SCPC: ESM Fast for Justice

”FAST FOR JUSTICE” BY MILITARY VETERANS
To be released at the Press Conference At 10:30 AM on 22 May 2008

The Sixth Central Pay Commission Report (6thCPC) has treated the Defence Services Personnel, both serving and the veterans highly unfairly. Gross injustice has been done to them. In spite of repeated requests, no member from the Defence Services was included as a member of the Pay Commission. The Special Review Committee now ordered to review the 6 CPC report, again has no member from the Defence Services. Why is the government denying representation? The answer is it is not the government but the bureaucracy that is doing so. Resultantly, people who have little or no knowledge of the conditions of service of the Defence Forces will be making decisions as to how much compensation should be paid to both serving and retired military personnel. Even the “One Rank One Pension”, which was granted to the Defence Services by the Parliamentary Committee for Defence and was debated in favour of the military veterans, after decades of protests and agitations, has been taken away by the 6th CPC; can it be called a fair report?

The military veterans have therefore decided to continue their protest till their demands are met. There are four categories of personnel, who have suffered the maximum. These are firstly, our jawans and JCO’s; secondly, all middle level officers from the rank of Lt Col to Brigadier; thirdly, officers of the rank of Lt Gen; and fourthly all veterans. Some details of anomalies and the main demands of the military veterans are as under:

One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP). The long standing demand of “one-rank-one-pension” must be accepted immediately. Almost every political party has accepted this demand and it part of their election manifestos. This demand must be implemented by the government without any further delay.

Resettlement of Veterans. An overwhelming number of veterans are jobless. Pension is their sole means of livelihood. With the passage of time their nutrition levels fall, reducing life expectancy. They are also considered a burden by their kinsfolk. It is the duty of the government to provide guaranteed jobs for them.

Representation of Soldiers on Premier Committees. Why does the government not trust soldiers? All committees to resolve problems of soldier’s consist of bureaucrats, who have no knowledge of the military. Strange indeed!

Inequities in the Report of Sixth Pay Commission. The report is heavily biased against the soldier. It shows complete lack of knowledge of the working environment and the ethos of the Military. Has it been done to keep soldiers below the civil services? Why?

Formation of a Commission for Defence Services. The problem is systemic and essentially relates to civil- military relations. These issues can only be resolved by appointing an independent Commission, which must be predominantly composed of Military personnel.

Address All Anomalies. The Services headquarters have already addressed a detailed note to the government, pointing out the discrepancies and anomalies in the recommendations of the 6thCPC. These relate to status, pay, allowances, military service pay and pensionary benefits. These must be rectified at the earliest.

Compensation for the War Disabled. They must be treated at par with martyrs, in terms of ex- gratia grants. War Injury Pay needs to be substantially enhanced.

Compensation for Early Retirement. Military personnel who retire earlier than their civilian counterparts must be compensated as their life time earnings are much less than others. This should be done by giving them enhanced pension.

The widespread and strong resentment against the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission is a fact for all to see. The Defence Forces, as well as the Veterans have no confidence in the so- called Empowered/ Review Committee, even if an odd person from the military is added to it now. The government must constitute either a standing Armed Forces Pay Review Board (AFPRB), with a serving member each from the three Services and one retired person among others, or form a separate Pay Commission for the military and the veterans, to study all aspects de novo. Anything short will not satisfy the serving guardians of our nation, or the Veterans.

With a view to express our strong resentment to the recommendations of the 6th CPC and the callous attitude adopted by the government, all veterans will observe a token “FAST FOR JUSTICE” throughout the country. In the Tri- city, the event will be held at the War Memorial, Sector-2, Panchkula from 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM on Tuesday 27 May 2008. We request the media to give wide publicity to the event and invite the citizens of the Tri- city and surrounding areas to join us and show their solidarity to our cause.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff

Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)
Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff