MoD drops the use of term ‘PBOR’

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd),former Vice-Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement,said: “It were us who raised this issue. I am happy that the system has recognised it. It was unfair to call JCOs as PBORs.”

The term,PBOR,is considered derogatory because it distinctly draws a dividing line between officers and others.

“Thus this word creates a deep sense of differences in the hearts and minds (of people) in ex-servicemen community and also in forces,” said Lt Col S S Sohi (Retd),president,Ex-Services Grievance Cell. He had also petitioned before the Ministry of Defence to drop the use of this term to avoid any heartburn.

Bhim Sen Sehgal,chairman,All India Ex-servicemen Welfare Association,however,said all should be called ex-servicemen after retirement and no distinction like JCO,OR or officers should be used. He said: “After retirement,all are equal and categorising the soldiers who have served at the lowest ranks as Other Ranks should also be avoided.”