INFORMATION LEAFLET & UPDATE
Dear Friends,
1. Information leaflet in Hindi is attached. You are requested to circulate the same to the maximum ESM. You are also requested to get it translated in local languages and circulate to the ESM in the area.
2. We once again appeal to all ESM Organizations and ESM to join the IESM in large numbers. As explained earlier deposit of medals is to be vigorously pursued to make the Govt take us seriously. We request atleast 2000 ESM to be added to the membership list from each district of the country and atleast 2000 medals per district be collected for deposit with the President. All convenors are requested to organize membership drive as well as medal collection on OP IMMEDIATE basis and give us the feed back twice a month. Once large number of medals have been collected, the date of deposit of medals will be planned. Every ESM to kindly cooperate.
3. It is heartening to note that number of IESM members have contacted MPs to raise questions on OROP in the Parliament during the current session. Besides the open letter to the MPs, we had forwarded them another open letter on “Starred Questions for the MPs”. A letter sent to Mr Navjot Sidhu who has responded is enclosed. It was heartening that Mr. Navjot Sidhu rang up the undersigned and informed that he had forwarded the Starred Questions to the Lok Sabha speaker and hopefully, he would get chance to raise these before 29 Nov 2009.
4. Our Joint Letter to Prime Minster has also been circulated to large number of ESM for getting the same printed in Media. Efforts have been made to deliver the letter personally to PM and RM. Let us hope some action is taken soon.
5. While IESM is making every effort to get Justice to the veterans, some of our misguided ESM are indulging in anti IESM activities. Gp Capt Gandhi Gen Secy (coord) will be informing you about the details of such activities.
6. Well, friends if we want our demands to be met, there is only one way ie Unite in Large numbers and with one voice intensify the Movement for positive outcome.
7. As we are getting in touch with each other, a large number of serious anomalies are coming to notice which are applicable to large group of ESM. May we request all ESM to send us the anomalies noticed by them besides which are already known to the majority. These will be compiled and taken up with the Govt.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email : satbirsm@yahoo.com
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Dated: 11 Nov 2009
STARRED QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERS PARLIAMENT
MILITARY PENSION (OROP)
1. The winter session of Parliament starts from 19 November 09. The Defence Veterans of India numbering approx twenty four lakhs seek your personal indulgence in support of their demand of One Rank One Pension (OROP) which means “Defence Personnel who have put in same years of service and have obtained the same ranks must get same pension irrespective of the date of retirement.”
2. On 25 Oct 2009, veterans returned 2000 medals their fifth pack of medals to the President of India: their supreme commander to express their extreme anguish, hurt feelings and desperation caused by frustration and distress. So far more than twenty thousand medals have been deposited with the President. Why have the veterans been driven to such a state of anguish? Starred questions for Hon’ble Members of Parliament are attached. A peep into these questions will reveal the causes of mistreatment and extreme anguish of Defence Veterans who are seeking “Justice”. May we request you to raise these questions in the coming winter session of Parliament starting November 19, 2009 and ask the Govt to sanction One Rank One Pension for the Defence Personnel at the earliest please.
3. A combined letter dated 14 October 2009 written to Honble Prime Minister by Major Ex Servicemen organization functioning in the country is also enclosed for your perusal please.
4. Before closing, it may be pertinent to quote excerpts from some bits of a speech President Obama gave at Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention on August 17, 2009.
“And our nation owes these Americans ...and all who have given their lives- a profound debt of
gratitude… And as always, the thoughts and prayers of every American are with those who
make the ultimate sacrifice in our defense….. We fulfill our responsibility to our veterans as
they return to civilian life… Whether you’ve left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our
responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned….These are commitments that
we make to the patriots who serve… from the day they enlist to the day that they are laid to
rest.”
Shri Navjot Singh Sidhu
Member of Parliament
A-7, M.S. Flats,
B.K.S. Marg, New Delhi -110001
STARRED QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS PARLIAMENTMILITARY PENSION (OROP)
1. More than 22000 medals have been returned to the President by the Military Veterans so far – the last lot being the return of 2000 medals on 25th Oct 2009. It is a known fact that a medal is very cherished and coveted part of a soldier’s life, both while in service and after retirement. That the veterans have been driven to such an extreme step shows the disillusionment and frustration at the apathy of the Govt towards them.
2. The soldiers have been agitating since quite some time to restore their dignity and pride which have been drastically eroded by the recommendations and implementation of 6th Pay Commission by the Govt which has shown a total disregard to the ethos, rank structure and, esprit de corps of the Defence Forces. This will contribute to a large extent in shaking the very foundation over which the Defence Forces of the country stand. History will not forgive, the perpetrators of this – the Pay Commission and the Govt. They have intentionally or unintentionally demoralized the ex - soldiers and by default the serving personnel as well.
3. I implore upon the Govt to take immediate remedial measures to restore the confidence of the Military by seriously going into their grievances before some tragic incident occurs. I want the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri to reply on the following issues as starred questions.
STARRED QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERS PARLIAMENTMILITARY PENSIONS (OROP) FOR DEFENCE PENSIONERS
1. Defence Forces of India function on hierarchical principle without which the military can not function. The 6th CPC has ruthlessly demolished their system. May I request the RM to kindly reply to my following questions.
Q 1. Why has the Govt ie PM, RM, FM mislead the nation both in Parliament and outside that OROP had been implemented. This is a blatant lie to confuse and mislead the Parliament and the Nation, when actually on the ground no action has been taken in this regard ?
Q 2 (a). An old pensioner (Pre 96) Sepoy with 17 years of service gets a pension of Rs 3500/-per month only where as a Sepoy retiring after 2006 with same years of service gets a Pension of Rs 7045/- per month. Like wise all Ex servicemen of all ranks who retired prior to 01 Jan 06 will draw much less pension as compared to their counter parts retiring after 01 Jan 2006 This is totally unjust, arbitrator, illegal and happens only in our Country. Will the worthy RM explain the rational of such differentials?
(b) A Major General pre 2006 retiree get far less pension than A Lt Col, (who is four ranks junior) who retired after 01-01-06. Likewise , other senior rank officers ie Brig, Col, Lt Col, Maj, Capt, Lt, PBORs who are pre 2006 retirees get less pension than their counterparts who retired after 01-01-06. This is a weird situation which is also a blatant violation of Article 14 and fundamental rights of the constitution. A senior rank officer must never get less pension than his junior rank officer irrespective of the date of retirement. The very functioning of the Army Rank structure is being adversely affected since the present serving personnel are the future retirees. Will the worthy RM explain the rational of this serious anomaly?
(c) There is far too large a gap --- of Rs 11600 --- between Major and Lt Col. Similarly, too large a gap has been created between the pensions of Major General and Lt Gen i.e Rs 9800/- The pensions of Lt Col, Col, Brig and Major General have been kept in a rather too narrow a range ie Rs 25700 – Rs 26700/-, a gap of only Rs 1000. The length of service and level of responsibility held have not been given due weigatage. Between Col and Maj Gen, the difference in pension is only Rs 650/-. The anomaly is too glaring. There should be sufficient gap, between the pensions of successive ranks and there should be no large variations within a particular rank. Why the pensions of Defence Pensioners structured so illogically. Will the RM explain please?
(d) While implementing the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Maj Gens, the Govt has accepted the concept of granting the same pension to pre 96 and post 96 retirees with same rank and same service the plea made by Maj Gens when 5th Pay Commission was implemented. In the same way, the Govt should have applied the same concept in the case of pre 01 Jan 2006 and Post 01 Jan 2006 retirees of all ranks. Why the same has not been done?
(e) Three Assured Carrier Progressions (ACP) concept has been accepted as 6th CPC award. But the same has not been applied to the past pensioners. The past pensioners should also be given the benefit of ACP by notionally applying the concept to them and their pensions fixed accordingly. Why the same has not been done?
(f) The Hon’ble PM on 15 Aug 09 in his speech at the Red Fort announced enhancement of pensions of Junior Commissioned Officers of Army and their equivalent in Navy and Air Force and Other Ranks of Army, Navy and Air Force. However, Govt orders of implementation of enhanced pensions have not yet been issued. What are the reasons for the delay?
Q 3. Why in the last 62 year the status of Defence Personnel viz a viz their civil counterparts has been constantly eroded. A few examples:-
· In 1947 highest Police Officer in a State was equivalent to a Lt Col. However after 6th CPC he has been placed even ahead of Lt Gen.
· A joint Secretary level officer was equal to a Major. However, now he is equated with major General.
· A Jawan who handles all the technical equipment and sacrifices the best period of his life in the most inhospitable terrain and conditions and is on duty 24 hrs 365 days a year and who has voluntarily surrendered his fundamental rights has been equated with a peon in the Civil Govt.
2. Not to compare but to bring it to the notice of this august house the respect which other countries give to their soldiers. I wish to highlight some excerpts from the bits of speech president Obama gave at veterans of Foreign War Convention on August 17, 2009
Quote
“And our nation owes these Americans ...and all who have given their lives- a profound debt of gratitude… And as always, the thoughts and prayers of every American are with those who make the ultimate sacrifice in our defense….. We fulfill our responsibility to our veterans as they return to civilian life… Whether you’ve left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver
the benefits and care that you earned….These are commitments that we make to the patriots who serve… from the day they enlist to the day that they are laid to rest.”
Unquote
3. Lastly a nation which does not show gratitude and respect to its soldiers will do so at their own peril.
Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu
Hon’ble Member of Parliament
