Sanjha Morcha

Rajnath to inaugurate Military Fest event on December 13

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Chandigarh : The three-day Military Literature Festival (MLF)-2019will be inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh in Chandigarh on December 13, Punjab tourism and culture minister Charanjit Channi said on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference, Channi said Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh will preside over the closing ceremony of the event. Senior adviser to Amarinder, Lt Gen (retd) TS Shergill, who accompanied Channi, said the event will be an international forum to foster exchange of knowledge related to armed forces besides acquainting the youth with our glorious military heritage.

At least 22 panel discussions on issues of military and national significance will be held during the event.

sessions and panelists

1.Article370 and the death-knell of terrorism?

Panelists: AS Dulat – moderator , Ram Madhav , Manoj Joshi , Lt Gen DS Hooda

2. The anarchy: The relentless rise of the East India Company and empire

Panelists: Mark Tully – Moderator , Oliver Everett

3. Mediaeval military architecture – Forts of India

Panelists: Prof Pushpesh Pant – Moderator, Lt Gen DDS Sandhu , Amita Baig, GS Channi

4. The ISI, Taliban and Afghanistan

Panelists: Tilak Devasher – Moderator, V Balachandran, Vivek Katju, Christine Fair, Maj gen BK Sharma

5. The Taliban and ISIK in Kashmir

Panelists: Lt gen Ata Hasnain – Moderator, Lt gen DS Hooda, Abhinav Kumar, IPS, Tavleen Singh, AS Dulat, IPS

6. Ek Aur Satyagraha Bharat ki atma ke liye

Ravish Kumar

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ECHS – Documents required for reimbursement of medicines and consumables

ECHS – Document required for reimbursement of medicines and consumables

Central Organisations, ECHS
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army)
Adjutant General’s Branch
Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle
Delhi Cantt-110010

B/49761/AG/ECHS/Medicine Policy

08 Nov 2019

IHQ of MoD (Navy)/Dir ECHS (N)
DAV Subroto Park
HQ Southern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Eastern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Western Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Cental Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Northern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ South Western Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Andaman & Nicobar Command (A/ECHS)
AMA ECHS, Embassy of India, Nepal
All Regional Centres

AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONS : PROCEDURE FOR RE-IMBURSEMENT OF MEDICINES AND CONSUMBALES TO ECHS BENEFICIARIES

1. Ref Central Org ECHS letter No B/49762/AG/ECHS/Medicine Policy dt 08 Apr 2019. Fwg amendments are being done to simplify the reimbursement procedure based on feedback from envt.

2. The fwg docu will be required for reimbursement of medicines and consumables:-

(a) There will be no requirement of a separate NA certificate. Since the prescription holds all the details, the same will be treated as NA certificate. The prescription will be signed by Pharmacist and countersigned by OIC PC after issuing the available medicines and NA medicines will be indicated on the prescription only.

(b) The bill for medicines purchased by the ESM should be in the name of ECHS beneficiary as given in ECHS card.

(c) A cancelled cheque/photocopy of the same to be submitted, if the ESM is claiming the bill for the first time. The same is not required subsequently. The onus of ensuring correct bank details will rest with the ESM.

3. Vitamins and supplements (incl adult diapers) to be included in prescription slip ONLY if they are prescribed for some ailment/disease as primary treatment.

4. The veterans are allowed to submit a consolidated bill for the complete duration of NA (each NA will however not exceed 15/30 days as specified under gen/special condition).

5. Balance documents such as copy of ECHS card, NA certificate with signature of three officers, individual contingent bill, revenue stamp and file cover etc will be done away with.

Procedure for processing NA Med claim by OIC PC:-

(a) OIC PC to prepare a consolidated Contingent Bill once every fortnight & fwd it to RC after digitally signing the same (by OIC & OIC ECHS Cell) via email or submitting on hard copy.

(b) Hard copies of bills of all claims mentioned in the contingent bill to be submitted to the RC by the 30th of every month to enable processing for audit.

(c) Format of Contingent Bill (PC wise) is att as per appx to this letter

7. These amendments shall come to effect forthwith and pending bills will also be governed by this procedure. This has the approval of MD, CO ECHS.

(Anupam N Adhaulia)
Col
Dir (Med)
for MD ECHS

click on heading below to open letter

AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Source: Click here to view/download the PDF


Goodwill park in memory of martyr

Goodwill park in memory of martyr
Northern Army commander meets mother of Naib Subedar Chuni Lal at Bhara village in Doda district on Friday. Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Bhara (Bhaderwah), Nov 22

Indian Army today dedicated a goodwill park as a tribute to the late Naib Subedar Chuni Lal at his native Dhara village of Bhaderwah in Doda district.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh inaugurated the park.

Chuni Lal is the most decorated soldier, as he was awarded Sena Medal in 1987 for his bravery in Siachen, Vir Chakra in 2000 for his fight against militants in Poonch along the LoC and highest peace time gallantry award Ashok Chakra (posthumous) for his act in Keran sector along the LoC in 2007.

He was an indispensable part of the eighth battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, former colonel of the regiment, said they were proud of Naib Subedar Chuni Lal for his contribution to the Inidan Army. “Seeing the morale of soldier’s parents and his wife, it gives us strength to work with more passion.”

“No one in the Army has been awarded like him and I salute him,” he added.

The park has a statue of the martyr, a children park, a fountain and an open gym to improve the overall ambience of the park.

GOC 16 Corps, GOC Delta force, Doda DC, Doda SSP and civil administration officials were present. Hundreds of people from Bhara village and adjoining villages had come to witness the event.

Decorated soldier

  • Sena Medal in 1987
  • Vir Chakra in 2000
  • Ashok Chakra (posthumous) in 2007

 


BSF RECRUITMENT DRIVE Women turn up in large numbers

Ranjit Thakur

Jammu, November 22

Defying the gender barriers, hundreds of women aspirants on Friday lined up in the Border Security Force’s (BSF) recruitment drive in Jammu. The BSF is holding its first recruitment drive in J&K and Ladakh after the creation of two Union Territories. As many as, 50,000 aspirants applied online for 1,356 constable posts. In all, there are 172 posts for women.

A senior official said, “Seeing the number of women aspirants willing to serve the nation is beyond our expectation and is overwhelming. However, they need to work more on their physical strength to get through the recruitment process. We have great expectations from them.”

Neha, an aspirant, said, “It’s my childhood dream to join the Border Security Force. My parents have supported my decision. I want girls to be treated equally, as they have proved themselves time and again in almost every sphere.”

“I am an NCC cadet and have been practicing hard to get through the recruitment process. It’s my dream. I have cleared my running and I am hopeful about my selection,” another female aspirant said.

The Border Security Force started their recruitment process on November 16 and it will continue till November 22 in different parts of newly-created UT’s — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The candidates will be selected on the basis of a written exam, a Physical Standard Test (PST) and a Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

 


Pak shells forward areas, villages along LoC in J-K’s Rajouri

Pak shells forward areas, villages along LoC in J-K’s Rajouri
The Indian Army guarding the LoC retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns. File photo

Jammu, November 23

Pakistan Army on Saturday violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said.

The Indian Army guarding the LoC retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns and the cross-border firing between the two sides in Sunderbani sector was going on when the reports last came in, he said.

“Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars at about 11.30 am, prompting a befitting retaliation by the Indian Army,” the spokesman said.

He said there was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani shelling. PTI

 


Work sped up, tunnel closed from Nov 25

Work sped up, tunnel closed from Nov 25
A bus passes through the Rohtang tunnel. File photo

ibune News Service

Mandi, November 22

The Rohtang tunnel will be closed for traffic between Manali and Keylong from November 25 onwards as the Border Roads Organisation will start pavement quality concrete (PQC) work inside the tunnel.

The authorities had been allowing the residents of Lahaul and Spiti use the tunnel between Manali and Keylong ever since the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul, was closed.

The Pass was closed for traffic movement last week after heavy snowfall in the region. But, the BRO had restored it two days ago. The journey is risky via the Pass as a layer of snow has been deposited on the road. The region received fresh heavy snowfall today.

In an official statement, the BRO said the authorities would begin PQC work on November 25, which would continue for the next few days. “During this period, no vehicle will be allowed to ply via the tunnel between Manali and Keylong as it will affect the ongoing construction work inside the tunnel,” it said.

The authorities have also urged the district administrations of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti to cooperate with them during the period.

 


Apology long overdue, say Jallianwala martyrs’ kin

Apology long overdue, say Jallianwala martyrs’ kin

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 22

“Will I be able to see a formal apology before I go from this world?” wonders Amritsar-based octogenarian Satpal Sharma, after he comes to know about the news of the Labour Party of the UK promising formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in its election manifesto. He along with other descendants of martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre has been waiting for a formal apology for the decades.

Satpal Sharma, who is bedridden these days, has been demanding apology for the killing his grandfather Haqim Amin Chand, who fell to bullets on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh. “I even protested during Queen Elizabeth-II’s visit in 1997 and demanded apology from her,” he said.

He tells that how he was detained by the police during the then UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit. Satpal says that it is his last wish to get an apology from the UK.

Finally, a hope has arisen among descendants of martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre after the Labour Party’s promise in its election manifesto that once they come to power, they would issue a formal apology for the massacre.

“We have been waiting for a formal apology from the UK for decades,” says Surinder Singh, nephew of martyr Sunder Singh, who was a talented fresco painter and was killed in the Bagh at the age of 17. Surinder says that an apology is the first step to accept that some injustice has been done deliberately. “We are thankful to the Labour Party and appeal Punjabis to support those whose politics revolve around human compassion,” he says.

The descendants feel that this announcement has potential to heal the century-old wounds. Sunil Kapoor, president of the Jallianwala Bagh Freedom Fighters Foundation and great grandson of Lala Wasoo Mal Kapoor, says they know it can’t bring back the departed souls, but it can certainly bring justice for all the families. But he laments that none of the Union governments have dared to ask the UK to apologise for injustice done in Jallianwala Bagh.

 


Labour promises review of UK’s role in Op Bluestar No separate mention of Kashmir in manifesto

Labour promises review of UK’s role in Op Bluestar
File photo of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Reuters

New Delhi, November 22

Britain’s main Opposition Labour Party has launched its election manifesto that promises an audit into the colonial past, including an apology to India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar a century back. The manifesto also assured a public review of Britain’s role in Operation Bluestar that has been mentioned as the “Amritsar massacre”.

The promise to apologise is a step up from the deep regret expressed by then British Prime Minister Theresa May this year that was meant to coincide with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre’s 100th anniversary.

Under the sub-head “Effective Diplomacy”, the relevant part of the Labour manifesto reads: “We will issue a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and hold a public review into Britain’s role in the Amritsar massacre.”

The manifesto further promises to set up a judicial probe into Britain’s “injustices of the past” that includes a public review of the country’s role in Operation Bluestar.

The party did not make a separate reference to Kashmir which had not gone down well with some Indian diaspora groups when the party passed an emergency motion at its September conference, hinting at international intervention in the region. This time, Kashmir has been clubbed with hotspots such as Yemen and Myanmar where a prospective Labour government will attempt conflict prevention and build peace. — TNS


An outspoken CM who wears many hats

An outspoken CM who wears many hats

A former soldier, a royal, a military historian, a chief minister, one of the Congress party’s most powerful leaders in north India and a nationalist, Captain Amarinder Singh wears many hats.

At a time when the national fortunes of the Indian National Congress were dipping, Singh took over the reins of the party in Punjab.

Running an energetic campaign, he both capitalised on the resentment against the Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party government and generated hope, leading the Congress to a spectacular victory in the 2017 assembly elections. Singh has remained politically successful, and ensured that the Congress won eight of the 13 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

But the Punjab CM also stands out for his outspoken views both on affairs of his state and the nation. Unequivocally critical of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil and a firm supporter of India’s armed forces, his views on security are taken seriously by even political adversaries.

Arguing strongly in favour of giving younger leaders space in the party, Singh spoke out when the Congress was going through a leadership transition after the Lok Sabha results. A firm votary of the interests of India’s states, he has played a role in strengthening federalism and diversity.


Marshals seen without caps RS Secretariat feels let down; senior officers wanted dress change

Marshals seen without caps
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu is flanked by Upper House marshals without caps. PTI

NEW DELHI, NOVember 21

The Rajya Sabha marshals on Thursday were seen without caps which were part of ensemble of their new military-like “dress code”, in the backdrop of objections from various quarters, including ex-Army personnel.

Some members from the Opposition benches also made the mention about this to Chairman Venkaiah Niadu in lighter vein when the House assembled for the zero hour. “It is good,” said Congress MP Madhusudan Mistry, drawing attention of Naidu.

Naidu responded saying: “As I have said, nothing reflects like the Army,” and added that the review process is on. Sources said the Secretariat officialdom felt a bit let down on the unexpected reservations in certain quarters on the dress code’s design. There was a long-standing demand from the marshals, who are senior officers in hierarchy, for the dress code which distinguished them from the “Watch and Ward” staff in keeping with their official status. — TNS