SCPC: Injustice to Defence Forces: ESM Invites Press

Dear Members of the Press,
Indian ESM Movement against injustice to Defence Forces: SCPC

1. The Govt is Dilly- Dallying on the legitimate demands put forward by the three Chiefs and the Veteran Defence Oganizations. It is not understood as to why the Defence Personnel have been given a raw deal not only in their pay and allowances but also in their status, respect and selfesteem which progressively have been downgraded. There appears to be an intentional ill-treatment of our Military; otherwise, how would one explain that Lt Cols who were drawing Rs 800/- more than their counter parts in civil and para military forces till today will get Rs 14,000/ less after the award of 6th Pay Commission is implemented? Also how DGP rank officers have been placed higher then the Lt Gen? Why One rank One Pension demand has not been accepted? Why the Govt has made an IAS Officer member of the proposed Ex Servicemen commission? The Ex Servicemen commission must have all members from the Ex Servicemen? Why assured second career till the age of 60 years is not given to the Defence Personnel who retire between the ages 35 years to 42 years? Why PBORs are getting far less terminal benefits than their civilian counter parts? There is endless list of legitimate grievances of the Defence Forces. Now, when the three Chiefs have done their duty to project the legitimate demands, the Govt ill advised by bureaucracy is delaying the decision to give the due justice to the Defence Forces.

2. There is need to bring to the notice of the people of India about the injustices done to the Defence Forces and the glaring inadequacies in security both against internal and external threats. Some of the aspects are as under:-

All previous successive Govts have ignored the soldier and hurt his self pride by downgrading his status, respect and self esteem by various means. The present Govt, through the members of 6th Pay Commission has done the damage which has far reaching consequences.

All patriotic Indian should beseech their conscience and put their hands on their hearts and ask themselves. “Is the security of the country getting the attention in term of resources in men and material it deserves? Or are we only paying lip service to our security needs??? All the indicators points towards lowering standards in quality and content.

Are the Defence forces being used as canon fodder as is evidenced from the fact that after the Kabul Blast in the case of IFS officer the PM announced full pay and allowance to the NOK of deceased officer till he would have attained the age of 60 years while no such announcements were made in respect of Brig Mehta. Also no print and electronic media coverage is given to the 2- 3 Defence Personnel sacrificing their lives daily in terrorist/ militant actions in insurgencies while non stop coverage for many hours given to police officers. A sacrifice is a sacrifice and should get similar recognition irrespective of the service.

The strongest pillar of Democracy, the Defence Forces if they crack down there is nothing which can save the nation. It is impossible for a soldier to fight without a national pride instilled in him. The Government of the day on the ill- advice of bureaucracy are doing all that they can to destroy that pride. Second rate incentives attract second rate people, but, the Defence of a country can not be entrusted to second rate persons.

Civil supremacy, all the world over means, “supremacy of elected civilian representatives of the people" and NOT that of the "Civil Servants", who do not represent the ‘people’ but are their "servants". While most of the politicians are well meaning, it is the IAS Babus who thwart their good intentions as they did in 1990 when the then the Prime Minister, Mr VP Singh wanted to sanction "One Rank One Pension.

"Nation which does not ensure Security is doomed to fail". No amount of economic prosperity will bring security for the nation if the nation cannot address its security first. "The solider protects what? Guards whom? A piece of terrain! Barren, inhospitable, worthless? No! for the love of his country and countrymen, his motherland he protects, her citizens he guards, his KARMA he performs, with honour and pride, for your tomorrow he sacrifices his today."

If the matters National Security and functioning of Defence Forces are not resolved on priority, the Nation will creep into pre- 1962 disastrous situation. Anybody saying "We don’t need Defence Forces", is berefit of all knowledge of the Defence Forces. In order to ensure integrity and sovereignty of the country, there is need to strengthen the Defence Forces.

3. In order to intensify our Movement through various action plans in the near future, a Press Conference will be held at Press Club of India New Delhi on 03 Oct 2008 at 12 ‘O’ clock noon. All members of the Press both electronic and print are requested to attend and carry the story in TV Channels/ News papers/ Magazines. Your cooperation to project the right cause of the Defence Forces will go a long way in addressing their legitimate demands.

With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement