Ex-serviceman files RTI plea over ‘one rank one pension’ issue
February 9th, 2009 - 5:01 pm ICT by IANS ( 1 comment )New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Disillusioned with the system, a former naval officer Monday filed an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act asking the government on what basis was the demand for ‘one rank one pension’ overlooked.
“In 2008, the defence minister in a written reply to a question told parliament that the government has not found acceptable the demand of ex-servicemen for one rank one pension. Through RTI Act, I want to get the details as to how the government reached the decision,” Commodore (retired) Lokesh K. Batra told IANS.
“I want to know the replies of the senior officials of Indian forces on the question. I also want to inspect the files concerned with the said parliament ‘question’ and follow-up actions taken,” Batra said.
More than 300 retired soldiers of varying ranks Sunday marched to Rashtrapati Bhavan and returned medals won in combat and for distinguished service as they sought equal pension for each rank. Earlier in the day, they had gathered at the Jantar Mantar observatory in the heart of New delhi to protest, which some even termed as a black day for the Indian armed forces.
President Pratibha Patil did not personally receive the medals, which were collected by some of her officials. The soldiers, who also included three-star generals, marched under the banner of the Indian Ex-servicemen’s Movement (IEM).
The main demand of the protesters is that irrespective of the date on which a soldier retires, he or she should get the same pension.
An army sepoy who retired before 1996 gets a monthly pension of Rs.3,670. But one who retired between 1996 and December 2005 gets Rs.4,680. A sepoy who retired after January 2006 gets Rs.8,700.
Effectively then, an army havildar, who retired earlier, gets pension money that is less than that of a sepoy retiring after January 2006 though the havildar enjoys a higher rank. The mismatch applies to all ranks.
“Most IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers, judges, governors, MPs and even the president enjoy this right (of one rank one pension),” pointed out one retired soldier.
The government has rejected the ‘one rank one pension’ demand, saying that it will entail huge financial costs.
- Ex-servicemen hold protest, demand equal pension (Lead) - Mar 14, 2010
- Protesting war veterans return nine cartons of gallantry medals - Dec 09, 2009
- Government rejects ex-soldiers' 'one rank one pension' plea - Feb 18, 2009
- Supreme commander of armed forces has no time for us: Ex-soldiers (Lead) - Feb 21, 2009
- Panel formed on one-rank-one-pension demand - May 04, 2009
- Ex-servicemen return gallantry medals over pension - Feb 08, 2009
- One-rank-one-pension not so soon: Antony - Aug 25, 2010
- Retired defence personnel demand hike in pension - Jul 11, 2010
- Congress official urges ex-servicemen not to return medals - Mar 18, 2010
- Ex-servicemen hold protest, demand equal pension - Mar 14, 2010
- Ex-soldiers protest 'government betrayal' - Mar 06, 2011
- Govt. approves extension of ECHS facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas - May 27, 2010
- Provide more jobs to retired defence personnel: Antony - Jun 27, 2011
- Ex-servicemen return medals over pension equality - Oct 25, 2009
- Government accepts recommendations on ex-servicemen's pension - Mar 10, 2010
Tags: batra, commodore, defence minister, distinguished service, higher rank, indian armed forces, jantar mantar observatory, lokesh, medals, mismatch, New Delhi, pension money, plea, president pratibha patil, protesters, rank one, senior officials, sepoy, serviceman, star generals
January 18th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I am an ex seviceman having given my youth for the security of india on a 24×24,7×7 duty released in 1995 after 20 years of hardships now feel regretted on my decision to join defence forces.The alms in our begging pots which are thrown by the wicked politicians do not forget that your obese faty body and the amassed wealth coul but for only possible due to our sacrifice.if a minute shame still exists in your sole please grant one rank one pension to the veterans immediatly.serving soldiers please remember that you are nothing but curry pathas for the nation.