The Bubble will Burst

1. The War Veterans of the Armed Forces, under the aegis of Indian Ex- Services League, an apex Body to articulate their concerns, held a massive rally at Jantar Mantar. This rally was attended by approx 10000- 12000 veterans from all States and Union Territories, along with widows and some disabled personnel of the Armed Forces. The August gathering included Senior Retired officers including Admiral O S Dawson, PVSM, AVSM, former Chief of the Naval Staff, Gen Shankar Roy Chowdhuri, PVSM retired Chief of the Army Staff and former member of Rajya Sabha Lt Gen N S Malik and Lt Gen R S Kadyan, Lt Gen R M Agarwal, ex DGOS, and to four former MLAs/MPs, Maj Gen Bikram Singh, AVSM**, Maj Gen G S Jamwal, AVSM, Maj Vijay Singh Mankotia and Sh RCS Nisad. During the rally, in keeping with the ethos of the Armed Forces, cross section of speakers spoke on the neglect of the veterans by the 6th Central Pay Commission. Admiral O S Dawson stressed on the significance of the disciplined way of life of the Armed Forces and exhorted all to remain united and disciplined while projecting our demands.

The following main issues are being projected to Her Excellency Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

One Rank One Pension.

Ex-Servicemen Welfare to be a part of the Concurrent List. The existing Department of Welfare in the Ministry of Defence is ill equipped to meet the aspirations of the Ex- Servicemen as it has no statutory powers.

Guaranteed Second Lateral Employment upto 60 Years.

Separate Pay Commission for the Armed Forces.

All Concessions including Military Service Pay (MSP)/ Pension to be with retrospective with effect from 01 Jan 2006.

2. The gathering was highly emotive due to the delay in addressing their concerns. In fact, it was short of bursting point and the only factor that ensured restraint was their military training and ethos. The earlier these issues are resolved, the better it will be, and the Power Corridors should heed it before it becomes too late.

3. The Rally which was conducted in true military fashion, had commenced with a rendition of patriotic songs, and culminated fittingly with the complete audience paying homage to the motherland by singing the National Anthem. Subsequently, a delegation of veterans presented a memorandum voicing the above concerns to Her Excellency Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, Honourable President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

For Full Report click: The bubble will burst