Dear Colleagues,
The ESM have numerous problems that merit urgent attention by the authorities. Various sub groups within the ESM fraternity want the IESM to pursue their specific cases, including through courts. The officer-centric problems find space on the net and hence are perceived to acquire a louder signature. But there are equally weighty problems with JCOs and Other Ranks that keep getting projected over telephone and during rallies. (And of course one must not forget the largest and the most needy sub group – the widows who have been denied the pension increase given to others). All such problems are admittedly genuine. While the IESM does provide support to the extent possible, it is not practicable for the IESM as an organization to pursue every case. Individual sub groups must continue doing so as heretofore. We need to remind ourselves that:
1. While starting the Movement we had selected only those demands that affect the entire, or almost the entire ESM population.
2. The demands had been limited to the very few substantial ones. Including too many demands would have inevitably led to mixing the major and not-so-crucial together. It is empirically seen that the govt invariably accepts the minor ones and then expects bargaining on the major ones.
3. By seeking a subsidiary concession – such as taking up the issue of resolving VI Pay Commission anomalies as has been suggested – would be misconstrued as our lowering the aim, our intentions and protestations to the contrary notwithstanding.
While we will continue pursuing the welfare activities like the pension and ECHS problems, in the main we need to keep our sights trained on OROP.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
