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

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