RAKSHA MANTRI’S COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS
INCLUDING POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING
LITIGATION AND STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL
MECHANISMS RELATED TO REDRESSAL OF
GRIEVANCES
2015.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
REPORT
RAKSHA MANTRI’S COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS
INCLUDING POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING
LITIGATION AND STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL
MECHANISMS RELATED TO REDRESSAL OF
GRIEVANCES
2015
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
REPORT
RAKSHA MANTRI’S COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS INCLUDING
POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING LITIGATION AND
STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS RELATED
TO REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
Mukesh Sabharwal
Lt Gen (Retd)
Richard Khare
Lt Gen (Retd)
T Parshad
Maj Gen (Retd)
Navdeep Singh
Advocate
DP Singh
Maj (Retd)
R Pandiyan
Member Secretary
2015
INDEX
TITLE Page No
CHAPTER - I 1-12
1. INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 UNIVERSAL CAUSES OF LITIGATION 5
1.1.1 DEFAULT REACTION IS “TO APPEAL” 8
1.1.2 PERCEPTION THAT ‘GOVERNMENT POLICY’ IS SACROSANCT 8
1.1.3 LITIGANT IS PERCEIVED AS ACTING AGAINST THE INTERESTS
OF THE STATE
9
1.1.4 PRESSURE TO ‘WIN CASES’ AND INCIDENCE OF EGO-FUELLED
LITIGATION
9
1.1.5 LACK OF UNIFORMITY OF IMPLEMENTATION IN CASES WHICH
HAVE ATTAINED FINALITY
10
1.2 CATEGORIZATION OF AREAS OF DISPUTES QUA REDUCTION OF
LITIGATION AND EFFECTIVE REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
11
CHAPTER- II 13-106
2. PENSIONARY AND RETIRAL MATTERS 14
2.1 CAUSES OF LITIGATION 14
2.2 SPECIFIC PENSIONARY POLICIES REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK 15
2.2.1 DENIAL OF DISABILITY BENEFITS BY INCORRECTLY BRANDING
IN-SERVICE DISABILITIES (DISEASE CASES) AS “NEITHER
ATTRIBUTABLE, NOR AGGRAVATED BY SERVICE”
15
2.2.2 RATIONALIZATION OF DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR ‘NONATTRIBUTABLE/NON-AGGRAVATED CASES’ ARISING OUT OF
INJURIES/DEATHS DURING AUTHORIZED LEAVE
29
2.2.3 DISABILITY BENEFITS TO VOLUNTARY RETIREES 34
2.2.4 ILLEGAL DENIAL OF PENSION BENEFITS TO PRE-2006 RETIREE
HONORARY NAIB SUBEDARS
37
2.2.5 LITIGATION ON DENIAL OF BENEFITS FROM 1996 TILL 2009 TO
PENSIONERS (OTHER THAN COMMISSIONED OFFICERS) WHO
RETIRED PRIOR TO 10-10-1997
39
2.2.6 REQUIREMENT OF 10 MONTHS’ SERVICE IN A PARTICULAR
RANK TO EARN THE PENSION OF THAT RANK
42
2.2.7 CATEGORIES OF PENSION INTRODUCED BY THE 5TH CPC
EXTENDED TO POST-1996 AS WELL AS PRE-1996 RETIREES ON
THE CIVIL SIDE BUT INAPPROPRIATELY ONLY TO POST-1996
RETIREES ON THE MILITARY SIDE
45
2.2.8 WAR INJURY PENSION TO WORLD WAR II RETIREES DISABLED
IN WWII
47
2.2.9 CONDONATION OF SERVICE FOR SECOND SERVICE PENSION
FOR DSC PERSONNEL
48
2.2.10 BROAD-BANDING OF DISABILITY PERCENTAGES FOR THE
COMPUTATION OF DISABILITY ELEMENT AND WAR INJURY
ELEMENT
50
2.2.11 NON GRANT OF SERVICE ELEMENT OF DISABILITY PENSION TO
DISABLED PERSONNEL WITH LESS THAN MINIMUM QUALIFYING
SERVICE WHO ARE RELEASED FROM SERVICE OTHER THAN BY
WAY OF INVALIDATION
53
2.2.12 DUAL FAMILY PENSION TO MILITARY WIDOWS WHO ARE
DRAWING PENSION FROM A CONTRIBUTORY OR NONGOVERNMENT SOURCE OR FUND OR TRUST FROM THE CIVIL
SIDE, FROM THE DATE OF DEMISE OF THE MILITARY
PENSIONERS, RATHER THAN 24-09-2012
56
2.2.13 RESERVIST PENSION TO RESERVISTS RELEASED FROM
SERVICE COMPULSORILY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF
PENSIONABLE COLOUR + RESERVE SERVICE
58
2.2.14 DENIAL OF PENSIONARY AND OTHER BENEFITS TO FAMILIES
OF MISSING/MISSING PRESUMED DEAD SOLDIERS AS PER
POLICY BY INCORRECTLY BRANDING THEM AS DESERTERS
59
2.2.15 NON ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATION OF BATTLE CASUALTY
AND NON-GRANT OF WAR-INJURY OR LIBERALIZED BENEFITS
TO CASUALTIES IN OPERATIONAL AREAS
62
2.3 SPECIFIC POLICIES IN MATTERS CONCERNING RETIRAL AND
RELATED BENEFITS REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK
67
2.3.1 ILLEGAL DENIAL OF OUTPATIENT MEDICAL FACILITIES BY
SERVICE MEDICAL HOSPITALS TO NON-PENSIONER EXSERVICEMEN DESPITE BEING APPROVED BY THE MINISTRY
AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S BRANCH, AND
CONSIDERATION OF GRANT OF MODIFIED ECHS FACILITIES TO
SSCOs
67
2.3.2 WOMEN OFFICERS AND SSCOs WHO HAD OPTED FOR OLD
TERMS (5+5+4 YEARS OF SERVICE) RATHER THAN THE NEW
TERMS (10+4 YEARS OF SERVICE) DENIED PROMOTIONAL
AVENUES, UPWARD CAREER PROGRESSION, PAY &
ALLOWANCES, AND CONSEQUENTLY RETIRAL BENEFITS, AS
LEGALLY ENTITLED TO THEM UNDER MINISTRY’S DIRECTIONS
74
2.3.3 NON INCLUSION OF MILITARY SERVICE PAY AND OTHER
ELEMENTS OF EMOLUMENTS DURING FIXATION OF PAY ON REEMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY PENSIONERS ON THE CIVIL SIDE
79
2.4 CHANGES IN APPROACH 85
2.4.1 COLLEGIATE SYSTEM OF DECISION-MAKING 85
2.4.2 NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS AND FLOUTING OF
EXISTING GUIDELINES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF JUDICIAL
VERDICTS
86
2.4.3 OVERRELIANCE ON MOD (FINANCE) AND FINANCE ENTITIES
FOR DECISIONS AND POLICY FORMULATION
89
2.4.4 IMPERSONAL, NON-ADVERSARIAL AND DISPASSIONATE
APPROACH AND DISSUADING PRESTIGE-BASED LITIGATION
94
2.4.5 LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF CORRECT TALENT AND INPUTS TO
DESW AND FUNCTIONING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR
WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN
96
2.4.6 CONTINUOUS UNETHICAL FILING OF APPEALS EVEN IN
MATTERS THAT HAVE ATTAINED FINALITY
98
2.4.7 UNNECESSARY RED-TAPISM AND HYPER-TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS OF FORMS, AFFIDAVITS ETC WHICH MILITATE
AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER’S
VISION FOR CITIZENS
99
2.4.8 SUSPECT LEGALITY OF PENSION REGULATIONS, 2008 AND
ENTITLEMENT RULES, 2010
103
CHAPTER III 107-128
3. MATTERS CONCERNING DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE 108
3.1 CAUSES OF LITIGATION 110
3.1.1 DISUNITED APPROACH AT TIMES WITHOUT UNIVERSAL
APPLICATION
110
3.1.2 NON-ADHERENCE OF LAID DOWN RULES OR PROCEDURAL
POLICIES
110
3.1.3 EGO/VENDETTA BASED ACTION 110
3.1.4 LACK OF OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING 111
3.2 SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE POLICIES/APPROACH
REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK
111
3.2.1 POLICY REGARDING DISCHARGE ON INCURRING RED INK
ENTRIES
111
3.2.2 GRANT OF MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE TO THE SPOUSES
FROM THE PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL
ON ORDERS OF THE COMPETENT MILITARY AUTHORITY
115
3.2.3 POLICIES RELATED TO DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE BAN 119
3.3. CHANGES IN APPROACH 121
3.3.1 SUBJECTIVE APPROACH, DISPROPORTIONATE PUNISHMENT
AND A
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS
INCLUDING POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING
LITIGATION AND STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL
MECHANISMS RELATED TO REDRESSAL OF
GRIEVANCES
2015.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
REPORT
RAKSHA MANTRI’S COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS
INCLUDING POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING
LITIGATION AND STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL
MECHANISMS RELATED TO REDRESSAL OF
GRIEVANCES
2015
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
REPORT
RAKSHA MANTRI’S COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS INCLUDING
POTENTIAL DISPUTES, MINIMIZING LITIGATION AND
STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS RELATED
TO REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
Mukesh Sabharwal
Lt Gen (Retd)
Richard Khare
Lt Gen (Retd)
T Parshad
Maj Gen (Retd)
Navdeep Singh
Advocate
DP Singh
Maj (Retd)
R Pandiyan
Member Secretary
2015
INDEX
TITLE Page No
CHAPTER - I 1-12
1. INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 UNIVERSAL CAUSES OF LITIGATION 5
1.1.1 DEFAULT REACTION IS “TO APPEAL” 8
1.1.2 PERCEPTION THAT ‘GOVERNMENT POLICY’ IS SACROSANCT 8
1.1.3 LITIGANT IS PERCEIVED AS ACTING AGAINST THE INTERESTS
OF THE STATE
9
1.1.4 PRESSURE TO ‘WIN CASES’ AND INCIDENCE OF EGO-FUELLED
LITIGATION
9
1.1.5 LACK OF UNIFORMITY OF IMPLEMENTATION IN CASES WHICH
HAVE ATTAINED FINALITY
10
1.2 CATEGORIZATION OF AREAS OF DISPUTES QUA REDUCTION OF
LITIGATION AND EFFECTIVE REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
11
CHAPTER- II 13-106
2. PENSIONARY AND RETIRAL MATTERS 14
2.1 CAUSES OF LITIGATION 14
2.2 SPECIFIC PENSIONARY POLICIES REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK 15
2.2.1 DENIAL OF DISABILITY BENEFITS BY INCORRECTLY BRANDING
IN-SERVICE DISABILITIES (DISEASE CASES) AS “NEITHER
ATTRIBUTABLE, NOR AGGRAVATED BY SERVICE”
15
2.2.2 RATIONALIZATION OF DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR ‘NONATTRIBUTABLE/NON-AGGRAVATED CASES’ ARISING OUT OF
INJURIES/DEATHS DURING AUTHORIZED LEAVE
29
2.2.3 DISABILITY BENEFITS TO VOLUNTARY RETIREES 34
2.2.4 ILLEGAL DENIAL OF PENSION BENEFITS TO PRE-2006 RETIREE
HONORARY NAIB SUBEDARS
37
2.2.5 LITIGATION ON DENIAL OF BENEFITS FROM 1996 TILL 2009 TO
PENSIONERS (OTHER THAN COMMISSIONED OFFICERS) WHO
RETIRED PRIOR TO 10-10-1997
39
2.2.6 REQUIREMENT OF 10 MONTHS’ SERVICE IN A PARTICULAR
RANK TO EARN THE PENSION OF THAT RANK
42
2.2.7 CATEGORIES OF PENSION INTRODUCED BY THE 5TH CPC
EXTENDED TO POST-1996 AS WELL AS PRE-1996 RETIREES ON
THE CIVIL SIDE BUT INAPPROPRIATELY ONLY TO POST-1996
RETIREES ON THE MILITARY SIDE
45
2.2.8 WAR INJURY PENSION TO WORLD WAR II RETIREES DISABLED
IN WWII
47
2.2.9 CONDONATION OF SERVICE FOR SECOND SERVICE PENSION
FOR DSC PERSONNEL
48
2.2.10 BROAD-BANDING OF DISABILITY PERCENTAGES FOR THE
COMPUTATION OF DISABILITY ELEMENT AND WAR INJURY
ELEMENT
50
2.2.11 NON GRANT OF SERVICE ELEMENT OF DISABILITY PENSION TO
DISABLED PERSONNEL WITH LESS THAN MINIMUM QUALIFYING
SERVICE WHO ARE RELEASED FROM SERVICE OTHER THAN BY
WAY OF INVALIDATION
53
2.2.12 DUAL FAMILY PENSION TO MILITARY WIDOWS WHO ARE
DRAWING PENSION FROM A CONTRIBUTORY OR NONGOVERNMENT SOURCE OR FUND OR TRUST FROM THE CIVIL
SIDE, FROM THE DATE OF DEMISE OF THE MILITARY
PENSIONERS, RATHER THAN 24-09-2012
56
2.2.13 RESERVIST PENSION TO RESERVISTS RELEASED FROM
SERVICE COMPULSORILY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF
PENSIONABLE COLOUR + RESERVE SERVICE
58
2.2.14 DENIAL OF PENSIONARY AND OTHER BENEFITS TO FAMILIES
OF MISSING/MISSING PRESUMED DEAD SOLDIERS AS PER
POLICY BY INCORRECTLY BRANDING THEM AS DESERTERS
59
2.2.15 NON ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATION OF BATTLE CASUALTY
AND NON-GRANT OF WAR-INJURY OR LIBERALIZED BENEFITS
TO CASUALTIES IN OPERATIONAL AREAS
62
2.3 SPECIFIC POLICIES IN MATTERS CONCERNING RETIRAL AND
RELATED BENEFITS REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK
67
2.3.1 ILLEGAL DENIAL OF OUTPATIENT MEDICAL FACILITIES BY
SERVICE MEDICAL HOSPITALS TO NON-PENSIONER EXSERVICEMEN DESPITE BEING APPROVED BY THE MINISTRY
AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S BRANCH, AND
CONSIDERATION OF GRANT OF MODIFIED ECHS FACILITIES TO
SSCOs
67
2.3.2 WOMEN OFFICERS AND SSCOs WHO HAD OPTED FOR OLD
TERMS (5+5+4 YEARS OF SERVICE) RATHER THAN THE NEW
TERMS (10+4 YEARS OF SERVICE) DENIED PROMOTIONAL
AVENUES, UPWARD CAREER PROGRESSION, PAY &
ALLOWANCES, AND CONSEQUENTLY RETIRAL BENEFITS, AS
LEGALLY ENTITLED TO THEM UNDER MINISTRY’S DIRECTIONS
74
2.3.3 NON INCLUSION OF MILITARY SERVICE PAY AND OTHER
ELEMENTS OF EMOLUMENTS DURING FIXATION OF PAY ON REEMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY PENSIONERS ON THE CIVIL SIDE
79
2.4 CHANGES IN APPROACH 85
2.4.1 COLLEGIATE SYSTEM OF DECISION-MAKING 85
2.4.2 NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS AND FLOUTING OF
EXISTING GUIDELINES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF JUDICIAL
VERDICTS
86
2.4.3 OVERRELIANCE ON MOD (FINANCE) AND FINANCE ENTITIES
FOR DECISIONS AND POLICY FORMULATION
89
2.4.4 IMPERSONAL, NON-ADVERSARIAL AND DISPASSIONATE
APPROACH AND DISSUADING PRESTIGE-BASED LITIGATION
94
2.4.5 LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF CORRECT TALENT AND INPUTS TO
DESW AND FUNCTIONING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR
WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN
96
2.4.6 CONTINUOUS UNETHICAL FILING OF APPEALS EVEN IN
MATTERS THAT HAVE ATTAINED FINALITY
98
2.4.7 UNNECESSARY RED-TAPISM AND HYPER-TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS OF FORMS, AFFIDAVITS ETC WHICH MILITATE
AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER’S
VISION FOR CITIZENS
99
2.4.8 SUSPECT LEGALITY OF PENSION REGULATIONS, 2008 AND
ENTITLEMENT RULES, 2010
103
CHAPTER III 107-128
3. MATTERS CONCERNING DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE 108
3.1 CAUSES OF LITIGATION 110
3.1.1 DISUNITED APPROACH AT TIMES WITHOUT UNIVERSAL
APPLICATION
110
3.1.2 NON-ADHERENCE OF LAID DOWN RULES OR PROCEDURAL
POLICIES
110
3.1.3 EGO/VENDETTA BASED ACTION 110
3.1.4 LACK OF OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING 111
3.2 SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE POLICIES/APPROACH
REQUIRING REVISION/RELOOK
111
3.2.1 POLICY REGARDING DISCHARGE ON INCURRING RED INK
ENTRIES
111
3.2.2 GRANT OF MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE TO THE SPOUSES
FROM THE PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL
ON ORDERS OF THE COMPETENT MILITARY AUTHORITY
115
3.2.3 POLICIES RELATED TO DISCIPLINE AND VIGILANCE BAN 119
3.3. CHANGES IN APPROACH 121
3.3.1 SUBJECTIVE APPROACH, DISPROPORTIONATE PUNISHMENT
AND A