| Nearly two decades back-to be precise in 1986 the | | | | Government is deliberately trying to deny justice to a |
| Vth pay commission awarded a rank pay to military | | | | large number of officers. We all know that gallantry |
| officers in addition to their normal salary. But the | | | | awards are given posthumously, but, why should |
| bureaucracy circumvented this award and | | | | financial dues be given posthumously as well? |
| implemented the recommendation by making the | | | | Over the years the logic of the Government in |
| rank pay a part of the basic pay, thus officers were | | | | contesting every order the Supreme Court has |
| paid less then what had been sanctioned. The then | | | | passed in favor of Armed Forces personnel is difficult |
| rank pay was from Rs 200 to 1200 from the rank of | | | | to understand. Even in the case of fixation of Major |
| Captain to Brigadier. | | | | Generals' pension the Government appealed multiple |
| One officer Major V Dhananpalan had taken up a | | | | times and intentionally delayed filing its replies. |
| case against this discrepancy in the Kerala High Court | | | | Eventually the Government had to pay as per the |
| and won the case more than a decade back. The | | | | orders with 12 % interest. This shows the malicious |
| Government gave him his arrears and forgot about all | | | | intent of the persons concerned. Only recently the |
| other officers who were similarly denied their dues, | | | | Solicitor General had to request the Supreme Court |
| and affected by the same order. | | | | to soften its remarks in the case of Capt CS Sidhu, |
| Some time later other officers quoting Major | | | | when it had said that the Government treats its |
| Dhananpalan's ruling, took up the case in various High | | | | soldiers worse than beggars! |
| Courts in the country for a remedy. When faced | | | | The congress led government of Dr. Man Mohan |
| with multiple cases the Government requested the | | | | Singh says it is doing everything for the Aam Admi |
| Supreme Court to club all the cases and hear them | | | | (Common man). But we must now presume soldiers |
| as one case. After a tortuous number of years the | | | | do not form part of this exalted community. It is |
| Honorable Supreme Court ruled in favor of the | | | | about time the Government takes up the cases for |
| complainants on 8 Mar 10 and ordered that all the | | | | the betterment of the silent services. Definitely this |
| arrears be paid with 6% interest. | | | | injustice must be stopped immediately. The best |
| But the bias of the government and the bureaucracy | | | | course is for the Solicitor General to be directed to |
| against the men in uniform continues as the | | | | withdraw the appeal (We are sure he has more |
| Government has now gone in appeal against the | | | | fruitful work to do than pull the chestnuts out of the |
| Supreme Court ruling. Obviously the concerned | | | | fire for the bureaucracy) and the persons who |
| department has lost face and may also be penalized | | | | authorized the filing of this appeal be penalized for |
| for having to pay interest on a deliberate act of | | | | clogging the SC with frivolous work. But who will bell |
| commission. So the easiest way is to launch the case | | | | the cat? |
| into orbit so that the perpetrators of this fraud can | | | | With the Chiefs rendered impotent by the |
| retire before the CAG raises hell. The law minister Mr. | | | | bureaucracy and and a lack luster and weak Prime |
| V Moily had stated on his taking over that the | | | | Minister, the country could be heading for a |
| Government is the single biggest litigant who keeps | | | | catastrophe. But the government has to act. Delay |
| the courts from doing justice to more needy | | | | may be dangerous. |
| persons. But unfortunately here is a case where the | | | | |