Dear Members ,
You may already be aware, as reported in the press, that the Contempt of Court case by Maj Generals for not implementing the judgement by the Supreme Court of October 08 was heard by the SC, yesterday 4 May 09. After discussions and not seeing any way out the Govt counsel agreed to fall in line, but wanted 6 months to implement the judgment. The Court was not impressed and it gave the GOI three months, wef 4 May to implement the judgement, which essentially grants OROP / Modified Pension Parity to pre 1996 MajGens. There should be little doubt that this judgement will now be implemented and all other avenues are closed.
The Court was also concerned with the Contempt by the GOI and has sought explanation for the same and this issue will continue to be heard simultaneously, giving little respite to the GOI.
It is also evident that the GOI was left red-faced and with the SC leaving it no choice, it has now most reluctantly agreed to honour the court orders. The two news items circulated to our members yesterday and others that appeared today, about setting up of a Secretaries Committee under the Cabinet Secretary, to look at giving relief to earlier pensioners, on the same day, ie 4 May 09, is a fig leaf to cover the embarrassment suffered by the GOI and the political party in power. The setting up of this committee may also have been marginally forced by the ongoing 'agitations' in various forms, by various fora, incl by the NFDC. How much the GOI was forced by the 'agitations' is open to debate and every one will have a personal opinion on this issue. It may how ever be clarified that NFDC had placed much reliance on the Judicial option and it still appears to be the best option for us. Also, the committee that we had set up with the IESL for discussions with MOD will now become infructuous.
It may be opportune to believe that we have crossed a major milestone in our efforts to fight for 'Pension Parity' but we will have to await the recommendations of the Secretaries Committee and installation of the next government, to see the report and decide whether it or the new government adequately addresses our concerns. We will then have to take a call on our next course of action.
Warm regards
Vice Admiral Harinder Singh,
President, NFDC
C 26, Sector 23, Noida 201301
Tel 0120-2412412, 9811668776
