IESM: Fast for Justice Rally- eighty fifth day

Date: Thursday, 12 March, 2009, 7:56 PM
Dear Colleagues,
Jantar mantar is being manned by a mix of Delhi and Gurgaon ESM.
New Members
We extend a hearty welcome to the following members who have joined the IESM family:
Lt Gen Natarajan N – Infantry
Lt Gen Kaul - ASC
Col Rai - Signals
Lt Col Rahul Kumar - Signals
Capt NS Rawat, IN – we thank him for his generous contribution
‘OROP’ stays
Some members have expressed apprehension that we may be giving up the term OROP for some other phrase and have objected to it. While respecting members’ emotional ties to OROP, it is confirmed that the term OROP will continue to be used for all interaction with the ESM and media. There will be no change. However, if the government wants to give full OROP benefits under another disguise, the option will remain open.
Letters Sent Out
Copies of the following two letters, sent out on 12 March 2009, are attached:
Letter to the secretary to the President.
Letter to Raksha Mantri.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

LETTER TO RAKSHA MANTRI
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
IESM/OROP/RM/2009 March 12, 2009

Dear Hon’ble Defence Minister,
The long-pending demand of the Ex Servicemen of one-rank-one-pension (OROP) continues to remain in limbo.
Kindly refer to your letter dated 16th December 2009 (copy attached for ready reference) wherein you had mentioned consideration of ‘certain improvements’ for old pensioners. You had written a similar letter to the Vice President of India on 16th Feb 2009, which was read out by the Congress spokesman Mr Manish Tewari during a TV debate recorded on 18th Feb 2009.
There is a doubt whether with the announcement of elections, and with the model code of conduct having been imposed, those ‘certain improvements’ can still be announced. If yes, then we eagerly await and hope that the improvements actually amount to sanctioning OROP, in whatever disguise. If, however, there is a ban on announcing the improvements, then it is cause for concern. In that situation, since the ban was easily foreseen, it would be difficult to avoid the inference that the Government promise was merely a delaying ploy and was not backed by sincerity to grant justice to the over two million Ex-Servicemen.
May I request you to kindly clarify the current status of the promised improvements vis-à-vis the impending elections, so that the environment can be informed.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Shri AK Antony
Hon’ble Minister of Defence
South Block
New Delhi – 110 011

LETTER TO SECY TO THE PRESIDENT
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
IESM/Medals/2009 12 Mar 2009

To:
Dr Christy Fernandez
Secretary to the President
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi – 110 011

Dear Sir,
During our meeting on 09 March 2009, the President mentioned that she had not been informed about the Ex Servicemen depositing their medals on 8 February and again on 22 February 2009. Further, she was also unaware of my request for an audience, sent vide my letter dated 24 November 2008.

It is not for me to comment whether in a democracy, the People’s President should be kept insulated from people’s requests that merit her attention.

In view of paragraph 1 above, I will request you to kindly inform the President that our next schedule of depositing the medals is at 1530 hours on Saturday, 14th March 2009.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Copy to:
Shri AK Antony
Hon’ble Minister of Defence
South Block
New Delhi-110 011