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Simplify procedure for pensioners

Sir,

The orders relating to rationalization of pension structure of pre 1.4.1987 pensioners/family pensioners issued by the Govt vide Govt Order No. 275-F of 1998 and 276-F of 1998 dated 14.10.98 fall short of the expectations of the pensioners as the precedures laid down therein are so combursome, complicated and lengthy, which can hardly be completed within the time schedule prescribed therein. The pensioners (mostly in the age group of 75-90) will have to run from pillar to post for the fixation of revised pension without any fruitful results unless the same is so simplified so as to suit well to these aged pensioners.

Whereas para (13) of the Govt Order No. 275-F of 1998 dated 14.10.98 directs the Accountant General to fix the pay of a retired Govt servant (pensioner) on notional basis and ensure issue of ''Revised pension payment authority'' within (90) ninty days of the receipt of the application on the prescribed form from the pensioner and also advised not to ask the pensioner/family pensioner to surrender his/her PPO for issuing revised authority or harrass him/her in any way for submission of documentary proof in support of his/her claim, the provisio of para (15) makes it obligatory to the pensioner for furnishing/production of orders documents relevant to the date of his birth, date of joining the Govt service, date of retirement, the scale of pay of the post held by him at the time of retirement/death, and also qualifying service (excepting family pensioners) together with authentic document like service books or attested photocopy thereof to the Accountant General. It is well within the knowledge of the Finance Department that all such documents together with the service book are either retained by the Accountant General in his office or returned to the office wherefrom Govt Servant retired. He thus possess no such documents except pensioners half of the PPO and can provide the information as is contained on the PPO. It is not possible for him to furnish the aforesaid documents by the pensioners to Accountant General except copy of PPO.

The relevant information in large number of cases particularly in respect of the officers having served in the office, whose record destroyed as result of out break of fire during the last ten years of turmoil in the valley/Doda Distt. and also of the Gazetted officers retired prior to 5/77 or even thereafter (in some cases) whose service books got destroyed due to out break of fire in AG office in 3/77 shall not be available. All these pensioners thus have to depend upon the issue of certificate by Administrative Department to the effect that ''despite of best efforts made by the Department even by contacting the pensioner/family pensioner concerned, it has not been possible to lay hand on the relevant record and the Accountant General may thus fix the pay in his case on notional basis (as on 1.4.1987) at the minimum of the Revised pay scale as introduced w.e.f 1.7.72. The application of this provisio is however restricted to the cases of pre-1972 pensioners/family pensioners alone. No provision has been made for post 1972 pensioners/family pensioners. There is thus every apprehension that cases of those retired on or after 1.7.72 may remain unsettled, unless some procedure is devise in their cases also.

The procedure as envisaged in the above para is bound to create red tapism at all level, as the Administrative Department shall not be issuing such certificate except verification of above facts from the subordinate office. Thus our apprehensions are genuinely based. I would therefore urge the Govt that procedure of fixation of pay as contained this para (15) of the Govt order on notional basis on 1.4.1987 and issue of revised pension payment authority in favour of pensioners/family pensioners be modified to the extent that the Accountant General shall fix notional pay of the pensioners on the basis of information furnished by them in the application on the prescribed from supported by copy of the PPO.

Yours etc...
Sain Dass Sumbria
Pacci Dakki
Jammu

Nothing vague about it

Sir,

A letter has been published in Daily Excelsior on October, 31, 1998 about Kundalini Shakti, written by Shri Tilak Raj Shastri. In his letter the writer has put some question marks about powers of Kundalini Shakti and its seven chakras.

It is shocking for spiritual aspirants, scholars, Sadaks, Yogis to read against the powers of Kundalini Shakti. By merely reading books on Yoga or stories of Vedas or spiritual books, does not make a man or a person, spiritual or by reading some books on medical science, does not make a man doctor or a scientist. Even a brilliant physician who has studied all medical books cannot perform an operation, because the doctor has no experience of surgery. Without experience, how can a Physician challenge a Surgeon about Surgery. The same process is about awakening of Kundalini Shakti and its powers. By reading some books on Yoga does not make a man Yogi, or Sadak. There is no instrument yet invented by the modern science to challenge the soul and its powers.

The writer in 3rd para, categorically refuted the existence of any serpent power. To know about Kundalini Shakti in human body, one should read the book 'Mysterious Kundalini', written by Western scientist Dr Rele, He has in his book compared the vagus nerve with Kundalini in the following words ''The vagus nerve may thus be divided into three parts, Ist portion in the medula is composed of efferent fibres and is situated at the lower part of the 4th vertical of the brain and corresponds with the mouth of Kundalini. The 2nd portion from below the base of skull down to its connection with the solar plaxus is composed of afferent and efferent fibres. It is curved in shape and corresponds with the body of Kundalini. The 3rd and last portion composed mainly of afferent fibres connects the hypogastric and pelvic plexus with the body of Kundalini through the intermediary of solar plexus. This is said to be tail of Kundalini (as stated in the book, ''Devatma Shakti'', by Swami Vishnu Tirth).

In his last para, the writer has talked about putting the bases of old dogmas, scriptures, philosophy, idealogy to test to prove its worthiness and truthfulness. It is pointed out that scripture which also states philosophy and idealogy can never be untrue. For example scripture says that one should speak truth, which it self is a fact of life and need no scientific experiment. It is, therefore, not advised to question the truths, ideologies, philosophies for its correction. Therefore, the writer's contention if followed, would lead to no positive results, because what is quoted in scripture is based on truth and is time tested before evolution of modern science. It will not be out of place to mention that all great scientists of the world had deep respect for spiritual teachings and religion. Religion is also a science. Metaphysics is science of self. Hence there can never be any opposition between science and scriptures, because what is written in scriptures is based on realisation which needs no scientific proofs.

Yours etc...
Surendra Chandra Bharti
C/o Lt Col R K Langar
Shastri Nagar, Jammu.

Concern for poor

Sir,

Recently I attended a human rights convention held in the Indian Capital. The great and learned personalities of the world raised their concern regarding human rights violations, and it is widely believed that this is the concern of every individual. The topics raised in the conference were of great interest. But to my opinion only the major concerns should not be discussed but importance should be given to the concern of poor people.

India being one of the largest populated country can hardly take care of its population.

To give alms to the beggers depends upon our moods. If any useless money is found in the pocket we will keep on his tiny hand in a belief that we may be blessed in the exchange, if the mood is not upto the mark than we shout at the poor creature without knowing the reason for his begging, but a person like me will be a step ahead in saying that the begging is forbidden, and would not like to help him out from the shameful life! They are the same creation of God as we are the only difference is that they are of education and good life.

They must have proved better than us if they too had been provided opportunity to progress and prosperity. Their is no equal distribution of opportunities. The opportunities come according to status, and without realizing the reality we people start giving our version which cannot be digested in the empty stomach we do expect miracles from the poor hands who once in two days get an opportunity to have some wastage of food, but when the God has created same why should not every one be given the right of living with dignity. Is it not the violation of human rights? When we see child begging for satisfying his hunger, can we draft any amendment through which these poor creatures will be given the right to living, education, self respect etc. etc.

In Kashmir I was sitting with one of my friends who happens to be the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP). It was the time of recruitment when I met him, since we were meeting after an year, so we sat and the recruitment business started going on, he did not wanted to be absent so that corruption cannot find its way in the recruitment.

There were only few posts of General duty constables, but the contenders were many. All the poor people were trying their best to reach the target, but their efforts were useless, I could make out from their faces that they were crying in their heart, they must not have been getting the proper food due to poverty, how do you expect them to be physically fit. The poor creature must be thinking while eating that, if I eat less my father can give something as bribe for securing the job. It is the hard reality of life. It was to my surprise when one of the contenders who was short by a step tried his entry in the qualified candidates, but the poor chap was mercilessly beaten by one of the officers, after seeing this my feelings cried a lot and I could not stop my self and it forced me to complain the officer for his ill behaviour. Is this not the violation of human rights? A citizen has every right to job, but is the responsibility of the concerned governments to safeguard the rights of its citizen. The fault of the youth was that he was trying to find a way for the survival of his family but unfortunately the youth was treated so badly that he was lying unconcious in the ground with the clear visible marks on stick on his body. This incidence forced me to leave the ground without the permission of my friend. I know he must be feeling bad for the instance, he too is a human lover.

Not only this, there are so many instances which make you think ''are we human creation or animals'' if not we then who will safe guard the rights of mankind. The need is to think over and again for such human rights violations. We are not only to discuss militancy and its related violations but to find a way for the human prosperity.

Yours etc....
T. S. Sodhi
Jammu