PENSION ORDERS FOR WG CDR /LT COL / CDR (Retd) ISSUED

MoD has issued the notification for Lt Col and equivalents who retired prior 01.01.2006. The guarenteed pension based on the number of years is given inthe annexure. download the notification by pressing the link.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15723084/Lt-Col-Pension-Orders

INDIAN AIR FORCE FLIES IN MEDICAL AID TO SRILANKA

India today dispatched a team of 27 doctors and paramedics to the war ravaged northern Sri Lanka for the benefit of the devastated civilian Tamil population. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft took off from New Delhi for Colombo this morning with the medical team, including a surgeon and paediatrician. The team is also carrying about 30 tonnes of medicines worth over Rs. 3 crore to replenish stores at the Field Hospital run by the Indian Armed Forces in a camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

India has deployed a self-contained Emergency Medical Unit with Hospital in Sri Lanka since March 2009. The 110-bed facility comprises of 62 members including eight doctors and paramedics. It has been operating out of Pulmoddai town on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The Hospital provides urgent medical care to civilians evacuated out of the conflict zone by the Red Cross (ICRC) in ships. The hospital has so far treated more than 3,000 war wounded and trauma patients.

In view of the greater requirement in and around Vavuniya, India's Emergency Medical Unit with Hospital is being shifted to Menik Farm Area Zone 1 near Vavuniya which has a significant IDP population in need of medical care.

India has been providing urgent relief assistance to civilians affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka. To further augment our effort in light of the large number of civilians who have been evacuated from the conflict zone, Prime Minister has approved a grant of Rs 100 crores (Rs 1 billion) for providing humanitarian relief assistance to civilians. Separately, state government of Tamil Nadu has also pledged Rs 25 crores. In addition, the Government of India is also working on a rehabilitation and reconstruction package for northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

India's relief assistance so far has included food, clothing, medicines and other essential supplies. Since November 2008, Government of India has provided 1.7 lakh family relief packs for lDPs and civilians affected by the conflict. The packs include dry rations, personal hygiene items, clothes, utensils and water purification tablets. Two consignments of medicines have been handed over to Sri Lanka. Shelter material worth Rs. 15 crores will be dispatched to Sri Lanka shortly to provide temporary housing for IDPs. Further relief assistance is in the pipeline, including demining, provision of civil infrastructure and reconstruction of houses.

NDA COMMENCING 30 JUN 2009 SSB/ AFSB RESULTS ANNOUNCED

The Union Public Service Commission has announced the results of National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam (II) 2008 on the basis of the results of written examination held by UPSC in August 2008 and the interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence. The examination was held for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of National Defence Academy for the 122nd Course and Naval Academy 10+2 (Executive Branch) for 42nd Course commencing from 30th June, 2009. The list contains names of 604 candidates. There are some common candidates in the three lists for Army/Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy. The total number of such candidates in the three lists is 294. the number of vacancies as intimated by the Government of India is 335 (195 for the Army, 039 for the Navy, 066 for the Air Force and 035 for the Naval Academy (Executive Branch). The result of Medical Examination of candidates has not been taken into account in preparing the merit list. The candidature of all the candidates is provisional. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification during working hours in person or over telephone No.011-23385271, 011-23381125 and 011-23098543. The result is available on PIB website i.e www.pib.nic.in and also on the UPSC website i.e. www.upsc.gov.in.

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme(MACPS) for Civilian employees implemented

The Sixth Central Pay Commission in Para 6.1.15of its report, has recommended
Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme(MACPS). As per the recommendations,
financial upgradation will be available in the next higher grade pay whenever an
employee has completed 12 years continuous service in the same grade. However, not
more than two financial upgradations shall be given in the entire career, as was provided
in the previous Scheme. The Scheme will also be available to all posts belonging to
Group "A" whether isolated or not. However, organised Group "A" services will not be
covered under the Scheme
2. The Government has considered the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay
Commission for introduction of a MACPS and has accepted the same with further
modification to grant three financial upgradations under the MACPS at intervals of 10,
20 and 30 years of continuous regular service.



http://persmin.gov.in/WriteData/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/35034_3_2008-Estt.(D).pdf

Para Military Forces Restored Pensions

The Centre has accepted the long-standing demand of paramilitary forces to restore pension benefits to all jawans who have joined the ranks since 2004.
With this decision, at least 20,000 personnel serving in CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB would benefit.
"I am pleased to announce that the government has accepted our demand of restoring the old pension scheme. Now, everyone in the forces will get the pension," Director General of Border Security Force M L Kumawat said at a function here.
Government polices a few years back did not find those eligible who had joined the paramilitary forces after 2004 for pensionary benefits.
However, the three services of the Armed Forces were getting the benefits resulting in resentment in paramilitary forces.
The Sixth Pay Commission, however, endorsed such a pension scheme for the new recruits.
Directors General of CPOs also wrote to the government saying such a step would discourage the youth from joining the forces and lead to demoralisation.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200905192051.htm

INS Airavat, An indigenously built Landing Ship Tank Commissioned

INS Airavat, the fifth indigenously built Landing Ship Tank (Large) of the Indian Navy was commissioned by Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of the Naval Staff at the Naval Base here today, 19 May 09, at a colourful ceremony. On arrival at the Naval Jetty the Chief Guest was received by Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. The Chief of Naval Staff was presented a Fifty-man Guard and introduced to the Ships Officers thereafter. Following the inaugural and keynote addresses delivered by Rear Admiral K C Sekhar (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, and Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma respectively, Commander Manish Sharma, Commanding Officer INS Airavat, read out the Commissioning Warrant. Hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant with the National Anthem being played marked the formal Commissioning Ceremony. Addressing the media personnel onboard Airavat, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the GRSE and other Indian PSUs like Bharat Electronics Medak, HAL, Keltron and private sector companies like Larsen and Toubro, Kirloskar, Godrej, and a host of small scale industries and sub-contractors who have contributed in building a fine ship. He said the ship would augment the operational capabilities and reach of the Eastern Naval Command, in addition to enhancing the amphibious and disaster relief potential of the Eastern Fleet. Induction of INS Airavat adds thrust to the Indian Navys ongoing drive for indigenous warship production. The ship measures 125 meters in length, 17.5 meters in breadth and displaces 5655 tons. Third of the Shardul Class of ships, INS Airavat is the most contemporary and fully indigenized LST (L) in the Indian Navy. In addition to its primary role of Amphibious Operations carrying Battle Tanks, troops and vehicles to hostile coasts, the ship also forms a potent assault platform with Rockets and Chaff launchers, Anti-aircraft guns, shoulder launched Surface to Air Missiles and an integral Sea King or an Advanced Light Helicopter. On the other end of the spectrum, the ship can also be tasked as a Fleet Tanker, for HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions or as a Hospital Ship. The improved aesthetics onboard Airavat, with the latest designs and marine grade material, vindicate the Navy's desire to provide better habitability to her men. Other Distinguished Guests on the Occasion included Vice Admiral Ganesh Mahadevan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, in addition to Flag Officers and Senior Officers, both serving and retired and the families of the Ships crew who were embarked the Ship on completion of the Ceremony for a brief sea sortie along with the attendant media personnel.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48778

No Full Pension for the Pre 01 Sep 2008 retirees?

With the issue of the Office memorandum dated 12.05.09, Government ruled out full pension for those who retired after 1.1.2006 but before 2.9.2008, even if they had completed 20 years of service. As per this latest clarification (OM dated 12.05.09), Government servants who retired before 2.9.08 with qualifying service of 33 years will continue to be proportionate to the full pension based on their actual qualifying service.
As per the said clarification OM dated 12.05.09, the basis for taking this decision is the Government took a policy decision to implement the the provision for full pension after 20 years of service with effect from 2.9.08.
It was also clarified by the Government that in light of various decisions of Apex Court allowing the employer to fix a cut-off date for introducing any new pension/retirement scheme, the decision of Government is in accordance with the law and there is no violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. Download the GOI momorandum.
http://gconnect.in/6cpc_orders/pension/pension_20_after_1-1-06-2.pdf

LTTE chief Prabhakaran dead

LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, who led a ruthless movement for a Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka that decimated a score of Sinhalese and Tamil leaders and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was today killed by the army bringing curtains on the 30-year-old war that has claimed over 70,000 lives.Prabhakaran, 54, was shot dead by Sri Lankan special forces as he tried to stage a dramatic breakout from the army encirclement, a military spokesman said.The news of Prabhakaran's death also came along with reports of bodies of his son Charles Anthony and three other top leaders -- Pottu Amman, Soosai and Nadesan being found.Prabhakaran and his top aides were driving in an armour-plated van accompanied by a clutch of rebels in a bus and approaching the Special Forces. A two-hour exchange of fire followed and the forces fired a rocket at the van brining an end to the battle, army sources said.Prabhakaran's body was pulled out from the van and identified, they said. Prime Minister Ratnasri Wickramanayake said the army says they have killed him."The next step would be the development in the north (Tamil areas)," he said.Celebrations broke out in the capital here as news spread of the death of Prabhakaran, who led the longest armed struggle in South Asia for nothing less than a separate homeland for Tamils.
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/0DBAD6374F277BB4652575BA00454279?OpenDocument

CASES TAKEN UP WITH SECY EX SERVICEMAN WELFARE

THE RETIRED DEFENCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION HAS THE FOLLOWING CASES TAKEN UP WITH SECY EX SERVICEMAN WELFARE

1. Anomaly 6 CPC: Disability Pension Pre and Post 2006.

2. Non Payment of 40% arrears by SBI to the pensioners.

3. Non issue of notification for PB4 for Lt Cols retirees consequent to issue of amendment to SAI by MOD placing all Lt Cols in PB4( 37400-67000)

For full details click this link http://rdoaindia.googlepages.com/LATESTUPDATE.doc

India to airlift another Rs. 3 crore medical aid to war ravaged Sri Lanka

India is to provide another Rupees three crores medical aid to Sri Lanka soon. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft carrying about 25 tons of medicines is scheduled to leave Delhi for Colombo on Friday, May 22. This will be disbursed to the sick and wounded Internally Displaced People (IDP) in northern Sri Lanka. The Indian Armed Forces have set up a fully equipped 50-bedded hospital close to an IDP Camp at Pulmodai, a town on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast. The 60-member medical team comprising specialists, surgeons and paediatricians have treated over 3,000 people, mainly war wounded, trauma and fractures, in the past two months since the hospital came up. The Sri Lankan government has lauded the humanitarian work done by the team of doctors from the Indian armed forces in mitigating the sufferings of the civilian Tamil population in the war-ravaged island nation. Acting on a request from the Sri Lankan government, the Field Hospital will soon be shifted to Manik Farms in Vavuniya to widen scope of the humanitarian assistance. A need was felt for including a Gynaecologist in the team of doctors but experts said that since the Field Hospital lacks specialized medical equipment and support staff, this would not be feasible at the moment. A lady Medical Officer present in the team was capable of handling routine problems related to women patients.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48771

Mig- 27 aircraft crash

One Mig-27 aircraft of IAF crashed near Luni, about 40 Kms south of Jodhpur on 15 May 09 at about 0820 hrs. The aircraft had got airborne from Jodhpur air base and was on a routine training-flying sortie. The pilot Sqn Ldr P Dhawan ejected safely. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the reasons of the accident.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48714

Vigilant IAF pilots brave bullets to facilitate battle of ballot

A major role of the Indian Air Force (IAF) mandate during peace time is aid to civil power. The IAF’s transport and helicopter fleet invariably remain at the forefront of such assigned tasks. Facilitating the unenviable task of conducting the electoral process spearheaded by the Election Commission, two IL-76, four AN-32 transport aircraft, 25 medium-lift helicopters and four Chetak helicopters of IAF were pressed into service during the just concluded elections. The helicopters drawn from 13 different IAF airbases across the country were provided to 14 States - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Orissa, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. While flying over most areas for poll-related duties may seem routine, sorties over the naxal affected regions for some pilots proved anything else but routine. For the Mi-17 crew of Squadron Leader R Dhobhal and Flying Officer K Prakash, facilitating the battle of ballot in their call of duty also turned out to be an experience of facing bullets fired by naxals. The incident occurred on April 16, at Binagonda in Gadchiroli District, bordering Chhattisgarh in Maharashtra. Tasked with airlifting a polling party of five members and EVMs, the Mi-17 crew was airborne from nearby Aheri to pick up the election officials from Binagonda and drop them at Laheri, a mere five-minutes flying-time away. “The additional superintendent of police, Laheri, Mr. Jayakumar and I were overseeing the loading of the men and EVMs when I heard the burst of fire through the din of the rotating rotors,” informs Squadron Leader Dhobhal, a veteran of two UN missions where he had honed his skills in dealing with such scenarios. “Getting away quickly for safety of the crew, passengers and the aircraft was all that was on my mind. In less than 15 seconds we were clear of the helipad,” confirms Squadron Leader Dhobhal, Captain of the flight. A closer inspection on landing revealed a bullet hole made by a 7.62 mm calibre bullet in the tail boom of the helicopter. The aircraft was repaired and safely ferried back to Nagpur. No major damage was done and the quick response of the vigilant crew averted in what could have resulted in a major mishap. It may be recalled that last year on Nov 14, IAF lost an aircrew when Maoist rebels fired at their Mi-8 helicopter during a similar poll-related flying task in Pedia in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. By the end of the last phase of elections on May 13, the IAF altogether undertook a total of 930 sorties and 780 hours were flown towards election task that included airlifting 6792 passengers, 137 tons of election material and 436 electronic voting machines. In an unprecedented airlift effort undertaken by the IAF’s transport fleet, two IL-76 and four AN-32 airlifted 3234 central para military forces alone from Imphal to Kalaikunda in three days, from April 26-28. As in the past, the significant role of IAF helicopters pilots also has come in for some fulsome praise this time and their contribution acknowledged from various quarters including those from the Ministry of Defence, Home and the State governments. Shri N Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner just ahead of his retirement on April 20, also appreciated the important contribution of IAF in the conduct of the elections, this year.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48694

IAF Announces change in Air Appointments

Air Marshal PK Barbora, presently Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command has been appointed the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS). He will assume charge as the VCAS from June 1, 2009. Air Marshal NAK Browne, presently Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) at Air Headquarters will take over as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command from June 1, 2009. In other major appointments that also come into effect from June 1, 2009, Air Marshal NV Tyagi, presently Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), South Western Air Command (SWAC) replaces Air Marshal Browne as the new DCAS. Air Marshal DC Kumaria, Director General Air (Operations) at Air Headquarters replaces Air Marshal Tyagi as the new SASO at SWAC in Gandhinagar. Air Vice Marshal AK Gogoi on promotion will take over as the new Director General Air (Operations) at Air Headquarters in his place.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48692

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC visits Western Air Command, IAF

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, the longest serving erstwhile Air Officer Commanding of “Operational Command” of the Indian Air Force (IAF) that later came to be known as “Western Air Command” (WAC) revisited the Headquarters located at Subroto Park, New Delhi on Friday. He twice led the Command, first as an Air Commodore from 1949-52, and again as an Air Vice Marshal from 1957-62. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of WAC, Air Marshal PK Barbora received Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh on his arrival and briefed him on various issues related to modernization of IAF in recent years and its achievements with reference to WAC, in particular. The Marshal expressed his satisfaction and complimented every air warrior for their dedication and professionalism while addressing the officers. He also shared the experiences of his time and advised all air warriors to keep the flag of IAF flying high at all times.

NOTIFICATION OF DISABILITY PENSION BY GOVT OF INDIA ON 05 MAY 2009

The Government has issued notification for the disability pension for Officers wef 01 Jan 2006. the link for downloading is http://www.scribd.com/doc/15017054/Disability-Pension-Etc-Post06