Subject: ESM sitrep 8 Aug evening
Date: Saturday, 8 August, 2009, 10:27 PM
Dear Colleagues,
It is after a gap that I am initiating the sitrep. My computer crash and frequent evening power shutdowns in Gurgaon have contributed to the problem. My apologies to all those who telephonically complained on the subject.
Some of the emails betray a degree of frustration at the seeming lack of action by the IESM of late. The appetite for action is indeed admirable. However, it needs to be known the current pause is deliberate. After the President included OROP in her address on 4 June 2009, it was only logical that we await the final word from the government; it has still not come.
The pause has been fruitfully utilised.
1. We met the Defence Minister on 19 June. He advised that since the subject is being handled by the RRM Shri Pallam Raju, we should keep in touch with the latter. Apart from writing to him, we sought a meeting with Pallam Raju. He has not responded for over three weeks and it is safe to assume that he is not keen to meet us possibly because he has no answers to some of the questions that he knows we would raise.
2. Our request for a meeting with the president has been pending for some two weeks. Telephonic enquiries reveal that no decision has yet been taken.
3. A meeting was held with the BJP President and on our urging a question on OROP was raised in the Parliament that was replied by the Defence Minister.
4. A meeting with a group of MsP of different affiliations should hopefully materialize in the last week of August.
5. Apart from regular telephonic contact with ESM across the country, rallies have been addressed in Haryana on 28 Jul and 5 Aug. Next rally is planned for 23 Aug.
It is heartening to note that there is an overwhelming response from the ESM that we should continue with the struggle in case the government gives anything less than full OROP.
An article of mine on OROP was published in The Tribune and Hari Bhoomi in last week of July. Another one with a focus on the Cabinet Secretary's Committee report has been sent to the Press a few days ago.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
