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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

‘Ex-Central Police Personnel’ status to former personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces : Need to support the concept and not feel bitter about it!


Truly speaking, repulsive are the emails circulated by retired veterans condemning the grant of the newly conceptualised status of ‘Ex-Central Police Personnel’ to former personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) akin to the model of the status of ‘Ex-Servicemen’ to former defence personnel.

Only because the Government has been insensitive to certain issues concerning defence veterans does not mean that we go around ranting about benefits being granted to others. Some veterans have even pointed out that such personnel would ‘eat away’ the vacancies of ex-servicemen who retire at a much younger age. But is this fear well founded? Not at all. The simple answer is that firstly there is no proposal to treat such personnel as ‘Ex-Servicemen’ or to place them at par with defence veterans – they would be treated as a separate category, and secondly, even otherwise since such personnel retire well in their 50s there is no question of any clash with defence personnel retiring in their 30s and 40s. Moreover the benefits which are to be granted by the States cannot be dictated by the Central Government and would be decided by States independently. It is also very important to note that many States already provide multifarious benefits to personnel and ex-personnel of CAPFs. Even the Centre is providing many similar benefits and facilities and those shall be merely formalised by the introduction of the new concept.

It is universally known that personnel of the CAPFs operate in trying conditions and very difficult and risky circumstances with disturbed family life. Yes, there are certain allowances in the arena of which they are better placed than defence personnel but the quality of life needs much improvement. In this light, if the Ministry of Home Affairs is doing its bit in improving upon the conditions of service of CAPFs, then what is required is whole hearted support from the defence community and not the opposite. It’s painful to observe the disparaging comments on the efforts of the MHA in improving upon the state of affairs in the CAPFs.

This brings me to another point. Though in many issues the efforts of the Government have been wanting in the welfare of defence veterans, the public at large mostly has been sensitive to the requirements of men and women in uniform. Even civilian pensioners and pensioners’ organisations have been generally supportive of additional benefits to defence pensioners, though they may have demanded parity with defence pensioners in certain aspects. There has never been any significant opposition from civilian pensioners on the applicability of a (better) varied formula for Other Ranks and JCOs to cater for their early release from service or curtailed tenures. And hence that very minimal courtesy is expected from the defence community too towards others. Even today, a group of civilian pensioners by way of a circulated mail has congratulated defence pensioners on the rank pay case. Always projecting defence personnel as being different and special and removed from the general society can be hugely counterproductive. The issue was also briefly touched by me in an OPed published in ‘The Tribune’ earlier this year.

Veterans should ask for what is logically due to them, but not by running down other institutions and not by seeking to withdraw benefits granted to personnel in other services. A little more magnanimity is required and I’m sure we can rise to the occasion.

On a lighter note, the situation reminds me of this phrase, those who can read Punjabi would get it !

:)

10 comments:

aaa said...

oh yes we should support it.

why not, defence people have it in them to be large hearted.

what about large heartedness ofthe government for the fauj even for legitimate dues

Ajit said...

we need to support, all uniform personnel are contributing suitably towards Nation.In any case they are not sharing cake instead deserve one.

sl said...

There is absolutely no doubt that personnel of CAPFs perform their duties under trying circumstances and fully deserve the empathy and understanding of serving personnel and veterans of the armed forces.

There is a need for greater interaction between these two distinct subsets, civilian and military, for one to obtain a greater appreciation of the reality affecting the other.

The denial of benefits to the armed forces is a separate matter. That is required to be taken up with those denying, or with the courts. It's not the CAPFs which are in the way.

There's no excuse for any display of rudeness or resentment on our part towards the personnel and retirees of CAPFs.

ramanan said...

Dear Maj Navdeep Singh, I stand to your message, as our literature Bagawtgita says "....live only with what you are entitled and dont grab from others...". I ve seen the fatigue nature of job which is being faced by these police force during normal/ disturbed times when i was in the Army. Even, the quota assigned for ESM cannot be snatched by this order. Govt will find some other way to accommodate these personnel. Ofcourse, is there that much job opportunity in Govt. for the ESM as during 80s and 90s ????

KR said...

Firstly, Maj Navdeep it was gr8 to read your article .you have rightly said that the Ex Servicemen shouldn't complain.But why are they complaining...
It's all Psychological.AF never compared or cared what their civil brothers were getting. Babus have made Faujis behave like this . this only shows the babu - politico nexus is now having a adverse effect in the way our ESM have begun thinking.They treatment by the society as a whole has further nurtured their behavior like this.As a lawyer it may be difficult for you to understand such behavior, but ask a psychologist...he may explain. such mannerism is warning us that if corrective action is not taken...This organisation may as well be doomed.

It's a feeling among ESM that government does nothing for them but everything for Civilians because Civilians can well ask by using assosiation/union.Fauj can do nothing but sulk...
How many times GOVERNMENT have announced OROP, but even you what is it actually...!!!!
NFU has been given to all even in MOD, who are your ancilliary organisation they are here to support you..they are actually having a khushi life literally ...see their behavior in MES/OFB/GREF or even CDA/PAO....
thats why I said it affects you Psychologically.

&.....Let me tell you Maj Navdeep, the public at large may have been sensitive to the requirements of men and women in uniform....but only at large...
yes as a courtesy one should not show such a behavior, but as I say this lack of courtsey may be due psychological factors that ESMs have been subjected to...

Capt Shyam said...

‎".....make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home..."
Barack Obama on his victory speech...
.........
..............
meanwhile In India , the veterans are planning a rally on 04 Dec 2012, demanding OROP and Status...!! Wah Re India... Jai hypocricy...

fauji said...

I agree with you whole heartedly.the para military personel deserve a much better recogonition of the hard and thankless work that they perform.that they are equally politicised is not the fault of the rank and file,and,so they should not be penalised for it.i say give them as many benifits as possible and let it not be at the cost of defence personel.

$H@HB@@Z $!NGH said...

WE MUST SUPPORT THEM AS COLOR OF THE UNIFORM DOES NOT MATTER IN FRATERNITY. THOSE OPPOSING MUST BE WITH CONCEPTUAL NEGATIVITY HENCE NEED TO KNOW MORE. WE HAVE SEEK ALL RANKS OF PMFs SUFFERING LIKE OWN BRETHREN. SO PLEASE RELOOK AND SUPPORT

MAJOR P P SINGH

PBOR said...

Thanks all

Anonymous said...

Dear Maj Navdeep Singh, thanks for yr soft corner for CAPF. Being a retd subedar from Assam Rifles I would like to request you to highlight the Govt's insensitiveness to the plight of Assam Rifles retired personnel. Today (28/11/12) the print media flashed news regarding publication of Notification by MHA granting ex-central armed police personnel to CAPF with all facilities and status like ex-serviceman in defence forces. There is no mention of Assam Rifles in the Notification.Assam Rifles is a para-military force and is not included in CAPF. What will be the status of AR retd personnel is not clear at this point of time. AR is operationally controlled by MOD while budget is provided by MHA. For reason of this 'duality of control' the force personnel- both serving and retd have been suffering from the so called 'identity crisis' from time immemorial. AR's first Director General Lt Gen Sushil Kumar had tried to bring this oldest paramilitary force to the national limelight by publishing a book 'Sentinels of the North-East'written by Maj General D.K. Palit. Present ruler need to read this book in order to recognise and give this force its due.I am requesting you to do something through your writing on the plight of Assam Rifles retd personnel. Thanks