It was a pleasure reading the article (again), written in your light, inimitable style. The concept of per capita soldier is innovative and on checking the calculations today, the figures are not very different. The addendum tracing defence expenditure from independence is a gem!!
With your permission, I would like to add this per capita concept to my analysis in the paper I have written.
And Yes, I have attempted alternative solutions to the ToD concept. I am of course bracing for criticism because at least a couple of them are somewhat radical and will raise heckles of some of those who read it.
Warm regards

–
Kapil Aggarwal
New Delhi
# 8130366900

An excellent article. Unfortunately, an impression has been deliberately created by the civilian beurocracy that the powers in the higher echelons of uniformed service must find a solution for this which is blatantly wrong. No one in the ministry of Finance is made responsible for the burgeoning NPAs of the banking sector. No one in any ministry is cc tasked as to how to stop the waiver of farmers loans year after year . No one questions when the Chief Minister guarentees Rs. 7000 per month for every unemployed graduate in his state( No one will even apply for a job if he gets this kind of sop is another thing) But what we in the Army do? Bend over backwards to solve this issue which is not basically our problem. Does any one questions the life time pension granted to every village Panchayat member, MLAs, MPs as to what is the total outlay to meet this. In fact the Pension outlay of the Armed Forces personnel must be taken over by the Ministry of Human resources and not by Ministry of Defence. The second important point to note why the Naval or Air Force Headquarters are reacting on this issue like the Army Head quarters. In my opinion the Army must confine his agenda only for the role they are called on to execute. How the pension bills are to be tackled must be left to the Government of the day. Proposing to raise the retirement of Jawans to 58 years etc. are quixotic or in other words Thuglagian ( in our context) solutions to say the least.
My further comments on a post saying the proposed idea of increasing service age to 58 would solve the issue by another member :
Very well said. But the remedy getting suggested and proposed is to increase the service age of all soldiers, JCOs and of course 99% of officer Corps of the Army to 58 years! There is a study ordered for this and obliging Presiding officers and members might even recommend the same. The fouj will reduce recruitment in a phased manner over the next ten years by which the present strength of soldiers of the age of 48 would have gone home on attaining the age of 58. Then what, there will be a more or less gap of almost near zero intake for a few years. But while the pension bill may reduce progressively, the salary bills will increase as these soldiers will go through two more Pay Commissions during their service life! But there will be no work for any training centres as most of the soldiers would have completed their mandatory cadre courses. But what is most striking is will you put a company of 45 plus year old soldiers for an attack to capture a feature like Tiger Hill? Will a sailor of 45 be able to survive in a submarine? Will an Air Force corporal able to haul the arrestor for the landed aircraft in a carrier. But the bigger question is do Indian Navy and IAF are in agreement for this proposal. If the Government wants to keep a fighting fit Armed Forces, it is its problem to find the funds for it. Does a Five Trillion economy have to depend on Army HQ to find a solution for meeting the pension bill. Ridiculous!
With warm regards,
NN Pasupathy
Col (Retd)

After retirement he has been writing on defense matters. In his latest article attached it is indeed to difficult to imagine the percentage of the defense budget in the very first budget presented in Independent India as compared today. If only the percentage was any where close to this we would have no problem with the pension bill

Vice Admiral Barin Ghose (Retired) AVSM VSM

A 23 Trinity Towers DLF Phase 5

Gurgaon 10023

Haryana

Phone 0124 4044069

Mobile 9871381469

E Mail baringhose@yahoo.com

There is no gainsaying the fact that the YOUNG armed forces are the compelling necessity of a sovereign country and not the vice versa. Prudent nations never let the trust of their soldiers attenuate in theESTABLISHMENT.

Unfortunately in India there is only lip service, “Jai Jawan” to hail the service men.This strangely seems to be an ongoing trend.

Nehru found the concept of standing armed forces an anachronism.He did not alter his views even after 20 October 1962 when you and me manned our defences and lost many brave comrades-in-arms next to our trench.

We have not learnt our lessons despite 326 BC,712 AD,1025 AD, 1192 AD,1526 AD, 1757 AD and Op Gibralter.

Perhaps you are right ! Taking care of our combatants, retiring in their late thirties, after their ( in our time) 7+8 years Colour + reserve service, India can not afford !!.

It beats all sane comprehensions as to why our economists cannot differentiate between the high cost factor and a defeat by keeping the low cost armed forces!!!

You have raised a nationalist issue.

Regards

Brig Dr. BD Mishra

Course Mate

How is Surinder and how are the young men and what are they doing.

Love & regards.

.Krishna – Lajpat

(SOURCE: VASUNDHRA BLOG)

Per Capita Soldiers in India