A nation that does not respect its soldiers and veterans is doomed to fail. Veterans across the nation are shell-shocked by the attitude and arrogance of Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). CGDA is responsible for financial advice, payment, accounting and internal audit in respect of Expenditure and Receipts of the Defence Services and other Defence related organisations. In other words he is just a government servant and required to implement the instructions given by the government and ensure judicious use of funds allotted by the government. CGDA is not the government and does not have the mandate to alter or comment on the decisions of the Cabinet.
The veteran community that includes not only the retired soldiers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Commissioned officers of all the three services but also the family pensioners (widows) and the martyrs ’wives (Veer Naris) heaved a sigh of relief when the Bharatiya Janata Party Government under the premiership of Narendra Bhai Modi conceded to their four decade old demand and announced its decision in 2015 to grant One Rank One Pension (OROP) to be effective from 01 July 2014. The announcement followed a cabinet decision which was promulgated vide Govt of India Letter No. 12(1)/2014/D (Pen/Policy)-Part II dated 07-11-2015. Majority of the veteran community was happy though a section of the veterans who felt that the government has changed the definition of OROP as approved by the Parliament expressed their resentment. They termed it as “Langdi OROP” (Lame OROP) and staged hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. There is no doubt that there were many anomalies in the implementation of the OROP, mainly because the whole exercise was carried out by the Babus and the representatives of the three services were not associated with them. The government did realise the mistake and appointed One Man Committee headed by Justice Reddy (OMJC) to address the issue of anomalies. Though, Justice Reddy did submit his report, it till date continues to gather dust in the corridors of power due to the lethargy of Babudom. The confrontationist approach adopted by a section of the veterans at the behest of Congress which did not want the BJP to take credit for sanctioning OROP did not go well with the government. Resultantly, OROP till date remains a contentious issue.
Notwithstanding, the contentious issues, the GOI letter quoted earlier stated unambiguously, “In future the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.” Majority of the veterans who were satisfied with whatever was sanctioned by the government reposed their faith in the leadership of Modi ji and voted overwhelmingly for his return as the nation’s Prime Minister. With the thumping majority with which Modi ji won, veterans were hoping that the new government will not only resolve the anomalies but will also address the contentious issues related to OROP. Various veteran associations kept reminding the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (DESW), the government’s face that deals with the veterans that re-fixation was due in July this year which was also acknowledged by the Department in February itself. Accordingly, DESW instructed the CGDA in November last year to finalise the tables for payment so that the payments can be made on the due date to the Veterans. Surprisingly, the CGDA rather than acting on the directive of the government, in a most arrogant and irresponsible manner, shot back a missive to DESW raising number of queries by bringing in extraneous issues like the 7th CPC, One Man Justice Reddy Commission and the Supreme Court. The action of the CGDA smacked of a conspiracy to divide a wedge and create distrust between the government and the veterans. OROP being a settled issue was announced by the government and CGDA was simply required to re-fix the pension to equalise it with the pensioners of 2018. However, he chose to challenge the very concept or requirement of OROP thus challenging the combined wisdom of the Union Cabinet.
The CGDA letter gives an impression that the organisation is unaware of the basics of OROP and they are now being tasked to do something about which they know nothing. Hence a long list of eight clarifications on the implementation of OROP-2018 (equalisation as due on 01 July 2019). The list of clarifications smacks of a conspiracy of not implementing OROP-2018 with a view to adversely influence the mind of newly appointed Raksha Mantri. Interestingly, the same organisation of CGDA implemented the OROP when it was announced by the government initially. They only worked out the methodology of payment to different categories and different ranks. The tables are available and it simply needs to revise the pension with the pension of retirees in 2018 in the same rank with same years of service. For example, the pension of Brigadiers who retired in 2018 with 33 years or more of service varies between Rs.1,04,00 to 1,10,000. The average works out to Rs.1,07,000. Thus, the revised pension of Brigadiers (33 years and above) wef 01 July 2019 should be equalised at Rs.1,07,000 for all pre-2018 defence forces pensioners. This is as per the agreed formula of the government. There is no logic in CGDA seeking clarification about the same without some ulterior motive.
The other clarification sought by the CGDA is about the date of implementation of OROP-2018. By seeking this clarification the CGDA confirms the conspiracy theory. OROP was implemented form 01 July 2014 and the government letter very clearly stated that next equalisation will be done after five years, hence OROP-2018 has to be implemented from 01 July 2019. There is no rocket science needed to work that out.
Next clarification is about what all recommendations of OMJC are to be factored in OROP-2018. The government has not even declassified the OMJC report, so there is no question of its recommendations being clubbed with OROP-2018. The CGDA is questioning the authority and wisdom of the government as if he is not a government servant but an Ombudsman. (To Be Continued)

(The author is a Jammu based political commentator, columnist, security and strategic analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at anil5457@gmail.com)

Chandigarh, May 31

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday greeted new Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh, saying it was a proud moment for the state.

“Congratulations to Admiral Karambir Singh for taking over as the new chief of the Navy. Proud moment for Punjab, Grey Eagle!” he tweeted.

  Born to an Indian Air Force officer in Punjab’s Jalandhar town, Karambir Singh is one of the most decorated Admirals.The Grey Eagle—senior-most serving naval aviator—of the Navy, Karambir Singh is the first helicopter pilot to become chief of the Naval Staff. — IANS

Rajouri, June 16

Sector Headquarters Rashtriya Rifles (RR), under the aegis of Counter Insurgency Romeo Force, on Sunday organised a function at Manjakot in Rajouri district to felicitate former servicemen and Veer Naris. A medical camp was also organised on the occasion.

Maj Gen PS Bajwa, GOC, Romeo Force, inaugurated the event. Brig Akhilesh Kumar, Commander, 13 Sector Headquarters, was also present at the function.

A spokesman for the Romeo Force said about 286 ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and dependents of the martyrs attended the function. About 308 persons, including locals, were provided treatment at the medical camp, organised at the venue by 43 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. — OC

Modi’s second term will focus on circumventing China

G Parthasarathy
Former Diplomat 

Recently published figures on global exports of countries are interesting. China, whose exports were less than India’s in 1948, is today the world’s largest exporter, with annual exports of $1.99 trillion. Even the US lags behind China, with annual exports of $1.46 trillion. India, with annual exports of $268.6 billion, ranks 20th — behind Singapore and Taiwan. Those who believe that India can match China’s regional influence, on its own, should remember these facts. India will have to be realistic in seeking to balance Chinese power across the Indian Ocean. We are working with littoral countries against becoming overly dependent on China. Our effort is to balance Chinese power in cooperation with partners like Japan, the US, EU members Germany and France and like-minded Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam.

With foreign trade and investment gaining importance in promoting national influence in today’s world, safeguarding maritime security is becoming increasingly important. India is, therefore, paying greater attention now to the security of its sea-lanes across the Indian Ocean ‘neighbourhood’. This extends from Aden and the Straits of Hormuz, the narrow gateway in the oil-rich Persian Gulf, astride India’s western shores, to the Malacca Straits. It is across these sea-lanes that over 60% of the world’s petroleum exports move on maritime routes. These lanes, which move across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in our east, are also the strategic routes for the flow of oil from across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The Straits of Malacca are regarded as crucial ‘choke points’ for the world’s sea-borne oil supplies. The security of Indian Ocean routes from Hormuz to Malacca, therefore, remains crucial for India’s national security.

India gets over 70% of its oil supplies across the sea routes of the Indian Ocean. The imperatives of energy security are becoming increasingly complex because of rivalries within the Indian Ocean Region as India now faces an assertive China. Beijing receives most of its oil imports from across the Indian Ocean through the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Straits of Malacca. An estimated 16 million barrels of oil are transported across the Straits of Malacca daily. China would have realistically recognised that any land-based adventure across its borders with India could lead to disruption in its supplies of oil and gas, crossing the narrow straits. China is sparing no effort to expand the Myanmar Port of Kyaukpyu in the Bay of Bengal. This port is linked to it Yunnan province by pipelines across Myanmar. 

Security of the sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean now has global dimensions. Apart from rivalries within the region, its geopolitics is substantially influenced by the US and its allies like Japan, on the one hand, and rivals like China on the other. Tensions also arise from the sectarian, Shia-Sunni and civilisational Arab-Iranian rivalries. Iraq is the only major Arab power with a majority Shia population. It carefully balances ties between its Sunni Arab brethren and Iran! Superimposed on these rivalries are Israeli-Palestinian tensions, with Islamic countries paying lip service to the Palestinian cause.

While China and India have avoided involvement in these rivalries, India has concerns about China’s ambitions for military bases. China uses its economic clout to offer credits for infrastructure projects, leading recipients into a ‘debt trap’. Beijing has invested $590 million in building a naval base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The US, France and Japan have bases nearby. China took over control of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka after Colombo was unable to repay credits. The port of Mombasa, Kenya, appears headed in the same direction, as also the airport in Zambian capital Lusaka. India has been drawing the attention of smaller countries to the dangers of getting exposed to excessive debt liabilities with China. China also extends patronage to leaders like former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, who are ‘encouraged’ to ignore Indian interests. PM Modi has evolved a strategy to deal with partner countries across the Indian Ocean. India has taken measures to promote economic and security cooperation with island states like Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives. The ‘special relationship’ that India enjoys in Mauritius was evident by the presence of Maldives PM Pravind Jugnauth in the swearing-in ceremony of Modi, both in 2014 and 2019. Three Indian-built patrol boats have been supplied to Mauritius in recent years. Modi noted: ‘As frontline states of the Indian Ocean, PM Jugnauth and I agree that it is our responsibility to ensure collective maritime security around our coasts and in our exclusive economic zone.’ Ties with Seychelles are also being strengthened.

There are concerns that China appears to be undertaking an effort in Colombo to take over the management of another port. India recently offered to participate in building a container terminal in Colombo in collaboration with Japan. The bulk of the cargo handled in Colombo is destined for India. China has, however, made a serious mistake by making untenable claims on maritime borders with its maritime neighbours. It is facing a serious problem with Indonesia, which has demarcated its maritime boundaries with India. Rejecting Chinese claims on its Natuna Islands, Indonesia asserted: ‘China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under international law.’ Modi and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo agreed recently that India would cooperate in building the Sabang Port in Indonesia, located close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Our Navy is now well positioned to meet security challenges. Contrary to popular perception, India is moving towards playing a significant role in its Indian Ocean neighbourhood.