As most would be knowing on this forum, the Indian Railways offer free Complimentary passes (AC-II) with unlimited usage facility to gallantry awardees plus one companion. These passes are available from Article No 2 (Param Vir Chakra) of Gazette of India Notification No 75-Pres/2001 issued by the President’s Secretariat till Article 24 (Police Medal for Gallantry). So far so good. But what is not good is the fact that the awards of Sena Medal / Nao Sena Medal / Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) which appear on Article 22 are mysteriously missing from the list. Hence in effect, a police officer awarded the PMG which on Article 24 is lower than SM/NM/VM (Gallantry) is entitled to a Complimentary pass while the same benefit is not available to a higher defence gallantry decoration appearing on Article 22.
Oversight some may say. Well I would like to believe that. But an officer recently informed me that the reason put forth by the Railways is ‘financial constraints’ since the list of SM/NM/VM (G) is quite humungous. However a little research would reveal that PMG awardees are far more in number than SM/NM/VM (G) combined. To take a recent example, on 15 Aug 2008, the number of defence personnel awarded SM/NM/VM (G) was 95 while 157 police personnel were awarded PMG. While I would be taking this up officially very soon, maybe it is time for us to look towards Lalloojee for resolution of this uhmm oversight !
hi Navdeep, by stating that SM Gallantary is auth this pass, as it is equivalent to the police medal, some offrs have indeed taken it, although subsequently at time of renewal some problems existed from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a BIG advantage if recd by all SM awardees, kudos to you for taking it up.
Hi Navdeep, Well pointed out. Pl take this up with rail ministry. My hearty best wishes.
ReplyDeleteNavdeep you are absolutely correct , the SM/NM/VSM gallantry are very few & those who are, are beneficiaries of Incometax deduction ,therefore these gallantry medal winners should also get benefit from the railways ,I am sure if properly & earnestly put there wouldnt be any problem from the railways
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: SM is NOT equivalent to PMG, it is SUPERIOR.
ReplyDeleteDear Major Navdeep sir,
ReplyDeleteThanks for apprising the community of the privilege a very few might be aware of.May God bless you for the selfless service with so much of dedication. Keep it up !!!
Navdeep ka jawab nahin hai !!Tussi great ho.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteThat is a real scoop
our gallantry award winners must be looked after and deserve the best. We have to take up the case officially and through legal channels both. We wiil not get our due without strong representation.
My best wishes
Dear Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteYou are really putting in noteworthy efforts for doing noble service. I am sure that with your determination this issue too will get resolved in no time.
Best wishes.
Cheers
maj navdeep, thanx. but i wonder what are the so called high profile offrs posted in AHQ doing. and what were the chiefs doin ever since? thinkikng about post retirement plans? by keeping the masters happy? by being Yes men?
ReplyDeleteplease also find out and bring to fore the chief and other senoir officers who were responsible for making Indian Army the only army to serve under police commanders. (NSG.).they are culprits for sure and must be given appropriate direspect.
Hi Maj Navdeep, Kindly try including Mention-in-Despatches also
ReplyDeleteHi Navdeep............as usual a wonderful job you have undertaken and congrats coupled with Thanks for taking it up......KVS
ReplyDeleteDear Navdeep, There is another issue which is worth your indulgence. Indian Army probably is the single largest consumer organization of Indian Railways(from the number of warrants/CVs/FormDs and other moves). However, it is observed that whenever a ticket is booked using a CV/Warrant/FormD a side upper or side lower ticket is offered to a defence person. And SL and SU are the most inconvenient seats available on a coach. Also with the new system of introducing a side middle berth(thank God.. somebody has started thinking of stopping it), the situation is even worse. But at the same time, if a ticket is booked using cash/credit card just before/after this transaction convenient berths are available.
ReplyDeleteA case should be taken up with the Railways to stop this malpractice. Moreover, it is high time that we, the armed forces start taking discounts/ most preferred customer status/ other frequent traveler concessions from Railways.. A food for thought..
Dear Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteThis is the cause worth fighting for.
Keep the good work going.
Dear Navdeep., what about Dynamic Assured Career Progression to Army Doctor? Will it get a light of day!
ReplyDeleteMy dear major navdeep sir,
ReplyDeletewe are talking about equity and equality norms by railway ministry for the defence personnel.However in the MOD itself, no norms are equal nor equity applicable. Re-employed officers' pay in armed forces is still to be revised whereas for civilian employees it was revised in Oct 08 itself. Last revision took place on 31 Jan 2002 after 05 years of implementation of fifth CPC and in today's time five years is too long a time. Even DA at Jan 08 scale 47% only is payable so far as MOD orders have not been promulgated unlike on the civil side.
dear sir,
ReplyDeleteit is to inform you that in spite of repeated e mail no action has been taken on the complain of army pensioners by sbi .earlier all documents of pensioners were in the branch in which the pensioner has opened account but without asking the account holders they transfered all documents to sbi central pension cell chandni chauk.the sbii central pension cell chandni chaukh has not paid army pension as per the govt order annex ll though orders have been issued 4 months back if you approach your branch they will say they have informed sbi central pension cell chandni chauk when you approach sbi central pension cell chandni chauk they say they have not received letter or they have got 1.2 lakh pensioners they are not able to do the job.they are not bothered how how pensioner are facing problem of money though they have given their youth to the nation it will be great help from you to the war veterons if you take up the issue and make a story and follow it up we want ours arrears which other banks have alerday paid and our file should be in the branch in which the pensioner has opened account because in his old age he cannot run to delhi though sbi says it will solve problem in the branch which they are not able to do it .i have send emails 10 times and called sbi central pension cell chandni chauk 20 times their no are 01165106422 and their boss no which is never picked up is 01123865063 copy of my email to sbi under
1. It is to inform you that I am Col Jagdish Singh, IC-15280. I
have got pension A/C No in your bank current A/C No 10818559499
Parliament Street New Delhi. My file No is 1782.
2. As per 6th pay commission my pension has not been revised as per
Annexure II
3. My rank is full col. I have got more than 28 years of qualifying
service. It can be checked with my records held in your office in file
No 1782.
4. My minimum pension as per Annexure II is Rs 26050/- basic pay +
DA as applicable from 01 Jan 06.
5. You are requested to give my pension and the arrears at the
earliest as per annexure II.
6. My present basic pension including 16% DA should be Rs 30218/-.
7. I have also sent a letter to Parliament Street branch which has
been fwd by parliament street branch to centralised pension cell
Chandni Chowk on 26 Feb 2009 letter No 1019 dt 26 Feb 09.
8. SBI services has really gone verse after putting all pension
record at Chandni Chowk. I hope you will do the needful at the
earliest. My mobile No 09469411592.
Dear Navdeep
ReplyDeleteOne basic question, how do u run ur house since i feel that by doing all this welfare activities u neither have time for ur family and Kamayi!!!
u must be either born with a silver spoon or a gandhian!! either way ur doing fine job for we selfish service personnel. my sincere gratitude for the yeoman service rendered.
@rajbabu
ReplyDeleteI neither neglect my family nor my profession :-) . I'm a good time manager I think.
One blog post in two days doesn't hurt me much.
thats it!!
ReplyDeleteI think this should be the essence of any disciplined person service or civilian. unfortunately thats the missing link in the services. if we are good time managers and also quick decision makers, then we will not be crying hoarse nor cribbing for our rights.
Hi Major Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteGood going and keep the trump up.
If I'm of any help to you, pl. suggest, would be an honour for me to be of help to u.
best of luck.
thanks
atul choudary
Dear Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteComplimentary crad passes to awardees of SM(G)is a rightful demand as Police Medal is lower in order of predence. This facility is also given to awardees of Arjuna Awardees who are also in hundreds and SM (G) are only few and hence excuse of financial constraints by Rail Ministry is not superfluous.
thanks for raising a rightful demand. i think if letter is written to rail minister then things can be resolved
ReplyDeleteDear Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteI saw your RTI letter copy to Rail Bhavan. Have you received any reply yet? Do keep us posted. What all other benefits are available to SM/VM?
Hi Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteAny progress on this issue? Please share with us if you have received any response to your RFI from Rail Bhavan.
Thanking you,
Best Regards
-Warrier
Dear navdeep,
ReplyDeleteany reply from railway authorities regarding the free pass for SM/NM/VM. please apprise us of the latest.
regards.
Sir
ReplyDeleteDo you have any informn regarding issue of complimentary passes to SM/NSN/VM (G) awardees from railways . Is there any way by which I can help you pursue the case.
Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteIs the Ag`s branch made some effort to peruse the anomaly or it is left to the various individuals/ individual org to pursue. Great that at least you have made this effort to have made us aware.
Thanks
Bob
@ Navdeep
ReplyDeleteby saying any award lower than other is disgraceful to that award..I AM A PARA-MILIATRY OFFICER AND WE GET ONLY 2 TYPES OF GALLANTRY AWARDS. PMG AND PPMG..I M THE RECIPIENT OF PMG. NOW I GOT THIS BCOZ I KILLED 2 MILITANTS IN J N K ON MY OWN WITH SERIOUS INJURY TO MEAND MY COMPANY WHICH I COMMANDED KILLED TOTAL 4.NOW I KNOW A UNIT OF ARMY WHERE THEY KILLED 1 MILITANT AND THE OFFICER GOT SHAURYA CHAKRA. NOW HOE COME MY EFFORTS BEEN INFERIOR TO THAT ARMY OFFICER. SEE EVERY BODY IS BORN WITH EQUAL CAPABILITIES, BY CALLING SOMEONE INFERIOR AND CALLING YOURSELF SUPERIOR IS HIGHLY UNOFFICER LIKE. YOU WERE SELECTED IN ARMY, I WAS SELECTED IN PARA-MILIATRY. MAY BE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN AT MY PLACE THEN, YOUR BRAVERY STANDARD WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS KYA. NO YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN EQUALLY BRAVE...
NOW THE SECTIONS WHICH YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DOESNT GIVE DECREASING ORDER OF VALUE OF AWARD, IT MERELY GIVES ALL THE GALLANTRY AWARDS OF ARMY FIRST ANS THEN POLICE AND PARA-MILIATRY SECOND..
WE SHOULD RATHER SALUTE ALL BRAVE PEOPLE AND WE SHOULD NEVER CRIB LIKE THIS.
BETTER YOU CAN ASK SUCH FACILITY FOR RECEPIENT OF SENA MEDAL ALSO, FOR THAT IS YOU SAY THAT PMG IS MUCH LOWER IS HIGHLY UN-OFFICER LIKE..PLZ DONT MINE ME BEING CANDID
THANKS
In reply to Sachin comment, I would like to add that Paramilitary Forces donot get only Two types of award ie PPMG and PMG. They are also awarded All Chakra Series awards. If you see list a number of Police and CPOs have been awrded Ashok/ Kirti/ Shurya chakras. its only Defence personnels are debarred from PPMG and PMG even if they are on deputation to Paramilitary organisations like NSG etc.So Police and CPOs are getting twin benefit of Chakra Series as well as PPMG and PMG. Sachin is wrong in saying that there is no order of predence and first army awards are listed then Police awards.Infact PPMG is listed at serial 17, Sena Medal at Serial 22and PMG at Serial 24. He should go through the Gazette notification which lists all awards starting with Bharat Ratna at sreial 1 and there after others . This lists includes in serial Padma awards, Gallantry awards, Jeevan rakshak Padaks and Police Medals. He should not use words like un officer like , Its case of equality. Comlete list is as under for informatiuon of Sachin and others:-
ReplyDeleteGazette of India No. 75-Pres/2001-The President of India has been pleased to determine the following order of Precedence of Wearing of various Medals and Decorations.
1. Bharat Ratna
2. Param Vir Chakra
3. Ashoka Chakra
4. Padma Vibhushan
5. Padma Bhushan
6. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
7. Param Vishisht Seva Medal
8. Maha Vir Chakra
9. Kirti Chakra
10. Padma Shri
11. Sarvottam Jeevan Rakshak Padak
12. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
13. Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
14. Vir Chakra
15. Shaurya Chakra
16. President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry
17. President's Police Medal for Gallantry
18. President's Fire Services Medal for Gallantry
19. President's Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry
20. President's Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry
21. Yudh Seva Medal
22. Sena / Nao Sena / Vayu Sena Medal
23. Vishisht Seva Medal
24. Police Medal for Gallantry.
25. Fire Services Medal for Gallantry
26. Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry
27. Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry
28. Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak
29. Parakram Padak
30. General Service Medal -1947
31. Samanya Seva Medal -1965
32. Special Service Medal
33. Samar Seva Star -1965
34. Poorvi Star
35. Paschimi Star
35A. OP Vijay Star
36. Siachin Glacier Medal 3
37. Raksha Medal- 1965
38. Sangram Medal
38A. OP Vijay Medal
39. Saina Seva Medal
40. High Altitude Medal
41. Police (Special Duty) Medal- 1962
42. Videsh Seva Medal .
43. President's Police and First Services Medal for Distinguished Service
44. President's police Medal for Distinguished Service
45. President's Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service
46. President's Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service
47. President's Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service
48. Meritorious Service Medal
49. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
50. Police Medal for Meritorious Service
51. Fire Services Medal for Meritorious Service
52. Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service
53. Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service
54. Jeevan Raksha Padak
55. Territorial Army Decoration
56. Territorial Army Medal
57. Indian Independence Medal -1947
58. Independence Medal -1950
59. 50th Anniversary Of Independence Medal
Hi Maj Navdeep.I am Brig Vinod Koser,SM (retd).Nice that you have taken up the mater regarding Gallantry Award SENA MEDAL.Has something been done recenly by the Govt.Kindly update.Thanks
ReplyDeleteDear Maj Navdeep,
ReplyDeleteAny further progress on this issue? It seems to have got buried again!
HI NAVDEEP...
ReplyDeletePLEASE DIRECT IF WE CAN FILE AN RTI AGAINST RAILWAYS ....OR CAN WE GO TO COURT OF LAW....WHY IS JUSTICE BEING DELAYED.....
I am ex-Head Draughtsman (Engg) from Indian Navy (civilian) a recipient of the prestigious Paschimi star. Will any body tell me whether I am eligible for Railway concession pass or any other bbenefits? I worked in Warship Overseeing Team Goa of INS Gomantak attached to the Goa Shipyard Ltd, way back in 1972-'75.Will any other recipient of the medal advice me more about the medal and its benefits?
ReplyDeleteRegards
KK Gopinadhan,7/385, Nautilus, Vayalil road, P.O.Thiruvankulam.Kochi 682305
Kerala
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