ESM: Fast for Justice 20 Oct 2008, Bangalore

MILITARY VETERANS FAST FOR JUSTICE AT MAHATMA GANDHI STATUE ON MG ROAD, BANGALORE
FROM 10 AM ON 20 OCTOBER TO 4 PM ON 24 OCTOBER 2008 [Mahatma Gandhi statue is at the tri-junction of MG Road, Queens Road & Kasturba Road, Opposite Jewels D' Paragon, Bangalore]. [*MILITARY VETERANS means Retired Officers, JCOs, NCOs & Jawans of the Army and their equivalents in the Navy & Air Force]

1. Military Veterans at Bangalore are requested to assemble in large numbers to undertake the Relay FAST FOR JUSTICE from 20 Oct to 24 October 2008 at Mahatma Gandhi Statue on MG Road, Bangalore, to express their solidarity with MILITARY VETERANS all over the Country to draw the attention of the Govt. of Union of India for the amelioration of their grievances relating to pension & resettlement. Military Veterans shall undertake a fast, just for a day, on any one day as per their convenience, during the period: 20 Oct-24 Oct 2008. The Relay Fast would commence at 10 AM on Monday, 20 Oct 2008 and end at 4 PM on Friday, 24 Oct 2008. Military Veterans undertaking the Fast would be relieved at 8AM, the next day, by a fresh batch of Military Veterans. All Military Veterans shall be suitably dressed with head gear and miniature medals. Other than holding a few placards, posters & banners, there shall be no speeches, no sloganeering and no demonstration. The entire proceedings shall be conducted as a solemn event with dignity & decorum, befitting Military Veterans. Only the nominated spokesperson shall talk to the Press & Media. Military Veterans are requested to inform all their friends and give wide publicity to the undertaking of Relay Fast, by SMS/ Emails/ telephone; so as to ensure maximum participation by MILITARY VETERANS. Spouses of Military Veterans and War Widows & War wounded are welcome to participate in the Relay Fast.

2. IMPORTANT: Military Veterans are requested to inform the Convener by Email or Post Card, their personal particulars, viz. No, Rank, Name, Tel No. & Cell No, and Confirmation of Date (just one day) when convenient to undertake the Relay Fast during the period: 20-24 Oct 2008.

Veteran IC-15090 Colonel SS Rajan

The Bombay Sappers, PRC: 30 Jun 1963
Convener (Bangalore Chapter)
Military Veterans Movement for Justice & All India Military Veterans Association

Press Note
IESM Movement Against Injustices to Defence Services:
Relay Hunger Strike from 20 Oct 08 at 10 AM onwards

Dear Members of the Press.
1. This has reference to our press Conference held on 03 Oct 08 at Press club of India New Delhi where we had announced that in the event of Govt not accepting our demands till the date, the veteran Defence Personnel through out the country will go on Relay Hunger Strike from 20 Oct 08 onwards.

2. Since, the Govt has not announced pension benefits of 6th CPC in respect of Ex- Servicemen and has not accepted any of our demands so far, the Defence Veterans PAN India will go on Relay Hunger Strike starting at10 AM on 20 Oct 08 onwards. The Relay Hunger Strike will be carried out in all the Districts and cities of the country. The local representative of the IESM Movement will decide the locations and methodology of the conduct of Relay Hunger Strike. In NCR, the Relay Hunger Strike will be carried out at India Gate Lawns (The same location where Hunger Strike was carried out on 27 May 08). Large number of Officers, JCOs and Men will take part in the Relay Hunger Strike throughout the country. This protest is being carried out to make the people of our country aware of the grave injustices being done to the Defence Services.

3. We demand Justice in respect of our Status, respect, self esteem and emoluments. We request the members of the media both electronic and print to carry this news and also cover the event extensively at India Gate Lawns and all other cities of the country. We also appeal to our PM and RM to accept our genuine demands at the earliest to ameliorate our sufferings, anguish and hurt feelings.

DEMANDS OF MILITARY VETERANS

To lead their retired life in peace with Honour, Dignity & Izzat- the hall marks of a Soldier; the MILITARY VETERANS request:

1. "One Rank, One Pension"(OROP) be sanctioned IMMEDIATELY. This is a long pending demand aimed at protecting the interests of older pensioners; and the issue has become very emotive with the Ex- Servicemen. OROP has been the stated policy of all mainstream political parties. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has been asking the Govt. time & again to implement 'One Rank, One Pension'. Para 99 of the Report of Standing Committee on Defence (2003) clearly states: "The Committee have been recommending grant of `One Rank One Pension' to the armed forces personnel time and again. The Committee observes that successive Governments and Pay Commissions have made improvements in the pension structure keeping in view the cost of living index. This has accentuated the disparity of pension benefits between pensioners of the same rank. The older pensioners who have become infirm in ability and capability and burdened with a larger social obligation receive pension calculated at the rate of pay at the time of their retirement in 1950s or 1960s or 1970s, which is quite paltry and the Dearness Relief quite inconsequential in today's context of inflation and shrinking purchasing value of money. The nation must repay its debt to those defenders of the motherland with gratitude and humility. We should, instead of, looking for precedents in this regard, create precedents for the others to emulate. Any amount paid in this regard would be small token of our gratitude to them. The Committee, therefore, once again reiterates their earlier recommendation for providing `One Rank One Pension' to the armed forces personnel". *[For purposes of 'Pension' the term MILITARY VETERANS includes widows/ parents /next of kin of soldiers who were killed in battle and also those who died in peace time, and in receipt of pension from Defence Dept].
2. Resettlement of Military Veterans by way of:
(a) Legislation of an Act by Parliament, for lateral induction of Service Officers, JCOs & Jawans and their equivalents in the Navy & Air Force, into Central & State Services and PSUs, at appropriate levels, so that MILITARY VETERANS too have just, fair & equal opportunities to upgrade themselves and retire at the age of 60 years, at higher levels & appointments.
(b) Legislation of an Act by Parliament, making it mandatory for all Corporates and Industries related to supply of equipment, materials & stores to the Armed Forces, for employment of MILITARY VETERANS to the extent of 10 % of their work force.

3. Constituting an Ex-Servicemen Commission with necessary statutory powers at the national level to look after all the welfare measures of the Ex- Servicemen community. As is the practice in the case of other similar commissions, the Ex-Servicemen Commission be headed by a retired Chief of the Army/ Navy/ Air Force and should have Military Veterans from the three Defence services, as its members; and also suitable members from Military Veterans fraternity representing War Widows and the War wounded.

4. Representation of the Ex-Servicemen on all committees and other such bodies constituted for the purpose of looking into matters affecting the interests of the Ex- Servicemen.

5. We also support all the demands put up by the three Chiefs and stand solidly behind them.

6. We request the members of the media to kindly carry this press note in your News Paper/TV Channel and give wide publicity. You are also requested to cover the event at India Gate Lawns New Delhi and all other cities across country starting at 10 AM on 20 Oct 08 onwards.

Jai Hind
With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement (IESM)