French President Francois Holland’s visit helped create an air of finality to the deal for purchasing Rafael fighter jets. All that remains, we are told is six more months of hard bargaining over prices. By then the Narendra Modi government would have completed two years in office and come no nearer to its predecessor in resolving the question of steady drawdown of India’s fighter aircraft fleet. For years, the joint development and production plan with Russia for the next generation of fighter aircraft too has been the subject of intense negotiations.  The light combat aircraft, after decades of being under development, went on its first outing to the Bahrain air show. But it cannot undertake the requirements of the heavier fighter aircraft. If the negotiations over Rafael drag on, Modi will have himself to blame for failing to reverse the attrition in India’s fighter fleet. Almost as if on impulse, he placed an order for 36 Rafael jets on the eve of his first visit to Paris last April. Rafael had emerged as the best of the six fighters that had competed for the Indian Air Force’s tender for 126 fighters. For the past three years Defence Ministry officials had been conducting intense haggling-cum-negotiations with the company. The entire exercise went topsy-turvy when Modi announced the order for 36 fighters. Exasperated officials had to begin negotiations all over again. This time they are trying to get the old price for a smaller order. It is not just about Rafael. The Make-in-India policy for defence equipment was announced with fanfare without one crucial component — the criteria for the foreign strategic partner. The industry is not happy with the proposal to restrict one strategic partner to one project. Once this is overcome, the next hurdle will be the defence public sector workers opposing the entry of the private sector. Several other major projects such as plans to jointly build warships, nuclear submarines and helicopters are also facing challenges. The bigger challenge is there are no export markets or civilian derivatives for these products. The government will have to become realistic and prioritise products that can be realistically built in India at a comparable cost.

India for fresh price quote on Rafale jets

New Delhi unwilling to seal deal till cost is reduced

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 27

India and France are looking at the possibility of sealing the deal on 36 Rafale fighter jets over the next two months even as New Delhi has sought a fresh ‘price quote’ on the planes. India has asked the manufacturers of Rafale, French company Dassault Aviation, to come up a quote on pricing, it is learnt.During the just-concluded three-day visit of French President Francois Hollande, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed as the first step towards signing a formal inter-governmental agreement (IGA).Only pricing remains to be decided and specific aspects are being discussed on how price can be reduced, a top functionary said. There is no reason it can’t be done in four to six weeks, he added.Last-minute efforts to ink the IGA for the purchase of the jets during Hollande’s visit had come to naught as New Delhi was not happy with the price being offered.“It was way too expensive. The price has come down from earlier but not to our expectations. Let them (the French) do their exercise of costing and come back with a fresh offer,” a senior functionary said.The French President was quoted as having cited a figure of US $9 billion for the 36 jets, including two types of missiles (air to ground and air-to-air), training of pilots, bombs and base facilities of the planes. It would translate to Rs 59,000 crore or Rs 1,630 crore per piece. Indian negotiators are willing to pay some US $7 billion or Rs 46,000 crore (Rs 1,180 crore per piece).In the meantime, the Indian Air Force has reminded the Ministry of Defence that it needs at least 80 Rafale-type multi-role combat fighter jets to be battle-ready in the next few years. The Tribune had on June 2 reported how the IAF was uneasy with the number of jets ordered. As of now, the IAF has 35 fighter jet squadrons (having 16-18 planes each) against its projected requirement of 42.

French Prez says will take up with India pact on 36 Rafale fighter jets

Nitin Jain,,Tribune News Service,,Chandigarh, January 24

India and France committed themselves to closer ties in business and in combating terrorism, hours after French President Francois Hollande began his three-day visit to India on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra  welcomed him here.The two leaders shared concern over the menace of terrorism with Modi pitching for a collective fight.  They pledged to work together in fields of mutual interest.Hollande will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. He said he would discuss with India the inter-governmental agreement on 36 Rafale fighter planes.Modi,who specially flew to the city to receive the dignitary, said: “The trust and friendship with France is an asset for us.” Hollande and Modi interacted with the Indo-French CEOs Forum and addressed the India France Business Summit at Hotel Taj. Prior to that, they visited the Rock Garden, Capitol Complex and Government Museum and Art Gallery.Speaking at the Business Summit, Modi said he had had several opportunities to interact with Hollande, one of these being the recent COP21 Summit. “President Hollande is correct in saying that terrorism is a challenge, just like global warming.” Observing that within days of the Paris terror attacks, France had hosted several world leaders, he said the French people and the French media deserved appreciation for the same. Calling defence a “very important matter,” Modi said it was not about the battlefield alone, “cyber security is vital too.” Pointing out that India’s skilled manpower could be a major source of strength, the Prime Minister said: “Our skilled manpower can bring down costs and improve quality. In a short span of time, India’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings have improved substantially.”  Stressing the world had accepted India as a good investment destination, he said France’s greatest strength was innovation. On smart cities project, he said, “Urbanisation is gaining pace and that is why we are working on this project. We want to work closely with France. We want to work together for the development of humankind.”  Earlier, speaking to the media at the airport, Hollande said: “We are going to take another step on the road which we hope will lead us to India’s acquisition of the 36 Rafale jets.”Stating that France had shown that it had the world’s best aircraft, Hollande said the commercial contract would come only after the inter-governmental accord, which would be discussed during this visit.

Rafale deal could take more time: Hollande

Dear Hony Nb Subs,
Large number of Havildars granted rank of Hony Nb Sub are approaching TSEWA to get them pension of Nb Sub.
This matters has been examined with the available judgments. We found hon’ble Supreme Court dismissed review petition filed by Govt of India in Sohan Lal Bawa Vs Union of India in Civil Appeal No 13139 of 2011. Hence all pre – 2006 Hony Nb Subs are eligible to get pensoin of Nb Sub w.e.f. Jan 2006.The AFTs Kochi, Chandigarh, Principal Bench, New Delhi and AFT Chennai ruled that all pre – 2006 Hony Nb Subs are to be granted pension of Nb Sub w.e.f. Jan 2006. The arrears on this account comes to Rs 2,40,897.
All AFTs mentioned above have ruled that Govt of India has to pay them arrears from Jan 2006.
The Govt of India vide their letter No: 1(1)/88/D (Pen/Sers) dt 06 Nov 1991 enhanced pension of Havildars granted rank of Hony Nb Sub sum of Rs 100 over and above that of pension of Hav. This was further increased to Rs 226 vide Min of Def letter No: PC 10(1)/2009 D (Pen/Pol) dt 08 Mar 2010. These enhancements were pronounced as not correct and ruled all AFTs without exception ruled that hony Nb Subs are to be paid pension of Nb Sub w.e.f. Jan 2006.
Only those hony Nb Subs who went to AFTs got pension of Nb Sub. So all those hony Nb Subs who are still getting pension of Hav + Rs 226 are required to file a case in AFT to get pension of Nb Sub.

       All Hony Nb Subs who want to get pension of Nb Sub are requested to intimate me your willingness. If TSEWA gets adequate number of litigants, we will fix legal fee in consultation with our legal counsel in Delhi as the case is intended to be filed in AFT (PB) Delhi at the earliest. Since we have judgments of hon’ble AFTs and hon’ble Supreme Court in our favour, we are sure to win this case at very low legal fee.
All officers are requested to pass on this mail to known NCOs and put it in various mail groups.
All Hony Nb Subs are requested to intimate your willingness to join as litigants as Gp Capt CRR Sastry our legal expert will go to New Delhi to discuss this case with our legal counsel of AFT (PB) Delhi by 10 Feb 2016.
regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
9493191380

Dear Gp CRR Sastry Garu,
I am sending all available judgments on this case. Kindly make legal brief. Once I get adequate number of litigants (50), I will intimate to you. When you go to discuss legal case of our AFT – 4 Pension of Col (TS) to pre – Dec 2004 Lt Col(TS), you and Brig SKS Rana, VSM can discuss this case too with our legal counsel. I do not expect more than 50 Hony Nb Subs are likely to join this case.
regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)

Dear Sub Subba Rao Garu,
This is with reference to letter dated 15 Jan 2016 (received on 20 Jan 2016) written to me by Hony Nb Sub Muralidhar Panda. He asked me to give my opinion to be conveyed to him through you. He stands to get pension of Nb Sub w.e.f. Jan 2006, if he joins this case. Legal fee will be intimated later after discussion with our legal counsel. In any case if he were to go to AFT Chennai, he will have to pay Rs 15000 to 30000 to his advocate as now a days they have become very greedy. Similarly you may find many such Hony Nb Subs in A.P. Kindly do disseminate contents of my mail so that we can help such NCOs to get higher pension.
Dear Col Dr GB Sethi and Lt Col G Parvathesam Garu,
If minimum 50 hony Nb Subs join this case, we will file it in AFT Delhi. The name of legal case is TSEWA- Hony Nb Sub.
I will let you know the day figure of 50 reaches.
regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
Dear Brig Rawat Sir,
I recommend you to get an e-mail id of Yahoo com or Gmail. Any number of mails sent to your hot mail account are bouncing back. I am sure you recollect you raised this very question on 10 Jan 2016 during our Question & Answer Session in Dehradun.
regards,

Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
9493191380

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 13

Clarifying on the operation to flush out terrorists at the Pathankot Air Force station, Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday said local commanders had complete liberty in planning and execution, and that the counter-offensive was carried out under Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh.General Suhag addressed a press conference in New Delhi and his statement assumes significance in view of the fact that retired Army officers had been questioning as to why the operation was “micro-managed” from Delhi, and who was in command during the January 2 terror attack.And also, why the Army, the last resort of the nation, was put under the command of the National Security Guard, a force governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs?“As far as the Army is concerned, it was not under anybody’s command. It was under the Western Army Commander who was monitoring and controlling the operations on my behalf,” said General Suhag.The Army Chief also said “there was no lack of coordination, and there was complete synergy”. One of the focus areas was to ensure the safety of assets (planes and helicopters at the IAF base) and families at the attack site, for which a strong cordon had to be established, he said.General Suhag also defended the government’s move to send in the NSG: “Instead of moving the NSG later, it was wise to take preemptive action to send the elite unit in advance. The NSG is ideally trained to tackle hostage situations.”Asked whether the Army was ready for covert operations in Pakistan, General Suhag said, “The Army is fully prepared and ready to respond to any threats and challenges.” He said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had convened a meeting on January 1. “We alerted the forces in that area, quick reaction teams were formed and columns readied,” he added.

Tribune News Service,Ludhiana, January 11

District Magistrate Rajat Agarwal has banned the sale of army uniforms without valid identification in all areas of the district with immediate effect.Recently, Commissioner of Police Paramraj Singh Umranangal directed the police to conduct raid and arrest people involved in the sale and purchase of army uniforms.The orders have been issued in the backdrop of the Pathankot terror attack.These orders have been issued under Section 144 of the CrPC and will remain in force till March 5, 2016.District Magistrate has informed that any person who wants to buy army uniform will have to submit a self attested copy of his identity card and phone number with the shopkeeper and this record will be duly maintained along with date of sale in the record register of the shopkeeper.He ordered that Senior Superintendent of Police Ludhiana (Rural) and Khanna will be responsible for enforcing the ban.

NEW DELHI:  This Republic Day, a foreign army contingent will march shoulder to shoulder with the Indian army down the Rajpath – a first in the history of the parade since 1950.
Receiving their salute will be French President Francois Hollande – the chief guest this year.
The French contingent has been in India for a joint military exercise. India is also in negotiations with France to buy 36 Rafale jets.
The gesture reciprocates one from France to India back in 2009.  On July 14 that year, one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army – the Maratha light infantry – had marched down the famous Champs Elysee in Paris along with the French Army. The occasion was Bastille Day – celebrated in memory of the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789, the symbolic start to the French revolution.
Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present in Paris on the occasion, which was seen as a deepening of ties between the two nations.
The Indo-French relations — covering diverse areas including defence, clean energy, space and trade — has now seen another boost, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to France last year.
During a three-day visit in April, he had also gone to the Neuve-Chapelle war memorial in Lille, where he paid homage to the 10,000 Indian soldiers martyred while fighting alongside the French during World War I. He also took a boat ride in river Seine along with French President Francois Hollande.