SCPC: Memorandum from Ex- Servicemen Seeking Justice

Memorandum from Ex-Servicemen Seeking Justice Against the Recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission

The protest movement of the Military Veterans is to bring to the notice of the political leadership the grave injustice done to military personnel and to point out that if their legitimate demands are not met, National Security may be seriously jeopardised. The acute shortage of officers will progressively increase and quality of intake will decline. This will result in the only instrument of the Nation that has always delivered and that has the confidence of all citizens, becoming progressively weak and ineffective.

We, the over 46 lac Ex-Servicemen of India humbly submit in your honour the following points for your kind consideration:

We have given the best years of our lives loyally and steadfastly keeping India secure, both against external as well as internal threats.

During our years in uniform, we lived an extremely hard life full of difficulties, risks and perpetual danger.

We always put the interests of the country above those of our own and of our families.

We always performed whatever task was assigned to us uncomplainingly and without ever raising any questions or doubts.

Unlike other Government employees, 96.8% of Defence Personnel are compulsorily retired between the ages of 36-44 years when their financial needs are the greatest. There is no guarantee of a second job.

On retirement a soldier gets a monthly pension of only Rs 2,713/-.

We are responsible citizens of the country and are fully cognisant of the national constraints. We do not have any unreasonable demands. We only want justice and adequate pension to live a life of dignity and honour.

The 6th Pay Commission Recommendations are highly damaging and have greatly demoralised the entire Defence Fraternity.

After the Pay Commission Recommendations were made public, we made all possible efforts to project our case to the highest decision makers in the country. Not getting any positive response or commitment, we have been compelled to project our case through public platforms, albeit in a dignified and disciplined manner.

The demands listed here only pertain to the Retired Military Personnel. In addition, we also have a stake in whatever emoluments are sanctioned for the Serving Military Personnel, as that will also have a direct correlation to pension.

We request your honour to accede to our following demands immediately:

1. One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP). This is a long pending demand aimed at protecting the interests of older pensioners. The issue has become very emotive with the Ex-Servicemen. OROP has been the stated policy of all mainstream political parties. Even the Congress party had included this point in their election manifesto by saying, “long-pending issue of One-Rank, One-Pension will once again be re examined and a satisfactory solution arrived at expeditiously”. The issue was also included in the President’s address to the Parliament in 2004. That makes OROP the declared policy of the Government and not just of any one political party.

2. A Guaranteed Government Employment. Every soldier and officer must be given assured employment till he attains the age of 60 years, which is the retiring age for all other Government employees. For this purpose lateral movement to Para Military and Central Police Forces etc has also been recommended by successive pay commissions. This can only be implemented through a ‘Parliamentary Act for Resettlement of Ex-Servicemen’ which needs to be enacted at the earliest. Till this comes into force, every unemployed Ex-Serviceman pensioner below the age of 60 years must be paid an enhanced pension of 75% of his salary.

3. Ex-Servicemen Commission. Constitution of an Ex Servicemen Commission with statutory powers to safeguard the genuine interests of the Ex-Servicemen.

4. Representation of Ex Servicemen. All committees/ commissions and other government bodies where issues affecting the interests of Ex Servicemen are being considered, must have Ex-Servicemen representation.

Steering Committee
Indian Ex- Servicemen Movement