New Delhi, January 1India and Pakistan on Sunday exchanged for the 26th consecutive year the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement that prohibits them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.“India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations between India and Pakistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991, says that the two countries will inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on January 1 of every calendar year.This is the 26th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.The two countries also exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of nationals (including civil prisoners and fishermen) of each country lodged in their respective jails as per provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access, the MEA said.The agreement on consular access, signed between the two countries on May 21, 2008, provides for exchanging a comprehensive list of nationals of each country lodged in their jails twice each year–on January 1 and July 1.“India remains committed to addressing with Pakistan on priority the humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.“In this context, we await from Pakistan confirmation of nationality of those in India’s custody who are otherwise eligible for release and repatriation.“We also await consular access to those Indian nationals in Pakistan’s custody for whom it has so far not been provided, including Hamid Nehal Ansari and Kulbhushan Jadhav,” said an MEA statement.The Pakistani security forces had arrested Jadhav from Balochistan in March and alleged that he was “a serving officer in the Indian Navy and deputed to the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)”.Jadhav has been accused by Pakistan of planning “subversive activities” in the country.India has acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the navy but denied that he had any connection with the government.Pakistan has so far turned down India’s request for consular access to Jadhav, whom Pakistan claimed to be a RAW spy.Ansari had crossed over illegally to Pakistan from Afghanistan in 2012 reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online and then went missing.He was later arrested and tried by a Pakistani military court, which pronounced him guilty of espionage. PTI

The petitioner had contended that the morale of officers of the armed forces has been lowered by the government by non-grant of the NFU and thus lowering the established status of the armed forces officers since independence.

The bench comprising the officiating chairperson of the AFT, Justic BP Katakey and Lt Gen Sanjiv Langer today delivered the judgement on the petition which had been reserved some weeks back.

In a verdict, which meets the long-standing demand of thousands of defence services officers, the principal bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in New Delhi has allowed a petition demanding Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) for defence officers on the pattern of civil services officers of Group ‘A’ services. The bench comprising the officiating chairperson of the AFT, Justic BP Katakey and Lt Gen Sanjiv Langer today delivered the judgement on the petition which had been reserved some weeks back. Col Mukul Dev of the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Branch was the principal petitioner in the case which also has around 500 serving Army officers as co-petitioners.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Col Rajiv Manglik (retd) advocate for the petitioners said, “NFU been allowed as given to defence officers on the pattern of civilian officers as given by the 6th Pay Commission and it will be applicable for all three services-Army, Navy and the Air Force. It has also been stated if NFU is implemented for civilians in 7th Pay Commission it will be given to armed forces officers also. The advocate also said that the bench has allowed arrears for NFU for a period not exceeding three years from the date of the judgement. “The AFT has also denied the leave to appeal in the Supreme Court to the respondents ie. the Union of India,” said Col Manglik.

The petitioner had contended that the morale of officers of the armed forces has been lowered by the government by non-grant of the NFU and thus lowering the established status of the armed forces officers since independence. He had also argued that the stagnation in the armed forces is more acute than the civil services and that the denial is in clear violation of Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution “as the equals since independence have been made unequals”.

It was also argued that the purpose of grant of NFU is not to equate the monetary benefits or earnings enjoyed by a particular service, but it is granted with the aim to remove the stagnation due to the acute shortage of vacancies and grant parity of promotional avenues within the IAS with stipulated lead of two years to the IAS.

The petitioner had said that the parity established since independence and upheld by the pay commissions in succession between the armed forces and the All India Services/ Group ‘A’ services and IPS in particular has been disturbed and the petitioner has been deprived of the benefits extended to his counter parts in parity in the civil services.

It had been contended that the armed forces officers cadre meets all the attributes attached to the Group ‘A’ organised service. The petition says that the NFU has been denied on the pretext that Military Service Pay (MSP) has been given to armed forces officers. Citing this as a “gross mis-concept” the petition said that the grant of NFU is to alleviate the acute stagnation in service, whereas the MSP and other allowances is due to the postings at various difficult terrain and living conditions.

It was also pointed out that there are a number of Group ‘A’ services, which do not meet all the criteria for the group, yet they have been awarded NFU. The services mentioned are Indian Legal Service and Indian Trade Service, Indian Statistical service, Indian Economic service and Central Information service.

What is NFU?

Non Functional Upgrade (NFU) entitles an IAS officer and other Group ‘A’ services officers of the civil services to get the pay scale of the highest promoted officer of their batch even if he or she is not promoted to the same rank. This higher grade is given two years after the batchmate achieves the promotion. The aim of giving NFU is to alleviate the stagnation in the service due to non-promotion. Due to the steep pyramid of promotion in armed forces hierarchy, a large number of officers do not make it to the next selection rank. However, NFU has not been made applicable to armed forces. The Delhi High Court in its recent judgement has held that NFU is also applicable to officers of the central paramilitary forces.

Tribune News Service

Rewari, December 21

Former minister and Kosli MLA Bikram Singh Yadav today inaugurated the army recruitment sub-centre on the premises of the Sainik Parivar Bhawan here.The centre was announced by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh while accepting the demand of Union minister Rao Inderjit at the Sainik Samman rally organised here on November 16.“Now retired army personnel residing here need not to go to Charkhi Dadri to get their problems regarding pension and other benefits resolved. All their grievances will now be redressed here. Even, local youths will be able to get latest information about army recruitment from the centre,” said Yadav.Meanwhile, Naresh Chauhan, general secretary of the Rezang La Shaurya Samiti, has urged the Centre to put up hoardings of the army recruitment on the premises of the Rezang La Memorial, Rezang La Shaheedi Park, District War Memorial, Rao Tularam Park, District Sainik Board, Sainik School and the Secretariat so that agents could not cheat the youths.

: Bungalow For Sale(Owned by Retd. Army Officer)

At Mhow in Royal Town opposite Hema range on 4 lane highway 3 BHK Plus Duplex Bungalow is available with special discount to Armed forces Veterans. On 2000 sq ft plot, constructed area 1800 sq ft Having 3 Bedrooms, 4 toilets,drawing room, dining , modular kitchen, parking, kitchen store, wash area, bore well all around boundary wall. 750 sq ft open lawn with kota stone fitted. Two terraces one each on grand & first floor.

Cost 46 lakhs(negotiable)  

 Additional info: East facing, corner plot on East &  South side colony roads, 5 minutes drive to Either side to Mhow & Pithampur. Kindly help me out in selling this bungalow. If any veterans know any civilian friend interested please pass it on to him/her. Also kindly post it to other groups, I shall highly be obliged. Tons of thanks.-

contact Col. Gopal L Sharma on 9713266482.

Col. Gopal L Sharma(owner of the said Bungalow)

Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) is commemorated every year on 16th December in India as it marks its military victory over Pakistan in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The end of the war resulted in the unilateral surrender of the Pakistan Army and subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.

This day, however, does not merely mark the celebration of our victory over Pakistan. It is a day to remember and honour the courage of a soldier. It is a day to look back at their deeds which continue to inspire generations of soldiers. It is a day to remember that honour in battle much like in life, is all about standing one’s ground and fighting till the last tank or man if necessary.

It remembers the heroes of 1971 and salutes them for their bravery.

Click to read the Untold Stories of the Indo-Pak War 1971 narrated by the war veterans themselves:

click on links below to open the Article

 

 

 

 “The Battle of Boundary Pillar (BP) 638”

Lord Of The Battle Point 638

A story of the unknown valour of Indian Army specially ‘The Kumaon Regiment’

Malharis’ Battle Of Gadra City In 1971 War

Former Pakistani Col Nadir Ali’s talks of his experiences from 1971 in Bangladesh

Liberation War-Historicising a Personal Narrative

Evidence of 54 Indian Prisoners of War (POWs) holed up in Pakistan since the 1971 War

Indian Prisoners Of War Holed Till Death In Pakistan

A retired Pakistani Brigadier looking back with love and warmth on an Indian JCO, who happened to touch his life, when he was a Prisoner of War in India. Just proves how truly universal can human sentiments be.

Doongar Singh – A Pakistani Brigadier Looks Back to an Indian JCO

A very touching account of Late  Col Swittens (from 37th NDA) as narrated by his dearest friend and course mate Gp Capt Unni Kartha (Veteran)

Eternal Vigil – POW Joe’s Story

INS Betwa that tipped over in a dry dock on Monday. — Tribune photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6

The Indian Navy has ordered an inquiry into Monday’s incident in which a warship tipped over on a dry- dock in Mumbai, killing two sailors.  “Rear Admiral Deepak Bali, Flag-Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group, to head Board of Inquiry in (yesterday’s) INS Betwa incident,” a Navy spokesperson said this evening.”Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba visited the Naval Dockyard here this morning and was briefed about the incident and situation on ground,” the spokesperson said.It has also decided to make the warship, INS Betwa, battle-worthy within its ongoing re-fit cycle that ends April 2018.The ship had tipped over in the dry-dock at Mumbai while being undocked on Monday.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)It was undergoing a two year re-fit cycle that started in April 2016.Navy spokesperson Capt DK Sharma said professional salvagers from across the world have been called in to give an assessment on how to lift the ship from its 90 degree position and salvage it.  “We will salvage it. This is the decision made on Tuesday,” Capt Sharma said in New Delhi.The ship costing Rs 600 crore was commissioned in 2004. Since it’s indigenously made the re-fit and any new material can be sourced from India.The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba met the families of the two sailors who were killed when the ship tipped over. (With agency inputs)

Lt Gen DS Hooda, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, on his visit to Kashmir on Saturday. A Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 19

Lt Gen DS Hooda, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, accompanied by his wife Rashmi Hooda, visited Chinar Corps here today.Earlier in the day the Gen Hooda visited troops deployed in forward areas and reviewed the security situation. He exhorted all ranks to continue to work with the same zeal and motivation to overcome the challenges of terrorism, volatile internal security situation and external threats along the LoC.At Srinagar, Gen Hooda interacted with all ranks at Badami Bagh Cantonment. He complimented them for their professionalism, steadfastness, dedication and loyalty. He also appreciated the excellent synergy between the Army, CAPF, JK Police and civil administration of J&K in pursuit of the common goal of establishing “peace and normalcy” in the state. Gen Hooda also awarded commendation cards to soldiers for exemplary dedication and devotion to duty.Meanwhile, Rashmi Hooda visited the facilities at Badami Bagh Cantonment. Lt Gen DS Hooda was to retire at the end of the month after 40 years of service to the nation, an Army spokesman said.

Lt Gen SK Sinha

New Delhi, November 17

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen SK Sinha passed away at a local hospital this morning after a brief illness. He was 92. He was admitted to the base hospital on November 1 with a fracture in the femur bone and ribs and was shifted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.He is survived by his wife, son and IFS officer YK Sinha, current Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and three daughters. His funeral will take place tomorrow noon at the Brar Square crematorium here.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Sinha led the first batch of Indian troops that entered Jammu and Kashmir when Pakistan raiders invaded in 1947. He later served as the Governor of the state.He quit service after the government superseded him and appointed General AS Vaidya as the Army Chief. Lt Gen Sinha also served as India’s Ambassador to Nepal and Governor of Assam.President Pranab Mukherjee on Twitter wrote: “Lt Gen Sinha will be always remembered for his distinguished service to the nation.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Had the opportunity of meeting Lt Gen (retd) Srinivas K Sinha just a few days ago. His service to our nation will always be remembered.”NC leader Farooq Abdullah and son Omar Abdullah also mourned his death. — PTI

Had Indira taken his word, Punjab wouldn’t have bled

Lt Gen SK Sinha 1926-2016

Sandeep Dikshit

Lt Gen Sinha was all of 21 and India a two-month-old nation when their destinies intertwined. As a young Major, he was among the first Indian Army officers to land in Srinagar when the momentum was with the Pakistani raiders. Lt Gen Sinha marshalled the airlift of troops from Delhi. In his words: “We flew in 800 sorties in 15 days. About 5,000 troops with stores and equipments were flown to last the winter. I was shuttling between Delhi and Srinagar, often overstaying nights in Srinagar.”(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Had the Indian Army, with then Major Sinha as a key participant, not established the air bridge, the entire state would have keeled over to Pakistan.  Army officers of that time were cut from a different cloth. Lt Gen Sinha dazzled in his post-Independence tenures and was slated to take over as Chief of the Army Staff. He would have got that coveted post had his truthfulness and candour not come in the way.The year was 1983 and India’s charismatic though authoritarian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was planning two misadventures with the Army in the lead role. Indira Gandhi wanted to dispatch a mix of Intelligence and armed force personnel to intervene in Mauritius. The Indian military was divided with Navy Chief Admiral OS Dawson backing the idea. But Lt Gen Sinha, who was the Deputy Army Chief then, said a firm no. The second is part of Punjab’s lore when Lt Gen Sinha counselled Indira Gandhi against storming the Golden Temple. She rejected the advice and Punjab along with parts of India suffered a decade-long trauma as a consequence.Indira Gandhi found Lt Gen Sinha too contrarian for her taste and decided to supersede him. The soldier quit the job but kept his dignity intact. A statesman was born when he said he did not question the decision of the Government and had chosen to fade away from the Army.As Lt Gen Sinha kept himself occupied as a columnist and on the lecture circuit, New Delhi realised it would be better off with the former Army officer in the governing arrangement. India-Nepal ties were on the rocks because of a blockade and democratic impulses were on the rise. In that difficult situation in 1989, Lt Gen Sinha was sent to mend the fences. By all accounts, he did well. India and Nepal returned to the negotiating table and democracy began taking roots.New Delhi then drafted him to help douse the fires of anti-immigrant movement in Assam. As Governor, he was credited with ideating a hearts and minds policy that helped neutralise the sentiments of secession. Once again, Lt Gen Sinha was to give an advice that the Centre was to regret for not taking it on board. He was ridiculed for recommending the scrapping of the Illegal Migration Detection by Tribunal (IMDT) Act, but vindicated several years later when the Supreme Court invalidated the legislation.The General was then drafted to helm Jammu & Kashmir where the situation was undergoing a metamorphosis after a ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC). But the complexities of the dispute have proved too much for statesmen of much greater calibre. Lt Gen Sinha tried his best but the Mumbai attack proved to be the final nail.With his first and last official posts in Independent India centred around J&K, the General gave two more counsels. He felt not allowing the Army to chase the enemy up to Muzaffarabad in 1947 was a strategic blunder. “We lost an important opportunity. If Indian army was allowed to advance beyond Uri, then Muzaffarabad would not have been under control of Pakistan,” he was to comment later. But Lt Gen Sinha was a realist to the core. His personal view after stepping down as Governor of J&K was that both sides should give up on occupying each other’s territory and instead settle for the LoC as the international border.

Rattled by the latest Supreme Court advisory to the President, the Punjab Government has denotified the SYL land for the second time in eight months, exercising executive powers. The earlier legislative effort was thwarted by the Governor who did not give consent to the Bill passed. Opposition cooperation, available then, was missing now as the Congress dubbed it “political gimmickry” and stayed away from the Assembly session which passed a resolution against the construction of the SYL Canal and in favour of collecting a cess from the states using river waters passing through Punjab.Citizens as well as political leaders understand that inter-state disputes cannot be settled through unilateral action. The 2004 water agreement termination Act was passed with fanfare; but Capt Amarinder Singh did not get the expected political mileage in the ensuing election despite a massive show of misplaced boldness. That presumably bold action, in fact, delayed efforts towards an acceptable solution as Punjab was dragged to a needless, costly legal battle. This time fortunately the Governor put his foot down, denying Chief Minister Badal a chance to go on a similar legislative misadventure. Irrational remedies Badal is trying these days are bound to be challenged in court. Punjab has lost thrice in the Supreme Court despite having a strong case on its water rights. As expected, Haryana plans to move the Supreme Court for SYL Canal construction and an NGO has filed a contempt plea against Badal. It remains to be seen whether the Centre helps Badal gain political martyrdom he is seeking by doing what appeals to sentiment more than reason. Months before the Supreme Court ruling he had been trying to work up passions with disappointing results. It will be clear only after the 2017 elections whether people see him as a protector of Punjab waters or a dated politician trying old tricks. Political parties in Punjab are divided on SYL. At the end, solutions have to be workable and agreeable, in compliance with the established constitutional, judicial and democratic norms, not the ones that pit one state and its people against the other.

Chandigarh, November 13. 2016

By the time of the1962 Assembly battle, the electoral chess board had been redone. The Akali Dal, which had subsumed itself under the Indian National Congress during the 1957 polls, was now a contestant and was fighting on the plank of a Punjabi Suba, contesting 47 seats. Nehru, predictably, led the Congress charge.  During his campaign speeches made during these elections in January 1962 while a three-day visit to the state, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru reiterated his vision of “building a new India of our dreams, both economically and socially.” Like in the previous elections, the Congress had fielded candidates in each of the 154 Assembly seats. The number of candidates put up by the Communist Party decreased from 67 to 47, but for the Jan Sangh, the candidates increased from 62 to 80.  The Republicans fielded 26 and the Praja-Socialist Party 10. Speaking at Basic Training College, Chandigarh, Congress leader and Planning Commission member Shriman Narain sounded prophetic when he said: “if we fail to link our educational programme with developmental schemes in different sectors of national economy, we shall be sowing the seeds of friction and even disaster in our social and economic life.”Developmental high notes aside, Punjabi language and Punjabi Suba dominated the loudspeakers at the state level. In order to assuage those who blamed his government for not implementing the ‘Regional Formula’, Jawaharlal Nehru appointed a Commission of inquiry headed by S R Das, a former Chief Justice, to ascertain if there was any injustice in the delay in implementing the formula. In his election speeches, we find him defending the Commission he had set up. As for the Akalis, two leaders — Sant Fateh Singh and Master Tara Singh — continued to push for the Punjabi Suba movement. Many SAD workers courted arrest and these leaders undertook “fast-unto-death” but broke the fast after they got some assurances. This eventually cost them and the movement its sheen.