MINUTES OF CORE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT 0900 HRS ON 22 AUG 2018 AT SECUNDERABAD
The following members were present:
- Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd) – President
- Col(Dr) GB Sethi (Rtd) – General Secretary
- Gp Capt CRR Sastry (Rtd) – Joint Secretary
- H/ Capt B Joseph (Rtd) – Joint Secretary
- Col MK Veeramani (Rtd) – President, Charity Division
- Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd) – Legal Adviser
- Col MJ Ganapathy (Rtd) – Member
- Lt Col VS Ramana Reddy (Rtd) – Member
President welcomed all and thanked them for sparing time for attending the weekly meeting.
Points from General Secretary
Meeting on Confederation of ESM Organisations on 19 Aug 2018 : General Secretary congratulated all and thanked for the smooth conduct of Inaugural Meeting Confederation of ESM Associations on 19 Aug 2018. He said this was a great achievement for all ESMs. He said that he is very happy that TSEWA played a significant role in the formation of Interim National Confederation of ESM Organisations. He specifically thanked Col TN Raman of Chennai for his initiative and co-ordination for the inaugural meeting. He said that many ESMs are very happy with the outcome and thanked TSEWA for hosting this Inaugural meeting. Some ESMs have also expressed their apprehension over the future of such a confederation seeing the past experience. He expressed the hope that if office bearers of the Interim National Confederation shed their egos and work for sole aim of bringing unity in our community, we are sure to see some success in the future. Then only more ESM Associations will join the Interim National Confederation.
The General Secretary observed that one or two Presidents at various levels or Executive committee members expressed some view on the outcome of Inaugural meeting to the effect that TSEWA angled for some post in Interim National Confederation. They put such comments in tsewa@yahoogroups.com which goes to all members and to the entire cyber world. This shows cracks in the functioning of TSEWA which should be avoided. Any decision is taken only after extensive consultations, considering pros and cons. Every member of TSEWA, member of Core Committee, member of Executive Committee are most welcome to express views or concerns on the issue under discussion in the weekly meeting. But after that concern or view is considered in the discussion later in the weekly meeting and then only a decision is taken by consensus then it is binding on all. In any organization it is not possible to achieve 100% unanimity. While there will be bound to be differences in approach, it is always better to arrive at consensus. He requested in future any President at various levels and members of Executive Committee feels very strongly it is better that person should speak to Cmde Sudheer Parakala on Confederation of ESM Associations. No one should express their personal views to the environment.
General Secretary also said that Col Raman wanted a copy of the Resolution. The same has been sent to him.
Minutes of Meeting of Interim National Confederation: General Secretary said that he received the draft Minutes of Meeting of Interim National Confederation held on 19 Aug 2018 from the President, TSEWA and also the comments of Col MK Veeramani. President said that he has seen the comments of Col MK Veeramani and is in total agreement with the comments given by him. The amended draft minutes sent by Col MK Veeramani were read out. He asked any more comments from other members. All accepted the amendments suggested by Col MK Veeramani. The general opinion was that the Minutes of the Meetings should be sent to the 11 participants of the Confederation meeting and also to the members of Executive Committee of TSEWA. The President felt that it should be sent to all members of TSEWA by putting the same in TSEWA Blog at www.tsewa.org.
Action to be taken by all concerned and General Secretary
Points from Col MK Veeramani, President Charity Division
Col MK Veeramani informed that he has cleared the mess bills of the four out station officers who stayed in the MCEME Officers’ Mess. He said that he will put up the noting sheet to the Treasurer for re-imbursement.
He said that Col Nagesh Gupta (Rtd) donor from USA rang up and told him about the name of Madhuri Sewa Fund to be mentioned whenever money from Madhuri Sewa Fund is given for Charity. Col Veeramani told him that in the Noting Sheets, it is being clearly mentioned by him that whenever money is given from Madhuri Sewa Fund for Education or for Sports. Col Veeramani told him that the information about Charity from Madhuri Sewa Fund and from other funds is being put up in our Blog. Col Nagesh Gupta wanted to see the information which will be put up in the Blog. So Col Veeramani had sent the same to him. The same will be sent to Mrs Rekha Sekhri for putting in the Blog soon.
Col Veeramani informed that Ms Sandhya, a beneficiary of Madhuri Sewa Fund rang him up about the financial assistance for her college education. Col Veeramani told her that he had advised her a month ago to give details about the college, course, fees etc and if any fees had already been paid by her. If so, she was asked to send details of the so that the cheque could be sent to the college. Also she was asked to give the marks she got in her Intermediate final exam. She has not yet given the required information. She was advised to give the same immediately so that her case will be put up to the Committee for sanctioning the money.
Donation by Dr Srikant Jawalkar: Col Veeramani said that his civilian friend Dr Srikant Jawalkar had donated Rs 50,000/- to TSEWA this year and has promised that every year he will donate Rs 50,000/- to TSEWA. He is a very good photographer and has taken a wide range of photos on nature & environment all around the world. He is planning to hold a photo exhibition soon. He said that he would donate the proceeds of this exhibition cum sale to TSEWA. Col Veeramani requested him to prepare a CD of the photos which could projected during our Wednesday meeting, to get the suggestions of EC/CC members. This was agreed by all and all thanked Dr Srikant Jawalkar for his sincere consideration for TSEWA and for his liberal donation.
Financial Assistance to Flood Victims in Kerala: Regarding the financial help to the flood victims of Kerala, Col Veeramani said that he has been getting lots of Whatsapp Videos and messages on this. He has also spoken to his very close friends in Kerala. At present the flood victims have got sufficient money from all Keralites from all over world, especially from Gulf countries, and also from other Social Service organizations. So there is no need to send any money or in kind items to the civilians.
President informed that he has spoken to Lt Col Babu Pappachan (Rtd), President, TSEWA, Kerala & Sgt RR Unni (Rtd), President, TSEWA, Palakkad Dist, Kerala enquiring about the flood situation. He advised Lt Col Babu Pappachan to assess financial assistance for the veterans and family pensioners of Kerala. Lt Col Babu Pappachan (Rtd) said that he would find out and would revert back to Col Veeramani (Rtd) about any help that can be given by TSEWA. Col Veeramani (Rtd) confirmed that so far he has not got any phone call from Lt Col Babu Pappachan (Rtd). On receipt of information TSEWA Charity Division will render all possible help within our resources to the suffering ESMs & Family Pensioners of Kerala.
Action to be taken by all concerned
Points from Lt Col Ravi Choudhary
Mrs Padma of Bhadrachalam: Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd), legal advisor informed that he is progressing the case of Mrs Padma, W/ O declared Deserter Sep Veeriah of 17 Kumaon. He has got sanction from AGI. They wanted a cancelled cheque leaf to process her case to remit the money to her account. Since hers is a zero balance bank account, the Cheque book is not issued. Col MK Veeramani (Rtd) suggested that H/ Capt B Joseph (Rtd) can go to her place, deposit Rs 500/- in her account, get a cheque book issued and bring one cancelled cheque leaf. H/ Capt B Joseph (Rtd) agreed, but said that would be able to do so after he returns from Bengaluru after this month’s awareness camp there.
Wife of Sgt Varadharajan missing since 20 years: Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd) explained about the case of the W/O Sgt Varadharajan who went missing from his unit lines at Baroda about 20 years back. She is 83 years old and is suffering from cancer. Gp Capt CRR Sastry (Rtd) informed that he has gone through this case and advised Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd) how to go about to get family pension, to get the PPO, and to help her to sell her house which is in her husband’s name. Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd) was asked to take up this case on priority due to her age and sickness.
The President informed that unless Not Traceable Certificate is issued by the Police, the Records Air Force will not be able process the claim for family pension to wife of Sgt Varadharajan. The wives of such missing persons can get pension after 7 years as per extant rules. Gp Capt CRR Sastry (Rtd) informed the courts of law permit pension after one year of missing. The Air Force Unit in Baroda might not have lodged missing person complaint with police of Baroda. They generally send apprehension roll to the Police station, Mettuguda, Hyderabad as in the records of Sgt Varadharajan. It is the responsisbility of the next of kin to lodge police complaint with local police i.e. Police station Baroda and get Not Traceable Certificate after some time. Unless it is done, it is very difficult for Joint CDA (AF), Delhi to sanction family pension to wives of such missing personnel.
Action to be taken by Lt Col Ravi Choudhary (Rtd), Gp Capt CRR Sastry (Rtd)
Points from Lt Col VS Ramana Reddy (Rtd)
Lt Col Ramana Reddy (Rtd) informed that an ESM from Corps of Signals retired in 1980s and later died. His wife continued to get Family Pension for 17 years from next date of death, even though her name is not included in his PPO as family pensioner as per the practice in 1980s. Now the Indian Bank stopped remittance of pension and wants to recover pension paid to her for 15 years as her name was not included in the PPO of her husband. He had asked Lt Col PN Krishnan (Rtd) of Chennai to help the lady. The lady is at Siva Ganga, Tamilnadu and CPPC of Indian Bank is at Chennai. Lt Col PN Krishnan (Rtd) put in lot of sustained efforts in dealing with Records Signals, Jabalpur and finally got a PPO issued from PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad. The lady will now get her pension along with arrears from 2015. Immediately President rang up Lt Col PN Krishnan (Rtd) and conveyed the appreciation of all members of Core Committee of TSEWA for the success in resuming pension of an old lady in her 80s. Lt Col PN Krishnan (Rtd) narrated how this case was brought to his notice by a civilian neighbor who saw the pitiable condition in which the old family pensioner was living with no help from any source. He also informed Lt Col VS Ramana Reddy (Rtd) and another officer from Bengaluru known to the CRO, Signal Records, Jabalpur. Both of them extended all the help and guidance by which he was able to get the PPO for the family pensioner.
Points from the President
Representation in Meetings with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri or Hon’ble RRM: President summed up the Confederation of ESMs meeting on 19 Aug 2018 and thanked all for their help in the successful formation of Interim National Confederation of ESM Organisations on 19 Aug 2018. He stated that it is TSEWA which has been elected as Vice President of the Interim National Confederation and not the President of TSEWA. The concept of Confederation is to be understood. The members of the Confederation are ESM Association and not individuals. It is therefore incorrect to say that President, TSEWA is the Vice President of Interim National Confederation. On the other hand it is TSEWA which is Vice President. Therefore the right person to represent TSEWA in the meetings with President Interim Confederation is the one who has thorough knowledge of Confederation. The President therefore suggested that Cmde Sudheer Parakala (Rtd) who authored the Concept Paper on the Confederation of ESM Associations is the most suitable person to represent TSEWA in all future meetings. The Executive Committee is the right body to select the right person to represent TSEWA in such meetings.
This was discussed at length and finally the majority of members opined that President TSEWA must attend the first meeting with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri or Hon’ble RRM. Thereafter he can nominate Cmde Sudheer Parakala (Rtd) to represent TSEWA.
Establishment of Confederation for the Two Telugu Speaking States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:The President suggested that since the Interim Confederation has been formed now, Hony Capt B Joseph and Hony Capt MN Reddy are requested to go to the districts in the two Telugu speaking States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to motivate the existing ESM organizations and help them to form District and State level confederations. The President suggested the task of forming State level Confederations by bringing in all ESM Associations under one umbrella in the two Telugu speaking states be entrusted to Hony Capt B Joseph who has been doing yeomen service to the veteran community and knows most of the office bearers of various ESM Associations in the these two states. The President also suggested TSEWA to bear expenditure involved in extensive tour of Hony Capt B Joseph in the two Telugu speaking states and Hony Capt MN Reddy in the state of Telangana in the next two years. Most of the Pan India associations are not active in these two states hence the responsibility to form the two state level Confederations should be accepted by TSEWA.
On a query from a member, President clarified that more and more Tehsil, District and State level Confederations could be formed in the next two years depending upon the success achieved by the Interim National Confederation. Then more and more ESM associations will come under umbrella of National Confederation. The faster the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana form the State level Confederations, one can expect this experiment to succeed in other states. Therefore the office bearers of TSEWA in various states must take initiative to form State level Confederations by motivating all the smaller ESM Associations to join the State level Confederation to achieve unity in the veteran community.
There being no other points, President thanked all and the meeting was declared as closed.
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
President, TSEWA