IESM: Press Release Mohali

Press Conference by IESM (Pb)Dated: 18 Dec 08.
(at Hotel Haveli, Ph-5 Mohali. 12:30pm)
Great injustice by Unprofessional IAS Babus over War Veterans entitlements & One Rank One Pension

Sir,
1. Sh AK Antony Defence Minister's statement on One Rank One Pension (OROP) in Rajya Sabha on 11 Dec is totally uncalled for and mischievously twisted by Babus just to foil War Veteran's meeting with Prime Minister on OROP. Fact is that OROP case was never rejected by Hon'able Supreme Court in 1982 but it was dropped because it was not backed up by Advocate. Recent verdict of Supreme Court on OROP is being ignored by MOD Babus openly and they always compel our Justice through Courts, like the cases of 4th & 5th pay Commissions anomalies/ mischiefs. Similar cheatings have been/ being again done in 6th Pay Commission. Babus have made ESM community a weaker section of society by depriving our entitlements, perks & relativity since independence.

2. It is also unbecoming of Sh. MMP Raju Hon'able State Min for Defence to read out Babus chit in the House on 16 Dec like the Def Min, just to misguide the Nation. They are un professionals & unconcerned over Defence & war Veterans problems and are fully dependent on strong Babus. All the facts were briefed to Sh AK Antony during our 65 minutes meeting with him on 18 Nov 08. OROP is not financial burden. It may cost 1200- 1500 crores only and not 4-5000 crores as projected by Babus, because it was costing Rs 612 crores only in 2003. No other services can ask for it because our terms, rules & service conditions have been entirely different from others. We worked 24hrsX7 days, where as they work for 8X5 for 165 days & not 281 days yearly like us. Babus just keep creating reasons & misguiding ignorant Politicians to fire from their shoulders w/o having any accountability, correctly stated by Sh MV Moily in his Admn Reforms Committee.

3. It is also wrong to say that Veterans never objected 6th Pay Commission's recommendations. We have been forced to resort to protests from last one year but nothing is reaching MOD ears? MOD's decision Anomalies created by Babus in 4th 5th & 6th Pay commissions are creating problems in Forces rank & file and are also adversely affecting War Veterans & Defence widows. Veterans Pension & OROP was never part of 6th Pay Commission's recommendations. How come, a Sepoy get more Pension than old Havildar, Col get more than Gen and Col to Gen in Pay Band-4 get same Pay. Such anomalies are possible with our un professional & super powered Babus only.

4. Justification & the Truth. OROP is Veterans most genuine & legitimate, 25 year's old pending demand, due to non coop by MOD Babus only. Fact is that 100% direct entry IAS (& 60% cabinet rank Govt servants) are getting OROP where as Defence Force's 1% (Army Commanders rank) is getting OROP. All Govt Judges, MP, MLAs & Freedom Fighters are also getting OROP. We have contributed much more towards the national security at the cost of our early retirement, hard life, long family separations, under bullets, casualties & sacrifices. Therefore, we deserve OROP the most. We hardly got resettlement job and compensation for all these sufferings.

5. More over OROP issue have been accepted many times in the House, by 3 PMs, GOM's Committees, President of India and NDA's Defence Minister himself. It is not understood why Babus are all out to demoralise ESM Community as we have done some crime by serving forces. All problems are adding up regularly, because there is hardly any ESM or serving Officer/ decision maker in the MOD. There could be ISI hand in MOD who is all out to spoil Forces morale & creating disharmony with ESM community. Such situation may be removed to fight the terrorism effectively and attract quality intake in the Forces to make them very strong to take on internal & external challenges.

6. Our HQ IESM at Delhi is already on Relay Hunger Strike wef 16 Dec to 23 Dec and we are also stepping up our agitational approach shortly, if nothing moves positive.

Lt Col SS Sohi, Retd
Organised by: Coord IESM NZ- Pb
Attended by:
President Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell (NGO).
1. Col Bhag Singh, President Indian ESM League
2. Brig Harwant Singh, Member IESM Exec Committee.
3. Col PIS Phoolka, Chairman ESM Cell SAD Pb.
4. Col RS Dhindsa, Vice President RRD Pb.
5. Lt Col MS Jakhar, Vice President ESM League Haryana.
6. Maj RN Sheoran, ESM League Panchkula.
7. Col KS Grewal, President SEWA Patiala.
8. Brig BS Tejay, ESM Welfare Assn Patiala.
9. Brig PS Toor, ESM Welfare Assn Ludhiana.
10. Capt Reet MP Singh, Secy Gen War Decorated India.
11. Brig K Kant ESM Welfare Organisation Panchkula.
12. Cpl JS Kumbrah, President, AI ESM Org (PBORs)
13. Col AS Bhinder, President AI Defence Brotherhood.
14. Lt Col Angad Singh, Secy IESL (Pb & Chd).
15. Brig HS Ghuman SC, President Def Veteran Core Gp.
16. Brig Nawab Singh, Vice President IESM Pb.
17. Capt Mohinder Singh, President IESL Mohali.
18. Maj SS Dhillon, Gen Secy, IESM Pb.
19. Wg Cdr JM Kaushal, ESM Society Chandigarh.
20. Col RS Kaushal Coord (NR) Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad.