IESM: Battling for One Rank One Pension- Bureaucrats negating the just demands

Letter to Maj Gen Satbir Singh, IESM

Respected Sir,
I am extremely happy to learn that you are taking all out efforts to get the One Rank one Pension to all the Defence Pensioners. It is 25 years dream of 20 lakh ex servicemen of this country.

I am sure, that under your leadership we will definitely get it. May God bless all the leaders of the IESM and its members with good health and spirit to enjoy the benefits by the end of next election.

This is the first time in 25 years that a large number of Senior Retired Officers coming out and together calling the PBORs also for the fight. This is a good Spirit Sir. We will succeed. I am mobilising about 500 to 1000 ex servicemen in Southern Tamilnadu within 2 months time Sir. to join IESM. My health is not good at present. Please bear with me. Give me some time, to spread the movement in TN.

Thank u very much for your regular email. This is very informative. The blog Reportmysignal.blogspot.com is also highly informative. I sincerely thank all the team members for the efforts to update the blog daily. I am sending my membership form. My Good wishes to u all.
Thanking you,
Yous sincerely,
C Muthukrishnan (Ex Sgt)
Former Gen Secy, Tirunelveli Dt ESM Welfare Assn
Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu PIN 627002.

Dear friends,
A news item from Hindustan Times New Delhi of 20 Feb 2009 is appended below. The news item says in the end: "The government has, however, said that the demand was unacceptable as it had huge administrative, financial and legal ramifications."

I distinctly remember reading in the email sent out by Gen Raj Kadyan after his meeting with Secy ESM Welfare that he was assured by the FA that funds were no problem!! AND, there was no mention of any admn or legal ramifications as apparently there were none that existed at that time!! It seems they are at their old games again.
Regards,
K K Punchhi
(Cdr KK Punchhi, Naval Aviation, 7 JSW/B Sqn, settled in Canada)

Major General Satbir Singh (retd), vice chairman, Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM), said, “War veterans have been given a raw deal by the government. Hundreds of ex-servicemen have pledged to return their medals in Delhi on February 21.” Singh has also returned his Sena Medal.

Over 20 lakh armed forces pensioners argue that defence personnel of same rank and same length of service must draw same pension, irrespective of the date of retirement. Various ex-servicemen organisations have criticised the Sixth Pay Commission for creating “four classes within a class” --- pre 1996, post 1996 to December 2005, post January 2006 to September 2008 and post October 2008. Hundreds of veterans have been on a relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since December 16, celebrated as Vijay Diwas to mark India’s victory in the 1971 war.

All pre 2006 pensioners receive lesser pension than not only their compatriots in service but also their juniors. A havildar who retired before 1996 draws less pension than a sepoy who retired after 2006. Similarly, a lieutenant general draws less pension than a lieutenant colonel. The veterans are willing to reclaim their medals if their OROP demand is accepted. The government has, however, said that the demand was unacceptable as it had huge administrative, financial and legal ramifications.
Excerpts: More army veterans to return medals: Hindustan Times