There has been a lot of agitation on OROP amongst the retired ex~servicemen and even today the veterans are agitating. The sight of medals being returned is a sad and most painful sight, these are medals earned from a grateful indebted nation, why return them. And in a nation with a weak knowledge of the military, it may not register even.
I therefore am going to stick my neck out on OROP with some suggestions. There could be a point of view that the veterans are behaving illogically now. The issue I have with the leadership of the veterans is the approach they have adopted, it's deeply emotional. Plus it's consistently in an attack mode. This is in tune with the ethos of the Armed Forces and is required for victory in war, such as at Kargil or Madhumati or Dograi. This many of us may understand but not the decision makers they take on unless they have close relatives working in the Military.
But, this is BUT, issues relating to service conditions involving monetary considerations are argued on cold logic behind closed doors and in an incremental manner. The side which makes a case for an increase has to have a long term approach, decide what it can accept for now after protracted negotiations and what it can settle for later. The vision will be consistent and kept in sight, but may at times require to be achieved in phases. The side which builds the case has to also examine and analyse the case presented by the opposite party (in this case the Central Government) and the apprehensions or concerns they may have. Enter their universe and behind closed doors talk it over a few days. This has to be done by a team approach.
The leadership of the side which seeks has to also be careful on its briefing to the media and fellow veterans and what it can "sell" to it's members or followers. The level of expectations should be calibrated accordingly. Then analyse which segment for now requires a higher compensation or increase, maybe it's the NCO and below Cadre for now and say the Colonels can do with a lower enhancement (as per their viewpoint) for now but an increase can be sought for subsequently. This is just for clarifying the point, not a point against any pay grade.
I do know the below officer cadre ranks have a miserable time post retirement at a young age, could the OROP envisage placement in the Central Police Services. After all many nations have practiced this, this could be a part of the OROP and a positive measure. Atleast I for one will be glad to be spared the sight of NCOs (Havildars) working as guards at ATMs post retirement. Maybe appropriate placements can be planned for other cadres too in due course.
Then one more point, if its the issue of equalization of the officer cadre with the main cadre of the bureaucracy, or a pension calculated in a similar mode, then state the same logically, upfront and with data, without rancour and excessive emotions. This is because ultimately comparisons will be there, if so, then let it be stated clearly. But it maybe appropriate not to expect the outcome as planned for immediately. Patience and consistent lobbying pays over the long term.
The leadership of the veterans may now like to examine if it has public perception with it and support. This is crucial and must be built up and sustained. The prolonged nature of an agitation may require at times working towards the objective in an incremental manner. Is a degree of ennui setting in amongst the public, this may need to be studied.
Maybe the leadership ought to consider that at times you ultimately negotiate and settle for an "x" amount rather than a "y" amount but restart the process over the next few months or years. Then simultaneously the Government may rationalize the other cadres slowly to bring about a conducive atmosphere.
The veterans would do well to remember that their own let them down in 1973 and even later. The sops given to a certain category of three stars and their being accepted readily requires an understanding that such long term issues would be only resolved over a period of time. Certain increases have certainly been made in.pensions in the recent past. Some increase is certainly on offer now, which logically should be positive for the older amongst the veterans in all scales. It may not be the OROP as assumed but it's a start, maybe this could be the base to build upon in phases. The Officers opting for early retirement have been protected also. The Officers opting for early retirement now onwards would be certainly impacted but then most would leave after ascertaining their chances outside. Maybe it's an issue for subsequent follow up too. This is how the process would go normally.
One additional point, pouncing in aggressive language on the COAS (I have read un parliamentary language in the social media) or the Government in the social media may not produce positive results though it's certainly an index of the anger and need for reforms. This may need to be nuanced somewhat. In addition, maybe when a TV camera is seen, the main spokesman (whoever it may be) may try a little more nuanced language.
Now what I have written will certainly lead to my being labeled a "Bhakhta", so be it. That is the mood and many have said it. As the son of an army officer (long since retired) and a brother of an army officer, I know where my feelings lie. But feelings alone do not win negotiations. Hence it's high time the veterans too thought through their strategy and approach. I in the end wish the veterans all the best and good health and happiness. May the nation understand their emotions and feelings appropriately.
Note / Tailpiece - I must state that the issue is actually acute in nature at below officer level in the forces. The facts are Indira Gandhi reduced pensions drastically in 1973, I presume it was her reward for winning the 1971 war ! The then senior officers never disputed it but the below officer cadre were reduced to penury post retirement. The Officers were also impacted adversely but the maximum impact was on the below NCO level. The ruling bureaucracy however got enhancement in pensions at the same time. Remember the below officer cadre in the forces retires early and with limited opportunities, they lead abysmal lives post retirement. However what mystifies is the venom reserved for the present dispensation by many veterans while the problem has its roots in developments over the past few decades. As regards the financial implications, what is due legitimately and denied on somewhat arbitrary grounds ought to be paid. We live in a troubled neighbourhood, effective motivated forces are required. The Civil Services have just about automatic promotions, hence many of the officers rise to grades where pensions are automatic and protected. As regards the below officer grades, they serve till 60 years. This issue requires a resolution, by a separate pay commission for the Military or separate pay structures. Maybe the Armed Forces should examine their own hierarchy, maybe some rationalisation is in order. But such reforms will take time.12 November 2015.Dinesh K Kapila
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