Subject: ESM sitrep 06 May evening
Dear Colleagues,
It is learnt that the Election Commission has questioned the moral propriety of govt intentions to set up a committee to look into the defence pensioners’ problem. It seems strange. While it is possible for individuals to be unaware of the law, could the govt also be ignorant? If yes, it speaks poorly of our legal labyrinth. If not, it raises some very uncomfortable questions:
1. Does the govt announcement of a scheme that they knew cannot be implemented, betray their lack of sincerity?
2. After five years of ignoring the defence pensioners and nearly 14 months after submission of the 6th Pay Commission report, was the sudden election-eve display of compassion for defence pensioners, families and the disabled, a sham and a mere vote catching ploy?
3. Has the defence fraternity acquired a strong enough poll muscle to push a major political party to resort to such subterfuge?
The above doubts will undoubtedly haunt us as we cast our votes in a few hours from now as well as in the next phase.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
