The expected DA rates wef 1 Jan 2010 is @ 35%, an increase of about 8% over the existing rate of 27%. The govt is likely to declare the revised rate of DA in the month of March 2010.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Govt mulls 'limited' exam to recruit more IPS officers
TIMES OF INDIA
I WONDER : WHY CANT GOVT ALLOW ARMED FORCES OFFICERS TO MAKE A LATERAL SHIFT INTO POLICE.
NEW DELHI: Concerned by the acute shortage of IPS officers at a time of mounting challenges on the internal security front, the home ministry is mulling the option of a holding "limited" competitive examination exclusively to recruit IPS officers -- a route that was taken immediately after Independence to fill huge vacancies that had accumulated through the War years and because of the departure of British cops to UK and Muslim cops to Pakistan.
The examination will be open only for existing government servants -- mainly from armed services, paramilitary and state police forces -- and will be held for the specific purpose of recruiting nearly 650 IPS officers.
Special secretary (internal security) in the home ministry, U K Bansal, confirmed the move. "It is still at a preliminary stage of discussion. Once finalised, the proposal will go to the Cabinet for approval," he told TOI.
There are currently 196 vacancies, while government has estimated that it will need an additional 450 officers to tackle threats from terrorists, Left extremists as well as criminal syndicates that, helped among other things by lack of adequate police personnel of all ranks, have proliferated across the country.
Bansal said Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) would conduct the separate examination. It would, however, not affect recruitment of IPS officers through the annual Civil Services Examination (CSE), he added.
The shortfall of 196 officers was mainly created during 1999-2002 when the induction of IPS per year dropped to 36 against the annual average of 85.
Recently, the government accepted the home ministry's proposal to increase the annual intake of IPS officers through CSE from 130 to 150 and UPSC accordingly increased the number of seats to be filled through this year's CSE.
However, the ministry recogises that at the rate of 20 more recruits per year, it will take several years before the strength of officer corps reaches the required level. It has already held a few rounds of discussions over the recommendation of the one-man committee -- headed by retired IPS officer Kamal Kumar -- on Recruitment Plan (2009-2020). The discussions have, so far, focused on the eligibility criteria -- age and educational/special qualification -- for government servants who would be allowed to take the limited competitive examination.
Besides recommending increase in the annual intake of IPS officers through CSE from 130 to 150, the Kamal Kumar committee in its report submitted on October 15 last year also suggested holding limited competitive examination for at least seven years to recruit an additional 448 IPS officers.
Friday, January 29, 2010
RECOLLECTIONS OF A COMMUNICATOR,DEFENCE FORCES NEED CAREFUL HANDLING
ONE INDIA
New Delhi, (ANI):There has been a great deal of controversy in the recent past over the 'Sukhna land scam', which has brought into focus the role played by the present Chief of Army Staff, the Chief designate, the Military Secretary to the Army, the Corps Commander in Siliguri and some other senior generals.
What are the basic facts of the land 'scam'? Basically, the land involved in the 'scam' does not belong to the Army. According to reports, the Corps based in Siliguri did issue a 'no objection' certificate for the land adjacent to the Cantonment to be sold ostensibly for the establishment of an educational institution.
The allegations are that some officers 'exercised' pressure on the Corps Headquarters to issue the no objection certificate. A Court of Inquiry was ordered and based on the report action has been taken against an officer and a Court Martial has been ordered against some others.
In defence terminology, a 'court martial' is the trial of a case and it is not correct to conclude that someone being tried is 'guilty'. But the projection in the media has given the impression that some grave wrong has been committed by officers facing the Court Martial. ( PLZ SEE MY YESTERDAY'S POST TOO)
I was Spokesman for the Defence Services in the early eighties, and earlier had served in the Defence Public Relations Organisations from late fifties - during the India-China operations, during the India Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971 and was instrumental in drawing up the guidelines for release of information during peace, operations and counter-insurgency situations.
These rules were last reviewed after the Kargil operations and the eminent journalist B.G. Verghese had contributed in finalizing them. Earlier, I was instrumental in setting up a machinery which was able to handle 'psywar' needs of the army, particularly in insurgency situations.
I had worked for the Defence Public Relations during the period when the Government of India worked hard to restore the morale of the Armed Forces after the Chinese aggression. The prime objective of the exercise then was to project the way in which the nation was rebuilding the defences along the border with China and also to tell the country and the world that the Indian Army remained valiant in the midst of adversity. .
I had taken press parties to sites like Rezang La in Ladakh where Major Shaitan Singh and his men fought almost to the last man in the unit, and in the north-east to places like Walong where the Indian Army resisted the Chinese forces bravely. Among the journalists who visited the area was George Verghese, who then represented the Times of India and Prem Prakash, the present Chairman of the ANI, who then represented VISNEWS.
When the details of the operations were disseminated, the faith of the people in the professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces and the leadership qualities of the officers were restored to a large extent.
The Armed Forces are a close- knit family. They have separate regulations. While an ordinary citizen knows the travails of getting justice, in the military, the response is quick. There is a court martial and in severe cases
Those who handled information for the Armed Forces took a commission in the Armed Forces. Eminent journalists like late D.R. Mankekar, Prem Bhatia and others donned the uniform and were able to work along with the Armed Forces and communicate their problems to the media.
I myself had the privilege of wearing the uniform when I served with the Armed Forces and moved out after wearing the rank of a Brigadier. Among the Defence Ministers with whom I worked as spokesman was the late President R. Venkataraman. He told me to share with him the aspirations of the Armed Forces. While the problems of defence of the country were projected on file, there were many 'routine' matters that did not get done.
I remember telling him about the needs of Armed Forces like family accommodation, schooling, and the services desire that they should be associated in developing new weaponry. In a silent way he brought about many reforms.
Very few remember now that he had visited Ladakh and was responsible for setting up a garrison in Siachen when Pakistan became 'active' in that sector.
One recalls that Defence Ministers like Y. B. Chavan worked hard to rebuild the morale of the Armed Forces after the Chinese aggression. The Government did not 'release' the Henderson Brooks report on the 1962 war, but took remedial action, lest it damage the morale of the Armed Forces.
Mistakes were committed in the field both in the India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971. I do remember how the incidents were handled with care to ensure that the morale of the Jawan did not suffer.
Mistakes were committed during the Kargil operations too. The focus after the operations was not to 'expose' the mistakes, but to remedy them. The Subrahmanyam Committee went into details of the operations, and later, the defence set up was reviewed by associating persons like former Intelligence Chief G.C. Saxena.
The then Defence Minister George Fernandes made it a point to implement the report and visit forward areas, both in the east and west regularly to look after the needs of the Armed Forces and streamline the defence research and development organizations under Dr V.K. Atre.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony has a difficult task. I remember a former Defence Secretary telling me that he hoped that no defence contracts were concluded during his tenure so that he was not bothered by 'inquiries' like 'Bofors'. We do read regularly that a large part of the defence budget is allowed to lapse.
In the field of defence, the nation has the primary task to ensure that the Armed Forces morale is not damaged and the faith of the Jawan in their leaders is strengthened. The 'image' of the Armed Forces is important, but equally important is their ability to defend the country.
The media has an equally important role. I remember the conversation that I had in the late eighties with a Pentagon spokesperson who disclosed that after the experience during the Vietnam War, the access to the media, particularly the audio-visual units, was regulated. We do recall what happened where free access was provided to the media during the 26/11 operations in Mumbai, when the terrorists were able to monitor their 'progress'. It is time we observe some restraint.
Otherwise the country, which is surrounded by 'friendly neighbours' itself will be facing a 'Court Martial'. there is a 'summary court martial' where the decision is imminent.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Will we learn any lessons......
1. May I draw readers kind attention on various advertisements/writeups that appear in newspapers from time to time.
2. Just to remind afew:-
a) There was a news item where Capts were offered post of Inspectors in Delhi Police.
d) Brig were offered post of Director level officers in certain offices.
c) Major's equated with Section Officers in a news papers writeups by a famous writer.
d) 6th CPC fiasco where wrong equivalence between army and police services were shown and the results are well known to us.
e) A recent writeup where a mumbai police officer commented through a newspaper that a Hav retires as hony Lt in army.
THIS LIST IS ENDLESS......................
3. AND NOW THIS ONE......
PTI
Former PAF chief surprised over his photo in Indian govt advertisement
An amused former Air Force chief of Pakistan Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed today reacted with surprise over appearance of his photograph in an Indian government advertisement along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but described it as an "innocent mistake".
The inclusion of Air Chief Marshal (retired) Ahmed's photograph along with Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other icons in the advertisement caused embarrassment for the Congress-led UPA government.
The Prime Minister's Office apologised to the nation and ordered an inquiry into the lapse.
On being informed about the faux pas, Ahmed told PTI: "I wasn't aware about this as I don't really watch much of the media. Anyway, I was busy with a golf match and didn't know about this development."
"I guess it's just one of those errors. It must be an innocent mistake," said Ahmed, who retired as PAF chief in March last year.
The inclusion of Air Chief Marshal (retired) Ahmed's photograph along with Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other icons in the advertisement caused embarrassment for the Congress-led UPA government.
The Prime Minister's Office apologised to the nation and ordered an inquiry into the lapse.
On being informed about the faux pas, Ahmed told PTI: "I wasn't aware about this as I don't really watch much of the media. Anyway, I was busy with a golf match and didn't know about this development."
"I guess it's just one of those errors. It must be an innocent mistake," said Ahmed, who retired as PAF chief in March last year.
5. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH THE FREEDOM OF PRESS, BUT WRONG REPORTING NEEDS TO BE PREVENTED/CORRECTED TOO.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Indian Army Demands More Missile Regiments
STRATEGY PAGE
January 26, 2010: The Indian Army is trying to get the government to buy it two more regiments of BrahMos block II missiles. Each regiment would have 61 missiles, 12-24 mobile launchers and two mobile control centers. The new regiments would have a more advanced version of the missile than the existing BrahMos block I regiment (with five mobile launchers). The first regiment cost $83 million. The block II missiles are more accurate and reliable at hitting pinpoint targets (like headquarters or technical installations) in crowded urban environments.
A year ago, the BrahMos block II cruise missile failed its first operational test as a ground launched weapon. The cause was a defective guidance system, which was fixed.
Two years ago, India ordered 800 more of the new PJ-10 BrahMos missiles. The Indian Army plans to buy 80 launchers in the next ten years. Russia has not yet ordered any BrahMos, while India is also working on lighter versions for use by aircraft and submarines. The 3.2 ton BrahMos has a range of 300 kilometers and a 660 pound warhead. Perhaps the most striking characteristic is its high speed, literally faster (at up to 3,000 feet per second) than a rifle bullet. Guidance is GPS or inertial to reach the general area of the target (usually a ship or other small target), then radar that will identify the specific target and hit it. The warhead weighs 660 pounds, and the high speed at impact causes additional damage (because of the weight of the entire missile.)
India and Russia developed the weapon together, and now offer the BrahMos for export. The high price of each missile, about $2-3 million (depending on the version), restricts the number of countries that can afford it. The weapon entered service with the Indian navy in 2005. Different versions of the PJ-10 can be fired from aircraft, ships, ground launchers or submarines. The maximum speed of 3,000 kilometers an hour makes it harder to intercept, and means it takes five minutes or less to reach its target. The air launched version weighs 2.5 tons, the others, three tons or more.
The 9.4 meter (29 foot) long, 670mm diameter missile is an upgraded version of the Russian SS-NX-26 (Yakhont) missile, which was still in development when the Cold War ended in 1991. Lacking money to finish development and begin production, the Russian manufacturer eventually made a deal with India to finish the job. India put up most of the $240 million needed to finally complete two decades of development. The PJ-10 is being built in Russia and India, with the Russians assisting India in setting up manufacturing facilities for cruise missile components. Efforts are being made to export up to 2,000, but no one has placed an order yet. Russia and India are encouraged enough to invest in BrahMos 2, which will use a scramjet, instead of a ramjet, in the second stage. This would double speed, and make the missile much more difficult to defend against.
India indicates it plans to make the missile a major weapon system. The BrahMos can carry a nuclear warhead, but is designed mainly to go after high value targets that require a large warhead and great accuracy. The BrahMos could take out enemy headquarters, or key weapons systems (especially those employing electronic or nuclear weapons.)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Army wants more short service officers
HINDUSTAN TIMES
Unable to woo enough officers to join its permanent ranks, the Indian Army has proposed to increase their intake under the Short Service Commission (SSC) cadre. It wants two SSC officers for every permanent officer.
The proposal, now with the defence minister, seeks to increase the proportion of SSC officers with respect to the permanent commissioned officers.
"The army has submitted the proposal to increase the intake of short service commissioned officers by making it more lucrative. The proposal is lying with the defence ministry," a senior armed forces official told IANS, requesting anonymity.
Currently, people who are not certain about committing to permanent positions in the army join under SSC and serve the army for five years. At the end of the period the officer is allowed to either opt for permanent commission, choose another five years of service or retire.
In contrast, an officer under permanent commission has to serve for 20 years.
The SSC acts as the support cadre to the regular cadre, which is twice its strength. The proposal seeks to reverse the proportion.
"According to an internal report the shortfall of 11,000 army officers would be bridged in 20 years. The proposal is to take two short service officers for every permanently commissioned officer. This will help make up the shortfall in due course without affecting the promotion aspects caused by the pyramidal structure of the army.
"In short the proposal is to increase the proportion of short service commissioned officers from the current one-third," the officer told IANS.
The army's sanctioned strength is 46,615 officers, but it has been facing a shortage of 11,238. For the world's fourth largest army middle-rung officers leaving for better-paying corporate sector jobs has been a constant problem.
The problem has been aggravated because the army is unable to get enough numbers to join its officer rank. The defence forces need 2,100 officers every year.
The army is now opening a second Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Gaya in Bihar. Set to house 500 cadets, the academy is scheduled to start functioning by the middle of the year.
However, in the existent OTA at Chennai the cadet intake has come down from 407 in 2008 to 315 in 2009, against an authorised strength of 700.
"The army has sought to make SSC more lucrative by increasing the number of serving years from five to 10. Another proposal is to give them a two-year study leave at the end of their service to help them find a better second career option," said the officer. Now, the army is hoping the financial crisis in the corporate sector and the Sixth Pay Commission -- which has increased their salaries -- will help bring in many more officers to the armed forces.
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