AFVOA Newsletters of Year 2012

Page 38 of 80 the affected serving officers/soldiers and/or retired servicemen/next of kin who may be forced into seeking remedy (beyond the service), a reference material as to how best to go about doing so. To that extent it is more of a “DOs & DON’Ts” guide, with examples based on his experience of past two and a half years. The Handout, is primarily of use to the prospective litigants, who have now been provided with, statutorily, an opportunity both affordable and close at hand, hitherto considered not so, to be able to address perceived wrongs in a finite time of not more than a few months. Presented in eight interesting chapters with comprehensive appendices, this publication will be of immense value to those who need to knock at the doors of justice. It has been published in the Armed Forces Law Journal 2012 (1). The General deserves our highest praise and heartiest congratulations on this unique contribution. Another feather in his cap, another achievement in his illustrious career. We are proud of you. CTC +++ Immediate Separate Redressal Commission for Armed Forces The Hon’ble Supreme Court has ordered the immediate constitution of a separate Commission to examine the pay/pension anomalies and other grievances of the defence services. The functioning of the Commission would be directly monitored by the Supreme Court. The Commission would comprise of Justice Kuldip Singh, Retired SC Judge as the Chairperson and would have as members Justice SS Sodhi, General VP Malik, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi and one person to be nominated by the Government of India. The Commission would independently look into the grievances of members of the defence services and the Government would have no say in the same. The salient features for the said Commission, as laid down by the Supreme Court in its order, are as follows: (1) The Commission shall be called “Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission”. (2) The Commission shall look into all grievances forwarded to them in writing or email by serving and retired personnel. (3) Commission shall frame schemes for rehabilitation of soldiers who are discharged at young ages. (4) The term of the first Commission shall be two years, renewable at the option of the central government.