IESM: Surrender of Gallantry Medals on 14 Mar 2010

Sponsors for the Rally on 14 Mar 2010
Dear All,
You are all aware of the efforts of IESM to raise the question of OROP through BJP leader Sh LK Adavani ji in the Lok Sabha on 3 March 10. In response to the question raised by Sh Advani ji, PM Sh Manmohan Singh has misled the Lok Sabha in saying that all the commitments made to ex-servicemen have been given. This was a completely incorrect statement as major recommendation of cabinet secretary's report of parity of pension between pre 96 and post 96 retiree JCOs ORs has not been released. GOVERNMENT HAD ALLOTTED RS 2140 CRORES FOR THIS PURPOSE IN THE BUDGET OF 2008-09 BUT HAS NOT ISSUED THE ORDERS FOR PAYMENT OF DUES.

IESM has planned a massive rally on 14 March Sunday at Jantar Mantar. In the rally it is planned to deposit the medals with the President for safe custody as a mark of protest and also sign the memorandum in blood to be given to the President and PM. IESM is expecting a large congregation of ex-servicemen at Jantar Mantar on 14 March 10. Programme is given below:

Start of the rally at 1000h at Jantar Mantar on 14 March Sunday.

Address by Speakers.

Address by the Maj Gen Satbir Singh to the gathering at 1230h.
Deposit of Medals by ex-servicemen from 1000h to 1400h.

Signing the Memorandum in blood from 1000h to 1300h, for handing over to the President, PM and RM.

Collection of memorandum signed by the ex-servicemen from the states representatives.

Three teams will be formed out of the present ex-servicemen for going to President, PM and RM's office. Teams will leave for three locations at 1400h.
li Closing of the rally.

Following arrangements are planned at the venue of the rally. These arrangements will cost lot of money. IESM is looking for sponsors to fund all these programmes. IESM is thankful to all those veterans who will volunteer to fund any of the programme.

Tent and Shamiana at the location approx ex Rs 40000.

Water arrangement at the location approx ex Rs 3000.

Tea and Biscuit arrangement at the location approx ex Rs 8000.

Lunch packet for around 1000 persons @ Rs 15/ person Rs 15000.

PA system and loud speakers approx ex Rs 10000.

Arrangement for signing the memo in blood, this included disposable syringes, anti coagulant chemicals and other equipment approx ex Rs 15000.

Photostatting and other admin arrangements approx ex Rs 10000.

Reimbursement for travel to the ex-servicemen coming for the rally from distant locations (depending on the number of participants).

Approximate expenditure is likely to be around Rs 2 lacs for this rally. Veterans are requested to arrange and sponsor buses from their areas/villages/towns to ferry the ex-servicemen. Veterans are also requested to choose any of the above event and sponsor it. IESM profusely thanks all veterans who wish to sponsor and contribute for the rally.

WE CAN SUCCEED ONLY IF ALL THE VETERANS PUT THEIR MIGHT IN THE FORM OF FUNDS AND VALUABLE TIME FOR THIS PROTEST. GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO LISTEN UNLESS WE SHAKE THE GOVT WITH SHEAR NUMBERS. SO ALL VETERANS ARE REQUESTED TO DONATE GENEROUSLY AND BE PRESENT FOR THE RALLY ON 14 MARCH SUNDAY. EVERY VETERAN IS REQUESTED TO BRING AT LEAST 5 VETERANS ALONG WITH HIM.

IESM STEADFASTLY CONFIRMS THAT THE RALLY WILL REMAIN PEACEFUL AND WITHIN THE AMBITS OF LAW. LOCAL RULES WILL NOT BE FLOUTED OR BROKEN. ALL ARE REQUESTED TO REMAIN PEACEFUL AND HONOUR THE LAW OF THE LAND.
Regards,
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM (Retd)
Gen Sec IESM

Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond permissible levels

Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond the permissible levels Sporadic noise monitoring in urban areas, mainly during festivals such as Deepawali by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) reveals this fact. A few SPCBs and PCCs have initiated regular noise monitoring since 2008-09. As per available data, the laid down noise norms for respective zones (Industrial, Commercial, Residential or Silence) are exceeded at many locations. However, a definite trend can not be ascertained since data is available only for a limited period.

The Supreme Court, in one of its judgment directed to put complete ban on bursting of sound emitting fire crackers during night time (between 10 pm and 6 am). Besides this, ban on use of sound emitting instrument or any sound amplifier at night time except in public emergency and use of horn at night time except in exceptional circumstance have been ordered. The Supreme Court also suggested to organise public awareness campaigns during festival seasons.

State Government have been advised to make provision for seizure and confiscation of loud-speakers, amplifier and other equipments which are found to create noise level beyond permissible limits. The Central Government has undertaken the task to create a national ambient noise monitoring network for urban areas and reporting the data therein, in accordance with the National Environment Policy-2006.

The various steps undertaken by the Government to control noise pollution include the following:-

(i) Implementation of the provisions of The Factory Act, 1948, the Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000;

(ii) Implementation of noise standards at the manufacturing stage for generator sets, motor vehicles, select domestic appliances and firecrackers; and

(iii) Restriction on the blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitted fire crackers, operation of sound emitting construction equipments, and playing of bands, etc during night time (10.00 pm to 6.00 am).
Noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond permissible levels

Who are the Noise Polluters?
It is primarily the Political Parties (who celebrate birthdays of their founders), the trade unions, illegal churches (located in residential areas) and so forth. The Police do not take action in spite of complaints from concerned citizens. The children and the elderly are the ones who suffer most from this malaise. There is not a single case of report of seizure and confiscation of loud-speakers, amplifier and other equipments which are found to create noise level beyond permissible limits by the state authorities. The PCB's are the most corrupt organisations and citizens cannot expect any relief!

Punjab offers gallantry benefits to all

Vijay Mohan, Tribune News Service, Chandigarh, March 6, 2010

Delegates at the convention-cum-reunion of the War Decorated India in Chandigarh on Saturday. Tribune photo: S Chandan
Punjab, described as the sword arm of the nation, has offered to extend certain benefits to gallantry award winners across the nation regardless of their domicile.

Announcing this here today, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said Punjab would be willing to pay the same allowance being given to gallantry awardees belonging to Punjab to those from any other state where the local authorities are unable to do so.

Addressing members of the War Decorated India (WDI) at their triennial convention here today, Badal also announced a 40 per cent increase in the allowances being paid by the state government to gallantry awardees in Punjab.

The WDI is an association of recipients of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Vir Chakra (VrC) and awards given for gallantry in war or in the face of the enemy. It does not include recipients of other awards for bravery. About 200 gallantry award winners, their family members or widows from al across the country attended the two-day event here.

Stating that his move does not have any political connotations, Badal said that Punjab has been in the centre of all wars and the state identifies itself very closely with the armed forces. “It is not the question of money, but that of the izzat of the soldiers. It is the least that we can do,” he said.

While some states like Punjab and Haryana have extended considerable benefits to gallantry award winners in the respective states, many other sates have neglected them or are doling out a pittance. In some states allowances have not been revised for decades and the allowance per month even for the highest award is still in two digit figures.

Punjab pays a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000 to PVC recipients and Rs 8,500 and Rs 5,500 to MVC and VrC recipients respectively. Punjab has a tally of four PVCs, 52 MVC and 250 VrCs, out of which only 17 MVC winners and 110 VrC winners are surviving.

At present, there are about 1,550 surviving soldiers who were decorated for gallantry in various wars fought since independence. The numbers are steadily decreasing. So far only 21 officers and men have been decorated with the PVC, the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy. Out of these 14 were conferred posthumously. Only three recipients of the PVC - one pertaining to Siachen operations and the other two to the 1999 Kargil conflict, are surviving.

A major issue with decorated soldiers is that when it comes to recognition ro grant of benefits, they get a raw deal vis-à-vis freedom fighters or eminent sports persons. The ministries of home affairs or sports are able to have their way when it comes to the welfare of its beneficiaries, but the defence ministry on the contrary, is unable to effectively pursue the interests of the veterans.

Also, a large number of cases where land was promised to gallantry award winners or their widows are pending with various state governments even decades after the awards were announced. Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had ordered a review of all pending land grant cases a few months ago after some gallantry awardees had apprised him of the situation.
Punjab offers gallantry benefits to all- Also announces 40 pc allowance hike for awardees from state