IESM: Press Release

Dear Members of the Press

1. The Defence Services have always come to the rescue of the country in crises. This is the time, we the members of the Armed Forces (Veterans) seek your (the media’s) help. Please do not leave us. Be sure, that by helping the Armed Forces, you will be serving the National cause. We bank on you for your outright support. Project our cause to the masses so that the truth gets known to all. Our cause is the “Justifiable status” to the Armed Forces in this country which has undergone drastic and an unacceptable erosion. If this is not done, we are afraid, the country cannot be saved from the morass it is being sucked into.

2. Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) is organizing “Paying Homage to the Defence Martyrs” on Vijay Diwas (Victory Day of 1971 War) at Amar Jawan Jyoti India Gate from 12 PM to 1 PM on 16 Dec 08. Large number of Defence Veterans and their families are attending the event. You are requested to cover the event in large numbers and express your solidarity to the Defence Services and their Martyrs of having done the great service to the Nation.

3. Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) is also organizing a Protest Rally and Relay Fast For Justice at Jantar Mantar New Delhi from 1 PM onwards on 16 Dec 08. Through you (the media), we invite all citizens who support the cause of Defence Services “Injustice to them” by successive Govts in lowering their status and respect for the past six decades to attend the Rally at Jantar Mantar on 16 Dec 08 at 1 PM and strengthen their resolve for peaceful protest Movement and ask the Govt to accept their genuine demands. You are requested to give wide publicity and cover the event extensively.

“Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Bhartiyta” Let us all join hands to reestablish Bharat the real strong, vibrant and true “Sone Ki Chiriya”

With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Dated: 09 Dec 2008

The four demands of the Ex-Servicemen are:

One-rank-one-pension. This is an old standing demand that arouses strong emotions among all the 2.5 million military pensioners.

Resettlement of Ex-Servicemen in alternative government jobs till the age of sixty. This is required to be done through enactment of a Parliamentary Act. Till this materialises all military pensioners be given their last pay drawn as pension till they attain the age of sixty years.

Constituting of 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 for all other similar commissions the Ex-Servicemen Commission be headed by and should have members from the three defence services.

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.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen comprising all retired defence officers, JCOs and men have been expressing their disenchantment with the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations ever since the report was submitted to the government on 24 March 2008. After projecting the above demands to the various decision makers in the country, and not getting any assurance, as a last resort they have their case to the public. The pan India Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM)was formed to project their demands jointly. All India Rallies are being periodically organised by Veteran fraternity to highlight the injustices meted to them.