@Bhadra See when i said why the hatred is getting purely directed towards Gen Bipin Rawat . Look here another veteran is calling him a thief and backstabbing others for getting promoted . The govt has superseded the others to promote him did he went and requested the govt to do it? Plus this gentleman was saner of the veterans who mostly not a congress boot licker, but here he also looks lost his cool . there are other veterans who are literally worse than congress party workers when it comes to talking about Govt or the chief
View attachment 36027 View attachment 36028
I too am saddened by the developments.
However, the attacks on present COAS like those quoted by you are of "superseded Standards", very low and personal in nature which has no place in issue based discussion.
I also read with disamy sound arguments preferred by others like Gen Atta Hussnain, who quoted examples of Gen Cardozo, Gen Oberoi and Gen Joshi the finest generals I have come across who lost their limbs in wars but served full terms in the Army with distinction. Taxing their pensions despite disabilities due to battle wounds is an extreme step and an insult.
Unfortunately, I am also aware of the environment that pervades amongst those who deal with the matter. ADGPS and his staff who deal with the matter are one of the most insignificant people in the operational functioning of the Army but very significant when it comes pay, perks, pensions and conditions of service. The staff are largely those superseded officers who would not fit anywhere, who would not have fired even a single bullet under operational conditions in their life and non interested re-employed ASC / AOC officers who trade around the tables rather than know anything on pensionary issues. They have more interests in getting their advocate friends in AFT some cases rather than solve the cases themselves. Coupled with the uncooperative and indifferent civilian staff of AG's Branch, they by and large turn out to be big negative force working against the pensioners. The are incapable of visualising the difficulties of battle wounded soldiers and do their utmost best to question any battle related benefits. They are the ones who have been responsible for taking maximum cases to the high courts and Supreme Courts if AFT rules in favour of the soldiers and hang the case for years to come. Since they do not have to pay out of their pockets every case for them is a Supreme Court case.
Even at its worst, all battle casualty pensions should have been recommended to be tax free if peacetime life style type desability (hypertension, diabetes etc) was intended to be discouraged. A man who has lost his leg , limb or sustains wound of bullets, mines, grenades or IED, natural disasters in battle areas should not have been effected.
Regulations clearly distinguishes between disability due to battle casualties and disability in peace attributable to military service. The battle casualty disability pension clearly should not be taxed.
I fear this issue gaining traction and becoming a big issue.
Not a wise move for any one, be it bureaucracy, defence brass or Mr Modi's image. BJP should stem the tide at this stage itself. Or it is going to flare up.
At the end though it must be added that there is no smoke without a fire.
