IESM: Fast for Justice Rally- forty first day

Parliament Street March- 23dec08
Dear Colleagues,
The battlefront continues with the usual activity. As planned, the Gujarat team comprising of Army and Air Force personnel would join battle on 30 Jan for 24 hours. We extend a hearty welcome to the following new members from Noida and others:

Colonel Vijay Sekhri deserves our special thanks for playing an active anchor role.
1. Naik Banwari Lal Kaushal—sigs
2. Lt col G K Syal sigs
3. Brig J L Puri sigs
4. Col R S Chauhan sigs
5. Col Ashok kr Bhanot sigs
6. Col M S Chauhan sigs
7. Brig R Devasar 11GR
8. Brig Raghubir Singh Guards
9. Maj Gen Parkash Singh Sikh Regt
10. Lt Col R N Dogra Arty
11. Lt Col S S Banerjee Arty
12. Lt Col Ram Singh ASC
13. Col Amar Nath ASC
14. Col Narender Kumar ASC
15. Brig Raghunandan,VSM Engrs
16. Hav Kewal Singh Bist Engrs
17. Col K S Pathania AOC
18. Maj P K Maini Army Postal Service
19. Lt Col SP Kapoor Armd Corps
20. Maj Ghanshyan Sharan Arty.

Others
1. Wg Cdr Dharam Sood, Dubai
2. Maj Gen Ganga Prasad, Mhow
3. Brig Kirpal Singh , Panchkula ,
4. Lt Col Hari Chaturvedi , USA
5. R Adm JK Talwar
6. Cmde Ranjit Rai
7. Col Pravin Uberoi
8. Lt Col Bharpur Singh, Patiala
9. Cdr PV Francis, Chennai

Ex Servicemen Memorandum
Some members had demanded a centralised memorandum that can be used as a press release or briefing for 8 Feb. The same is attached. (Reproduced below)

Appeal To Civilians
An appeal to our civilian colleagues to join our effort on 8 Feb is also attached. This can be distributed in the form of a leaflet.(Reproduced below)

A photo of the ESM march along Parliament Street on/around 23 Dec 2008 as above.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

Memorandum: Ex Servicemen Fight for JusticeThis is a memorandum on behalf of the two million Ex Servicemen of India. The following facts may help in understanding their problem:

The defence personnel give the best years of their life in the service of the nation.

They live under conditions of extreme hardship and operate in an environment of perpetual danger to their life and limb.

Most of the defence personnel stay separated from their families during their entire service and are not able to meet the usual family obligations expected of them. They do not see their children grow up.
,li>Nearly 85% of defence personnel are compulsorily retired at 35-42 years of age when their financial needs are at their peak. They are the only ones who retire by rank, while all other government employees retire by age.

There is no provision for a second career for the early retirees.

Since the pension is related to last pay drawn, those who retire early– and at a relatively lower salary– are granted a meagre pension. Thus, not only do they lose the earnings that would have accrued if they were to serve up to the age if sixty like others, they also get a lower pension. They suffer a double disadvantage.

Every time the salaries (and consequently the pensions) are hiked by the pay commissions, these are made applicable prospectively and older pensioners are left out.

Since pension is a reward for services rendered, it is reasonable and logical that two individuals who have rendered equal service to the nation (length of service) and have handled the same level of responsibility (rank) should be given equal pension irrespective of their date of retirement. This is the basis of ‘One Rank One Pension’ concept, which implies ‘Equal service, same rank, equal pension’. Its acceptance has been long overdue despite promises by successive governments.

The demand for ‘one rank one pension’ is a demand for equity and justice and not merely for more money.

An Earnest Appeal1. We are the two million Ex Servicemen of India.
2. We gave our best years in the service of the nation.
3. Our living conditions were extremely difficult.
4. We faced perpetual danger to our life and limb.
5. We worked round the clock for months and years on end.
6. We spent our entire service life away from our families.
7. We did not see our children grow up.
8. We were forced to go on a meager pension at 35-42 years.
9. Our pension does not keep pace with successive pay commission recommendations.
10. Despite repeated promises, our demand for one rank one pension is rejected.
11. We earnestly appeal for your support and presence at our rally 11AM on 8 February 2009n at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

Reminder For the IESM Meeting at Noida on 27 Jan 09, at 1500 hrs.
All veterans living in and around Noida- Greater Noida are reminded to kindly be present at the Arun Vihar Community Centre, Sector 37, Noida, for the IESM. All members of the Steering Committee will also be present during this meeting. Please give wide publicity to this meeting and ensure maximum number of Veterans from Noida- Greater Noida and surrounding areas attend the meeting for coordinating future plan of action.