Tuesday, April 3, 2012
ESM sitrep 01 Apr 2012
Dear Colleagues,
An Ex Servicemen rally was held at Ghaziabad today. Satbir, Kit Joshipura, Aditya Jaini, Kameshwar Pandey and self attended. Aditya was the main motivator that provided the spark; the venue falls within beat from his den. The gathering of 130+ was moderate but they made it up by their infectious enthusiasm. 44 additional members joined the IESM during the event. More significantly, at the end of the rally, everyone present confirmed that he is a member.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
ESM Sitrep
Dear Colleagues,
I met the Defence Minister today to discuss progress of some ongoing cases. Issues covered ensue.
OROP
He repeated the by-now-well-known government stand that OROP cannot be given in one go for fear of evoking a similar demand from civilian employees and that we are gradually moving towards narrowing the gap. I clarified that we have no objection to the term OROP being changed for record purposes by some other term like ‘military service pension’ as long the old and new pensioners are equated. I cited the example of the Military Service Pay that was granted exclusively for defence forces and there was not a whimper from others.
Widows’ Pension Enhancement
I stressed that after the Defence Minister confirmed over four months ago that he had cleared the proposal, the file is still on the bureaucratic circuit and that this does no good to the credibility of the high office. I gave my interpretation that it was part of the same Cabinet Secretary’s Committee report where the widows had been erroneously left out and hence it should not need any fresh financial approval. He said it would. I nudged him to take up the matter with the Finance Minister and he made a note.
The Defence Minister clarified that he has already had an official meeting with the three Services and that they would send a comprehensive proposal (including ESM problems). He would then take it personally to the PM soon after the Parliamentary session gets over on 20 May 2012. By that time the new budget would also be in effect.
Miscellaneous Points
Not unexpectedly, the discussion became wide ranging. Some points that could be of interest are:
• Reducing government doggedness in pursuing court cases involving serving personnel and the veterans that the government loses at lower courts. He reiterated his already having issued directions that each case be examined on merit.
• Need to control the bureaucracy that enjoys unbridled power with no accountability. Having cited concrete examples from history I repeated the term I had coined in a TV debate on 30 March, “We are a democracy ruled by the bureaucracy”.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
I met the Defence Minister today to discuss progress of some ongoing cases. Issues covered ensue.
OROP
He repeated the by-now-well-known government stand that OROP cannot be given in one go for fear of evoking a similar demand from civilian employees and that we are gradually moving towards narrowing the gap. I clarified that we have no objection to the term OROP being changed for record purposes by some other term like ‘military service pension’ as long the old and new pensioners are equated. I cited the example of the Military Service Pay that was granted exclusively for defence forces and there was not a whimper from others.
Widows’ Pension Enhancement
I stressed that after the Defence Minister confirmed over four months ago that he had cleared the proposal, the file is still on the bureaucratic circuit and that this does no good to the credibility of the high office. I gave my interpretation that it was part of the same Cabinet Secretary’s Committee report where the widows had been erroneously left out and hence it should not need any fresh financial approval. He said it would. I nudged him to take up the matter with the Finance Minister and he made a note.
The Defence Minister clarified that he has already had an official meeting with the three Services and that they would send a comprehensive proposal (including ESM problems). He would then take it personally to the PM soon after the Parliamentary session gets over on 20 May 2012. By that time the new budget would also be in effect.
Miscellaneous Points
Not unexpectedly, the discussion became wide ranging. Some points that could be of interest are:
• Reducing government doggedness in pursuing court cases involving serving personnel and the veterans that the government loses at lower courts. He reiterated his already having issued directions that each case be examined on merit.
• Need to control the bureaucracy that enjoys unbridled power with no accountability. Having cited concrete examples from history I repeated the term I had coined in a TV debate on 30 March, “We are a democracy ruled by the bureaucracy”.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
ESM Sitrep
Dear Colleagues,
As known through the net some ESM are planning to carry out a token two-hour ‘rail roko’ in Punjab on 25 March. They represent one of the many ESM organizations that exist in the country. However, being members of the same larger ESM community, their action will not be seen in isolation but will be construed as carrying the stamp of the entire ESM fraternity.
The intended action is apparently indicative of the frustration resulting out of the government apathy and continued stonewalling of our just demands. That frustration and anger is understandable. However, the pros and cons of the proposed ‘rail roko’ need to be analysed. Disrupting train traffic is not a novel idea in India. Nor does it prove any special skill or ability on our part as soldiers. It does not also indicate any gallantry. On the other hand, apart from being against the law, it would surely inconvenience the innocent passengers. This runs the risk of alienating the public that has been steadfastly supporting us and holds us in high affection and regard.
Often there is something to say for both sides of everything. Our colleagues who propose to undertake the disruptive action have the right to do what they want. However, since even those who do not subscribe to this form of methodology will be willy-nilly branded, there is a need to rethink.
In the larger interest of the community, I will urge all colleagues to desist from any action that is illegal and that may be considered anti national. Our struggle is only against the government that is denying us our just dues and not against our own country. The proposed ‘rail roko’ needs to be avoided.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
ESM sitrep
Dear Colleagues,
The IESM Governing Body members addressed a Press conference at the Press Club of India, New Delhi today. The event was attended by a large number of print and visual media representatives. All the major ESM issues that are pending with the government were highlighted. Attention was also drawn towards the larger implications on the national security if the genuine demands continue to be stonewalled. After the conference an exhaustive paper was handed over to the media, both in hard as well as soft copy.
The rank pay case, scheduled in the Supreme Court for 21 March could not be heard on 21 and 22 March due to other pending business with the bench. It is now listed for 27 March 2012.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Clarification on correctness & date the paper cutting News
06 Mar 2012
Dear Veterans
1. Someone is mischievously spreading rumors by sending old news cutting. OROP has not yet been sanctioned by the Govt. We are waiting for the govt’s approval to the Koshiyari Rajya Sabha Petition Committee’s is recommendation on OROP. My reply of this mail is enclosed,
2. Please make all ESM aware of the same specially in villages.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: satbirsm@yahoo.com
.....................
06 Mar 2012
Dear Mohinder Padda
This is an old news regarding enhancement of pensions of JCOs and Jawan which the Govt had approved but not sanctioned. We had got the issue raised in Parliament on 03 Mar 2010 and consequently the Govt sanctioned the already withheld approval to enhance pensions of JCOs and Jawans to correct old anomaly amounting to Rs 2200 croes on 08 Mar 2010. Hear again, the Govt did not enhance the pension of widows, the most needy segment of defence pensioners. This was not OROP. We have been relentlessly working hard to ask the Govt to grant OROP. We will succeed. Request to all Defence Personnel and their family members is to Unite and collectively intensify the Movement to get Justice to the Defence Veterans.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: satbirsm@yahoo.com
Dear Veterans
1. Someone is mischievously spreading rumors by sending old news cutting. OROP has not yet been sanctioned by the Govt. We are waiting for the govt’s approval to the Koshiyari Rajya Sabha Petition Committee’s is recommendation on OROP. My reply of this mail is enclosed,
2. Please make all ESM aware of the same specially in villages.
With Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: satbirsm@yahoo.com
.....................
06 Mar 2012
Dear Mohinder Padda
This is an old news regarding enhancement of pensions of JCOs and Jawan which the Govt had approved but not sanctioned. We had got the issue raised in Parliament on 03 Mar 2010 and consequently the Govt sanctioned the already withheld approval to enhance pensions of JCOs and Jawans to correct old anomaly amounting to Rs 2200 croes on 08 Mar 2010. Hear again, the Govt did not enhance the pension of widows, the most needy segment of defence pensioners. This was not OROP. We have been relentlessly working hard to ask the Govt to grant OROP. We will succeed. Request to all Defence Personnel and their family members is to Unite and collectively intensify the Movement to get Justice to the Defence Veterans.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: satbirsm@yahoo.com
Monday, February 27, 2012
ESM sitrep 27 Feb evening
Dear Colleagues,
As part of IESM ongoing efforts to seek justice for the veterans’ community, I met the Defence Minister today (Feb 27). Gist of discussion ensues.
OROP
I made the following points:
· 1. OROP has been repeatedly recommended by Parliamentary Committees. These committees comprise elected members from different political parties. However, while rejecting these recommendations, the govt continues to stand by the report of the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee that had summarily rejected OROP without assigning any convincing reason. It leads to the unfortunate inference that the govt is being run not by the elected representatives but by the bureaucracy.
· 2 The ESM as a community are apolitical and would prefer to remain so. However, with the continual rejection of OROP in the last three years, there is a strong chance that the ESM would be alienated from the Congress, more so since the main opposition party has openly declared that they would grant OROP if elected to power.
· 3. Repeated rejection of this long pending demand might turn the disappointment of ESM into their frustration. It would be highly inadvisable to have a large section of society, who are trained in use of fire arms and explosives, frustrated. The govt should remain sensitive to this aspect.
The Hon’ble Minister assured me that he is fully sympathetic to the demand of OROP but there are various factors that are coming in the way in granting it in one go and that the govt is moving towards this goal in stages. On being specifically asked whether they are working towards giving another enhancement, he answered in the affirmative.
Widows’ Pension Enhancement
He himself stated that he was fully convinced that the demand was genuine and therefore had already got it cleared by the Defence Ministry. He told me that just prior to our meeting, he had called the Secretary ESW and had directed him to follow it up with other Ministries at the earliest. I asserted that I would check the progress in a fortnight’s time and if required meet him again; he was ok with it.
Miscellaneous
· On my raising the point that the govt continues to pursue legal cases till the last mile even though these have been rejected by the lower courts, the Minister stated that he has issued instructions to examine each case objectively. He further disclosed that he himself had directed against appealing in the pre-1973 Disabled Service Element case. I thanked him for it.
· I stressed there are cases that have been decided by the apex court and the government is still not implementing those judgments. I cited concrete examples. He noted the point but there was no discussion on it.
Concluding Remarks
In normal conversation, the Minister made very laudatory remarks about the defence forces in general. He was particularly appreciative of the fact that Services were a large family and even after retirement veterans remained attached to this family. He displayed genuineness in his appreciation and did not seem to be making these comments just for the sake of form.
Other IESM News
There continues a regular inflow of ESM telephone calls from across the country where they repose faith and confidence in the genuineness of IESM efforts. Enthusiasm is clearly discernible. Tomorrow (Feb 28), I am to participate in the programme of an education institute in Dundlot near Juhunjhunu in Rajasthan. It is not an ESM function. However, there have been a number of calls from that region in the last two days with ESM saying that they have read of it in the newspapers and they would want to participate. One cannot help feeling overwhelmed but also conscious of the heavy responsibility such trust brings on our shoulders.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
As part of IESM ongoing efforts to seek justice for the veterans’ community, I met the Defence Minister today (Feb 27). Gist of discussion ensues.
OROP
I made the following points:
· 1. OROP has been repeatedly recommended by Parliamentary Committees. These committees comprise elected members from different political parties. However, while rejecting these recommendations, the govt continues to stand by the report of the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee that had summarily rejected OROP without assigning any convincing reason. It leads to the unfortunate inference that the govt is being run not by the elected representatives but by the bureaucracy.
· 2 The ESM as a community are apolitical and would prefer to remain so. However, with the continual rejection of OROP in the last three years, there is a strong chance that the ESM would be alienated from the Congress, more so since the main opposition party has openly declared that they would grant OROP if elected to power.
· 3. Repeated rejection of this long pending demand might turn the disappointment of ESM into their frustration. It would be highly inadvisable to have a large section of society, who are trained in use of fire arms and explosives, frustrated. The govt should remain sensitive to this aspect.
The Hon’ble Minister assured me that he is fully sympathetic to the demand of OROP but there are various factors that are coming in the way in granting it in one go and that the govt is moving towards this goal in stages. On being specifically asked whether they are working towards giving another enhancement, he answered in the affirmative.
Widows’ Pension Enhancement
He himself stated that he was fully convinced that the demand was genuine and therefore had already got it cleared by the Defence Ministry. He told me that just prior to our meeting, he had called the Secretary ESW and had directed him to follow it up with other Ministries at the earliest. I asserted that I would check the progress in a fortnight’s time and if required meet him again; he was ok with it.
Miscellaneous
· On my raising the point that the govt continues to pursue legal cases till the last mile even though these have been rejected by the lower courts, the Minister stated that he has issued instructions to examine each case objectively. He further disclosed that he himself had directed against appealing in the pre-1973 Disabled Service Element case. I thanked him for it.
· I stressed there are cases that have been decided by the apex court and the government is still not implementing those judgments. I cited concrete examples. He noted the point but there was no discussion on it.
Concluding Remarks
In normal conversation, the Minister made very laudatory remarks about the defence forces in general. He was particularly appreciative of the fact that Services were a large family and even after retirement veterans remained attached to this family. He displayed genuineness in his appreciation and did not seem to be making these comments just for the sake of form.
Other IESM News
There continues a regular inflow of ESM telephone calls from across the country where they repose faith and confidence in the genuineness of IESM efforts. Enthusiasm is clearly discernible. Tomorrow (Feb 28), I am to participate in the programme of an education institute in Dundlot near Juhunjhunu in Rajasthan. It is not an ESM function. However, there have been a number of calls from that region in the last two days with ESM saying that they have read of it in the newspapers and they would want to participate. One cannot help feeling overwhelmed but also conscious of the heavy responsibility such trust brings on our shoulders.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
Monday, February 13, 2012
ESM sitrep 12 February evening
Dear Colleagues,
An ESM rally was held at village Majra, District Jhajjar (Haryana) on 11 Feb 2012, attended by Kameshwar Pandey and self. Approximately 300 ESM including a good number of families had gathered. An update on various issues of concern was given and all present appreciated the efforts made by the IESM in seeking justice for the ESM community. There were some points on ECHS, Canteen as well as pension that will be pursued.
26 new members joined the IESM during the rally.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
An ESM rally was held at village Majra, District Jhajjar (Haryana) on 11 Feb 2012, attended by Kameshwar Pandey and self. Approximately 300 ESM including a good number of families had gathered. An update on various issues of concern was given and all present appreciated the efforts made by the IESM in seeking justice for the ESM community. There were some points on ECHS, Canteen as well as pension that will be pursued.
26 new members joined the IESM during the rally.
--
Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector - 17A
Gurgaon - 122 001
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