Appeal to ESM by Maj Gen Satbir Singh

AN APPEAL FROM INDIAN EX-SERVICES MOVEMENT

Brig C S Kamboj, V S M, Veteran,(E Mail ID-kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in)
In last one year or so, if the ESM have been able to draw the attention of the public, the media and the Government of India, it is purely because of the efforts of Ex Servicemen, all supporting the IESM forcefully and some of its supporters working silently behind the scenes.
Former Chiefs of Army and Navy, who are members of IESM and are whole heartedly supporting us behind the scenes.
Some of the ESM Organisations of JCOs, NCOs and ORs have also been giving very strong support to IESM in its mission; while these ESM organisations have been independently pressurising the Government of India, they have also been supporting the IESM whole heartedly in its plans on ground.
The Government has done very little for ESM so far, but they are aware of the rapidly rising popularity of IESM among the ESM.
There are also very strong rumours floating around that while internally the Government has in principle agreed to OROP, it will announce it only a year or so before the next general elections!!!
We cannot believe such rumours – and have to continue with our efforts to get –
“JUSTICE FOR DEFENCE SERVICES”.
So let us all stand shoulder to shoulder and support the activities of IESM whole heartedly.
An email received from Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Retd, S M,Vice Chairman IESM, is reproduced below. The attachment received with the email in English language is reproduced below his email. Please translate the English version in your regional languages and have these circulated widely in your respective areas.
Please do put in your best efforts to make the depositing of medals on 25 Oct 09 a grand success event as earlier.
A handful of leaders of IESM cannot achieve the aim unless we all support sincerely and with all our might.
Success of IESM is in the interest of ALL ESM of INDIA, spread all over the world.
In Service of Indian Military Veterans
In Put By Lt Col B M Thapa, Veteran & Member of IESM

PRESS RELEASE/INVITATION
Unhappy Over Non Grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP), Ex - Servicemen Deposit Medals with the President Fifth time on 25 Oct 2009 at Jantar Mantar
Dear Members of the Media
1. The Govt continues to ignore the grant of One Rank One Pension demand of Ex Servicemen (ESM). The Prime Minister in his speech at Red Fort on 15 Aug 09 had stated that pensions of JCOs and other ranks have been enhanced. Even, these orders have not yet been issued by the Govt. Why there should be so much delay? Is it that bureaucracy with intent to harass the Ex Servicemen is causing hurdles in issuing the necessary orders? The Ex Servicemen are very angry and hurt on this attitude of the Govt. The Ex Servicemen across the country have asked the Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) leadership who have been protesting for the last one and half year against the Injustice to Defence Forces to intensify the Movement to get OROP sanctioned at the earliest. IESM has decided to deposit the medals once again with the President on 25 Oct 09. It may please be noted that Ex Servicemen have already deposited 20000 medals with the President.
2. ESM PAN India have started depositing the medals with the IESM HQ at Gurgaon (Hr). The medals will also be collected on 25 Oct 09 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from 10 AM to 2 PM. Thereafter, a delegation of IESM will proceed to Rashtrapati Bhawan to deposit the medals with the President.
3. IESM appeals to all ESM across the country to volunteer deposit the medals to strengthen the Movement for getting Justice to the Defence Personnel, the most important demand being the grant of OROP. It is pertinent to mention that an old pensioner 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. This is totally unjust, illegal and happens only in our Country.
4. You are requested to kindly publish this in your news paper/carry it in your news channel/magazine /periodicals and also cover the event on 25 Oct 2009 between 10 AM to 3 PM at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM