‘Adopt one-rank-one-pension policy’

Similarly placed retired officers (with same ranks and number of years of service) are receiving different pensions,a system vehemently opposed by lakhs of ex-servicemen across the country. Incidentally,in a judgment in July 1987,the Supreme Court ruled: “All judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts will get the same pension as their successors get any time in the future.” What is interesting is that it is not only judges but also MPs and MLAs who enjoy the privilege of ‘one rank,one pension’ policy.

Will someone do anything about it,I have my reservations. It is strange that the President requires three times more pay for her cosmetics and her expenses including food,clothes and house. Well this is what we call ‘democracy’.

Corrupt politicians of the likes of Lalu Prasads are given ministerial berths,who have whisked away Rs 1,000 crore but no action is taken against them. From collector right up to the peon level,everyone is neck deep into corruption. Instances like Satyam bring bad name to the country.

Human factors involved in retiring soldiers at an age when they are not young enough to pick up the threads of an entirely a new profession or old enough to sit idle at home on meagre pension should be studied and resolved. Soldiers can be given some land under ceiling in cities or along the borders to bolster security. If land can be given to multinationals and politicians,it could also be given to those who have given their lives in the name of their country.

When the service class retires,they get busy in making their both ends meet and waste their hard earned pensions and gratuity on ventures just to get cheated by shrewd businessmen.