum of scale. But if I could get 50% of my LPD, I would be much much more benefitted. The pay scale for Sgt of my group was: 1460-25-1710. Even with nil increment I could be entitled for  Rs.730/- (30% more) by LPD system.

V CPC (1996) fixed my pension Rs.1478/- as per weightage and pro-rata maximum of scale. But if I could get 50% of my LPD, I would be much more benefitted. The pay scale for Sgt of my group was:  4670-85-5945. Even with nil increment the pension entitled could be Rs.2335/- (58% more) by LPD system.

Pensioners retired after Sixth CPC (2006) started getting 50% of LPD. The weightage and pro-rata of max was withdrawn but, MSP, Grade pay and X-pay (where applicable) were added to Basic Pay for Pension calculation. Can anybody show that by LPD system of VI CPC, someone's pension got reduced compared to older system?

The problem started after OROP, since OROP was not conceded to post -OROP pensioners. So after 01.07.2014, many pensioners started getting lesser than past pensioners. JCO & Hony ranks are worstly affected. Hopefully, during 2nd OROP revision, those who are getting less will be enhanced to OROP-1 X 2.57 level.

When weightage and Pro-rata was removed, nobody raised any objection. I am not aware of any objection raised from any quarter. Rather, Post VI CPC pensioners were happy because there was substantial increase in pension. Now after 13 years if the demand of weightage is raised, I doubt anybody will listen. It has been well explained in VI CPC report that weightage was given to offset the reduction of pension by Pro-rata as ESMs are retiring in early age. So as Pro-rata was removed, weightage is also removed.

As I said earlier, in OROP-2 revision, lower ranks will have some gain. From OROP-3 (if at all it is there), nobody will have any gain. We have reached almost at the end of OROP-path. We have to think of plausible demands in future, which are logical and can hold the ground of justice. Equal MSP and Enhancement of pension after 20 years of retirement are two such issues, on which we should concentrate our future demands.

An Article By Biswasda

Railway bonus orders 2019

Railway bonus orders 2019

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

RBE.No.155/2019

No.E(P&A)II-2019/PLB-1

New Delhi, dated 20.09.2019.

The General Managers/CA0s,
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to a elite non-gazette Railway employees for the financial year 2018-19.

The President is pleased to sanction Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 (Seventy Eight) days wages without any ceiling on wages for eligibility for the financial year 2018-19 to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding all RPF/RPSF personnel). Where, wages exceed Rs.7000/- per month, Productivity Linked Bonus will be calculated as if the ‘wages’ are Rs.7000/- p.m.

2. ‘Wages’ for the purpose of calculating Productivity Linked Bonus shall include ‘Basic pay’ as defined in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 and dearness allowance drawn during the financial year 2018-19. Other conditions of eligibility, method of calculation of wages, etc., as prescribed in this Ministry’s instructions and clarifications issued from time to time, shall remain unchanged.

3. It has also been decided that in the case of eligible employees mentioned in Para 1 above who were not placed under suspension, or had not quit service/retired/expired during the financial year 2018-19 or were on leave where leave salary admissible is not less than that admissible on leave on average pay, may be paid an amount of 17,951/- towards Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2018-19, In the case of employees other than those mentioned above, the amount of Productivity Linked Bonus may be calculated in accordance with the extant instructions on the subject.

4. Further, in relaxation to the provisions in Rules 905(2), 908 and 909 of State Railway Provident Fund Rules, as contained in Chapter 9 of R-I/1985 edition (2003 Reprint edition), such of the subscribers to the SRPF as arc entitled to Productivity Linked Bonus may, if they so desire, deposit the whole or part of the amount admissible under the Scheme in their respective State Railway Provident Fund Accounts.

5.Disbursement of Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2018-19 to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees mentioned in Para I above should be made on priority in the-same mode as payment of salary before the ensuing Puja/Dussehra holidays.

6. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Salim Md.Ahmed)
Joint Director/Estt.(P&A)II
Railway Board.

Download pdf

Railway bonus orderDownload