OROP: जंतर मंतर पर विरोध रैली

"अन्याय के खिलाफ रक्षा दिग्गजों"
01 DEC 2012 प्रिय दिग्गजों पर जंतर मंतर नई दिल्ली में विशाल रैली
दिनांक: 28 सितम्बर +२०१२
1. सरकार न केवल और रक्षा अनसुलझे कार्मिक के वेतन और पेंशन में 39 गंभीर विसंगतियों को छोड़ दिया है, यह भी नहीं लागू किया गया है और सशस्त्र बलों ट्रिब्यूनल और सुप्रीम कोर्ट को रक्षा कार्मिकों के पक्ष में दिए गए फैसले हैं. राज्यसभा OROP दृढ़ता से की सिफारिश रक्षा कार्मिक OROP पर याचिका समिति की सिफारिशों को लागू नहीं किया गया है.
OROP मुद्दा है जो विधिवत संसद के सदस्यों द्वारा किया गया है पर 7 महीने के लिए विश्लेषण, जो पहले राज्यसभा समिति था OROP के अनुदान के खिलाफ सबूत दिया सचिवों की एक समिति को सौंपा गया था. उन से क्या उम्मीद की जा सकती है? PM, RM, और तीन प्रमुखों से अवगत कराया गया.
24 सितम्बर 2012 को (इवनिंग) सरकार सैनिकों और राष्ट्र को गुमराह किया जब वे घोषणा कि OROP अनुमोदित किया गया है. वास्तव में अनुमोदन कहीं नहीं OROP के करीब है.
सरकार ने न केवल 6 सीपीसी जहां नौकरशाही 6 सीपीसी यानी की सिफारिश चालाकी था "वेतन बैंड में रैंक के वेतन का न्यूनतम पे बैंड के न्यूनतम वेतन के लिए बदल गया था" एक गंभीर विसंगति हटा दिया गया है. हवलदार सिपाही के लिए इसके अलावा, वे दो साल के अतिरिक्त वेटेज दिया है जो केवल 400 रुपये प्रति माह की वृद्धि का मतलब है. तीन प्रमुखों द्वारा मांग करने के लिए समिति में सेवारत और सेवानिवृत्त रक्षा कर्मियों के सदस्यों से शामिल नहीं स्वीकार कर लिया गया.
2. हमारी न्याय इसलिए पाने के लिए संघर्ष, वृद्धि की तीव्रता के साथ जारी किया जाएगा. 1530hrs - मन में इसके बाद के संस्करण के साथ एक रैली जंतर मंतर नई दिल्ली में 01 दिसम्बर 2012 को 1030 से आयोजित किया गया है की योजना बनाई है. सभी ईएसएम जो अपने पदक नहीं जमा करने के लिए बड़ी संख्या में ऐसा करने का अनुरोध कर रहे हैं. पदक बुद्धिमान और रैली या व्यक्तिगत ईएसएम के लिए लाया क्षेत्र रैली स्थल पर उनके पदक जमा कर सकते हैं एकत्र किया जा सकता है.
3. कार्रवाई के भविष्य के पाठ्यक्रम और संकल्प सामूहिक रूप से रैली में पारित हो जाएगा करने के लिए सुनिश्चित करें कि हम अपने कारण न्याय मिलता है. दिल्ली में इस रैली के लिए सेना के लिए निरंतर उदासीनता और दुराचार meted प्रदर्शन और सरकार पर प्रभावित करने के लिए दीवार पर लेखन देख और शीघ्रता से रक्षा कर्मियों के सभी शिकायतों का समाधान करने के लिए तेजी से कार्य करने के लिए आयोजित किया जा रहा है.
4. पिछले दस वर्षों में रक्षा बलों सरकार के उदासीन रवैये के कारण ignominies और अपमान की एक बहुत कुछ सहा है. और नौकरशाही. सरकार अगर यह सोचता है कि छठे वेतन आयोग की सिफारिशों के साथ सशस्त्र बलों के असंतोष के मुद्दे पर अपने पैर खींच द्वारा यह कर सकते हैं कि इस मुद्दे को दूर जाना गलत है.
5. एक देश है कि अपने सशस्त्र बलों का सम्मान करने के लिए मना कर दिया है अंत में अंत बलों है कि 'देशों आकांक्षाओं का सम्मान नहीं होगा हो रही होगी. एक देश अपने सैनिकों के साथ एक पवित्र अनुबंध है कि जबकि वह / वह उसकी / उसके जीवन नीचे रखना जब आह्वान ऐसा करने के लिए, राष्ट्र हद तक अपने संसाधनों के लिए उसका / उसकी अच्छी तरह से देखभाल और उसकी / उसके परिवार की जरूरतों के ले जाएगा की अनुमति.
6. एक निर्दिष्ट मार्ग पर चार किलोमीटर रैली अनुसूची के अलावा, यह 3 के एक मार्च के लिए बाहर ले करने का प्रस्ताव है. यह भी एक वाहन मंच पर जो वीरता और विशिष्ट सेवा पदक संख्या लगभग दस हज़ार है जो पहले से ही स्वयंसेवक ईएसएम और एक बड़ी संख्या है जो रैली के दिन पर जमा हो जाएगा द्वारा किया गया है हमारे साथ जमा सम्मान में रखा जाएगा तैयार करने की योजना बनाई है "दिखाने के मामले अलग - अलग उद्देश्य के लिए बनाया है. इस रैली स्थल पर रखा जाएगा और अनुसूचित मार्च के साथ रैली के दौरान चला. 7 दिनों - बाद में, यह 5 की एक अवधि के लिए राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र में विभिन्न स्थानों पर "पदक मामलों दिखाएँ" के साथ वाहन ले जाने की योजना बनाई है. चार स्वयंसेवक ईएसएम हमेशा वाहन पर पदक ले जाएगा.
7. यानी हरियाणा, राजस्थान, पंजाब, हिमाचल, उत्तराखंड, उत्तर प्रदेश, जो अपने - अपने राज्यों में पदक के साथ परेड के लिए वाहन की इच्छा के पास राज्यों में IESM Conveners IESM मुख्यालय को लिखने के लिए, 543 सेक्टर 23, मेल आईडी पर गुड़गांव (हरियाणा) में हो सकता है: satbirsm ( ) जीमेल (डॉट) com पर वाहन को 3-4 दिनों की अवधि के लिए स्वयंसेवक राज्यों को भेजा जा नियोजित किया जाएगा.
8. अब योजना के लिए रखने के लिए 01 दिसम्बर 2012 अपने और परिवार के सदस्यों और यकीन है कि आप सभी को बड़ी संख्या में ऊपर रैली में भाग लेने के लिए मुक्त हैं. आपकी भागीदारी प्रकरण रक्षा दिग्गजों के सामूहिक शक्ति दिखाएँ हमारे कारण न्याय पाने के लिए आवश्यक है.
9. रैली में शामिल होने के लिए अन्याय के खिलाफ "यकीन है कि जीत" यह सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए.
सादर,
जय हिन्द
निष्ठा से तुम्हारा है,
मेजर जनरल (सेवानिवृत्त) सतबीर सिंह, एसएम
वाइस चेयरमैन भारतीय ईएसएम आंदोलन

IESM: Rally at Mohali and Varanasi- Program

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:39 PM
Subject: IESM Meeting/ Rally at Mohali on 4 Mar..Come one come All

Dear All,
Pls see mail below from Col SS Sohi from Punjab about the Rally on 4th March at Mohali of the IESM. Gen Kadyan/ Gen Satbir/ Gen Jaini and Gen Renjen are all joining the same for strengthening the movement of our IESM which is growing in spirit day by day. Please give this wide publicity to all your friends in Punjab.
Regards
Cdr Sharan Ahuja (Retd)
Member core group IESM

IESM Rally at Mohali
Dear Sirs & Friends,
Jai Hind.
1. The Tricity ESM have the honour again to organise ESM Rally/ Meeting for Pb ESM Assn/ Org at Mohali at 11am to 1pm on 4/3/09 at Phase 5 Community Centre (near Gurudwara/ Mandir).
2. All ESM are requested to please join us, whole heartedly (with tan man dhan) & deposit Gallantry & service medals to strengthen our struggle for OROP & Justice. Please erol as IESM members at rally site by handing over filled membership forms. (Forms downloadable from Message Board of this blog)
3. Gen Kadyan, Gen Satbir, Gen Ranjan & many are gracing the mtg, sharing views & addressing Pb ESMs for further OP plans to make the movement a success.
4. Please, be brave, sacrifice your some comforts for the sake of your grossly suffering ESM community.
With regards.
Col SS Sohi (Retd)

ESM Rally at Varanasi
Dear Sir,
We have planned a ESM Rally at Varanasi on 17th of Mar 09. This is done in the light of your ensuing visit to other cities in UP. We are told that this date is available for us. Hence we are going ahead. We are coordinating this with Col Saxena and Hav Srivastava at Lucknow.
Closing with best wishes and high regards.
Maj SR Singh (Retd)

SCPC: Independence Day Bonanza

"The Cabinet is likely to take up the Sixth Pay Panel report for approval on Thursday, and the matter was discussed at a meeting chaired by the PM today," official sources said.

Though the sources refused to share the details of the meeting or the amendment to the pay panel report submitted by its chairperson Justice Sri Krishna earlier this year, the increase over the commission's recommendations is likely to be the tune of 1.83 times of the net pay for the armed forces personnel and a substantial raise for civil servants too.

The Pay Commission had originally recommended that pay for the armed forces be hiked by 1.74 times, calculated on the basis of the inflationary factors.

When the Sixth Pay Commission had submitted its report, armed forces personnel had expressed their resentment, openly that also led to protest rallies by retired personnel, demanding a better deal considering the hardship factor involved in their services.

The tri-services top bosses too had done some hard lobbying with the defence minister, who in turn had batted on behalf of the armed forces with the finance ministry.

The government then set up a high-powered committee headed by Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar to look into the anomalies pointed out by different sections of the government servants, including those from the defence services.
Sixth pay panel report faces Cabinet test today
Govt approves Sixth Pay Commission report
6th Pay Panel report to be approved on Aug 14
Government to approve pay panel report today

SCPC: All India Veterans meeting on 13 Aug 2008

Dear colleagues,

To button up the details of our proposed meet on 13 Aug, the following six veterans met at 1100 hours July 20 at the residence of Admiral Barin Ghose:
-Admiral Barin Ghose
-Maj Gen Satbir singh
-Maj Gen P Renjen
-AVM RP Mishra
-Wg Cdr CK Sharma
-Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

The decisions arrived at, after weighing and examining various options, are as follows:
(a) Date and time of meeting: 1100 hours on Wed, 13 Aug 2008.
(b) Venue: DSOI, Arun Vihar, Sector-29, NOIDA. (Note- Venue changed)
(c) Attendance; Maximum ESM groups must be represented only Offiicers (Due to space time and adm constraints).
(d) Nomenclature: The set-up will continue to be called Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM).
(e) Agenda- To discuss:

Short term aims related to the ongoing struggle against Sixth Pay

Commission recommendations, including date of next action and methdology to be adopted, our response if our OROP demand is not accepted or is partially accepted etc.

Long term aims to focus on the various problems being faced by the ESM community and think up ameliorative measures.

Selection/election/nomination of a core group/nucleus to spearhead the movement.

Selection/election/nomination of regional heads to coordinate the Movement in repective Regions, States and metros.

Commencement of membership. It was decided to levy a membership fee of Rs 500/- per officer. Attendees are requested to deposit the amount with Wg Cdr CK Sharma on 13 Aug during the meeting. Necessary forms will be prepared and kept ready at the venue. (Wg Cdr Sharma has very kindly agreed to take on the responsibilty of being the interim treasurer). The amount collected will be utilised solely for running the movement.

Logistics: The meeting will culminate into a simple working lunch on contributory basis. All are requested to clear the dues before departure. Sponsorship by ESM Business Bodies are welcome for the noble cause to defray expenses for this and subsequent planned events.

Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement

ESM: Let us be more Proactive

I have been getting a lot of emails, some directly from some veterans and some, forwarded by my close friends. I was not disheartened by the acrimonious sentiments expressed by some colleagues. For, I found the healthy current of concern for the Veterans, the Services and the Nation flowing deep within the heart of everyone. I found that our veteran colleagues are disagreeing on the approach and two different approaches perhaps are preferred for solving our problems. I am confident that we will build on the strength of this concern and work towards progressing ‘Common Maximum Points’ through the process of ‘Concentrating on Minimum Points’ at any one time.

I have tried in a humble way to analyze the issue of the services being marginalized by the government through two case studies pertaining to the functioning of two organizations one the ECHS under command to the AHQ and the other IESL created by visionary generals of the past. The analysis is in the subsequent paragraphs. I request the veterans who happen to come across this paper to pause a while to estimate the time I have spent in preparing this paper before passing judgment. Well, you might say it is not the effort that counts, and what counts is the content, if you happen to be the ardent follower of Bonaparte Napoleon. Please click on links below:

Functioning of ECHS
Functioning of IESL
Brochure of Tamilnadu Ex Services League

Summing Up: The suggestion I would project for the consideration of all is as follows:

The Directorate of Rehabilitation must involve itself with the affairs of Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) instituted way back in the early nineteen sixties with the farsighted visionary wisdom of two of the greats, Gen KS Thimayya DSO and Field Marshal KM Cariappa OBE.

A Regional Governing Council (RGC) must be constituted at every strategic location of the country with member from the affiliated local ESLs and the nearby Station HQs/ Sub Area/ Area HQs. The scope of responsibility of the RGC must include all establishments dealing with the welfare of the veterans and are funded by the Government. The main charter of duty for this RGC, along with other activities that shall improve the functioning of the organization concerned, should be ‘Periodic Performance Audit’ (PPA) of all aspects of the concerned organization. When we pay due attention to the word ‘reasonable’ we will agree that there is also a need to involve the concept of test audit of both the service and auditing organizations.

It is absolutely necessary that RGC comprises members from the local affiliated ESL and any other association that has the recognition of both the Government of India and Defense Service Head Quarters. The RGC concept can be extended to cover functioning of the CSD retail outlets and even the ‘Flag Day Collections’.

The usefulness and functioning of Medical Review Boards for the purpose conflict resolution, if constituted, has already been discussed above, in brief of course.

Introduction of reimbursement of medicine bills at an appropriate rate in the case of prolonged illness will be a boon for both the patients and the clinic staff.

Reintroduction of the medical allowance towards private treatment of minor ailment and annual medical checkup is a must.

It is every veteran’s moral duty to get involved in all ventures of the government to the extent possible. To quote an example, we are capable of constituting an effective study team to analyze the controversy of even the ‘Nuclear Deal’ and calling a spade a spade. But we shy away; but let us not shy away from doing our bit towards the welfare of our soldiers who are thrown out in the wilderness of the civilian domination.

Unite we must and it is better we unite under the banner of IESL and make the vision of our illustrious veterans of the past come true.

A brochure as (linked above) under circulation to all district level and other Ex-Services Leagues and association, in Tamilnadu. It is my attempt to unite all – I mean all – the defense veterans of Tamilnadu under the single banner of Tamilnadu Ex-Services League (TANESL).

Maj Gen RN Radhakrishnan (Retd)

SCPC: Protest Rally Tri City 06 July 2008

TRI CITY Report (CHANDIGARH, MOHALI and PANCHKULA)

Dear All,

Very large number of us, including number of senior Generals like Gen RS Gen Dyal, former Governor of Pondicherry , Andaman and Nocobar, Gen Harwant Singh, Gen Dhillon, Air Marshals RS Bedi and PK Jain, met Mr Bansal, MOS (Finance) around 11am as planned. He gave a very patient hearing. Since we were far too many, he requested to be briefed in detail at 4 PM.

Accordingly Gen Harwant Singh, Brig K Krishan (IESL rep from Haryana ), Col JS Mand, President IESL Punjab and Chandigarh, and Self met him. Gen Harwant Singh briefed him in detail. Session lasted over an hour. Mr Bansal promised to take up our case with the PM and Mrs Sonia Gandhi. He promised to give a copy of it to us. He is going aboad for about a fortnight and would give us feed back later.

At around 5.45PM we met Mrs RK Bhathal, Leader of Opposition, Punjab, gave her Memorandum and briefed her at length. She assured that she would take up the case with the PM and Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

Tomorrow (07 July) we are meeting CM Haryana (he was out of station to day) at 10.30 AM and if possible CM Punjab also to brief him/ them in detail.

Feed Back from Amritsar. An excellent Rally organised by Col GS Sandhu. Around 1000 veterans took part.

Regards,
Brig Harwant Singh (Retd)

Rebuttal to "Protectors turn Protestors"

This refers to the column by Saikat Datta. It is a shame that somebody who can write a column for Outlook cannot even exhibit the least common sense by acknowledging the fact that it is not the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution that has enabled him to write such crap but the sweat and blood of the soldiers who have been guarding the borders of this land with such dedication and eternal vigilance. The Constitution will not be so much worth the paper it is written on had it not been for these simple, upright sons of the nation who have put their lives on the line in the line of their duty. Yes, there may be many who are dying in the line of their duty in other professions also but then there are so many dying daily on our roads also. Can they be compared with the soldier who dons his uniform? One can only pray like Jesus is supposed to have done on the cross- pardon them my Lord, for they do not know what they say or write.

Yours truly
Maj P M Ravindran (Retd)
When Protectors turn Protestors

SCPC: Protest Rally at Jantar Mantar 06 July 2008

SCPC: Coimbatore Protest Rally 06 July 2008

We had an Assembly of around 200 plus Veterans and Widows of Ex Servicemen. The Event commenced at 0945 Hrs and concluded at 1130 Hrs.

Media Coverage:
a) Jaya TV and Polymer Channel (Cable Channel).
b) Two Local newspapers and The Hindu. URL
c) The Hindu: ESM Protest Pay Panel Recommendation

Three Veteran Organisations participated in the event under one banner– Indian Ex-Servicemen's Movement(IESM). No individual banners were put up.

The Veterans showed a lot of enthusiasm for a unified effort and they were very happy that the Coimbatore Retired Defence Officers Club was represented by many Veteran officers.

One Veteran suggested that we have a singular badge which distinguishes our identity. The idea was good and will be considered for implementation in Coimbatore.

It was also suggested that such Rallies be continued even after the finalization of the Pay commission to keep up the unity of the Veterans and to interact and solve common issues. The press release given to the media is as given below.

Regards
Menon

MILITARY VETERANS RALLY AT COIMBATORE ON 06TH JULY 2008
TO PROTEST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 6TH PAY COMMISSION
Veteran soldiers of the armed forces are holding rallies in Coimbatore and in all important cities across the country on Sunday 6th July, protesting against the ' grave injustice ' done to the serving and retired defence personnel by the Sixth Pay Commission. The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) is organising the 'March for Justice' in which 'thousands of former soldiers, many of them winners of gallantry awards', will participate.
Our Armed Forces have fully honoured their part of the bargain. It is now time for the country to fulfill their side, and this includes showing and providing respect for those in, and, out of uniform. The Government must look into the repairing of their relationship between Veterans of the Armed Forces who fear they are becoming pariahs as a result of their alienation by the recommendations of past Pay Commissions.
The recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission were a blow to the morale of the Armed Forces and now the review committee is dragging its feet to achieve another conundrum. The Indian Ex Servicemen were clear and concise in their demands and the availability of resources was also examined before putting up their demands so that they were reasonable and justified. However, the bureaucrats have been trying to create a caste system in the Government and have been aided by the 6th Pay Commission. They have of usurped the slot of the highest caste who supposedly deem themselves to deserve the icing on the Pay commission cake. India is not a banana republic and the Indian Armed Forces are not mercenaries. We are an Armed forces with time honoured values and traditions and have always performed. The erosion of these values and traditions is irreparable. The depletion of the Armed forces cannot be made up overnight by outsourcing the Defence of the country. It would thus be apt to recall Kautilya's sagely advice to Chandragupta on the Mauryan Soldier.

"If ever things come to a sordid pass when, on a given day, the Mauryan soldier has to LOOK BACK over his shoulder (simhawalokana) prompted by even a single worry about his and his family's material, physical and social well being, it should cause you and your Council the greatest concern and distress. I beseech you to take instant note and act with uncommon dispatch to address the soldier's anxiety. It is my bounden duty to assure you, My Lord that the day when the Mauryan soldier has to demand his dues or, worse, plead for them, will neither have arrived overnight nor in vain. It will also bode ill for Magadha. For then, on that day, you, My Lord, you will have lost all moral sanction to be King! It will also be the beginning of the end of the Mauryan Empire!"

The demands of the Ex Servicemen are:

One-Rank-One- Pension (OROP) this is a long pending demand aimed at protecting the interests of older pensioners. The issue has become very emotive with the Ex-Servicemen. OROP has been the stated policy of all mainstream political parties. Even the Congress party had included this point in their election manifesto by saying, "long-pending issue of One-Rank, One-Pension will once again be re examined and a satisfactory solution arrived at expeditiously".

A Guaranteed Government Employment. Every soldier and officer must be given assured employment till he attains the age of 60 years, which is the retiring age for all other Government employees.

Ex-Servicemen Commission. Constitution of an Ex Servicemen Commission with statutory powers to safeguard the genuine interests of the Ex-Servicemen.

Representation of Ex Servicemen. All committees/commissions and other government bodies where issues affecting the interests of Ex Servicemen are being considered, must have Ex-Servicemen representation.

SCPC: Chennai March for Justice 06 July 2008

The first ever Chennai "March for Justice" commenced at 9am on 06 July 2008 to protest against the Sixth Central Pay Commission. A two minute silence was observed in Memory of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The March was conducted in a an orderly organised and dignified manner. Veterans of all ranks from Air force, Navy and Army and few accompanied by their families participated. The March started at Monroe Statue and terminated at Government Estate at about 11am.
Click: Detailed Chennai Report by Brig VA Subramanyam
Slideshow: Chennai March for Justice 06 July 2008 Photos

Media Reports: Fast for Justice on 27 May 2008

The Telegraph
Veterans to fast for soldier pay

Indian Express
Ex-servicemen to go on fast to press demands

Outlook India
Ex-servicemen protest against Pay Commission recommendations

The Hindu
Ex-servicemen protest Pay Panel's recommendations

Zee News
Veterans to fast for soldier pay: The Telegraph

ThaIndian
Ex-servicemen protest over pay panel; uncalled for, says minister

Tribune India
Ex-servicemen on fast against pay proposals

Economic Times
Ex-servicemen stage protests against Pay panel recommendations

Samachar
Ex-soldiers take to streets over pay, Govt frowns

The Statesman
Ex-servicemen protest

Times of India
Ex-servicemen take pay protest to streets

Today 27th We Demonstrate For Our Due

Please bear with me friends,

Today 27th May, we the retired PBOR and Officers who served to safeguard India's Territorial integrity, and provided conditions to make many Indians rich and secure, will be trying to tell our Country and the Government not to forget that, by demonstrating all over India for dignity in the 6th CPC.

I thought this link below of melody which is played in USA during Memorial Ceremonies will be of relevance. Such is also played in Singapore on National and other days and Veterans are looked after for life.

If you enjoy it please do pass on to your Civilian friends especially the IAS who have made sure the Armed Forces are kept down. They throw peanuts at them by providing Cadre Reviews, and now with 2700 up gradations are in the pipeline unmindful of 25%, 18% and 16% shortages in the Army, Air Force and Navy and the long term effects.

Melody Memorial Ceremonies

Cmde Ranjit Rai (Retd)
Received from Brig PT Gangadharan (Retd)

Military Veterans Movement: FAST FOR JUSTICE on 27 May 08

Dear Friends,
1. Before, we meet at 10AM on 27 May 08, I once again wish to appeal all Military Veterans and individual veterans to participate in the protests throughout the country in large numbers.
2. We have informed the MHA through a letter by Let Gen Raj Kadyan dated 14 May08 to Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil (Copy attached), about the Hunger Strike on 27 May 08, we hope the Govt will not disturb our peaceful protests of Fast for Justice against the highly unjust and iniquitous in 6th PCR.
3. May, we request you to kindly wear miniature medals and carry your Identity Card. Let us all meet at India Gate at 10 AM on 27 May 08.

With regards,
Jai Hind
Yours’ Sincerely
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM

From: Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Chairman, ESM Movement

To: Shri Shivraj Patil
Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi

Dear Shri Shivraj Patil,
We, the Ex-servicemen of India feel greatly aggrieved by the Sixth Pay Commission report. In this connection we wanted to hold a rally at the India Gate War Memorial on 27 April 2008. However, permission to do so was denied by the Home Ministry on the grounds of Section 144 of the Cr PC being in force at and around India Gate. As disciplined soldiers and responsible citizens we abided by the orders and shifted our venue elsewhere.

Do allow me to point out that India Gate is frequently used for protests and demonstrations of various kinds. Just to quote an example, in 2006 a huge demonstration was held at India Gate to demand justice for Jessica Lal. I am attaching copy of a press report of this demonstration, which also includes a picture. And there are many other similar instances. Therefore, prima facie denying permission to us for holding a disciplined and peaceful rally in support of some two million defence pensioners appears to have been discriminatory.

I write this to inform you that the EX-Servicemen would be holding a daylong hunger strike at India Gate Boat Club lawns on 27 May 2008.

With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
sd/ Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)

Copy to:
Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi
Smt Sonia Gandhi, President Indian National Congress, 10 Janpath New Delhi
Dated: 14 May 2008
— Photo: R V Moorthy
SEEKING JUSTICE: Nafisa Ali along with other protesters holding candles to demand justice for Jessica Lal at the India Gate in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: Demanding justice for Jessica Lal, human rights activists, people from the Capital's fashion fraternity, artists, students and concerned citizens got together on Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil and protest demonstration here at India Gate. Among those participating in the vigil were Jessica's sister Sabrina, social activist Swami Agnivesh, Neelam Krishnamurthy of the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy, young murder victim Nitish Katara's mother Neelam Katara, fashion designer Ravi Bajaj, model Joey Mathew and a large number of students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Overwhelming response

Speaking out at the first public demonstration demanding justice for Jessica, Sabrina said: "It is overwhelming to see that so many people care enough to have taken time out to come here and be a part of this demonstration. For me the battle is personal, but I feel stronger today when I see that the battle now is not just mine. I want justice for my sister. I had given up hope but now I feel that something will come out of fighting this battle together. The Government, the police and the judiciary cannot ignore a voice that is so loud and clear."

While the gathering engaged in slogan shouting, lighting candles and singing extempore songs, family members, friends and concerned citizens seemed eager to ensure that their voices were heard.

"We are standing here for justice and we have understood that we need to be together to make things happen in our country. What has happened to Jessica can happen to anyone, and sadly till the public decides that enough is enough innocent people will keep getting killed and we are going to suffer. We want to tell the Government that delay is not acceptable and that we want a time-bound system where justices is done," said Ms. Krishnamurthy. Underlining the need for a fast and transparent judicial system, a Delhi University student said, "This here now is a protest not just for Jessica; it is also for the common man who is vulnerable in a corrupt system. We don't blame Shayan Munshi for not standing up for Jessica as an eyewitness in the case, we need a better witness protection system where the common man doesn't feel threatened to speak the truth."

ESM Organizations Unite to Intensify the Movement Against 6th Pay Commission

In the absence of any positive response from the Govt to their demands for justice, the leaders of different veterans organizations held a meeting at Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) HQ at 9 Nyaya Marg Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on Monday, 19 May 08 under the aegis of IESL.

Leaders of all Veteran Organisations were unanimous that they need to put up united front. It was decided to constitute a Steering Committee to plan and coordinate the strategy at the National level and intensify the "Movement for Justice to Defence Services", throughout India.

All leaders felt that the Sixth Central Pay Commission Report has treated the Defence Services Personnel, both serving and the veterans unfairly. Gross injustice has been done to them. In spite of repeated request no member from the Defence Services was included as a member of the Pay Commission. The special committee now ordered to review the 6 CPC report, again has no member from the Defence Services. People who have negligible knowledge of the working environment of the Defence Services will be making decisions as to how much compensation should be paid to the Defence Personnel, serving and retired. Even the "One Rank One Pension", which was granted to the Defence Services by the Parliament Committee after decades of agitation, has been undone by the 6 CPC; can it be called a fair report?

All Leaders of various Veterans Organisations were unanimous and in one voice spoke that the agitation must continue till such time that the Government of India grants justice to its Defence Personnel, serving and retired. Genuine demand of the Defence Services must be met.

It was decided that in order to send one more signal to the decision makers of the Government of India, a country wide Hunger Strike/ Sit in Dharna would be organized on 27 May 08 from 10 AM to 6 PM. At Delhi, this will be held at Boat Club Lawns. At other cities it will be held at the War Memorials/ Other suitable locations.

With regards,
Jai Hind
Yours' Sincerely
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
IESL Steering Committee Meeting Photographs
Photographs take about 120 seconds to load for viewing as slideshow. Photographs courtesy Brig CS Kamboj, VSM (Retd).

Silent Rally an Act of Defence by ESM

A candlelit silent protest in Nerul marked the dejection of the former defence personnel at the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

Around 60 former defence personnel and their families gathered at the Shankaracharya garden, at sector 21 in Nerul at 9:15 am and held a candlelit silent protest at the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

The personnel are demanding increased pay for the jawans and uniform pension for the same length of service for one rank. They are also demanding government jobs for retired defence personnel and an Armed Forces Pay Review Board. A two-minute silence was observed.

Brigadier (Retd) S P Sharma expressed his distress, “The report of the Sixth Pay Commission has caused shock and dismay among the defence fraternity. For a soldier, who has given his entire life safeguarding the country’s security and who has placed the nation above everything else, it is painful to air his grievances in the open. However, having knocked on all doors and having exhausted all channels to seek redress, we have been forced to launch a public campaign to project four principle concerns.”

Speaking of the demands for which the protest was organised, Sharma said, “All servicemen retiring in the same rank after the same length of service should be given equal pension, regardless of their date of retirement. Military service is unique, as it tends to retire its soldiers at a very early age. Their case must be seriously taken into account, as their counterpart civilians are allowed to retire at the age of 60.”

Lamented Sharma, “Though this very reasonable demand has been supported by almost every political party during the run-up to the elections, the Sixth Pay Commission has again rejected it without citing any reasons.” He went on to add, “The soldiers retiring early should be laterally inducted into other central or state government jobs. This recommendation had been made by even the Fourth and Fifth Pay Commissions, but the issue was not pursued. This provision needs to be legislated through an act of the Parliament.”

The personnel are also unhappy with the revised pay scales for the jawans. According to Sharma, “The Pay Commission has recommended a uniform monthly Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 1,000 for all jawans, right from a sepoy to a subedar major. This is too meagre compared to the MSP of Rs 6,000 given to officers. The gap is too wide and runs against the military ethos. The MSP for the jawans should be raised to Rs 3,000. The MSP must be implemented from January 1, 2006

The personnel are also upset that the request for the service chiefs to have a separate pay commission for the defence forces was rejected. Said Sharma, “The government also did not agree to have defence representatives on the recent pay commission. For civilian members, who have never worn a military uniform, it is impossible to understand the unique conditions of military service.”

He suggested, “At this stage, the government must constitute an Armed Forces Pay Review Board (AFPRB) with a serving member, each from the three services and one retired person, among others. The AFPRB should be given a six months’ mandate to complete its task.”
Sharma concluded, “The youth today are wary of joining the defence forces, unlike in the past, when there was a huge demand. The government should act fast by providing incentives to ensure that the interest does not reduce further and those ready to sacrifice their life for the country are treated with respect and the future of their families is secured.”

G Mohiuddin Jeddy
Nerul, Posted On Thursday, May 01, 2008

Received from Gp Captain Jaspal Bhinder (Retd)