Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 30 April 2024 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The attention of the media houses towards the change in the new Disability Policy may have died down, but the soldiers are still a disheartened lot. For those uninitiated, in September 2023 the Ministry of Defence introduced the term ‘impairment relief’ which will replace the ‘disability element’ of pension. The ministry of defence (MoD) has come up with new rules for the grant of disability pensions to armed forces personnel. The new policy changes the definition of pension, how disability pension is calculated, and eligibility criteria.
Titled ‘Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pension and Disability Compensation Awards to Armed Forces Personnel, 2023’, the new rules released on September 21 will replace all such previous entitlement norms.
As a veteran officer commented, “The concept of Invalidation has undergone a regressive redefinition, emphasizing the necessity of a ten-year service tenure to qualify for an Invalid Pension. It’s noteworthy that this prerequisite, which had previously been rescinded for civilian employees, was reinstated in January 2019.”
“Changes to the service connection criteria for disabilities have been made, contradicting both medical science and common sense. Previously, existing rules, including the CCS (EOP) rules for civilians, asserted a connection between all heart diseases and the stress and strain of service without any preconditions. However, the recent rules introduced by the ministry of defence specify that heart diseases will be deemed linked to service only if they occur in high altitude areas, diverging from the previous approach.” He further added.
[Excerpt from Times of India “From 2016 to 2023: What changed for disabled soldiers” Dated 10/10/23]

Q1: What is the primary goal of the revised disability pension policy for military personnel?
(a) Cost-saving
(b) Enhancing battle readiness
(c) Expanding entitlements
(d) Ensuring tax exemptions

  View Answer

Q2: When will the new disability pension rules be applicable to military personnel?
(a) September 21
(b) October 1
(c) November 15
(d) December 31

  View Answer

Q3: What prompted the tightening of norms for claiming disability pension?
(a) Rising pension costs
(b) CAG's report
(c) Government directive
(d) Public pressure

  View Answer

Q4: What is the main concern addressed by the new disability pension rules?
(a) Emoluments for war widows
(b) Ambiguity in procedures
(c) Tax exemptions
(d) Misuse of liberal provisions

  View Answer

Q5: What does the term "impairment relief" refer to in the new rules?
(a) Tax exemptions
(b) Entitlement nature
(c) Emoluments quantum
(d) Medical category

  View Answer

Q6: What is the primary reason for the significant increase in disability pension claims after 2006?
(a) Tax exemptions
(b) 6th Pay Commission report
(c) War widows' demands
(d) Public awareness campaigns

  View Answer

Q7: Who are not impacted by the changes in disability pension entitlements?
(a) Military retirees
(b) War widows
(c) Veterans
(d) Personnel receiving compensation for death or disability

  View Answer

Q8: What is the aim of the new disability pension rules in terms of personnel categories?
(a) Increase in lower medical categories
(b) Efficient management of cadre
(c) Higher litigation rates
(d) Promotion of tax-free pensions

  View Answer