Bangladesh say a loud thank you

Bangladesh liberation fighters say a loud thank you to India

For the second time in the almost 40 years since its creation, Bangladesh invited a delegation of Indian war veterans who had fought alongside the Mukti Bahini freedom fighters in the 1971 War of Liberation that comprehensively defeated the Pakistan army.

The first invitation was extended by the caretaker government in 2007, while the second, by the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in 2009, could not materialise due to the mutiny of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel.

That aborted invitation was made good last month. "Without you, we would not be a country" acknowledged the freedom fighters, some on wheelchairs and some on crutches among the many able-bodied. The outburst of sentiment, generosity and plain thank you was moving. Indian war veterans were feted by the freedom fighters, Awami League politicians, and the three armed services. Equally striking was the absence of the leader of the opposition, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) leader Khaleda Zia.

She was absent from the official wreath laying ceremony at the national Martyrs' Memorial, though she did attend after her bête noire, prime minister Sheikh Hasina had left the victory parade. The arrest by the government of BNP's standing committee member from Chittagong, the self-confessed Pakistan sympathiser, Salauddin Qadir Chowdhury, on the same day for war crimes merely added fuel to the fire. This was part of the government's drive to bring to book those who collaborated with the Pakistani military crackdown in 1971.

After Zia's eviction, following court orders from Army House and her grievous electoral decline in 2008, she was in need of comfort and found no better place for solace than Beijing where the Chinese accorded her honours reserved for state visitors. Khaleda Zia, along with her husband, the late President Gen Zia-ur Rehman, have ruled Bangladesh for almost half of its existence and systematically distanced the country from India. Bitter rivals, the two begums have divided the country's politics between themselves.

The army-backed caretaker government of 2007-08 had unsuccessfully sought to keep them out of politics in what was called 'minus two'. What one is observing today is transition from 'minus two' to 'plus two' — the nurturing of the sons, Sheikh Hasina's Sajib Wajid and Khaleda Zia's Tariq Zia. Bangladesh has seen army rule twice: first under Zia-ur Rehman and later under Mohammad Ershad. The army has a Chinese bias with the US and UK involved in training and consultancy. Conspicuously, India, along with its military, is peripheral to the Bangladesh military's overall disposition.

Its linkages with the Pakistan army and the ISI, despite the genocide of 1971, have not gone away. All three service chiefs in Dhaka are now from the post-1971 Liberation War vintage. Unlike the Pakistan army that seeks revenge against India for 1971, the Bangladesh military does not seem to want to avenge the genocide of Bangladeshis. In some quarters, India is portrayed as the enemy to help build the primacy of the military as the ultimate protector of the nation. The military is under civilian control for the present.

Last year, the BDR had revolted and targeted their commanding army officers with immense brutality. The hangover of that mutiny is still in the air as the BDR is being overhauled. An army takeover was averted during the caretaker regime, with the international community threatening to keep the Bangladesh army out of UN peacekeeping operations. At an average, every soldier earns one if not two lucrative tenures abroad, which make UN missions the biggest driver of recruitment.

The military, which shares some traits with its Pakistani counterpart, is a potent factor in keeping the country united and the civilian government mindful of good governance. As a professional force, it knows its red lines. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is also her own defence minister and has inherited an effective military apparatus carved out by Gen Ershad, notably the Armed Forces Division. The head of the AFD reports directly to the prime minister, bypassing the ministry of defence, making it a dream outfit for any military.

From India's point of view, prime minister Sheikh Hasina has ensured that Indian insurgent groups and leaders thriving inside Bangladesh in the past have no safe havens now. This has been her biggest gift to India and after Bhutan's Operation All Clear, it has secured India's eastern flank internally. With Sheikh Hasina in office, the exchange of war veterans must be institutionalised to initiate defence cooperation, which is virtually non-existent. This will help erase the India bogey and bolster confidence-building measures.

New Delhi must cautiously draw maximum mileage while Sheikh Hasina is in power and help replicate the win-win situation of 1971.

Hony Capt Karam Singh

Death anniversary of Hony Capt Karam Singh
State doesn’t remember this heroic warrior

In a case which speaks of how this country treats its sons of soil, the state government has neither organised any function in memory of Param Vir Chakra award winner Karam Singh Milliyaan and nor constructed any memorial at his native place for his outstanding contribution to the country.

However, the government somehow gave the warrior some respect by constructing a memorial to him at the District Administrative Complex in Sangrur.
Paramjeet Singh, son of late Capt Milliyaan, told mediapersons that like previous years even this year the death anniversary of his father would be observed on January 20 at their native place with no government officials and politicians attending the function.Former Honorary Capt Karam Singh brought laurels to his native village of Milliyaan in Barnala and also set an example of heroism in the Army after he won the Param Vir Chakra for his exemplary courage while being alive.

He was born on September 15, 1915, in a farmer’s family, Uttam Singh of Milliyaan in Barnala. After studying in the local primary school, he joined the Army in 1941. After completing his training he was inducted into the Sikh Battalion of the Indian Army.

On October 3, 1948, he foiled the attempt of the Pakistani army to occupy the Teethwaal area of Jammu And Kashmir.Though Karam Singh got injured in the heavy shelling from the Pakistan side, he did not left his bunker even as the presence of the Indian Army was roughly one tenth of the Pakistani forces there.Fighting valiantly, he not only managed to foil the designs of the enemy, but also rescued two Indian jawans from their captivity. He also played a vital role in keeping this area with the country.

Taking notice of the great services of Lance Naik Karam Singh, the then President of India Rajendra Prasad on 13 October, 1948, awarded him with the highest gallantry award of Param Vir Chakra while being alive.Before becoming the recipient of Paramvir Chakra, he had also received the military medal from the British Government.Before retiring from services Karam Singh was elevated to Honorary Captain designation in September 1969.
After retiring from his service, he got Rs 1.10 lakh from the Punjab Government for buying a piece of land for his exemplary services to the nation, besides he was also given Rs 500 as special pension till alive.
On December 22, 1992, he suddenly fell ill and later died on January 20, 1993.

His family members alleged that no ministers or government officers visit them on his death anniversary and they were even not invited to the Republic Day or Independence Day functions, adding that only thing the government did was to install a memorial at the District Administrative Complex in Sangrur.

A Disgruntled Pensioner

This is a letter addressed to a private bank by a pensioner in U.S. It is a famous letter said to have been published in the Time Magazine long back. But you could see that it is very relevant in the Indian Scenario nowadays.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to thank you for bouncing my cheque with which I endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the cheque and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honour it.

I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my Pension, an arrangement, which, I admit, has been in place for only thirty eight years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account £30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank.

My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, but when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become.

From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan payments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank by cheque, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an offence under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope.

Please find attached an Application Contact Status which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative.

Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Solicitor, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course,

I will issue your employee with PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modelled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service.

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let me level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as follows:

1. To make an appointment to see me.
2. To query a missing payment.
3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.
4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping.
5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature.
6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home.
7. To leave a message on my computer (a password to access my computer is required. A password will be communicated to you at a later date to the Authorized Contact.)
8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through to 8.
9. To make a general complaint or inquiry, the contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call.
   

Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement.

May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous, New Year.

Your Humble Client

ALLOWANCES WAITING INCREASE

DA JAN 2011 -LIST OF ALLOWANCES WAITING FOR INCREASE BY 25%

As the DA cross 50% w.e.f. 1st January, 2011, following allowances will be
increased by 25% - as per accepted recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission:

(1)TA / DA Rates on tour,

(2)Daily allowance on tour

(3)Mileage allowance for journeys performed by taxi / autorickshaw/scooter/cycle (as eligible)

(4)TA Rates on transfer
(5)For journeys performed by taxi/auto-rickshaw/scooter/cycle (as eligible)
(6)Rates of transporation of house holds on transfer

(7)National Holiday Allowance
(8)Nursing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance &
Washing Allowance
(9)Project allowance and Compensatory (construction/Survey) allowance.
(10)Natural Calamity Advance.
(11)Bi-Cycle, Warm Clothing & Table fan advance
(12)Festival advance
(13)Night Patrolling Allowance.
(14)Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities and Education
Allowance for disabled children
(15)Conveyance Allowance
(16)Children Education Assistance and Reimbursement of Tuition fee.

Special concessions/facilities-working in Kashmir

No. 18016/3/2010-Estt. (I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated, the 28th December, 2010

CORRIGENDUM

Sub: Special concessions/facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached / subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department of even Number dated 15.3.2010 extending the Special concessions / facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached / subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control or Central Government, for the period with effect from 1.1.2010 to 3 1.12.2010 and to say that the Annexure attached with the OM stands partially modified to include the Notes. The Annexure as modified is attached herewith.

Sd/-
(Simmi R. Nakra)
Director (P&A)

All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
(As per standard mailing list)

Annexure

Details of package of Concession/Facilities to Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley in Attached/Subordinate Offices or PSUs falling under the control of
Central Government:-

I. Additional H.R.A. and other concessions:

(A) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley

(i) These employees have an option to move their families to a selected place of their choice in India at Government expense. T.A. for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of transportation of personal effects, lump-sum payment
for packing etc.

(ii) Departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation to place of work for employees.

(iii) HRA as for Class ‘A’ city applicable for employees exercising option at (i). Such employees will be eligible for drawing the normal HRA as well at their place of posting provided Departmental arrangement is not made for his/her stay.

(iv) The period of temporary duty extended to six months. For period of temporary duty daily allowance at full rate is admissible, apart from departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation.

(B) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley who do not wish to move their families to a selected place of residence;

A per diem allowance of Rs. 10/- is paid for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation to and from office etc. This will be in addition to the transport allowance, which the employee is otherwise eligible for under Ministry of Finance order No. 21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.8.1008.

II. MESSING FACILITIES:

Messing Allowance to be paid to the employees at a uniform rate of Rs. 15/- per day by all Departments, or in lieu messing arrangements to be made by the Departments themselves. This rate of allowance will have to be adhered to uniformly by all the Ministries/Departments with effect from 01.07.1999. The slightly higher rate of Rs. 25.50 adopted by the Department of Telecom and Posts and allowed to be continued as a special case by the Department of Personnel in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, would, however, continue to be paid at the said rate.

III. ADJUSTRMENT OF MIGRANT EMPLOYEES:

As a purely temporary measure, the employees migrated from the Kashmir Valley are accommodated to the extent possible in the available vacancies under the respective Ministries/Departments in offices located outside but adjacent to the union Territory of Delhi.

IV. PAYMENT OF LEAVE SALARYIAD HOC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Arrangements were made for payment of leave salary for the period upto 30′ April, 1990 in respect of employees who may not have received their emoluments after migration. Such employees were allowed to be given either leave salary at the minimum of the scale or some adhoc financial assistance as an advance to be adjusted from their dues after they join duty. Further the migrant employees who were unable to join their respective places of posting in the Valley due to the prevailing circumstances, were extended this facility till they were adjusted in accordance with (iii) above.

V. REGULARISATION OF THE PERIOD OF ABSENCE OF J&K MIGRANT EMPLOYEES:

In August, 1992, it was decided that the period of migration of a Central Government employee, who migrated from Kashmir Valley in view of the disturbed conditions would be treated as Earned leave to the extent which may have been due to him on the date of proceeding for migration. However, the position was reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel in April, 1997 and if was decided that the Earned Leave which was at the credit of the Central Government migrant employee at the time of migration will not be adjusted against the migration period, but will remain available for the purpose of leave encashment on the date of their retirement in respect of the employees who had already retired or would retire in future. The period of absence would however count in the service for the purpose of pension, but shall not count for earning any kind of leave. During the period of absence, a migrant employee is entitled to his pay (excluding special pay and local allowances) dearness allowance, which he would have been otherwise paid from time to time including benefit of increment had he reported for duty immediately after expiry of his Earned leave.

VI. PAYMENT OF MONTHLY PENSION TO PENSIONERS OF KASHMIR VALLEY

Pensioners of Kashmir Valley who are unable to draw their monthly pensions through either Public Sector Banks or PA0 treasuries from which they were receiving their pensions, would be given pensions outside the Valley where they have settled, in relaxation of relevant provisions.

NOTE:- I. The package of concession/facilities shall be admissible in Kashmir Valley comprising of six districts, namely Ananhag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Srinagar.

2. The package of concession/facilities shall be admissible to Temporary Status Casual labourers working in Kashmir Valley in terms of para 5(i) of the Casual Labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme of Government of India. 1993.

3. The benefit of additional HRA admissible under the Kashmir Valley package shall be admissible to all Central Government employees posted to Kashmir Valley irrespective of whether they are natives of Kashmir Valley, if they choose to move their families anywhere in India subject to the conditions governing the grant of these allowances.

4. The facilities of Messing Allowance and Per Diem allowance shall also be allowed to natives of Kashmir Valley in terms of the Kashmir Valley package.