Caste Based Census.

   In pursuance to Government decision, a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being carried out throughout the country. The field work for the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being conducted by the respective State/UT Governments. The financial and technical support for this exercise is being provided by the Government of India. The Nodal Ministries in the Government of India are the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Technical support is being provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India).

   The field data-collection in each Enumeration Block is being conducted by a team of 2 persons, an enumerator who is appointed by the State/UT Government and a Data Entry Operator who is handling the Tablet PC for data entry operation.

   The tasks related to hardware and software development and field data entry operations has been entrusted to a consortium of three Central Public Sector Undertakings, namely, the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) Limited.

Ordnance Factory at Nalanda

   Action for setting up of ordnance factory at Nalanda in Bihar is underway.Commissioning of Nitro Cellulose Plant (NC) and erection of Sulphuric Acid Concentration / Nitric Acid Concentration Plant (SAC/NAC) are under progress. Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is also planning for procurement of sub-plants for main Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) plant on its own.

   As per signed contract with M/s IMI, Israel, the target date for commissioning of the main Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) plant was September 2011. However, CBI investigations had started in May 2009 against M/s Israeli Military Industries (IMI) and others due to vendors` misconduct relating to illegal gratification.

Denial of Pension benefits to EX-Servicemen.

   Ex-Servicemen with service less than 15 years are not entitled to pension, as it is a mandatory requirement for a Personnel Below Officer Rank to render 15 years and for Commissioned Officers 20 years qualifying service to earn pension. Minimum qualifying service is an essential criterion for pension in the Government.

   The Short Service Commissioned Officers who are not pensioners are eligible for certain schemes of DGR like Training, Security Agencies and other self-employment schemes. Ex Defence personnel with more than 5 years of service are entitled to CSD canteen facilities available in units / establishment apart from being employed as Security Guards. Some grants out of RakshaMantri Discretionary Funds are also provided to non-pensioners upto the rank ofHavaldar.