Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: direct cash transfer

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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT) for MILITARY EX SERVICEMEN (ESM) of ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT) for MILITARY EX SERVICEMEN (ESM) of ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE

Incoherent Ramblings of a Retired Mind

VIKRAM KARVE

SOCIALLY RELEVANT BLOGGING

A few months ago I met a close friend, an ex shipmate and old navy buddy.

“You seem to be writing a lot after retirement,” he said.

“I like to write. In fact, a blog quite a bit now, I said.

“Yes, I know. I read your Blogs. You write fiction stories, food blogs, teaching stories, academic articles, technology, management, self help, education – you write about so many things – but I think you must do some Socially Relevant Blogging,” he said.

“Socially Relevant Blogging – what do you mean by that?” I asked, as I was quite clueless by what he meant.

“Write about some socially relevant issues,” he said.

“But I am hardly qualified to do that,” I said, “I am no social activist. I don’t have much knowledge about politics. In fact, I have spent most of my time in the Navy. And now I am just a simple ex-serviceman.”

“Why don’t you write a blog post about something socially relevant pertaining to ex-servicemen,” he said.

So, Dear Reader, here is my first “socially relevant” blog post.

I am an ex-serviceman.

So let me write something (a constructive suggestion) which I feel may be socially relevant to the large veteran community as well as those in uniform still serving the nation.

(By the way, I am still confused about the meaning of the expression “socially relevant blogging” – so, Dear Reader, please tell me whether you feel that this is a socially relevant blog post)

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT)

The Government is implementing its “game changer” Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) or Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme for beneficiaries of subsidies in food, fuel and fertilizers.

This new scheme will send money straight into the bank accounts of beneficiaries instead of them getting subsidized food grains, kerosene, LPG Cooking Gas and Fertilizer.

In addition to subsidies, Direct Cash Transfers will also be extended to other direct benefits like pension, scholarships, health-care etc

In the prevailing circumstances this concept of direct cash transfer is most laudable, and, if implemented properly, direct cash transfer will eliminate delays, plug leakages, reduce wastage and also eradicate corruption.

It will help alleviate the problems the beneficiaries now face due to red tape, bureaucratic bungling and various operational difficulties and inefficiencies involved in the physical distribution of subsidized items to remote locations all over the country.

Direct Cash Transfer will also eliminate exploitation of the common man who is now made to run from pillar to post to get his due and give great convenience to intended beneficiaries.

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT) FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

I feel that this concept of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) can be extended to military ex servicemen of the army, navy and air force (retired soldiers, sailors and airmen).

Let me give you one example where Direct Cash Transfer in lieu of Subsidy can be easily implemented and will benefit all ex-servicemen.

CANTEEN STORES DEPARTMENT (CSD) CANTEENS

At present, after retirement, all ex-servicemen are entitled to CSD Canteen Facility (CSD stands for Canteen Stores Department) where you get consumer goods at concessional rates.

CSD Canteens were set up with the objective to provide consumer goods of high quality to the troops wherever they are, at a price cheaper than the prevailing market rates, as far as possible.

CSD canteens sell items ranging from matchboxes to cars to armed forces personnel at concessional rates.

Yes, CSD sells a wide variety of products like household provisions, kitchen appliances, alcoholic drinks, cars, and sports equipment, almost anything and everything.

As per their stated objective, CSD is meant for TROOPS serving and retired.

The word “Troops” means uniformed personnel of the army, navy and air force.

However, if you go to a CSD Canteen today, especially in a big city, you will find more civilians than troops availing facilities of CSD Canteens.

This is because, over the years, CSD Canteen facilities have been extended to all sorts of civilians.

Both for the CSD and for the civilians this is a win-win situation.

The CSD encourages this due to their greed for profit.

Civilian customers benefit by getting goods at subsidized rates meant for troops.

The only losers due to allowing subsidized CSD facilities to civilians are:

1. The government which loses revenue

2. The troops who feel demoralized and wonder why they are enduring the tough risky life of a soldier when the same facilities are available to civilians who enjoy a safe and comfortable existence.

For most ex-servicemen, this CSD facility remains only on paper.

I live in Pune, a modern city, but, after retirement, I hardly visit the CSD Canteen.

From my home in Wakad, the CSD canteen is 25 Km away in Pune Camp, and considering the terrible traffic in Pune and the high price of petrol, I feel it is not worth the trouble driving 50 kms to the CSD Canteen.

If that is my state as a retired officer with reasonable resources, you can imagine the situation of a retired soldier.

The worst affected are ex-servicemen, particularly those aged retired soldiers who live in remote villages in rural areas, and widows of soldiers.

With departmental stores, marts and malls offering groceries and consumer goods at competitive rates, as far as these items are concerned, the attraction of CSD Canteens has diminished.

The only reason why most ex-servicemen take the trouble of visiting the CSD Canteen is to collect their monthly liquor quota.

Therefore, as an illustrative example, let me suggest how Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) can be used in lieu of monthly liquor quota for ex-servicemen.

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT) IN LIEU OF LIQUOR SUBSIDY

There are many policies which are “Relics of the Raj”.

One such policy is to provide subsidized liquor at concessional rates to defence personnel, serving and retired.

Liquor is heavily subsidized in CSD Canteens.

You get this benefit only if you drink alcohol.

You do not get this benefit if you are a non-drinker.

Also, the more you drink, the more is the amount of monetary benefit.

Can someone tell me what is the logic of subsidizing liquor?

One the one hand, you subsidize drinking and encourage alcoholism.

And on the other hand, you penalize temperance and sobriety.

After you retire, this liquor subsidy is available only to those ex-servicemen who drink alcohol.

Is there any rationale in this policy of depriving non-drinkers of this subsidy?

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will enable even non-drinkers to get the benefit of this subsidy, since all ex-servicemen who are entitled subsidized liquor quota will be beneficiaries for Direct Cast Transfer under this DBT scheme.

This will wean away many ex-servicemen from alcohol and save them from falling into the abyss of alcoholism in their old age.

Implementation is simple.

The subsidy component of the monthly limit can be credited by direct cash transfer to the bank account of the ex serviceman on the last day of the month (this Subsidy is provided by exemptions or concessions in Sales Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) etc)

The precise modalities can be worked out, but, in outline, the implementation of DBT can be done as explained below.

Each ex-serviceman is entitled a certain monthly “liquor quota”.

I think it is 12 bottles a month (6 bottles of Rum and 6 Bottles of Whisky).

The “subsidy element” of this monthly liquor quota can be transferred by Direct Cash Transfer to the bank account of the beneficiary ex-serviceman at the end of the month.

Calculation of this subsidy can be standardized.

The MRP cost of a “standard” brand of liquor in the civil market is well known.

Suppose 30% liquor subsidy is being provided by the government by way of tax concessions.

The total amount of subsidy for the monthly liquor quota can be worked out and credited to the beneficiary ex-serviceman’s bank account every month by Direct Cash Transfer.

Then it is the choice of the ex-serviceman to decide what to do with the money.

If he wants, he can spend it on milk and food and other essentials.

Or if he wants, he can spend it on buying liquor from the neighbourhood liquor store or village liquor vend.

Thus, even if he wants to drink, the ex-serviceman will be spared the agony of trudging down to the distant CSD Canteen every month to collect his liquor, which is a big waste of time, money and effort.

In addition to providing relief by obviating the cumbersome need of commuting to the canteen every month, DBT will curb the illegal practice of ex-servicemen selling their liquor quota in the civil market

(Why should a non-drinker ex-serviceman be tempted to do such unethical acts and take the trouble of collecting and then selling his subsidized liquor quota to civilians when he is starts getting direct benefit by cash transfer into his bank account?)

DBT in lieu of Liquor Quota will benefit widows of ex-servicemen who lose out despite being entitled a monthly liquor quota which lapses and they lose the benefit.

There is one more point – liquor quota must be delinked from rank so that all ex-servicemen get the same benefit by Direct Cash Transfer.

I have discussed this aspect of the topsy-turvy logic of military CSD liquor quota in a recent article (Please click the link alongside to open in a new window and read afterwards: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/does-drinking-alcohol-improve-your-olq.html )

PASSING ON CSD PROFITS TO EX-SERVICEMEN

The common perception is that CSD is purely a welfare organization and that CSD is not a profit-making organization.

This is not true.

In actual fact, the CSD is not a “no-profit no-loss” organization.

Like any other consumer retail chain, the CSD is a profit making organization.

Many CSD Unit Run Canteens (URCs) charge a sizeable profit on the goods they sell to ex-servicemen.

These canteens get their supplies at wholesale price from CSD depots and sell them at retail rates, earning for themselves on an average about 5% profit,

Though the CSD gets items at concessional rates, many CSD Canteens charge profit at 5% or sometimes even 10%.

This extra cost is borne by the ex serviceman and, in effect, this profiteering by CSD Canteens eats into the subsidy and dilutes the benefit given to the ex-servicemen by the government by way of tax exemption.

Yes, this “profiteering” by CSD Canteens eats into the subsidy and reduces the benefit given by the government to ex-servicemen.

CSD Canteens are akin to “middlemen” between the government and the beneficiaries (ex-servicemen).

Why should the CSD Canteens act as “middlemen” and profit at the expense of ex-servicemen?

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will eliminate this middleman and the full benefit of tax exemption can be passed on to the beneficiary ex-serviceman.

Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) will ensure that the beneficiary ex-servicemen get their full due subsidy without any “deductions” of profits etc.

Whatever “profits” the CSD now makes will be passed on to the beneficiary ex-serviceman once DBT is implemented and CSD is kept out of the loop.

DOWNSIZING CSD BY EXTENDING DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER (DBT)

Once the implementation of DBT in lieu of Liquor Quota Subsidy succeeds for ex-servicemen, the same can be extended to serving personnel and later this DBT concept can be enlarged to cover all CSD goods – DBT in lieu of CSD.

The government provides CSD Tax Concession Subsidy to Uniformed Armed Forces Personnel during Active Service and after Retirement in recognition for their unique contribution in guarding the nation’s security.

This Subsidy is deservingly given because it is the uniformed servicemen of the army, navy and air force who actually fight wars, take part in combat, and who lay down their lives in battle and serve in inhospitable terrains and on the high seas on warships or guard the skies.

Soldiers risk their lives and live a tough life of hardship.

Civilians do not fight wars or suffer similar hardships or risks.

Hence, CSD Canteens were meant exclusively for active and retired members of the Armed Forces personnel.

However, if you visit a CSD canteen, especially in a big city, you will see a large number of civilians shopping there and availing of the subsidy which is meant for servicemen and ex-servicemen.

Thus the government loses revenue.

Direct Cash Transfer will ensure that only entitled persons (uniformed soldiers and ex-servicemen) get the subsidy and prevent loss of revenue due to misuse of Sales Tax and VAT Subsidy by Civilians.

Unlike in the days of the British “Raj” when cantonments were located at remote locations, nowadays most cantonments are situated near cities and towns where all consumer goods are available.

Once DBT is introduced, there will be no need for CSD Canteens in cities and these can be wound up.

Only Unit Run CSD Canteens will be required in remote field areas.

Thus, CSD can be downsized - this will increase government revenues by curtailing misuse of subsidized CSD facilities by civilians and also result in organizational savings.

But all this can come later.

For now, let us start with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in lieu of Liquor Subsidy for Ex-Servicemen as a pilot case.

Once the concept is successful here, DBT can be extended to various ex-servicemen’s entitlements, facilities and welfare measures like ECHS, Grants, Scholarships etc to eliminate cumbersome paperwork and red tape.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this book review.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

NB:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

AADHAAR FIASCO - SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF ISSUING AADHAAR CARDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

AADHAAR FIASCO

SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF ISSUING AADHAAR CARDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Musings

VIKRAM KARVE

ARE AADHAAR CARDS BEING ISSUED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

Yesterday, the media reported that the Supreme Court had asked the government not to issue Aadhaar Cards to illegal immigrants.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/don-t-issue-aadhar-cards-to-illegal-immigrants-supreme-court-tells-centre-422374

It has been reported in the media that the Supreme Court said that Aadhaar can only be issued to those with proven Indian nationality. The Supreme Court frowned upon the unique identity numbers being issued without verifying the antecedents of individuals and said that if anyone applies for Aadhaar card, then you have to verify whether he is a citizen of India or not and directed that Aadhaar cards cannot be issued to illegal migrants.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Aadhaars-purpose-in-doubt-as-SC-says-its-not-mandatory/articleshow/22960981.cms

I wonder why the Supreme Court had to issue such a directive.

Does the need for such a directive imply that Aadhaar Cards were being issued to illegal immigrants who are not citizens of India?

If Aadhaar Cards have been issued to illegal immigrants, is this not a huge security lapse?

Because, using their Aadhaar Cards, illegal immigrants can:

1. Open Bank Accounts using their Aadhaar Cards. They can use the bank passbook a Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).

2. Obtain various official documents using their Aadhaar Cards like Ration Cards, Voter ID Cards, PAN, Driving License etc which serve as Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).

Using the above Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents, an illegal immigrant can obtain an Indian Passport and become a citizen of India.

I hope there is no proposal to give Passports based on Aadhaar Cards, as this will make it even easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens of India.

Did the powers-that-be not anticipate the security implications of giving Aadhaar to non-citizens and illegal immigrants?

INTRODUCER SYSTEM OF ENROLMENT FOR AADHAAR

There is a glaring loophole in the Aadhaar enrolment system called “introducer system” which facilitates illegal immigrants to easily obtain Aadhaar Cards.

Citizens of India are required to furnish documentary proofs for establishing Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) at the time of enrolment for Aadhaar.

On the other hand, illegal immigrants can take recourse to the “introducer system” where they can be “introduced” for an Aadhaar number by an “introducer”. Thus, illegal immigrants are not required to furnish any Proof of Identity (POI) or Proof of Address (POA) documents.

The requirements to be an introducer are quite vague and loosely defined.

You need not be a government officer to become an “introducer”.

Any local “influencer” can become an “introducer”.

This is huge security risk – whereas government employees can be held accountable for lapses and wrongdoings, can any action be taken against “introducers” who fraudulently facilitate illegal immigrants to get Aadhaar Cards?

Making it easy for illegal immigrants, which may include undesirable anti-national and anti-social elements, to get Aadhaar Cards is thus fraught with serious implications for our national security.

Media has reported from time to time that illegal immigrants have been found with Aadhaar Cards:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/15-illegal-Bangladeshi-migrants-held-one-with-Aadhaar-card/Article1-988057.aspx

However, I wonder what corrective action has been taken by UIDAI to ensure that illegal immigrants are not enrolled for Aadhaar.

Also, has any action been taken to cancel the Aadhaar Cards of illegal immigrants?

It is surprising that UIDAI did not realize the security implications of making Aadhaar accessible to illegal immigrants.

It has required the intervention of the Supreme Court to direct the UIDAI to correct this serious lapse which has implications on our national security.

In addition to the security risk, issuing Aadhaar cards to illegal immigrants will enable them to fraudulently benefit from various Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes which are meant for Indian Citizens and these subsidies are funded by the Indian Tax Payer.

Why should Indian taxpayers pay for the welfare of illegal immigrants?

WAY AHEAD

1. Firstly, the “introducer” system of Aadhaar enrolment must be immediately stopped. Aadhaar must be issued only after proper verification of Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) as per the prescribed documents.

2. Secondly, UIDAI must immediately cancel all Aadhaar Cards issued under the “introducer” system. All these persons must be asked to re-enroll for Aadhaar with proper verification of POI and POA.

3. Thirdly, UIDAI must stop outsourcing of Aadhaar enrolment work to private agencies. In view of the national security implications, Aadhaar enrolment must be handled by government agencies who can be held accountable.

SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS

One of the reasons why India is considered a “Soft State” is due our lack of security consciousness, as is evident from the loose implementation of the Aadhaar Scheme.

We are already paying a heavy price for our lackadaisical approach to security issues.

It is the patriotic duty of UIDAI to take immediate corrective action to ensure that illegal immigrants, many of whom may be inimical to our national interest, do not fraudulently exploit and take undue advantage of the Aadhaar Scheme which is meant for Indian Citizens.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE - A Myth

THE MYTH OF EX SERVICEMEN WELFARE

RETIRED MILITARY VETERANS ARE A FORGOTTEN AND NEGLECTED LOT

Musings

VIKRAM KARVE

When you are in active service, in the army, navy or air force, you are expected to carry out all orders promptly and execute all actions with speed and despatch and do your work in an efficient and proficient manner with initiative and ingenuity.

However the same reciprocity is not shown to you by those meant to serve you, especially after you retire.

One of the biggest myths being propagated is that ex-servicemen are well “looked after”.

It has been my personal experience that this is not so.

The bitter fact is that once you retire you are forgotten by the service.

No one cares about you.

You are left to fend for yourself, all on your own.

Let me give you an example.

This happened a few months ago.

One afternoon I received a call from a lady.

She is a civilian employee who works in the Navy Office in Mumbai.

She had worked with me around 10 years ago in Mumbai when I was in the Navy.

She told me that there was a Supreme Court Judgement recently and, maybe, I was entitled to some arrears of pension (she had heard about this on the office grapevine when her friends from the Naval Pay Office were discussing this).

She told me that they were saying that all officers who were in service in 1986 were entitled to these arrears.

She said that everyone was applying to Naval Pay Office and that I should also apply.

I was totally clueless.

I had received no communication from the Naval Pay Office regarding this.

My Bank (the Pension Disbursing Authority) had not informed me anything in this matter.

I had not received any communication from Directorate of Ex Servicemen Welfare.

The Navy Foundation or any other ex servicemen welfare agency had not intimated anything in this connection either.

I have retired just a few years ago and all my current contact details are available with the Naval Pay Office and all Ex-Servicemen Welfare Agencies.

I have given more than 33 years of my life for the Navy.

Don’t you think that I deserve the courtesy of a letter?

Why could the powers-that-be not send me at least a simple email or give me a telephone call?

Why do the “authorities” want to make me run from pillar to post, obtaining and filling multiple forms, getting signatures, submitting them and then endlessly wait for my due?

These days the Government is encouraging Direct Cash Transfers.

Yes, DIRECT CASH TRANSFER is the new mantra of the Government and I do not know why the Navy is not implementing this.

All my service records and bank details are available with the Naval Pay Office and concerned account offices.

Why could they not directly transfer the money due to me be directly my bank account?

I just don’t understand why the navy is sticking to archaic paperwork procedures when the whole world has moved on to Information Technology and Electronic Cash Transactions?

Why can’t the navy make efficient and proper use of Information Technology to make life easier for ex-servicemen?

It looks like the powers-that-be suffer from prosophobia (fear of progress) and are reluctant to modernize.

THE PLIGHT OF EX SERVICEMEN

I was an officer in the navy.

I am well educated and I live in a big city with reasonable resources.

Despite this, I feel neglected, clueless and hapless due to lack of information and difficult access to benefits and facilities meant for ex-servicemen.

So just try to imagine the state of a veteran soldier, sailor or airman living in a remote village.

It is terrible that hapless veteran ex-servicemen are being made to run from pillar to post to get their dues and benefits.

Most ex-servicemen are senior citizens.

Many veterans are in advanced old age suffering from various ailments.

Soldiers have given the best years of their lives to the nation performing their tough duties with loyalty, sincerity and alacrity.

When I was in IAT, I saw the plight of aged ex-servicemen settled in the villages in the vicinity.

For every issue they had to travel all the way to the ex-servicemen offices and Station HQ in Pune City despite having a service establishment in the vicinity.

We tried our best to alleviate their problems to the extent possible.

When you are in active service you always have a comforting feeling that the service is there to look after you and the welfare of your family.

The moment you retire you feel abandoned and lonely.

You are left to fend for yourself and your family.

You are left all on your own without anyone to hold your hands in times of need.

You realize that all the tall claims about ex-servicemen welfare are just a myth.

The harsh reality is that once you retire, no one in service bothers about you.

You realize that unlike what you were told, once you retire, the defence services was just like any other job.

Gratitude demands that veteran ex-servicemen be treated in a better manner.

Whether it is Pension Problems, ECHS Medical Treatment, CSD Canteen Facilities or other Ex-Servicemen Benefits, I think there is a vast scope for improvement in delivery.

I trust the powers-that-be will reflect on this and we will see some positive action.

One solution is to implement DIRECT CASH TRANSFER in lieu of various benefits like ECHS, CSD Canteen and other ex-servicemen benefits which are cumbersome to avail for most ex servicemen.

AFTERTHOUGHT

It has become a fashion to blame “civilian babus” for all ills of ex-servicemen.

I would like to point out that the lady who took the trouble of finding out my phone number and calling me up to inform me about this pension issue is a “civilian babu”.

No one in uniform showed the courtesy to communicate with me or inform me by letter, email or phone.

They say that “charity begins at home”.

First, the uniformed services must look after their own ex-servicemen and demonstrate genuine care for the veterans.

Each defence establishment and military unit must be tasked to look after the ex-servicemen living in the geographical vicinity, irrespective of the service they belong too.

Instead of “washing off their hands” and transferring the task to bureaucratic ex-servicemen welfare agencies run by civilian babus; the army, navy and air force must themselves look after the welfare of their own veterans.

There is more to ex-servicemen welfare than having get-togethers and rallies.

The defence services must demonstrate genuine welfare towards their veterans.

There is a need for an “outreach” programme approach, rather than make ex-servicemen run around to solve their problems.

Many ex-servicemen are old senior citizens who are not in the best of health.

The defence services must reach out to them and deliver welfare schemes.

Only then is it justified to have expectations from civilian babus.

All serving officers and personnel must remember that they too will be ex-servicemen one day!

THE SOLDIER - Forgotten After Retirement - THE MYTH OF EX SERVICEMEN WELFARE

THE MYTH OF EX SERVICEMEN WELFARE

RETIRED MILITARY VETERANS ARE A FORGOTTEN AND NEGLECTED LOT

Musings

VIKRAM KARVE

However the same reciprocity is not shown to you by those meant to serve you, especially after you retire.

One of the biggest myths being propagated is that ex-servicemen are well “looked after”.

It has been my personal experience that this is not so.

The bitter fact is that once you retire you are forgotten by the service.

No one cares about you.

You are left to fend for yourself, all on your own.

Let me give you an example.

This happened a few months ago.

One afternoon I received a call from a lady.

She is a civilian employee who works in the Navy Office in Mumbai.

She had worked with me around 10 years ago in Mumbai when I was in the Navy.

She told me that they were saying that all officers who were in service in 1986 were entitled to these arrears.

She said that everyone was applying to Naval Pay Office and that I should also apply.

I was totally clueless.

I had received no communication from the Naval Pay Office regarding this.

My Bank (the Pension Disbursing Authority) had not informed me anything in this matter.

I had not received any communication from Directorate of Ex Servicemen Welfare.

The Navy Foundation or any other ex servicemen welfare agency had not intimated anything in this connection either.

I have retired just a few years ago and all my current contact details are available with the Naval Pay Office and all Ex Servicemen Welfare Agencies.