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3. APP WORKERS FIST FIGHTING REPORTED
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New Delhi, August 24
The Delhi High Court was on Wednesday told that the one-member judicial commission, set up to deal with grievances of ex-servicemen on One Rank One Pension (OROP), was not hearing issues raised by an individual but dealing only with contentions raised by organisations.The Centre refuted the claims before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar saying the commission was hearing the grievances raised before it not only by organisations but by individuals also.The bench was hearing a plea seeking directions to Ministry of Defence and the commission, headed by Justice L Narasimha Reddy (retd), “to give an effective public hearing to those affected or aggrieved by implementation of OROP”.When the matter came up for hearing, petitioner S P Singh told the bench he had approached the commission with his grievances but was not heard and told that the panel was only hearing the contentions of organisations.The petitioner also claimed that armed forces officers were sitting with the panel despite the fact that it was a one-member judicial commission.The Central government’s standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia refuted the claims of the petitioner saying the commission was also hearing the grievances of individuals and the officers were present to assist the panel.He also said the petitioner was heard by the panel.The bench then asked the petitioner to file an affidavit stating that he was not given an opportunity by the commission to put forth his grievances and posted the matter for further hearing on September 28.The Centre had earlier told the court it has extended by six months the term of the one-member panel on OROP.The petitioner, who is an ex-serviceman, has said that as per a Ministry letter dated April 13, “Defence Forces pensioners/family pensioners, Defence Pensioners’ Associations can submit their suggestions/views on the revised pension as notified, to the MoD, through post or by email within 15 days i.e. by April 29, 2016”.The petitioner had contended that this information was not published in the newspapers and, therefore, people were not informed about it. He had said that the time given to forward the representations was “very short”.The Centre had told the court that date for forwarding suggestions and representations was later extended to May 15. — PTI
A US Air Force F16 prepares to take off at Yelahanka Airforce Station in Bangalore on February 18, 2015. — AFP file photo
New York, August 18
India and the US will discuss co-producing military aircraft, including the F-16s, during US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James’ upcoming visit to New Delhi later this month that would look at ways to deepen bilateral partnerships and take it to the “next level”.
Indo-US cooperation in defence technology and trade initiatives will be the focus of her visit to India which is part of her maiden visit to four Asian countries that would also take her to Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.
She will also discuss the situation in the South China Sea besides the growing threat of terrorism.
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During her visit to India, she will meet Chief of Air Staff Marshal Arup Raha and Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar and will also discuss with her Indian counterparts proposals to co-produce aircraft in India in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign.
“We will be looking to see how can we deepen our partnerships and how can we take it to the next level,” James said in response to a question at a press briefing here yesterday on what her focus will be during her visit to India.
She said she will discuss defence technology and follow up on the trade initiatives, which were launched during US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s visit to India in April.
James replied in the affirmative when asked if she will follow up on American defence major Lockheed Martin’s proposals to assemble F-16s in India as well as on discussions to collaborate in bolstering India’s fighter jets and the jet engine technology working group.
“I will be following up on all of those topics, discussing these counterpart to counterpart on a bilateral basis. I will be seeking the views of my counterparts, what their opinion is on the various proposals on the table and what more needs to happen to advance the ball on some of these proposals.
“I am also aware of the Prime Minister’s push for Make in India and the importance of creating new jobs in that sector.
One of the proposals would be to co-produce certain aircraft in India and that might be one example of something that will be useful from a military standpoint but also might play into the Make in India campaign,” she said.
The 57-year-old James, who is only the second woman to hold the post, said she would also follow up on the initiatives launched during Carter’s visit and the possible outcomes of it from the Air Force perspective.
She, however, noted that while some proposals will move forward, others may not if they are not the right fit.
Describing the Indian Air Force as a “very effective fighting unit”, she said it has been a participant over the years in “red-flag” exercise series, where the US gets together with coalition partners to train and inter-operate and “test ourselves in a high-end and very challenging difficult environment”.
James added that she also looks forward to congratulating India on the “magnificent execution” of the operation undertaken to evacuate Indian citizens from South Sudan. — PT
Lalita Prakash, mother of deceased Ajay Gupta, at the Civil Hospital, Sector 6 Panchkula. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mhajan
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, August 13
A 45-year-old man was crushed to death by a Honda City car being driven by a Command Hospital doctor near Bella Vista at Sectors 1/2/5/6 roundabout this morning. The victim, Ajay Gupta, was the son of the Director of Ashiana Public School, Sector 46, Chandigarh.The police said Dr Sunil, who had bought the car a few days ago, pressed the accelerator in a hurry instead of brakes. He was not found at the spot after the incident, but was arrested later.A case under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 5 police station. “We have now arrested Dr Sunil of the Command Hospital and a case has been registered against him,” said SHO Lalit Kumar.According to the police, the incident occurred at 7:45 am when the victim Ajay Gupta, who used to go cycling for several kilometers daily, was today heading towards Red Bishop hotel from near Sector 6 chowk, when Dr Sunil’s car hit him from the rear, dragging him for some distance before hitting a road berm. The car was coming from Sikhsa Sadan to the Bella Vista hotel chowk. Following this, passersby informed the police and he was shifted to the Civil Hospital in Sector 6, where he was declared brought dead.His mother Lalita Prakash rushed to the hospital after hearing the news while his father Lalit Prakash Gupta, who had gone to Delhi at 10 this morning, returned at 4 pm to the city. The police, after conducting the post-mortem examination, handed over the body to the family of the victim.A relative of Ajay said his family was about to hand over him the reins of the school. The victim runs an event management business in Delhi but his father wanted him to settle down in Chandigarh. His relatives said the victim was looking forward to his son’s birthday which falls on September 30, before the tragedy struck him.Had come to meet familyAjay’s mother Lalita Prakash is the director and founder of Ashiana Public School, Sector 46, Chandigarh. His parents reside in Sector 9, Chandigarh. His elder brother, Uday Gupta, lives in the US. Ajay was living with his wife and an 11-month-old son in Delhi. He had come to meet his family in Chandigarh a few days ago.
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, August 12
Chetak Corps organised an equipment and band display to commemorate the 70th Independence Day at Army Convoy Ground here today.The day-long event was inaugurated by Brigadier SI D’Cunha, Officiating Station Commander, Bathinda Military Station.A large number of people witnessed the event that showcased military might and capability of the Army.The youth were enthralled to see infantry weapons, tanks, artillery and other equipment.The pipe band display was highly appreciated, a press release said.The section depicting Army adventure activities drew the youth who were keen to learn about them. The event was marked by rain.Many students from local schools and colleges, civil dignitaries and people from all walks of life appreciated the efforts of the Army in organising the event and motivating the youth to choose Army as a career option.
New Delhi, August 12
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Armed Force Tribunal (AFT) to constitute a Special Bench to hear and decide the plea of Army doctors seeking raising of their age of superannuation, from 58 years to 65 in view of the public announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and UU Lalit directed the tribunal to expeditiously decide all the matters pending before it on the issue within three months.
“Since there are various similar matters pending before the Armed Force Tribunal (AFT), the chairman of AFT is directed to constitute a bench to decide these matters expeditiously within three months,” it said.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for the Centre, said that several similar matters are pending before the tribunal which has jurisdiction to decide the issue at hand.
The Bench granted liberty to the counsel Indrasen Singh and Sarvesh Singh, appearing for the army doctors, to withdraw the pleas and approach the tribunal.
The apex court had earlier issued notice to the Centre on a batch of pleas but refused to grant any interim stay on the superannuation of the army doctors.
The doctors, all of Colonel rank, including Amitabh Thapliyal, AK Hota, Yogesh Verma, have sought a direction to ministries of Defence, Health, Chief of Army Staff and Director-General Armed Forces Medical Services that the notification of May 13 be followed to enhance their age of superannuation to 65 years.
Their plea said that the notification, issued after the announcement made by the Prime Minister, is being followed in paramilitary forces like the CRPF, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, NSG and Assam Rifles.
“Executive instructions have been issued by the Railway Ministry and other ministries/departments of the Central Government, thereby enhancing the age of superannuation of all medical doctors serving under the respective ministries/ departments to 65 years.
“However, no such executive instructions have so far been issued in respect of the medical officers serving under the Ministry of Defence, including the medical officers belonging to the Army Medical Corps/Army Dental Corps (AMC/ADC) of Indian Army,” the plea said. — PTI
THE OFFICER HAS COMMANDED A MECHANISED INFANTRY BATTALION, AN ARMOURED BRIGADE AND AN INFANTRY DIVISION
CHANDIGARH: Lieutenant General Surinder Singh, who is heading 33 Corps in Sukna, was named as the Western Command chief on Tuesday.
Lt Gen Surinder Singh was commissioned in the infantry in Brigade of The Guards Regiment in 1979. In a career spanning over three decades, the officer has held various prestigious appointments and has commanded a mechanised infantry battalion, an armoured brigade and an infantry division.
Lt Gen KJ Singh retired as Western Command chief on July 31.
There were two officers in the race for the Western Command chief — Lt Gen Surinder Singh and Lt Gen DR Soni, who is GOC of Bathinda-based 10 Corps. Lt Gen Soni has been appointed as the commander of Army Training Command (ARTRAC) at Shimla. The current ARTRAC commander, Lt Gen PM Hariz, has been appointed as Southern Command chief.
The outgoing Southern Command chief Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is joining as vice chief of the army staff. The present vice chief Lt Gen MMS Rai is retiring on August 31.
THE TWO WERE MARTYRED IN A COUNTER-TERRORIST OPERATION AT J&K’S KUPWARA DISTRICT IN AUGUST 1991; NINE TERRORISTS WERE NEUTRALISED AND 22 APPREHENDED IN THE OPERATION
PANCHKULA: Floral tributes were paid on Monday to the Dogra Regiment 18th battalion’s Maj Sandeep Shankla and Sepoy Swarn Singh of who were martyred in a counter-terrorist operation at Zafarkhani village of J&K’s Kupwara district in August 1991.
SANT ARORA/HTMajor Sandeep Shankla’s parents (behind soldiers) during the wreath-laying ceremony in Panchkula on Monday.
Nine terrorists were neutralised, 22 were apprehended and a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered in the operation.
Maj Shankla had sacrificed his life while trying to save one of his soldiers, energising his troops. An IMA pass out of 1986 batch, Major Shankla was posthumously awarded with Ashok Chakra. Sepoy Swaran Singh was awarded (posthumously) with Kirti Chakra while Capt BJS Sandhu was given Shaurya Chakra.
The battalion earned five Sena medals, two Chief of Staff commendation cards and one GOC-in-C commendation card.
Maj Gen IJS Hundal, paid homage and laid a wreath to honour brave martyrs on behalf of the Western Army Commander. Serving officers, JCOs and veterans of the unit, who had participated in this operation, were also present. Next of kin of the martyrs also took part in the ceremony and were felicitated.
Porters ferrying supplies in Siachen. Tribune file photo
New Delhi, July 29
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to come out with a suitable policy or scheme to improve the working conditions of ‘army porters’ who are utilised for carrying arms, ammunition and ration for soldiers and officers in hilly border areas.The apex court while examining the plea for improving the service conditions of army porters, the number of which as per Centre’s estimate is around 1,000, said there employment should not be terminated during pendency of the matter.A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur gave three weeks to the Centre to formulate and file before it the draft rules and schemes for bringing out better working conditions of large number of porters in the army.“The people in army know the utility of porters. So some light is needed at the end of the tunnel. They are in darkness. Show us for what period and years they have served army,” the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud observed.Additional Solicitor General (ASG) P S Patwalia, said army had maintained the records of such porters since 2007.“If the records of 10 years are maintained, they (porters) are entitled for some relief,” the bench said and sought an assurance from the Centre that it would come out with a scheme to improve their conditions.At the outset, Government said there were proposals to come out with the wage structure on the issue and examine the nature of work keeping in view the altitude at which these porters were deployed.The ASG said the scheme would cover facilities like medical, accommodation, terminal benefits and compensation etc for porters and their family members.Canteen facility up to Rs 2,000, leave encashment, festival grants and fund allocation for porters’ children are also in the proposal.“The proposals are under examination and will take three to four weeks for formulation,” the law officer said, adding that the porters were employed where mechanical transport is not applicable and they carry goods weighing around 20 kg and their working hours are up to eight hours a day for 24-25 days in a month.The bench said it would be wrong to say that only locals were appointed as porters and there were instances that people came from a distance of 200 to 300 km to take this job.The ASG said “we are open for improving the service condition of porters”. — PTI
The Indian Navy has diverted one submarine to look for the missing plane.
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 22An Indian Air Force (IAF) transport plane, AN-32, is missing over the Bay of Bengal with 29 people on board. The plane, a Soviet manufactured one, had taken off around 8.30 am from the Tambaram air base, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and was scheduled to land around 11 am at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The plane was on routine flight to carry men and material to Port Blair and most of the people on board were service personnel.When the pilot did not radio his approach a search was launched using the assets of the Navy, the IAF and the Coast Guard.Among the 29 persons on board were four IAF officers, including the two pilots and a navigator of the missing plane. The plane had six crew, including the three officers. A fourth officer was among the passengers.Also on board were 10 other IAF personnel, two people from the Indian Army and nine from the navy, among them eight from the civilian staff of the force.A staff member of the Defence Services Corps and one from the Indian Coast Guard were also among those on board.
The Indian Navy has diverted one submarine to look for the missing plane.
The search area is some 200 nautical miles east of Chennai. The Navy’s P8-I surveillance aircraft has been pressed into service along with the Dornier surveillance planes of the Navy and the Coast Guard. Warships are also involved in the search operation. The plane has been declared ‘overdue’ to land. This is first step before the plane is declared missing. The plane was carrying fuel for some four hours.
The AN-32 fleet was imported from Soviet Union in the early 1980s.
The plane was last in contact with Chennai Air Traffic Controller at 8.46 am that is 16 minutes after the take-off from Tambaram. The plane is from the Sulur (Coimbatore) IAR base of the IAF. It was on a routine sortie. The Chennai-Port Blair IAF flight is termed as a ‘çourier’ and flies thrice a week. The plane is equipped with a locating beacon that will emit a signal for rescue teams to follow. The IAF have pressed a C-130-J and an AN-32 plane for search.
