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1911 - 2011

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Friday 8 June 2012

Utilization of manpower in the Army: 1985

Source : The Indian Defence Review, © 1995 by Lancer Publishers & Distributors.
Article Author : Lieutenant General K. Balaram, PVSM (Retd)

This article is based on a paper presented by the author to the Ministry of Defence in September 1985, prior to his retirement as Vice Chief of Army Staff and Adjutant General, Indian Army.
Introduction
The trade or employment structure of the Army, broadly, has three groups namely, the General Duties, Skilled and Highly Skilled or Technician groups. The General Duties group comprises the combat categories of armoured corps, mechanised infantry, artillery, corps of engineers, infantry and some categories of the corps of signals. The Skilled group generally comprises operator categories of various types of equipment mostly in the combat support and logistic units. The Highly Skilled group or Technical group includes mechanic and technical categories. The educational standard at recruitment, training period and the period of engagement is graduated upwards from the General Duties group to the Highly Skilled group. The training period varies from about a year or so at the lowest level to about two and a half to three years at the highest level of knowledge and skill. The aim of this article is to examine whether optimum use is made of this manpower and, if not, suggest an alternative method by which improved optimization and cost-effectiveness can be achieved.
The jargon prevalent in the Adjutant General's Branch, the Personnel Management Organization of the Army, is used in this article since it is expressive and brief. The meaning of the jargon is explained for ease of understanding of the uninitiated and lay readers. Quantitative analysis is essential to present the magnitude of the problem. Complicated calculations are given in the tables but derivations thereof are given in the text.
Genesis
Prior to 1965, sepoys in the General Duties categories were engaged for seven years of 'colour service' with eight years of 'reserve' liability, Skilled categories for 10 and 10 years and Highly Skilled categories for 12 and 8 years, respectively. Except for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), the age profile of combat units was between 18 and 25 years and those of Combat Support and Technical Services and Logistic Services units wore comparatively more, but not unduly so. Therefore, the high spirits, generally associated with youth, pervaded the entire Army. Re-employment after release from the Army was comparatively less difficult since trained manpower between the ages of 25 and 30 was more acceptable in the employment market. About 65 per cent wore released without the Army incurring any expenditure on pensions on their account since the minimum service for a pension was 15 years. Only JCOs and senior NCOs retired with pensions.
The colour service of the three groups, as defined, was changed to 10, 12, and 18 years, respectively with effect from 25 January 1965 to 15, 15 and 18, respectively with effect from 1 February 1976 and to 17, 17 and 20 years, respectively with effect from 30 June 1979. These increased colour service periods are operative till date. The effects of this upward revision of colour service will next be discussed in detail.
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5 comments:

  1. AGONY FOR DEF OFFRS CONTINUES - ISSUE OF NFU
    1. Defence Offrs services with whom you interact on functional basis, like MES Civ Offrs, GREF Civ Offrs, Offrs of BSF, CRPF ,ITBP, Def Accts(IDAS), will now get the salary and grade pay of Joint Secretary/ Maj Gen (GP Rs 10000/-) in 19 yrs of service, and will draw the pay of Addl Secretary to Govt of India which is equal to a Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/-) in 32 yrs of service
    2. Background
    (a) IAS officers and promotion for other Group A officers), has increased in respect of many Group A services.
    7. Why should the def offrs get NFU:(a) None of the Org Gp A service faces as much stagnation as the Armed Forces offrs because of its pyramidal structure. In fact, on the contrary, most of the Gp A service offrs, as it is, reach the level equal to Addl Secretary due to cylindrical structure of promotion of their service. In comparison, 97% def offrs retire at the levels below Joint Secretary / Maj Gen. Hence, if the logic of giving NFU to Org Gp A offrs is stagnation, then, no one deserves it more than the Armed Forces Offrs.
    (b) Traditionally, since independence, there has been a broad parity between the Class 1 / Gp A offrs of Civil Services and the Defence Services Offrs 6 CPC not only disturbs the financial parity, it pushes down the def services in status as even direct recruit offrs of Gp B services attain a better pay and promotional avenue and manage to reach the level of Joint Secretary / Maj Gen before retiring .
    In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/BSF/ITBP too can beat Def Services Offrs when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt / DSP in 8 yrs.
    All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
    (c) Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .
    In a specific case a Civ Chief Engineer of MES has started considering himself senior to a COS due to NFU and started saying so all around. Such problems will only increase in future.
    Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution .ELSE LOT MANY SURMOUNTABLE PROBLEM WITH IN ARMY WILL SET IN & command& control will be face multiple problems.DISGRUNTLED ARMIES IN WORLD RESORT TO MUTINY. THANK GOD OUR ARMIES ARE BEST IN WORLD & WILL NEVER DO SO. HENCE KINDLY BE GOOD TO ARMY & LOOK AFTER.
    However , the issue needs a more forceful action by RESPECTED PM/FM/RM SIR
    8. Benefits of NFU : It will not only benefit the offrs facing stagnation at the level of Lt Col, Col, and Brig, but will also benefit senior offrs like Maj Gen and Lt Gen who otherwise pick up their ranks in 29 yrs and 35 yrs resp, as they will too start drawing the pay of Maj Gen in 19 yrs of service and that of Lt Gen in 32 yrs of service.
    9. It not only affects pay, it also affects status.
    10. TO DAY ARMY COMES IN AID TO CIVIL POWER. [ ONCE CIVIL AUTHORITY IAS/IPS FAIL IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES]MAY BE EARTH QUAKE,FLOOD RELIEF,TRAIN ACCIDENT,ASIAD GAMES,NAXAL PROBLEM,TERROR ATTACK ,CHILD IN WELL,STRIKE BY RAIL,ELECTRICITY BOARD, TELE SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES & SO ON LIST IS NEVER ENDING.
    11. GOVERNMENT LAST HOPE IS ARMY & IF YOU NEITHER GIVE PAY/PENSION AT LEAST AT PAR WITH CIVIL IAS/IPS THAN YOU CANNOT EXPECT MIRACLES FROM ARMY. NO WHERE IN WORLD POOR PAID ARMY HAS EVER WON
    12. DO NOT LOWER MORALE OF ARMY[ ARMY MARCHES ON BELLY PROOVEN FACT IN MILITARY HISTORY]
    13. KINDLY RESTORE STATUS , GIVE PAY,PENSION NOT LESS THAN IAS/IPS & MAINTAIN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY & DO NOT VIOLATE ARTICLE 14 OF CONSTITUTION
    14 IMMEDIATE NEED TO REVISE PAY & PENSION .SPEEDY PAYMENT OD ARREARS WITH CORRESPONDING DA w.e.f 1/1/2006

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  2. DE-GRADATION OF ARMY AND UP-GRADATION OF CIVIL[IAS/IPS]
    1.ARMY COMES TO RESCUE OF CIVIL AUTHORITY[IAS/IPS ] ON THEIR FAILURE IN NAME OF AID TO CIVIL POWER
    2.THE ARMED FORCES WERE PAID HIGHER PAY & PENSION [PENSION USED TO BE 75 % OF PAY, AS APPLICABLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES] NOW THE PENSION HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 50%
    3.However, this was arbitrarily and without any justification changed by 3rd CPC in 1973.
    4.The RAJYA SABHA Committee opined that the Govt has TAKEN an ill considered decision,
    5.Rajya Sabha ATR) is still awaited.
    6.Ex Servicemen Discontent is Disturbing . legitimate and fair demand of OROP be accepted.
    7.Rajya Sabha Petition Committee strongly recommended its sanction and implementation OF OROP.
    8.PM/FM/RM/LOK SABHA/RAJYA SABHA ALL HAVE ACCEPTED ONE ONE RANK PENSION BUT A CABINET SECRETARY HAS REJECTED IT. IS CS IS ABOVE ALL THE AUTHORITIES & GOVT WHO HAVE ACCEPTED ,OROP, SUCH A PERSON SHOULD BE PUNISHED & SENT HOME, HE IS SOWING SEEDS OF DISCONTENTMENT IN FORCES. FORCES DO NOT HAVE UNIONS ,WHEN WATER GOES ABOVE LEVEL THEY REVOLT MAY BE CALLED MUTINY. KINDLY ENSURE SUCH A SITUATION DOES NOT ARISE
    9.The Defence Personnel have suffered thrice over[THREE PAY COMMISSIONS ERODED THEIR PAY/PENSION/STATUS ]; The pension of Defence highest rank has increased only 45 times, that of civilian highest rank it has increased 108 times). THE COL[SELECTION]/BRIG GOT MERE INCRESE OF 30 TIMES.There is just no justification for the same.
    10.ALL Will draw the pay of Addl Secretary Lt Gen(GP Rs 12000/- in 32 yrs of service by virtue of their service being Organised Gp A Service.
    12. The Government accepted the recommendations of Sixth CPC and granted the NFU to Organized GP A Services .BUT DENIED TO DEFENSE SERVICES A HEIGHT OF DEGRADATION OF FORFCES
    H]In fact, now Sub Inspectors of CRPF/BSF/ITBP too can beat Def Services Offrs when they too will retire with the salary of Addl Secretary / Lt Gen, if they get promoted as Asstt Comdt / DSP in 8 yrs.
    J]All this will only fuel frustration, disgruntlement and will have a demoralising effect on the Armed Forces Offrs.
    K] Since Def Offrs will have to work alongside some of the Organised Gp A Services mentioned, a disparity of this magnitude will lead to functional problems .
    L]In some stations, it is already being heard that Civ Offrs have started projecting themselves as senior to top military offr l. Such problems will only increase in future.
    M]Moreover, this issue must not be allowed to linger till 7th CPC for resolution .ELSE LOT MANY SURMOUNTABLE PROBLEM WITH IN ARMY WILL SET IN & command& control will be face multiple problems.DISGRUNTLED ARMIES IN WORLD RESORT TO MUTINY. THANK GOD OUR ARMIES ARE BEST IN WORLD & WILL NEVER DO SO. HENCE KINDLY BE GOOD TO ARMY & LOOK AFTER.
    However , the issue needs a more forceful action by RESPECTED PM/FM/RM SIR
    N]. Benefits of NFU DENIED
    O]. It not only affects pay/pension, it also affects status.
    P]. TO DAY ARMY COMES IN AID TO CIVIL POWER.
    [ ONCE CIVIL AUTHORITY IAS/IPS FAIL IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES]MAY BE EARTH QUAKE,FLOOD RELIEF,TRAIN ACCIDENT,ASIAD GAMES,NAXAL PROBLEM,TERROR ATTACK ,CHILD IN WELL,STRIKE BY RAIL,ELECTRICITY BOARD, TELE SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES & SO ON LIST IS NEVER ENDING.
    Q]. GOVERNMENT LAST HOPE IS ARMY & IF YOU NEITHER GIVE PAY/PENSION AT LEAST AT PAR WITH CIVIL IAS/IPS THAN YOU CANNOT EXPECT MIRACLES FROM THE ARMY. NO WHERE IN WORLD POOR PAID ARMY HAS EVER WON
    R]. KINDLY RESTORE STATUS , GIVE PAY,PENSION NOT LESS THAN IAS/IPS & MAINTAIN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY & DO NOT VIOLATE ARTICLE 14 OF CONSTITUTION & FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY.
    T] IMMEDIATE NEED TO REVISE PAY & PENSION .SPEEDY PAYMENT OD ARREARS WITH CORRESPONDING DA w.e.f 1/1/2006

    3. COL [SELECTION GRADE] SHOULD BE ABOVE SUPER TIME SCALE, SO IS BRIG, BUT IN REALITY IT IS NOT SO. THEY ARE BEING PAID DEGRADED PAY & PENSION.
    14. I understand Chankya said to his king" your kingdom is doomed if and when our soldier has to ask for his dues".

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  3. RE WE REALLY PREPARED TO FACE A WAR?
    1.WHEN EVER A NEW COAS COMES HE ASSURES THAT OUR BORDER ARE SAFE & ARMY IS WELL PREPARED TO FIGHT .NATION IS IN SAFE HANDS . BUT PRIOR TO LAST 2-3 MONTHS OF RETIREMENT THEY SING A TUNE IN REVERSE. DISGRUNTLEMENT AT THAT LEVEL, SO LEADERSHIP IS NOT EFFECTIVE.
    2. COAS VK SINGH WENT UP TO THIS EXTENT THAT THEY CAN TAKE ON TO-GTHER PAK & CHINA. GEN VK SINGH CONDUCTED EXERCISE TO BOAST FURTHER, BUT JUST PRIOR TO RETIREMENT SAME REVERSE TUNE i.e. ARMY IS ILL EQUIPPED ,INFRA STRUCTURE IS POOR, LACK OF ARMS & AMN.
    3. CHINA MOVED SWIFTLY TO POK, NORTH & NORTH EAST BORDER & BUILT ROADS.MOVED TO SEA BORDERS TOO & MADE BASES EVEN NEAR SRI LANKA. WE BROUGHT ENEMY NEAR DUE TO FALSE ASSURANCE/CRY OF OUR COAS.
    4. KARGIL WAR WAS NOT A WAR .IT WAS JUST RE-CONTROL OF OUR POSTS WHICH WERE NOT MANNED DURING WINTER. SEE HOW MUCH FORCE WAS MOVED APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 9 DIVISIONS. THE PITY WAS THAT EVEN AT THAT TIME COAS WAS OUT F COUNTRY & CORP COMMANDER PLAYING GOLF, WHILE YOUNG OFFICER & MEN WERE EMBRACING DEATH.
    6. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT FROM TWO DECADES. AGE OLD TANKS/APC LIVED OVERHAUL LIFE TOO. CAN THEY BE BATTLE WORTHY
    7. SO AS CASE WITH OUR AIR FORCE LET IT IS A TRAINEE AIR CRAFT OR FIGHTER AIR CRAFT.
    8. VAST SEA SHORE & HARDLY MATCHING TASK TO SEA EQUIPMENT.
    9. OUR ARMY FOUGHT BRAVELY IN 1962 DUE TO WILL OF SOLDIER
    10 BUT WHEN MEN MORALE IS IN BOOTS& MACHINE STATE ARE BAD THAN CAN ANY ARMY WIN A WAR
    11.  China violation of its territorial integrity from any quarter would be severely punished.
    12. The only Chief [ LATE FIELD MANEKSHAW] who went to the Government & put his foot down that he needs six months for preparation before going for operation in 1971 war. SIMILARLY MARSHAL OF AIR LEAD HIS PILOT.S DEEP INTO ARMY TERRITORY. A RARE TYPE OF LEADER IN WORLD. HE TOO PUT HIS FOOT DOWN ALONG WITH THAN COAS THAT ANY LAND WON WILL NOT BE RETURNED AS LOT MANY OFFICER & MEN WILL BE KILLED & THEY HAVE TO FACE THEM. PM LATE SASHTRI AGREED BUT TASHKENT AGREEMENT WAS AGAINST ASSURANCE & HE LAID DOWN LIFE AS A TRUE SOLDIER. war is related to the capacity to kill and not getting killed.
    13. China armed strength about two and a half time larger than ours.
    19.Notwithstanding that of a house-holder blissfully ignoring the threat to his household on the basis of an assurance given to him by the thief himself, 
    20. The present political leadership in India, "all's well" Defence syndrome
    21.WITH PRESENT DAY OLD OBSOLETE WAR MACHINE ,POOR INFRA STRUCTURE,CORRUPTION BY GENERAL’S AT ALL TIME HIGH ,POOR /UNHEALTHY /SUB STANDARD FOOD FOR TROOPS, POOR LOOK AFTER OF EX-SRVICEMEN WHICH LOWERS MORALE
    22, GOD FATHER OF TROOPS [COL-S] DOWN GRADTION IN PAY & PENSION. THE MORALE OF COL [CO IS IN BOOTS] THAN WHAT WILL BE MORALE OF HIS TROOPS. WILL TO FIGHT WILL VANISH.
    23. TO DAY ARMY COMES IN AID TO CIVIL POWER.
    [ONCE CIVIL AUTHORITY IAS/IPS FAIL IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES]MAY BE EARTH QUAKE,FLOOD RELIEF,TRAIN ACCIDENT,ASIAD GAMES,NAXAL PROBLEM,TERROR ATTACK ,CHILD IN WELL,STRIKE BY RAIL,ELECTRICITY BOARD, TELE SERVICES, HOSPITAL  SERVICES & SO ON LIST IS NEVER ENDING.
    24. MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK[AID TO CIVIL POWER] A MAJOR GETTING KILLED IN HOTEL & DGP SLEEPING IN CAR[ YOU FAIL IN YOUR DUTIES & ENJOY NAP. PERSON ASKING FOR AID TO CIVIL POWER SHOULD BE SACKED FIRST[WHO FAILED IN PERFORMANCE OF HIS BASIC DUTIES [IAS/IPS EXTRA]
    25. GOVERNMENT LAST HOPE IS ARMY & IF YOU NEITHER GIVE PAY/PENSION AT LEAST AT PAR WITH CIVIL IAS/IPS THAN YOU CANNOT EXPECT MIRACLES FROM THE ARMY.

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  4. EFFORTS OF SIX MONTHS FINALLY GOT A POSITIVE SHAPE

    1.FINALLY PM HONOURED ALL MY REQUESTS SUPPORTED BY MOD

    2. PMO HAVE ACK ALL MY CASES OF PAY & ANOMALIES EXTRA.

    3. REST HOPE VERY VERY POSITIVE WITH IN A MONTH 15/8/2012

    Description: https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvV5ADTNPKlOahdE7VWLRBc_Ow9tJlaw6NMN8kSEgUUaHN0GMb

    Committee to look into pay and pension related issues of defence services Friday, July 13, 2012

    The Government has decided to constitute a Committee, for which Cabinet Secretary will be the chair person to look into pay and pension related issues of relevance to defence services personnel and ex-servicemen. The other members of the Committee will be:

    (i) Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

    (ii) Defence Secretary

    (iii) Secretary, D/o Expenditure

    (iv) Secretary, D/o Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare

    (v) Secretary, D/o Personnel and Training

    The Committee’s ‘terms of reference’ will be to look into the following issues relating to:

    (i) Defence services personnel:

    Common pay-scale for in-service JCOs/ORs
    Initial pay-fixation of Lt. Col/Colonel and Brigadier/equivalent
    Review and enhancement of grade pay
    Placing of all Lts General in HAG+ scale
    Grant of non-functional up gradation (NFU) to armed forces personnel

    (ii) Ex-servicemen:

    One-rank one-pension
    Enhancement of family pension
    Dual family pension
    Family pension to mentally/physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage

    The Department of Expenditure will service the Committee. The Committee may co-opt any other member. The Committee will finalize its recommendations and submit its report to the Prime Minister by 8th August, 2012.

    COL LAMBA

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  5. MY EFFORTS OF SIX MONTHS FINALLY GOT A POSITIVE SHAPE

    1.FINALLY PM HONOURED ALL MY REQUESTS SUPPORTED BY MOD

    2. PMO HAVE ACK ALL MY CASES OF PAY & ANOMALIES EXTRA.

    3. REST HOPE VERY VERY POSITIVE WITH IN A MONTH 15/8/2012
    HANDFULL OF GENERALS PAY SCALES SNATCHING AWAY PAY & ALLWANCES OF SELECTION GRADE OFFICER’S [COL& BRIG]& MAKING A COWARD ,UNFIT ARMY , POOR COMMAND SET UP[BY DENYING COL & BRIG THEIR DUE]

    1. ALL IAS & IPS OFFICER RETIRE IN SUPER TIME SCALE, BUT IN ARMY COL[SELECTION]& BRIG RETIRE IN MUCH LOWER SCALE AND DENIED THEIR BAIC FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF EQUALITY[ INSPITE OF DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITION IN FAR REMOTE AREA AWAY FROM CIVILISATION
    2. THE BULKOF ARMY OFFICER RETIRES IN COL [TS] RANK & BELOW.SO IDEALLY THEY SHOULD BE IN SUPER TIME SCALE.
    3. COL [SELECTION GRADE] SHOULD BE ABOVE SUPER TIME SCALE, SO IS BRIG, BUT IN REALITY IT IS NOT SO. THEY ARE BEING PAID DEGRADED PAY & PENSION.
    4. TO ADD FURTHER TO IT A DIG WHO WAS ONE TIME JUNIOR TO Lt COL HAS BEEN MOVED TO BRIG PAY BAND AND COL HAS BECOME JUNIOR TO HIM.DIG RANK [TIME SCALE] IS ACHIEVED IN 14 YEARS, WHERE AS LT COL [TIME SCALE] 11 YEARS % COL [TIME SCALE] IN 26 YEARS. WHAT AN INJUSTICE TO COL WHAT A JOKE WITH COL [TS] & GOD SAVE FATE OF COL [SELECTION] Colonel has been equated with Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG
    5. Colonel has been equated with Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG). The rank of a DIG who was till date between a Lt Colonel and a Colonel is now officially equal to a Brigadier. Both are now on a Grade Pay of Rs 8900.
    6. NOW DIG [WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN SSP IN ACTUAL IF POLICE UPGRADATION DURING COAS MALHOTRA TIME IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT] HAS BEEN PUT AT PAR WITH BRIG [
    ANDHER NAGRI CHAUPTE RAJA TAKKE SER BHAJI TAKKE SER KHAJA]

    IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT POLICE HAS GONE ONE RANK UP ALREADY DURING COAS MALHOTRA TIME. HE DID HIS BEST TO REVERSE POLICE ACTION, BUT COULD NOT DO SO & DID NOT UPGRADE RANK OF HIS FORCES.NOW FURTHER DEGRADATION
    7. WHERE IS REWARD TO COL/BRIG WHO WORKED HARD FOR PROMOTION & ORGANISATIONAL GROWTH, ALL THEIR LIFE
    COL/BRIG IS IN FORE FRONT DURING PEACE/WAR AND WITH DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH MEN.COL/BRIG IS A KING PIN BETWEEN TROOPS & HIGHER UPS.

    8. DIFFERENCE OF PAY SCALE OF COL[S] VS LT COL [TS/S] WIIL BE COL LTS] =59400-58090=1310- INCOME TAX @20%+CESS 3%=RS .777/
    AS THERE IS HARDLY ANY DIFFERENCE IN TAKE HOME PAY OF COL [TS] & COL [SELECTION]. SO WHY BOTHER ATTITUDE WILL PREVAIL.
    MOREOVER NO /ZERO DIFFERENCE IN PENSION THAN WHY SLOG & GET KILLED OR INJURIED WHEN NO BENFITS / REWARD FOR WORKING [ANDHER NAGRI CHUPTE RAJA]

    9. A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ARMY.BULK OF ARMY OFFICER RETIRES IN COL & BELOW RANK. FOR JUST RS 777/ WHY SLOG FOR LIFE & RISK LIFE.
    A BIRTH TO COWARD ARMY WILL COME TO LIGHT IF THIS SITUATION PREVAIL]
    [TAKKE SER BHAJI TAKEE SER KHAJA ANDHER NAGRI CHAUPT RAJA]

    10. ENORMOUS BENEFIT TO TIME SCALE MAJ THAN TIME SCALE LT COL [ALL PROMOTION AT NO RISK]

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