Is it partial-closure for the agony of civilian and defence pensioners?

By: Major Navdeep Singh

As many would know, the Delhi High Court had directed that the arrears of the rectification of pensionary anomalies of the 6th Central Pay Commission would flow from 01st January 2006 and not from 24th September 2012 as had been granted by the Government.

The same emanated from the controversy involving the interpretation whether pension would be based on the minimum of pay within the pay-band or the minimum of pay of the pay-band itself for various grades and ranks.

The Govt had challenged the decision of the Delhi High Court by way of an SLP before the Supreme Court and it is learnt that the Hon’ble Apex Court was pleased to dismiss the SLP today thereby crystallizing the payment of the arrears of revised pension from 01-01-2006 rather than 24-09-2012.

The above would be confirmed beyond doubt only after perusing the order passed today by the Supreme Court. 

Heavy credit goes to Mr V Natarajan, President Pensioner’ Forum, Chennai, for continuing the fight for civilian pensioners.

Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne has assailed Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which builds most of the fighter aircraft the IAF flies. Writing directly to Defence Minister A K Antony in the first week of July, Browne has savaged HAL's proposal to design and build a basic trainer aircraft (BTA) for rookie IAF pilots. Rejecting the proposal, Browne has urged Antony to import 106 PC-7 Mark II trainers from Swiss company Pilatus. These will be over and above the 75 trainers already contracted for $640 million (Rs 3,780 crore).

 

 

Business Standard has a copy of Browne's five-page letter to Antony. Contacted for comments, the IAF and HAL have both chosen to remain silent on the issue. At stake is an estimated $800 million (Rs 4,750 crore) for Pilatus, if Antony accepts Browne's recommendation to give the Swiss company, rather than HAL, the 106-aircraft order.

 

 

On September 29, 2009, the ministry of defence (MoD) had cleared the acquisition of 181 BTAs for the IAF. Seventy-five were to be procured internationally, a contract that Pilatus controversially won. Meanwhile, HAL was to design and develop 106 BTA in India.

 

Source: Business Standard

Fauj can wait but others don’t have to…..

By: Major Navdeep Singh

 

Since about 2008, the Chief of Staffs Committee (COSC) and also the Services HQ independently have been pressing upon the govt to resolve the anomalies afflicting various cadres of the defence services.

Principal amongst the demands have been the restoration of the lost status of military ranks as well as grant of the Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU).

But as innocent faujis wait to grab the NFU carrot and at times also score self-goals, others are stealing a march in a rather majorly functional manner, stealthily and silently while the poor fauji sleeps.

A recent example is the cadre restructuring of the Income Tax Department.

 

Well, here is a sample of what the Cabinet has approved for officers of the Income Tax Department, and full credit goes to the Finance Minister for forcefully fighting for them and standing behind them.

The Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) has a cadre strength of less than 3400 and look at the number of vacancies created for them at the highest levels:-

Apex Grade (Rs 80,000 fixed) : 26 vacancies (Equivalent in pay to Army Commanders / Vice Chiefs / Secretary to Govt of India)

 

Higher Administrative Grade+ (Rs 75500-80000) : 91 vacancies (Equivalent in pay to top 33% Lt Gens who are in HAG+ / Higher in pay than Additional Secretary to Govt of India)

Higher Administrative Grade (Rs 67000-79000) : 300 vacancies (Equivalent in pay to Additional Secretary to Govt of India / Lt Gen)

Senior Administrative Grade (Pay Band-4 + Grade Pay Rs 10000) : 635 vacancies (Equivalent in pay to Joint Secretary to Govt of India / Maj Gen)

Well, what can I say but…..enjoy!!!

Indian Air Force denies ending association with Sachin Tendulkar

Now in the latest u-turn, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has denied the reports that the force has ended its association with Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

According to an earlier report, the IAF on Tuesday dropped as its brand ambassador after two years of association.

Tendulkar was conferred the rank of Group Captain in September 2010 to honour his achievements in the sport.

Tendulkar had become the first sportsperson and the first personality with no aviation background to be given the honour.    

 

Source: cricketcountry.com

Indian Air Force drops Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador

After two years of what appeared to be a healthy association, the Indian Air Force(IAF) has dropped the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador.

Sachin Tendulkar has been replaced with the basic trainer aircraft Pilatus after their association failed to yield the desired results. The IAF is using Pilatus' images to galvanise more personnel.

 

The IAF has entered into a deal for 75 Pilatus with Switzerland, wherein 14 Pilatus aircrafts have already reached India, and the pilots are being trained on them in Hyderabad.

The 'god of cricket' was conferred with the Indian Air Force's honorary rank of Group Captain to honour his achievements in the sport. He also became the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour.

With the association, IAF had aimed to motivate the younger generation to take up a career in Air Force to serve the nation. But, the association fell short on the expectations leading to the cancellation.

 

Source: IndiaToday.in