Dated : 22 August 2010
To,
Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
Her Excellency, the President of India
and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
New Delhi – 110 011 EX-SERVICEMEN OF INDIA SEEK JUSTICE
WITH REGARD TO PENSION AND RESETTLEMENT
Your Excellency,Jai Hind.
1. With extreme anguish, we the former soldiers of India express our deeply hurt feelings to our Supreme Commander on the neglect and an indifferent attitude of the Govt towards our genuine demands. 2. Madam President, our delegation had met you more than a year ago regarding non acceptance of our demands of One Rank One Pension (OROP), Assured Career to all Defence Personnel till the age of 60 years through an Act of Parliament, constitution of Ex - Servicemen (ESM) Commission consisting of members from Ex Servicemen, having members from ESM for any committee/commission set up for the ESM, setting up of separate Pay Commission without waiting for the next Pay Commission and resolution of all anomalies of Pay and Pension of Defence Personnel within a time frame of one year. You had given a patient hearing and assured the delegation of sympathetic consideration. 3. We have been representing to all authorities of the Govt including your goodself, our Supreme Commander, for the past two years. Instead of sincerely considering our demands, the Govt seems to have further hardened its attitude towards the Veterans. Not only that, they have not yet accepted the recommendations of the All Party Standing Committee on Defence tabled in the Lok Sabha on 07 May 2010 strongly recommending the grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) to the Defence Personnel. The vehemence with which the Govt continues to contest the court rulings that are in favour of Defence Personnel should shock even the die-hard supporters of the Govt. 4. Why is the Govt not giving their due to its veterans, who have devoted their all and have demonstrated their patriotism, bravery, valour, courage and have in great measure assisted the country in strengthening its sovereignty and integrity? The Service widows being left out of the recent enhancement of pensions of JCOs and Jawans, no enhancements in pension to the aged and old reservists, senior officers, JCOs, Jawan getting less pension than their three to four rank juniors, the superannuated disabled old soldiers not being included in the policy of broad banding for Disability and War injury, the non grant of third Assured Career Progression (ACP) to the Sepoy, ACP award of 6th CPC not been notionally applied while fixing the pensions of pre 01 Jan 2006 retirees… and the list of grievances and injustices goes on. Mostly the sons and wards of Defence veterans are serving in the Defence Forces. The ill treatment of their elders will certainly adversely affect their morale and motivation. 5. In order to draw the attention of the Govt. of India for the amelioration of their problems relating to pension and resettlement; Ex Servicemen in large numbers, led by retired Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals have undertaken several actions albeit in a disciplined manner. They have even had to deposit their medals with their Supreme Commander. 6. A gallantry medal of a soldier is his most cherished possession, which he wishes to be put on his chest even on his death. To part with a gallantry medal is like parting with oneself, but we have been forced to do so as all our efforts to get justice have fallen on deaf ears or are buried in bureaucratic procedures. Madam President, on 14 Mar 2010, in order to express deep anguish, 6000 Ex Servicemen had submitted a memorandum signed in blood to your goodself. Even that fell on deaf ears. Today a very large number of , Ex Servicemen from across the country have signed this Memorandum in Blood to express our grievously hurt feelings . 7. We are depositing our medals for the seventh time today and are submitting a memorandum signed in blood to lodge our protest with our Supreme Commander and to seek justice. We request you yet again to impress on the government to resolve our problems. With Regards,Jai Hind Yours Sincerely, Lt Gen (Retd) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM,
Chairman Indian ESM Movement Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
0124-4015262, +919811226676 0124-4110570, +919312404269
Email: rajkadyan@yahoo.com Email : satbirsm@yahoo.com Copy to :-Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
152, South Block,
New Delhi -110011 Shri A.K. Antony
Hon’ble Defence Minister
9, Krishna, Menon Marg
New Delhi Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC
Chief of the Army Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army)
South Block, New Delhi-110011
Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC
Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and
Chief of the Naval Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy)
South Block, New Delhi-110011
