Political Action should be central to ESM Agenda

How effective is the IESM?
Dear Brig Kamboj,
We need to celebrate the recommendations of the committee to establish a National Commission for Ex-Servicemen. We need not be elated, however. We need to follow it up. Previous commissions, such as the National Police Commissions, have been gathering dust in the unopened cabinets of North Block for years!
Those who are skeptical about the effectiveness of IESM should consider that most of the public policy issues in India and elsewhere on our planet are driven by political considerations. This is a rather reckless but a fairly accurate assertion. Having worked for the best part of our years in the narrow confines of an apolitical environment, in which we implicitly support government policies, regardless of the party in power, it takes time to adapt ourselves to our retired status, which allows us greater freedom of expression than before, particularly with regard to our interaction with the media. I say "greater" because it is my understanding that we are still bound by the Official Secrets Act. Unfortunately, politicians in general, and bureaucrats in particular, expect ex-servicemen to be apolitical and subservient to the political leaders "from cradle to grave," as it were! When General Sinha paid a courtesy call to the then- RM (later President Venkataraman) on the eve of his premature retirement, the-then RM warned him against joining politics. That some segments of the public, and even the intelligentsia, should needlessly be oversensitive to the legitimate grievances, articulated by the IESM, and denounce them as "unbecoming and undisciplined " should be seen in this light. It is ironic that some of our Veterans also have joined this chorus.
Given these circumstances, I do not hesitate for a moment to commend the admirable accomplishments of a few dedicated members of the IESM.
One cannot jump into the political realm abruptly, unless one is a scion of a renowned political or a rich family. The challenges faced by a new entrant to the political arena in India are formidable, even if he/she has matching resources. And since politics is the "art of the possible", even a small success does not come without substantial compromises. How is my rambling relevant to the IESM?
Political action should be central to our future agenda. Veterans should realize that there are no shortcuts. It is a tedious journey, defined by slow progress and unanticipated setbacks. Our biggest asset is the public sympathy and confidence. Let us not be deterred by, or overreact to, a few articles in the media, predicting the "decline and fall of the armed forces," based on a few unfortunate incidents, such as Adarsh. The core of the armed forces is strong, and like ancient civilizations, will survive the trials and tribulations of emerging challenges. We should organize ourselves politically to fight for our rights.
Although no two situations can ever be identical, in the U.S., the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) and AMA ( American Medical Association), to name a few, have powerful lobbies to advance their causes. They are funded by membership contributions. I am unable, even incompetent,to develop this theme further, because I have neither the experience nor the knowledge about how to formulate a coherent political strategy for a successful prosecution of our rights in India. IESM might want to talk to some of the veterans, who have some success in this regard.
Bhimaya,10th J.S.W.
The Garhwal Rifles, Maj Gen K Bhimaya, California, USA

National Commission for Ex Servicemen

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Stressing upon the "urgent need" to set up a national commission for ex-servicemen, a Parliamentary Committee today asked the Defence Ministry to expedite the matter.

The Standing Committee on Defence in its report said, "As there is apparent dissatisfaction among the ex-servicemen, the committee are of the strong view that there is an urgent need for setting up of a commission at the national level."

The committee also expressed "distress" that even after Defence Minister cleared the matter the Ministry has not done the needful to set up the body.

"The committee are distressed to note than even after getting clearance from Rakhsa Mantri for setting up of National Commission for ex-servicemen, the Ministry has declined to set up the Commission on the plea that number of bodies are existing to undertake the welfare schemes for ex-servicemen,"the report said.

On the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen, the Committee reiterated that the proposal if met would boost morale of defence personnel.

"The Committee would like to reiterate their recommendation made in earlier report to reconsider the issue of OROP, so that the demand of ex-servicemen is met which would boost the morale of the defence personnel,"the Committee said.
Par panel recommends national commission for ex-servicemen

On Ministry's rejection of proposal to provide monthly stipend to National Defence Academy (NDA) cadets, the Committee said, "extending appropriate financial support during the training would help the cadets in meeting their daily expenses and would also boost their morale."
Parliament Recommends Panel for Ex-Servicemen
What bodies are existing to undertake the welfare schemes for ex-servicemen?
Department of Ex Servicemen's Welfare: The Present Status- click links below

When the Government Becomes an Adversary of its Ex-servicemen

ESW Department becomes a Cosmetic Bureaucratic Appendage

Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, an all India federation of ex-servicemen associations, sought the setting up of a national commission for the welfare of retired military personnel.
Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Maj Gen (Rtd) AJB Jaini, member of Governing Council of the organisation said the commission can look into issues pertaining to the welfare, pension and support of ex-servicemen.
At a press conference organised by the NRI Forum Deputy Chairman Ganesh Karnic, Jaini also urged the various state governments to utilise the expertise of 22 lakh ex-servicemen pensioners and eight lakh ex -servicemen non -pensioners in the country.
"Use expertise of ex-servicemen"

Government moots National Commission for Exservicemen
A proposal to constitute a National Commission for the Welfare of Ex-Servicemen is under the active consideration of the government. This was stated by the Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) in the Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Deepa Jain Singh in her inaugural address to the annual conclave of the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) (here on 30th July 2008). The measure will expedite issues of rehabilitation, welfare and help resolve grievances of retired soldiers, martyrs and their families. Nearly 60,000 personnel retire from the three wings of the armed forces every year and most of them are in the productive middle age group. There are nearly 14 lakh Ex-servicemen and over 2.5 lakh widows. When this figure is projected considering each Ex-Serviceman’s minor children, dependent parents, brothers and sisters, it could affect the livelihood of close to one crore population. In view of the vast population of Ex-Servicemen, the government last year created the post of Secretary in the Defence Ministry to deal exclusively with issues related to the Ex-Servicemen welfare. Mrs. Deepa Jain Singh, who has undertaken an exhaustive study on the welfare of Ex-Servicemen during her short four month stint as Secretary (ESW), said a capsule on the subject is soon to be introduced at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy, Mussourie. It would sensitize the young IAS probationers of the vital issues of concern related to the Ex-Servicemen Welfare before they assume responsibility of the District Magistrate posts across the country. This is a step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister’s ambitious Skill Development Mission, she added. Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Secretary Mrs Neelam Nath asked the Secretaries of the District Sainik Boards to hold meetings atleast once every month with the District Collectors to resolve grievances of Ex-Servicemen at the grassroots level. She said the DGR is about to complete a countrywide database of Ex-Servicemen at the Zila Sainik Board, Rajya Sainik Board and Kendriya Sainik Board level that would go a long way in formulating macro and micro policy for Ex-Servicemen Welfare. The Director-General Resettlement Major General SG Chatterji said his office would serve as a nodal single point interface between the retiring and retired service personnel, widows and their dependents and the outside agencies for all issues related to resettlement and welfare measures. PIB
Government moots National Commission for Exservicemen
Related Reading
Ex-servicemen's welfare is a thrust area for Government: PM 19 May 2007

National Commission for Ex Servicemen

The purpose and desirability of a National Ex-servicemen Commission is not to have an extended arm of the government to rehabilitate and placate some pleasing judges and pliable bureaucrats. The need is to serve the genuine interests of over two million veterans of the Armed Forces of the country.

Therefore there is no question of accepting in its composition anyone who has not served and experienced the unique conditions of service and hazards. We have precedence where Commissions are constituted wholly of the people of eminence from the very community or group they are supposed to serve. Here are the live examples how other similar Commissions are composed:

1. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission:
It is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India. National Commission is presently headed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.B. Shah, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India as President and having eight Members, viz. Mrs. Rajyalakshmi Rao, Mr. B.K. Taimni, Hon'ble Mr. Justice K. S. Gupta, Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.N. Kapoor, Dr. P.D. Shenoy, Mr. Anupam Dasgupta, Mr. S.K. Naik & Hon'ble Justice R.C. Jain.
2. National Commission for Scheduled Castes:
Chairman- Shri Buta Singh
Vice Chairman- Prof NM Kamble
Members (4- all from affected Castes/Class; no judge, no bureaucrat)
3. National Commission for Women:
Chairperson- Dr Girija Vyas
Members (3- all women)
Member Secretary (All Women; no judge, no bureaucrat.)
4. National Commission for Backward Castes:
Chairperson- Justice (Retd.) S Ratnavel Pandian
Member-Secretary- Shri Lakshmi Chand
Member- Dr. Subba Somu
Member-Shri Ram Awadhesh Singh
Member- Shri. Abdul Ali Azizi
(All from affected Castes; no judge, no bureaucrat.)
5. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes:
Chairperson- Smt. Urmila Singh
Vice Chairperson- Shri Maurice Kujur
Member- Shri Tsering Samphel
Member- Shri Oris Syiem Myriaw
Member-(Vacant)
(All from affected tribes; no judge, no bureaucrat)

The following composition of for ESM welfare is but one suggestion that comes to mind after surveying other Commissions:
(a) Chairman- One of the retired Chiefs of Staff (Army, Navy, or Air Force).
(b) President/ Chairman of an ESM Organisation registered and representing the ESM community at National level, eg: IESL or any other Org with widest acceptance/ representative nature.
(c) A highly decorated, war veteran Sub Maj from Infantry, Armd Corps, Arty or Engrs.
(d) A senior representative each from veterans of Navy and IAF.
(e) A war widow (preferably wife of the highest decorated martyr).
(f) AG or DGR (as Member Secretary).
Total: 7
Member Secretary's role can also be assigned to the serial (b) if AG/ DGR not available/ acceptable.
Arbitrary composition imposed by the Government not giving total representation to the ESM community must be rejected by one and all because such body will turn out to be yet another white elephant rehabilitating some babus and judges at the cost of ESM like the department of 'Welfare' that exists for itself and not for the soldiers/ ESM.
Col Karan Kharb (Retd)