Sunday, December 12, 2010

When a Soldier Cries

Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD
The profession of arms is all about management of violence, destruction and death. As it is not easy to muster courage and nerve to kill other human beings, soldiers are trained to acquire a streak of raw ruthlessness and brutality. Consequently, according to common perception, soldiers are supposed to be cold-hearted and unsentimental fighters, totally impervious to emotional weaknesses. It is just not ‘soldierly’ to cry and shed tears like other mortals. But then as Voltaire said, “Tears are the silent language of grief”. Grief is a fundamental sentiment. It spares no one and soldiers are no exception. Soldiers by nature are highly sensitive to the environment and its responses.

However, soldiers do not grieve through wailing, howling, weeping and even sobbing. Their grief finds expression not through tears but through their silent anguish. Here are five triggers that overwhelm soldiers’ hearts and make them cringe with pain.

When he loses in battle

Soldiering is not a profession. It is a commitment that every soldier undertakes with missionary zeal to defend his country. It stretches much beyond the normal call of duty as is commonly understood. It is a matter of honour for a soldier to fight and win, whatever be the challenges and cost. It is a trait that becomes an inalienable part of every soldier’s character and provides motivational sustenance. Soldiers see themselves as the sole guardians of national security. Being the last bastion of the state, the military is fully aware of the fact that it cannot fail the nation, whatever may be the odds.

Memories of reverses suffered during the Chinese aggression of 1962 still cause immense pain. Despite the fact that the soldiers were ill-equipped and ill-clothed to fight in snow-bound areas, their devotion and valour were in the highest traditions of the services. Soldiers were not to blame for the failure, yet they felt that they had let the nation down. Scars of retreat in the face of the Chinese onslaught continue to haunt to date. Inability to dominate and crush forces inimical to national interests makes soldiers miserable. They become restless for an opportunity to redeem their lost honour.

When he loses a mate

Self preservation is a strong natural instinct and subordination of personal interests to group interests is against normal human psyche. However, military life is all about camaraderie and group cohesion. Indian military thrives on shared commitment among soldiers to achieving the assigned goal. Shared commitment flows from cohesion developed through rigorous training, caring and emotional bonding. It is not uncommon to see soldiers risk their lives for their colleagues. Soldiers are neither reckless nor impulsive. They are fully aware of the trauma and privations their families would have to suffer should they die in the call of duty. Their inexplicable behavior is purely due to intense attachment and loyalty to their colleagues and the group.

The worst thing for a soldier is to lose a ‘buddy’. Poignant notes of the ‘Last Post’ send shivers down the toughest of soldiers’ backs. Tears shed in the memory of a fallen comrade are invariably accompanied by a sense of guilt and helplessness. Many tend to blame themselves for their failure to save their colleague’s life. This is the reasons why arms are reversed while bidding final farewell to a friend.

When his leaders let him down

Military as an institution sustains itself on the trust-loyalty equation existing between the leadership and the rank and file. To be trusted is the greatest compliment that a leader can earn. Trust is the expectancy that the followers can rely on a leader’s immaculate personal conduct and professional competence. It flourishes on the credibility that a leader enjoys in his command. Soldiers willingly repose faith in a leader in the belief that he would remain incorruptible and morally upright.

When military leaders indulge in land grabbing, sale of liquor or fake encounters, soldiers start wondering whether such leaders deserve their trust and confidence. They get disillusioned as their faith in the uprightness and integrity of the leadership gets shaken. They feel let down by the leadership that they had trusted unquestioningly. Worse, loss of credibility makes soldiers doubt their military competence and worthiness. They cry out in anguish as they find that their icons of morality are unworthy of their trust.

When countrymen fail to understand him

Soldiers’ dedication to duty, loyalty to the nation and willingness for the supreme sacrifice are driven less by material considerations and more by an overwhelming urge to earn love and respect of their countrymen. As the soldiers know that their image in the society is dependent on media projections, they tend to be very sensitive to adverse publicity and undue criticism. They feel betrayed that their national media ignores their contribution and highlights a few aberrations.

Soldiers do not question subjecting the military to public scrutiny. However, they want it to be done in an objective and balanced manner. For example, quite unfairly, in the recent case pertaining to Adarsh Housing Society, the media has twisted the facts so blatantly to make it appear to be a scam perpetrated exclusively by the service officers. Worse, Army’s prompt action against transgressing officers is never recognized. Further, it is most demoralizing when a few self-proclaimed chair-bound activists make their living through regular military-bashing. According to them, anti-national crowds can throw stones at uniformed persons and maim them, but return fire in self-defence is not acceptable.

It is unfair to expect that there would be no aberrations in a 1.3 million strong force. However, it must be appreciated that 90 percent of the troops are deployed on borders or in counter-insurgency operations. Soldiers doing duty in remote and uncongenial areas feel terribly pained when a few acts of misdemeanor and indiscretion are cited to paint a negative picture of the services as a whole. They wonder if the countrymen understand their trials and tribulations. They cry for the nation’s empathy and recognition.

When the government shows apathy

A supportive government’s compassion acts as a major motivator for the soldiers. It is not a question of financial remunerations alone. It is the way a government treats and values its soldiers that matter. Except for token inanities on Independence Day, the Government has singularly failed to appreciate the intensity of sense of hurt of the soldiers at their continued neglect. Frequent degradation of their status through manipulated pay commission awards has made them skeptical about government’s intent.

In the recent past, India was witness to the most unfortunate sight of numerous military veterans returning their medals to the President to register their protest against Government’s indifference to their pleas. Medals earned during active service are the proudest possession of soldiers and their being driven to surrender them should have made the Government sit up and take note. But true to its wont, the Government remained totally unconcerned and unmoved. This episode will certainly go down as a dark chapter in the history of Independent India.

When the government expresses its inability to spare a small piece of suitable land for a war memorial in the capital to honour independent India’s martyrs, it hurts every soldier. They consider it to be an affront to the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice. When a senior member of the ruling party declares that commemoration of Kargil war is not warranted as the war took place due to an intelligence failure of the earlier government, soldiers are left aghast at the brazenness of the logic. When the government adopts a negative attitude and makes no effort to redress their genuine grievances, the soldiers are left a disillusioned lot with no one to provide solace.

Finally

Military is a social organization, albeit highly structured and disciplined. It consists of living human beings with their normal share of sentiments and idiosyncrasies. Soldiers also emote and go through phases of elation and sorrow. It is just that they are trained to keep their emotions under control lest it affects their performance in crisis situations. Their anguish remains muted due to their strong sense of loyalty to the country and to uphold military honour. For that reason, soldiers need to be handled with sensitivity and compassion.

Also see: Omar seeks 30,000 new Kashmiri cops to replace CRPF | Maoist threat: Deploy the Babus, not army

Major General Mrinal Suman, (retd) AVSM, VSM, PhD directs the Defence Acquisition Management Course for Confederation of Indian Industry and heads its Defence Technical Assessment and Advisory Service. A prolific writer, he is often consulted by policy makers and the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, and is regularly invited to address various industrial chambers in India and abroad. The views expressed here are his own.)

By the same author: Are ex-servicemen Enemies of the State? | Women in the Army? Not yet! |Why India is not a great nation | Unsung Heroes: The Ice Warriors | When a soldier prays | Why everybody loves a flood | Did the British Really Divide India to Rule? | Where are the real leaders?
When a Soldier Cries

Thursday, December 9, 2010

New IESM members by Brig JP Singh at Secunderabad

My dear veteran JP Singh


This is an absolutely fantastic effort by you -- do keep it up, please!


I notice that there have been some rather generous donations in all this. Were you able to have the Donation Forms filled? If not, please do try and get the attached Form filled for all donors and send back to me by email as well as at:


N-15 1st Floor
Greater Kailash 1
New Delhi - 110048


This would ensure prompt action in issuance of the Receipt under Section 80G, which qualifies the donor to a 50% set off on the Income Tax payable (this receipt, of course, is issued to those who donate more than Rs 1,000).


I have noticed that you have, yourself, been very generous when you joined by making a donation of Rs 4,500. Thank you very much for that, too -- those were the early days for IESM and this act of your may have gone unnoticed.


With people like you at Secunderabad, we are sure that IESM is in excellent hands!


Once again, thank you very much for this sterling effort.





On 9 December 2010 12:21, jagatpal singh wrote:

9th December, 2010
Dear Sir,


New Members – 09 December, 2010
Ser No.
No.RankNameMembership Fee (Rs)Donation (Rs)Total
(Rs)
1.IC 31935ColSudhakar R Tumati50045005000
2. Mrs Chhanda Sarkar W/O Ic 10465 Col SK Sarkar000
3.6738Gp CaptON Bhargava5005001000
4.MR 4457BrigBK Singh5005001000
5.640321JWOKHS Goud20020002200
6. Mrs Sudha Raman W/O TC 31280 Lt Col S Raman01500015000
7.RC 948MajBalakrishnan TK50035004000
8.JC 373006SubKVB Pillai2000200
9.JC 371518Hony Sub MajT Gopala Krishnan2000200
10.14240511NkK Mugdum Ali1000100
11.15356283HavP Sreenivasa Rao1000100


The following amounts have been deposited in IESM HDFC A/C No. 06162000001330 through HDFC Bank, Kapra Branch, Hyderabad:
1. 8 December, 2010: Rs. 5000 on behalf of Col Sudhakar R Tumati cheque
Rs. 1000 on behalf of Gp Capt ON Bhargava cheque
Rs. 2200 on behalf of JWO KHS Gowd cheque
Rs. 1000 on behalf of Brig BK Singh cheque
2. 9 December, 2010: Rs.15000 on behalf of Mrs Sudha Raman cheque
Rs. 4000 on behalf of Maj Balakrishnan TK cheque
Rs. 200 on behalf of Sub KVB Pillai cash
Rs. 200 on behalf of Sub Maj T Gopala Krishnan cash
Rs. 100 on behalf of Nk K Mugdum Ali cash
Rs. 100 on behalf of Hav P Sreenivasa Rao Cash
Application forms and photocopies of bank deposit slips have been sent by courier on 9 December, 2010.
With best wishes and regards,
Brig JP Singh, Veteran (IESM Membership No. 1407)

Monday, December 6, 2010

New Members of IESM..Thanks to Hony Lt Pandey

fromKameshwar Pandey
torajkadyan@yahoo.com

ccSatbir Singh ,
Vinod Gandhi ,
CoreGpIESM@yahoogroups.com,
Sharan Ahuja ,
kamboj@itintellectuals.com

dateSun, Dec 5, 2010 at 11:39 PM
subjectNewly Joined IESM members
mailed-bygmail.com
signed-bygmail.com

hide details 11:39 PM (14 hours ago)


Dear Sirs,

Following are the newly joined members of IESM:-


Sub Victor Soni

Sep Ashok Kumar

H/Capt J S Negi
H/F Lt Subey Singh
Sgt Manoj Kumar Giri

W/O Hav Late R K Singh
NK Mahmood Alam

HCapt Puran Singh

HCapt I S Dhankhar

Wg Cdr K S Rawat

H/Capt I S Jakher

JWO BB Mourya

Sgt Beni Madhav

WO Lal Singh GusaI

MWO CS Negi

With Regards

Kameshwar

--
Kameshwar Pandey
Sub/Maj Hony. Lt. (Veteran)

Veterans cases cleared at SBI,CPPC at CBD Belapur alone on 22 Nov 2010

From: Suhas phatak
To: Ravindra Pathak
Cc: Vinod Gandhi ; Maj Gen Satbir Singh ; pravesh renjen ; Maj Gen Kamboj
Sent: Fri, 3 December, 2010 9:55:58 AM
Subject: My visit to CPPC SBI on 22 Nov 2010

Dear Ravi,
I visited SBI,CPPC at CBD Belapur alone on 22 Nov 2010 since you had to rush to AZ.Following cases have been cleared:-
1 659884 Sgt SS Bhardwaj
2 297571 Hon Fg Offr A J Manohar
3 247181 Sgt VG Anap
4 232571 Sgt B L Tarate
5 224695 Hon Flt Lt M P Savarkar
6 222878 W O L V DEsai
7 201710 Hon Flt Lt V A Sant
8 231139 Sgt S N Phade
9 607921 JWO G R Sandbhor
10 232385 Sgt B S Angal
11 239235 Sgt S M Vaidya
12 222961 Smt Sushila P Salunke, w/o late MWO Salunke
13 400638 WO B G Sane
14 617686 Cpl D G Halady
15 226762 Cpl A G Ainapure
16 232404 Cpl M S Dere
17 608207 Sgt V B Joshi
18 PO BB Rayakar(IN)
19 617017 Sgt M A Sonawane
20 672407 Sgt S N Mane
21 621119 Sgt TR Dake
22 239634 Sub CV Pusadkar
23 6521 Late Gp Capt DS Jatar-Gallantry Award credited after 7 years.
24 V D Vaidya
25 Dadu Samudre
26 601061 Cpl B J Gurav
27 234828 WO AG Kulkarni
28 SL-3443 Maj HB Brall--(Time scale PPO awaited)
All IAF veterans have been personally informed on telephone/cell nos. Most of them are attending our next annual meeting on 17 Dec 2010 and if not they will become members on that day.
This also proves that real task of correct fixation of pensioners is yet to be completed when we have 2.4 million pensioners.We have not even touched tip of the iceberge.Winding up of our Pension cell will be a pramature step. There is a great need to reach out in all the States.I reiterate that we must write to the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and request for a special audit to be carried out by respective PCDAs for widows,PBORs and lastly Officers as a follow up of our visit to CGDA otherwise we will reduce ourselves to be called 'Officers Club'.
Suhas Phatak

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

ESM sitrep 27 Nov evening

From: Raghubir Singh [mailto:raghubirs@gmail.com]
Sent: 29 November 2010 05:28
To: iesm_group+owners@googlegroups.com
Cc: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in; 20-29; 19-28 course; brigadier ptgangadharan; ESM Veterans site; iesmgroup 1
Subject: Re: [IESM_Group:52] ESM sitrep 27 Nov evening

Dear General Raj Kadiyan & General Satbir Singh

Please accept my heariest congratulations on being given the baton once again to lead the struggle for the next two years. I find my dear friend & one of the leading lights of the IESM Col Rajan not in the list of functionaries? Col Tyagi who has scored a dozen votes must be given due respect for keeping up the democratic tradition for standing up.

I had requested quite long time back to be taken off the Core Gp -for not being able to contribute much due to my pre-occupation with education.

I have one small suggestion that IESM should ask for Annual Subscription of say Rs 1000/- on voluntary basis instead of donation.
I will be contributing @ Rs 1000/- per year.

Congratulations to all members of the Governing Body.


Air Cmde Raghubir Singh (Retd)
Pune

IESM AGM AND ELECTIONS

From: mehandru [mailto:mehandru@airtelmail.in]
Sent: 28 November 2010 13:48
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: RE: IESM AGM AND ELECTIONS - CHAIRMAN'S AND SECY GENERAL'S EMAILS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 551/2010 - (H to Z-3) - 27 NOV 2010

IESM....AGM....
GREEINGS TO OUR PRECIOUS TEAM,.
IT IS ONLY RARELY THAT PROVDENCE CONJURES UP A TEAM LIKE THIS.
The Services and the ESM have had in the last over 50years an abundance of such soldiers who individually were equally devoted and dedicated but the coming together of this team and the concept of collective work for collective good of the serving ,retired, disabled and widows has benefitted everybody selflessly and thus can neither be faulted nor replaced.You have touched the remote corners of the country and made the ESM aware..The blog RMS and efforts of Brig Kamboj has kept everyone well informed and well-knit.

KEEP IT UP,KEEP TOGATHER AND KEEP MOVING,..
WE MAY BE APOLITICAL BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A VOICE...AND YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’
GOD BLESS US
Mehandru

AGM/Election

From: Ram Gulrajani [mailto:ramgulrajani@gmail.com]
Sent: 27 November 2010 19:38
To: IESM Kamboj CS, Brig; coregroup IESM; IESM GROUP
Cc: indianveterans; mil
Subject: Re: [IESM_Group:50] AGM/Election Prelim Rep 101127/4

Dear Veterans

Congratulations to the new and re-elected incumbents who have been doing a thankless job with so much dedication and enthusiasm. The movement under the Chairmanship of Generals Raj Kadyan and Satbir Singh has already created a ripple in the babudom, which will now be a wave if not a tsunami. My salutes and God Bless to the entire team.

Veteran Ram Gulrajani
Chennai.

IESM AGM AND ELECTIONS

From: Brigadier Dharam Prakash [mailto:brigadierdp@gmail.com]
Sent: 29 November 2010 13:19
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: CSK551@DATAONE.IN
Subject: Re: IESM AGM AND ELECTIONS - CHAIRMAN'S AND SECY GENERAL'S EMAILS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 551/2010 - (A to G-1) - 27 NOV 2010

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS to OUT GOING committee,for the excellent work done so far despite odds.
Best wishes from all IESM members from Navi Mumbai for the new Committee,collectively we shall achieve what we set our sights on.

Brigadier Dharam Prakash (Retd)

Picasa Web Album - AGM and Elections at AVI , Noida on 27 Nov 2010 and Rally at Jantar Mantar on 28 2010

From: Cdr Sharan Ahuja
Sent: 30 November 2010 16:48
Subject: Invitation to view indianexservicemenmovementindi's Picasa Web Album - AGM and Elections at AVI , Noida on 27 Nov 2010 and Rally at Jantar Mantar on 28 2010

Pictures of the IESM's AGM and Election at AVI , Noida on 27 Nov 2010 and the Rally at Jantar Mantar held on 28 Nov 2010. Both was well attended by ESM of 12 States. Lt Gen Raj Kadyan was re-elected as Chairman of IESM for the next 2 years along with other Governing Body members. Capt Sidhu from Punjab attended the rally on 28 along with many ESM from Punjab.


http://picasaweb.google.com/indianexservicemenmovementindi/AGMAndElectionsAtAVINoidaOn27Nov2010?feat=email#

Regards.
Cdr Sharan Ahuja
If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=indianexservicemenmovementindi&target=ALBUM&id=5361238502148557985&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCBtKXG3J24rQE&feat=email

Pension Anomaly removed but Lt Col Family Pension remains Jinxed

As per the current stipulation in vogue, the minimum guaranteed pension of personnel of some junior ranks was more than pension of senior ranks with the same length of service. This happened since the admissible weightage of junior ranks at places was more than senior ranks.

The said anomaly has been addressed and the MoD has issued a new letter rectifying the problem. Consequently, fresh amended annexures (i.e, Annexures II, IIA and III) replacing the ones appended with the earlier issued MoD letter dated 11 Nov 2008, have been promulgated for officers as well as JCOs and OR.

The said letter, alongwith another letter on medical boards, may be accessed by clicking here. It may however be noted that the family pension of a Lt Col has been mentioned incorrectly in the fresh letter as Rs 8760 per month in this letter whereas it actually is Rs 15420 (30% of minimum of Pay Band-4 + Grade Pay + Military Service Pay). The MoD has by mistake printed the family pension for the rank of Lt Col as per the old (Pay Band-3) scale.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 5:08 AM

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

New Members IESM by Hony Lt K Pandey

From: Kameshwar Pandey [mailto:pandeykameshwar@gmail.com]
Sent: 22 November 2010 12:13
To: rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Cc: Satbir Singh; Sharan Ahuja; CoreGpIESM@yahoogroups.com; kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Subject: List of Newly Joined IESM Members

Dear Sirs,

Following is the list of newly joined IESM members:-

H/Capt Tulashi Ram Gyati
H/N/Sub Ram Murti Lal
N/Sub Madan Singh
Sub MaJ Zile Singh
H/Lt MS Negi
H/Capt Roshan Lal Puri
Sub T Yadaw
Sub Dibal Chad Verma
Sub Maj RS Pal
H/Cpt J R Narang
Sgt Harjit Singh
H/N/Sub Shrikrisna Thakar
Sub Jagdish Prasad Shama
Sub GN Tripathi
H/Capt NB Pathak
H/Capt Badri Singh
Hav Kuldip Singh
Hav SK Barua
Hav Birendar Kumar
Cpl Sanjay Dvibedi
Sea Man BD Sharma
CFN Mahesh Chandra Dutta
H/N/Sub Puran Singh
NK Rewat Singh Bist
Hav Madan Rai
W/O NK Netwar Prasad



Thank you.

Yours truly,
Kameshwar Pandey

ARTICLE BY Major General Mrinal Suman

From: kamaleshwar davar [mailto:kamaleshwar9@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 21 November 2010 18:59
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: ARTICLE BY Major General Mrinal Suman - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 540/2010 - (A to G-1) - 21 NOV 2010

An excellent, balanced and a well analysed article. I hope the three Services will look into the very significant points mentioned and rationalise the selections beyond the level of the Corps Cdrs too. Incidentally the Army follows the rule of min 2 years residual service for Corps Cdrs becoming Army Cdrs whereas the IAF and Navy follow only one year residual service. Thus what is happening is that in the large number of Inter service appts many Army offrs perforce get toserve under the IN and IAF offrs who were originally junior to them.Also the Supreme Court on many occasions have advised the Services HQs to streamline thier promotion policies for senior offrs. I am afraid some among the top hierarchy have not been fair to the Service they have the privilege to lead and thus' mediocrity with agreeability' reinforced by an unwarranted regimental loyalty becomes the major criteria for movement upwards and has brought a bad name to the Services. I pray for the best to lead the best in the service of the country. JAI HIND,
Lt Gen Kamal Davar (retd)

AN OLD SOLDIER SPEAKS

From: VIJAY OBEROI [mailto:oberoivijay@hotmail.com]
Sent: 21 November 2010 21:54
To: mmp_kala@yahoo.com
Cc: Kamboj Chander
Subject: RE: AN OLD SOLDIER SPEAKS

Dear MM, (Colonel MMP Kala, Dehra Dun)

Thank you for your mail. I am afraid I am unable to help you at this juncture. So far only an announcement has been made about the formation of a Commission. The Supreme Court has asked the government to issue implementation instructions in two months. There is no word about it yet. It is possible that the central government may amend the orders of the Supreme Court or at least try to do so.

One more member is still to be appointed. The Commission can only meet once the implementation instructions are issued.

I am afraid it is premature to ask me or any member of the proposed commision to provide answers to your queries or similar other queries.

Once the Commission starts functioning and has worked out modalities, I am sure we will be able to process various grievances.

Till then, I would request you to hold your horses and be patient.

I am endorsing a copy to Chander Kamboj, requesting him to publish this mail in its Blog.

Warm regards.
· Vijay Oberoi
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
Former Director Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)
RESIDENCE
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
'DAULAT'
#673, Sector - 6
Panchkula - 134109
Telephone - 0172 - 2587642, 2587648
e - mail : oberoivijay@hotmail.com
OFFICE
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
President

press release.....

DATED: 23 NOV 2010
PRESS RELEASE
ARMED FORCES GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL COMMISSION AND ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE BY EX SERVICEMEN

Dear Members of the Media

1. The formation of the Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission, “Suo Moto” could not have occurred if particular segments of our polity had not bear sensitized on OROP and other veterans issues. The Hon’ble Judge Sh.Markandey Katju even quotes Chankya and NDTV show, apart from medals return and burning of artificial limbs. Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) which has brought about this landmark (almost revolutionary) occurrence, with the judiciary virtually divesting (albeit for a good cause) the executive of its basic function of governance- all these years past, no one else has been able to move the establishment one wee bit.

2. The Supreme Court has taken the historic step to constitute Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission, where besides two retired judges of the Supreme Court and two senior retired Defence Officers (Gen Ved Malik, Former COAS and Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Former VCOAS). However, the commission is only a recommendatory body and not adjudicatory body. Hence, it is open to the Govt to accept or not to accept its recommendations. Though, the court has directed that since such recommendations will be coming from high powered body, the Govt must give due weightage to the same. It is here the doubts arise in the minds of Defence Personnel and the people of India that since the recommendations of the commission will be reviewed by the bureaucrats whose track record for the past six decades has not been to give fair justice to the Defence Forces, it is yet to be seen if any positive outcome would be achieved.

3. It is pertinent to mention that strong recommendations to grant OROP by All Parties Parliamentary Standing Committees on Defence have not been accepted by the Govt; the latest being the recommendations made by 31 MPs of the Parliament headed by Sh. Satpal ji Maharaj a Congress MP on 07th May 2010 and again repeated on 27 Aug 2010 where as Mr. AK Antony the RM recently in the Parliament quoted recommendations of Jul 2009 by a Committee of bureaucrats. The larger question here is the civilian control of Armed Forces which actually means control by the elected representatives of the people and not the bureaucrats. It is a common knowledge that the Ex Servicemen have been forced to launch a Movement to express their anguish is the result of the injustice heaped on them. The bureaucrats all along have been treating the military unfairly. The resentment has been increasing by the day. Downgradation of their status and unfair compensation package of emoluments by the 6th CPC have further intensified the resentment.

4. Under the circumstance, the ESM have decided to continue their struggle till all their demands are accepted. To highlight all these issues to the people of India, a Big Rally by the ESM will be held at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 28 Nov 2010 from 10 AM to 2 PM. After the Rally, delegation of ESM will go to Rashtrapati Bhawan to deposit medals and memorandum signed in blood by the ESM with the President. They have also decided to enlist the support of other segments of the society, all political parties, MPs, CMs, MLA and have written to them regarding their demands and sought their help to raise these issues in the Parliament to press the Govt for early acceptance of these demands.

With Regards,

Jai Hind

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 28 Nov 2010 from 10 AM to 2 PM

Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 28 Nov 2010 from 10 AM to 2 PM

DATED: 23 NOV 2010
PRESS RELEASE

Dear friends,

1. Press Release dated 23 Nov 2010 regarding a Big Rally by the ESM will be held at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 28 Nov 2010 from 10 AM to 2 PM. and depositing of medals and submission of memorandum signed in blood by the ESM to the Supreme Commander on 28 Nov 2010 is circulated. Maximum participation of ESM is requested.

2. You are requested to circulate it to the maximum ESM. Translation in the local languages may please be carried out and the same may please be got published in local media.

With Regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570
Email : satbirsm@yahoo.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

Update of IV Pay Commission Rank pay anomaly case as on 15 Nov 2010..Supreme Court‏

NOTE ON APPOINTMENT OF ARMED FORCES
GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL COMMISSION ANDPAYMENT OF RANK PAY TO DEFENCE OFFICERS

1. I.A. No. 9 of 2010 in T.P. (Civil) No. 56/2007, an application for modification/ recalling of final order dated 08.03.2010 and re-hearing of the matter, filed by Union of India came up for hearing today on 15.11.2010. The aforesaid T.P. was filed by the Union of India with a prayer to transfer several writ petitions pending in the various High Courts regarding correct fixation of rank pay as recommended by the IVth Pay Commission and accepted by the Central Government, to be effected from 01.01.1986 in respect of the officers of the Armed Forces and finally decided on 08.03.2010 in favour of the officers.



2. The aforesaid I.A. was listed for hearing before the Bench of Hon’ble Justice Markandey Katju and Hon’ble Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra before Court – 6 as Item No. 4 today i.e. 15.11.2010. Some connected matters were also listed. It may be noted that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has already passed final order in the aforesaid matters on 08.03.2010 and directed the Central Government to pay the rank pay to the affected officers w.e.f. 01.01.1986 along with 6% interest. Surprisingly, instead of implementing the aforesaid directions, UOI had filed an application for modification and recalling of the order dated 08.03.2010 and for re-hearing of the matters. The respondents i.e. writ petitioners in the High Court of Kerala and Ex-servicemen organizations namely Retired Defence Officres Association, Disabled War Veterans of India, Naval Chapter and Purva Sainik Prishad were represented by Advocates, Mr. Mahabir Singh, Gp Capt Karan Singh Bhati (Retd.) and Ms Aishwarya Bhati.



3. In the connected matter, W.P. (Civil) No. 291/2010 – “Pushpawanti Versus Union of India” wherein a pension of rs. 80/- p.m. was being paid to the widow of a highly decorated Major, the Hon’ble Court has been pleased to pass detailed directions for the formation of Commission, headed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kuldeep Singh, Retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.S. Sodhi, Retired Judge of Allahabad High Court, General V.P. Malik, Former Chief of Army Staff and Lt. General Vijay Oberoi (Retd.) and one member i.e. Civil Servant either serving or retired, to be nominated by the Union of India to look into and make recommendations with regard to the grievances of serving and retired Defence personnel like one rank one pension and other disparities and anomalies, without limiting the scope of reference. The matter will continue to be monitored by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.



4. The Hon’ble Court was very clear on the purpose and backdrop of the need for setting up such a Commission to provide an equitable Forum to look into and make recommendations for a fair redressal of grievances of the Men-In-Uniform, who had been at the receiving end of the Governmental/ Bureaucratic Apathy and indifference for years and decades.



5. The Hon’ble Court was extremely moved with instances of pittance being paid as pension to widows of highly decorated officers who laid down their lives for the Nation and years of indifferent and unfair policies leading to officers and men taking extreme steps of returning their gallantry medals and even burning their artificial limbs which were fixed upon loosing natural limbs in war/ action. The Hon’ble Court had specifically expressed its concern and intention on earlier occasions also when these matters were being heard and had directed the Union of India to file an affidavit on these lines, while expressing that the Commission could be formed by the court suo-moto also, however, the intention was to include the Union of India in the decision making process since such high degree of discontentment which was apparent among the personnel of Defence Forces, is not good for the country.



6. The Union of Indian had filed an additional affidavit in the aforesaid T.P. and connected matters, pursuant to the directions of this Hon’ble Court and the entire tone and tanner of the affidavit was to question the final order dated 08.03.2010 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for grant of rank pay with arrears and 6% interest and acting in disregard to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed on 08.03.2010 and to somehow impress upon the court that all the grievances of defence personnel were being looked into by the Government. Interestingly, the Union of India, through the affidavit of under Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, only consented to referring the issue of fixation of rank pay to the proposed Commission and expressed its inability to consent to any other terms of reference.



7. During the hearing of the matter today, the Hon’ble Court termed the affidavit of the Union of India as contemptuous and disregarded the same. It was clear that the Hon’ble Court was disturbed with the attitude of the Government when the court pointed out that no law required consent from the Union of India to pass directions with regard to the setting up a Commission. The Hon’ble Court also refused to refer the issue of rank pay fixation to the Commission since it has already been settled in favour of the officers by the order of the Hon’ble Supreme court itself dated 08.03.2010 in T.P. (Civil) No. 56/2007. The Application for modification and recalling the order dated 08.03.2010 has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for placing the same before another Bench.



==========

Supreme Court Ruling ....today issued

Dear All.

You are all aware that today was date with Supreme court for 4Th Pay-
rank pay arears and Govt had offered to place a commission to resolve
all pending anomalies of 6Th pay Commission.

We can all pat ourselves and thank RDOA;Justice Katzu has given
following ruling.

A. A separate Commission consisting of Chief Justice Kuldip Singh
with Veteran Members as Gen Malik and Gen Oberoi.They will resolve all
anomalies of 6Th Pay Commssion.

B. Justice refused include rank pay case of 4Th pay Commission and
has ruled that the same will stand as ruled earlier by the Supreme
Court.

Three cheers.

More details will come soon.

Regards,

Brig Nawab Singh

Beware of unscrupulous elements : Sohi, Bharadwaj & Co by Col Rajan

Respected Veterans,

Jai Hind.

Only last evening I had a word on the subject with Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Vice Chairman IESM; and, I would like to convey the following;

1. Email from Lt Col SS Sohi is bogus, written with malicious intent; to spread falsehood amongst Veterans.

2. Their first case filed against the present leadership has been dismissed by the Court, a week or ten days ago. No doubt, they (Lt Col Sohi, Col Bharadwaj & Co) have filed a fresh case against the present leadership on Saturday, 13 Nov and notice of the same has been received on 14 Nov; and the case stands posted for hearing on 15 Nov; no where has the Court issued a 'stay order' for conduct of AGM on 27 Nov or holding of the Ex-Servicemen Rally on 28 Nov at Jantar Mantar.

3. This is the time for all Veterans of IESM to close ranks and present a United Front to defeat the machinations of unscrupulous elements, viz. Sohi, Bharadwaj & Co.

4. Rest assured that all counter measures as per law, viz, filing counters to the bogus cases filed by Sohi, Bharadwaj & Co has been / is being taken by the Vice Chairman; and there is nothing to worry about.

Regards,

Col Rajan

CGDA meetings on 25 Oct 2010

RECORD OF DISCUSSION OF THE MEETING OF DELEGATION OF IESM WITH CGDA AND HIS STAFF AT 1530H ON 25 OCT 2010

A meeting was held between delegation of IESM Indian ex-servicemen movement and CGDA Controller General of Defense accounts and his staff at 1530h on 25th Oct 2010 at CGDA office Dhoula kuan Delhi Cantt.

Following personnel attended the meeting;

IESM delegation was represented by;
Maj Gen Satbir Singh SM Vice Chairman IESM
Maj Gen AJB Jaini AVSM Member governing body IESM
Gp Capt SS Phatak Member Pension Cell IESM
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM Gen Sec IESM


CGDA was represented by;
Sh Nand Kishor CGDA
Smt UG Antony Addl CGDA
Sh AK Chopra Addl CGDA
Smt D Raghuvanshi Jt CGDA sengerdevika@yahoo.co.in
Smt K Garg

Following points were discussed;

1. Issue of Corrigendum to PPOs; IESM delegation explained to CGDA that the defense pensioners were facing very many difficulties because corrigendum to the PPOs had not been issued by the CGDA. It was also brought to the notice of CGDA that the railways had already initiated the process of issuing fresh PPOs to its retired employees.

CGDA explained that there were approximately 22.79 lac veterans who are drawing pension. A corrigendum was required to be issued with every amendment to the pension. After 6 CPC Ministry of Defense had issued 13 amendment letters affecting defense pensioner. It means CDA would have had to issue 13 corrigenda after the 6 CPC. Earlier CDA had more than 3000 employees to take care of PPOs and corrigendum, and now CDA had very little staff and it was not possible to undertake this gigantic task of issuing the 10 million corrigenda. He further explained that CDA would provide all help to the veterans in sorting out their pension problems.

2. Grant to the Banks for pension disbursement; IESM delegation explained that the GOI is paying Rs 60 to the banks for every entry of the pension of the veterans. It was a huge amount and if it was possible to divert this fund for the hiring of staff by CDA this task could be easily handled.

CGDA explained that this decision had been taken after lot of consultations and it was now not possible to revert it. It was also not possible to transfer funds from one head to another and hence this suggestion could not be implemented. He however explained that his staff was constantly issuing guidance to the banks and constantly monitoring the pension disbursement process. All the banks had confirmed that they were disbursing the pension as per CDA guidelines. Most of the banks had also confirmed that they were issuing annexure IV to the pensioners. However CGDA agreed to issue fresh instructions to the banks for issuance of annexure IV to all pensioners.

3. Incorrect Pension being disbursed by the Banks; IESM delegation explained that banks had been disbursing incorrect pension to the veterans. It had been seen that banks were playing safe and were paying less than approved pension to the pensioners. Unfortunately pensioners did not have the Govt letters with them to calculate and demand correct pension. Gp Capt SS Phatak explained that he had been visiting various banks and explaining to them the correct amount due to the pensioner. In some case he had been able to convince banks and got the arrears in lacs credited to the pensioners/widows. He had been visiting bank regional head offices and having regularly liaison with them to calculate correct pension for the veterans/widows.

CGDA appreciated the effort being put in by IESM and explained that CGDA on their part had been conducting regular training of the bank staff for calculation of the correct pension to the veterans. Training courses were being conducted for bank staff regularly at CDA Allahabad. CGDA further stated that CDA has 61 DPDOs spread all over the country. List of all the DPDOs is attached with the report at App A. DPDOs are located depending on the population density of the veterans and are spread in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, J&K and Kerala. CGDA centrally monitors the performance of all DPDOs. He further stated that all possible help would be given to the veterans in the DPDOs. He confirmed that the veterans can approach DPDOs and get their pension calculated and give the calculation sheet to their banks. It was also possible for the veterans to shift the pension account with DPDO in which case correct pension would be disbursed to the veterans and mistake by bank staff could be avoided.

4. Compendium of MOD letters to the Banks; IESM delegation requested CGDA that most of the branches of the banks did not have latest letters of the MOD governing pension hence banks did not have the basic tool of pension calculations. It was requested that a compendium of the letters be made and sent to the branches in rural area.

CGDA confirmed that the compendium of the all MOD letters had been made and given to the bank head offices. It was now there duty to circulate it to all branches. CGDA however would ask the bank head offices to circulate the compendium once again. CGDA also confirmed that all banks head offices were on the circulation list of MOD/CDA letters. CGDA further explained that a user friendly stand alone touch screen system (SUVIGYA) had been developed and gave the demonstration also. It would be possible to calculate any veterans’/widows’ pension with least amount of data. It was easy to operate and gave latest pension details with bare minimum inputs like basic pension and date of retirement and date of birth. He further confirmed that the effort would be made to place this stand alone system at DPDOs and CDA website also. IESM delegation insisted that SUVIGYA was a very good tool and should be installed at places like CSD canteens and ECHS polyclinics frequently visited by the veterans. CGDA expressed his inability to do so because someone should take the responsibility of the upkeep of the stand alone system. He further confirmed that this software thus developed would be shared with armed forces head quarters. However the problem of maintenance and upkeep and updating of the software would come and a solution would be found for that. IESM delegation further insisted that at least SUVIGYA should be made available with district soldier board offices. CGDA agreed to study this proposal and would confirm the possibility of installing SUVIGYA at district soldier board offices. CGDA confirmed that CDA would like to deal directly with pensioners but could not do so because of shortage of staff.

5. Pension Adalats; CGDA confirmed that CGDA staff regularly conducts the pension adalats at various locations all over India. CGDA conducts six adalats in a year in various parts of the country. So for 100 Defense Pension Adalats had been conducted. Last one (100th Pension adalat) was conducted in Bangalore on 30/31 Aug 2010. 101st Pension Adalat was planned at Army Public School Alwar on 28/29th Oct 2010. He requested the IESM delegation to spread the information through its sources and ensure that maximum veterans are benefited with the Adalat.

6. E-transfer of the Pension; IESM delegation suggested that in this modern era of computerization it should be possible to disburse the pension by electronic transfer.

CGDA explained that first of all veterans did not have bank accounts and secondly they had to give their life certificate to banks every year. It would therefore not be possible to make E-transfer of pension by the CDA as of now.

7. Disability Pension; CGDA confirmed that as per rules all veterans would have to fill up a form to claim increased disability pension. He requested IESM to communicate this information with all so that all veterans drawing disability pension can fill up their claims.
Pension of PSU veterans; Gp Capt Phatak expressed that Lt Col and equivalents who have returned back to Army/Navy/Air Force from deputation should be given PB4 automatically. CGDA explained that this will be decided from case to case.

8. Grievances Mechanism; IESM suggested that there should be grievances mechanism in the banks so that any veteran can approach for any mistake in his pension calculations. CGDA confirmed that Smt Raghuvanshi Jt CGDA would be writing to the banks to institute a grievances mechanism for addressing pension problems of veterans. She also confirmed that veterans can also register their complaint at ‘pcdapension.nic.in’ web-site of CDA.

9. Information to veterans about Latest orders on pension; IESM delegation expressed that pensioners should be informed about the latest orders of the GOI/MOD. IESM suggested that CGDA could give an advertisement in all main news papers and vernacular press about the latest compendium of the orders of MOD/CDA.

CGDA accepted the suggestion and confirmed that this information would be soon given in all news papers.

10. Pension Portal for veterans; IESM suggested that a pension portal needs to be made for all veterans to help them. All data would then be available for all veterans on the portal. IESM volunteered to undertake this task. Maj Gen Satbir Singh suggested that suitable monitory grant should be given to IESM to develop and then maintain the portal.

CGDA explained that this is good idea and the issue of monitory grant can be considered. He asked the IESM delegation to forward a proposal in this regard for consideration.

New IESM members

Dear Sirs,

The following are the new IESM joinings.

Yours truly,
Kameshwar


Lt Col Subas Kumar

H/Lt D C Dhasana

JWO Nadan Singh Negi

HFO Hari Prasad Dhasana

H/Cpt SPS Negi

N/Sub BS Bist

NK Gita Ram Sundriyal

L/NK Chandara Shekhar

Sep Amar Singh

NK S S Rawat

Hav GR Sundriyal

NK Dhiraj Mani

Hav Y S Rawat

Hav B B Chand

Hav Suresha Nand
Hav B S Yadaw

Views of Cdr HK Nag

From: Hirak Nag [mailto:hiraknag@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 07 November 2010 20:07
To: ltcolhklanand@gmail.com
Cc: Kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Subject: Mail from Congress Party Defence Cell



Dear Col Anand (Lt Col HKL Anand, Ex-Servicemen Cell Indian National Congress),



Your mail to IESM denegrating our democratic appeal to get justice done comes as a disappointment. We are hurt that it has shocked the ruling party.



However, your comment on the INA is a casual statement and derogatory to the committed personal who joined the Azad Hind Force to free India of foreign rule.



My father, Lt. DC Nag, was made the DAG and had drafted the INA Act.



His trial at the Red Fort in Nov-Dec 1945 was, therefore substantive. He was retained in the Indian Army and continued to serve till superanuation in 1951 at HQ Southern Command.



He was later allowed , by the GOI, to use his INA rank of Col., and West Bengal CM BC Roy asked him to form the West Bengal National Voluntary Force ( WBNVF) at Kolkata



The Congress Party of yore had good leaders. When Clement Atlee was asked at Calcutta Governors House if Mahatma Gandhi's movement had effect in granting Independence, he is reported to have replied, " Very little" and inferred that the formation of the INA did. At the 4th Netaji Subhash Bose Memorial Lecture this year, Shri PN Sangma the Presiding Officer, lamented that India missed a strong leader like Netaji. Sardar Patel was one, and he had advised Pandit Nehru on 07 Nov 1950 to be aware of the Chinese and to build up our defences in the North and North East, but regrettably, Sardar Patel succumbed to cancer a month later and Panditji forsook his advice and allowed his friend Krishna Menon, a man with no vision, to run down the Indian Army capability resulting in the ignomy of 1962. As we know, Panditji died a sad death and is reported to have said, " I wish I had listened to the Generals".



We respect Sonia Gandhi and expect her to allow democratic appeals.





Regards,



Cdr. HK Nag, commissioned Jan 1957 and retired Sep 1979.

Commission for the Armed Forces..???

From: bhupal singh
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: KADYAN Lt Gen RAJ ; Satbir Singh Maj Gen
Sent: Tue, 9 November, 2010 7:18:10 AM
Subject: COMMISSION FOR ARMED FORCES

Dear Chander,

COMMISSION FOR THE ARMED FORCES

Some progress & good news from Govt. Consequent to the lambasting by the Supreme Court, at last the Govt has woken up. The entire credit goes to the untiring efforts by IESM, RDOA and Others like Lt Cdr Avtar & Sqn Ldr Ashok Kumar and others
who took lot of pains in pursuing our fight for our rights.

A news items on the subject, published in the Tribune e-paper, dated 09 Nov 2010, is appended below . May be circulated for info of all ESM.

Maj Bhupal Singh, Veteran
Australia

-----------
The Tribune

ON LINE EDITION

Tuesday, November 9, 2010, Chandigarh, India

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101109/nation.htm#17

Soon, a panel to address grievances of armed forces
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 8
The government is in the process of setting up a commission for the speedy redressal of the grievances of armed forces personnel, the Centre informed the Supreme Court today.



“We are setting out the proposed terms of reference” of the commission, Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra.



The SG, however, indicated that the commission would not cover personnel in all areas of the armed forces. “It may not be necessary for some areas as the government has taken positive decisions in these areas,” he said without giving details.



The SG sought a week’s time for providing the details of the proposed commission. The move could not be finalised before today’s hearing due to the intervening Divali holidays, he said. Allowing his plea, the Bench posted the next hearing for November 15.



On September 8 this year, the Bench had passed an order asking the government to consider setting up an independent commission headed by a retired SC Judge “for looking into all the grievances of the serving and former members of the armed forces. We feel this is necessary as the armed forces personnel have many grievances which they feel are not being properly addressed by the Union Government.”



Pointing out that the widow of a war veteran had approached the SC questioning the logic of paying her a meagre pension of Rs 70 against her claim of Rs 27,000, the Bench said this was the treatment meted out to highly decorated officers.



“It is shameful” that the government had allowed such cases to come to the Supreme Court. “Does it require a case? What are you people up to? It is very demoralising for the armed forces,” the Bench told the Solicitor General.



The SG assured the Bench that such grievances would also be addressed by the proposed commission. The court was hearing a petition filed by some serving and retired army officers, challenging the government’s refusal to accord them enhanced rank pay as recommended by the Fourth Pay Commission.

-----------

From: raj kadyan
To: bhupal singh ; Kamboj Chander
Cc: Satbir Singh Maj Gen
Sent: Tue, 9 November, 2010 8:58:55 AM
Subject: Re: COMMISSION FOR ARMED FORCES

One does sincerely hope this Commission is not a ploy to circumvent the rank pay imbroglio. The govt is quite capable of saying that the proposed commission would now deal with the rank pay issue; not very different from the 'committee' I had referred to in my sitrep a few days ago. Let us wait for 15 Nov.


Best regards,

Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM

Chairman IESM

262, Sector-17A, Gurgaon- 122 001
Tele: 91+124-4015262, +919811226676

Views of Gp capt VK Vidyadhar from Australia

From: Vaidun Vidyadhar [mailto:vvidya@optusnet.com.au]
Sent: 10 November 2010 13:37
To: MilVet Vet; 22nda@googlegroups.com; 84thpc24thnav@googlegroups.com; rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Cc: REPORT (Chander Kamboj) MY SIGNAL
Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 09 NOV 10 - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 518/2010 - (H to Z-2) - 09 NOV 2010



The IESM leadership is in good hands. Though I have not had the pleasure of meeting him or knowing him in person, from what I have seen of his actions and read his writings, I hold him in high esteem.



I wish to take this opportunity to thank Lt Gen Kadyan for his very mature and balanced Chairmanship of the IESM these two years. I am confident there will be many more veterans who hold a similar view about him.



I sincerely hope he will continue to lead the IESM in the coming years from strength to strength. He has my full support for what it is worth.



With very best wishes



Gp Capt VK Vidyadhar
Tamworth, Australia

Views of Col RP Chaturvedi

From: Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi
To: Kamboj Chander ; raj kadyan
Sent: Wed, 10 November, 2010 7:44:38 AM
Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 09 NOV 10 - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 518/2010 - (A to G-2) - 09 NOV 2010

Dear General Kadyan,

I am deeply appreciative of your response- precisely worded, politely but firmly conveyed, and absolutely timely.

Conveys a high quotient of leadership talent and PR acumen that IESM requires.




With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,

Views of Gp capt I Jairath

From: Indarjit Jairath [mailto:ijairath@gmail.com]
Sent: 10 November 2010 09:07
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 09 NOV 10 - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 518/2010 - (H to Z-1) - 09 NOV 2010




Dear Brig Kamboj

I fully endorse the views expressed by the chairman IESM. Since any adverse news on defence services particularly when linked to scams, does affect the good image in the eyes of public, there is probably a need of caution. However, ours is a fight for the honourable cause of the veterans for which we should stand united as ever but with more vigour to set aside or neutralise the likely ill effects. Our agendas should continue to reflect promotion of honesty in dealings within and beyond the boundaries of IESM.

I, on behalf of Club-20, take liberty to express our solidarity with the IESM and its organisation as defined in its charter of objectives/responsibilities.However, changes if and when required, should be incorporated but after due and careful deliberations only in best interests of the Movement and the Veterans.

I.Jairath.
Gp Capt (Retd)
Club-20

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

OROP RESOLUTION PUNJAB

Dear Veterans,
1. It is regretted that the circulation of Passed resolution on OROP by the Punjab Govt has been done in a hurry and prematurely by Brig Harwant Singh without realising that 80% of the veterans will not understand the Punjabi script.
2. We all veterans must be thankful to honourable Minister (MLA from Gurdaspur constituency) Capt Balbir Singh Bath (Retd) for initiating all the process in the Punjab Assembly and handing over the copy of the resolution to Major SS Dhillon( Chairman Sanjha Morcha) at his residence on 21 Oct 2010. Major SS Dhillon ( 8054687522) is presently recouping from the shoulder operation at his residence.
3. We should not overlook the efforts of Major SS Dhillon ( who at the young age of 82 yrs is still fighting for veterans cause) who has ensured passing of resolution through Capt Balbir Singh Bath, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Ex-Finance Minster and Balbir Singh MLA from Mohali along with Col RS Boparai and Col AS Binder ( President and Joint President Sanjha Morcha) by personally meeting them even in his bad health.
4. All veteran will receive word by word, line by line the Translated copy of the Non-Govt Resolution passed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha within next few Days and it will be uploaded on the Sanjha Morcha Blog Also.


Regards
Col CJS Khera(Retd)
Gen Secy

OROP - Resolution by Punjab Assembly

Dear Veterans,
1. It is regretted that the circulation of Passed resolution on OROP by the Punjab Govt has been done in a hurry and prematurely by Brig Harwant Singh without realising that 80% of the veterans will not understand the Punjabi script.
2. We all veterans must be thankful to honourable Minister (MLA from Gurdaspur constituency) Capt Balbir Singh Bath (Retd) for initiating all the process in the Punjab Assembly and handing over the copy of the resolution to Major SS Dhillon( Chairman Sanjha Morcha) at his residence on 21 Oct 2010. Major SS Dhillon ( 8054687522) is presently recouping from the shoulder operation at his residence.
3. We should not overlook the efforts of Major SS Dhillon ( who at the young age of 82 yrs is still fighting for veterans cause) who has ensured passing of resolution through Capt Balbir Singh Bath, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Ex-Finance Minster and Balbir Singh MLA from Mohali along with Col RS Boparai and Col AS Binder ( President and Joint President Sanjha Morcha) by personally meeting them even in his bad health.
4. All veteran will receive word by word, line by line the Translated copy of the Non-Govt Resolution passed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha within next few Days and it will be uploaded on the Sanjha Morcha Blog Also.


Regards
Col CJS Khera(Retd)
Gen Secy

MEETING WTH RM..Col Inderjit Singh

From: Inderjit Singh

Subject: FW: ESM SITREP 25 OCT 10 - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 500/2010 - (H to Z-3) - 25 OCT 2010 IN RESPONSE TO THE MAIL ON RM' MEETING BY ME



DEAR FRIENDS


I AM SURE BY NOW YOU MUST HAVE GOT MY MAIL ABOUT OUR MEETING WTH RM.


THIS IS THE SITREP THE IESM THE MESSIAHS OF YOUR CAUSE HAVE SENT TO ALL OF US IN RESPONSE TO THAT MAIL..


I HAVE ALSO SENT YOU A MAIL FROM BRIG SUKHDEV SINGH A WELL WISHER AND STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF IESM AND MY REPLY.


TO REFRESH YOU ABOUT THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WHICH I HAVE ALREADY NARRATED IN DETAILS I BRIEFLY GO THROUGH THESE.


1) MOVED BY THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY YOU ALL I TOOK UP THE INITIATIVE TO INVITE ALL ORGANIZATIONS FOR WORKING OUT A JOINT MEMO ON 21 OCT.
2) THE IESM PROMPTLY REJECTED THE INVITATION ON ACCOUNT OF SHORT NOTICE. I THEN SOUGHT FROM THEM THEIR INPUTS SO THAT THESE COULD BE INCORPORATED..BRIG CHANDER KAMBOJH INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE ATTENDING IN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.
3) SUDDENLY I GOT A MAIL THAT IESM WOULD COME AND GEN SATBIR, BRIG KAMBOJH AND COL JOSHIPURA WOULD ATTEND. THEY INCLUDED BRIG KAMBOJH IN THEIR LIST EVEN THOUGH HE SAID THAT HE WOULD ATTEND IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.
4) MEETING WAS HELD AS SCHEDULED. THE DRAFT MEMO PREPARED BY US WAS DISCUSSED IN DETAIL AND LOT OF GOOD SUGGESTIONS WERE GIVEN BY THEM ALL
5) AFTER THE MEETING ALL SUGGESTIONS WERE INCORPORATED AND FRESH DRAFT CIRCULATED TO ALL FOR APPROVAL SO THAT IT COULD BE GIVEN JOINTLY ON 23 OCT. DURING THE MEETING COL JOSHIPURA SHOWED KEENNESS TO ACCOMPANY. THE PERMISSION FOR HIM WAS ACCORDINGLY OBTAINED.
6) ON 22 OCT GOT A MAIL FROM GEN SATBIR THAT THE MEMO SHOULD NOT BE PRESENTED YET. IT WAS THEREFORE HELD BACK.
7) ON 23 OCT WHEN COL JOSHIPURA WAS CONTACTED TO COME HE SAID THAT HE WAS TOLD THAT THE IESM HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE DECISION SO HE COULD NOT COME. HE DID NOT GET BACK. OBVIOUSLY THEY DECIDED AGAINST GOING TO THE RM WITH US. BRIG KAMBOJH IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY WENT ALONG.
8) THE ENTIRE INFORMATION ALONG WITH THE LETTERS GIVEN TO THE RM WERE PUT ON THE INTERNET FOR YOU TO KNOW. IN RESPONSE TO THAT MAIL THE IESM HAS SENT THE FOLLOWING MAIL ASKING EVERY BODY TO COME TO THEM ON 16 NOV FOR WORKING OUT THE COMMON STAND.


I LEAVE IT TO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE ALL FISHING FOR? ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR COMMON GOALS OR THE POLITICAL AGENDAS OF SELECT FEW.
FOR DECIDE YOU MUST.


INDERJIT SINGH

ANOTHER CASE OF INCOMPLETE/DISTORTED REPORTING-

From: subhash kapoor [mailto:sckaps@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: 24 October 2010 22:11
To: mytimesmyvoice@timesgroup.com
Cc: IESM MILITARY VETERANS GROUPS
Subject: ANOTHER CASE OF INCOMPLETE/DISTORTED REPORTING--LETTER TO THE EDITOR THE TIMES OF INDIA

WANTED: INFORMATIVE IMPARTIAL INTERACTIVE INDIAN MEDIA (W:IIIIM)


A LETTER TO THE EDITOR THE TIMES OF INDIA*

To:

The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi

Sir:

Even as thanking you for the one-column news "Defence Secy must spend 10 days in high altitude" (The Times of India, October 19, p. 13) on the anguish expressed by the Supreme Court regarding the apathy on the part of the Government towards the sufferings undergone and injustices heaped on the Armed Forces personnel, one cannot help pointing out that you have not only played down the news by the type of the heading and the space provided but also omitted, inter alia, the following very significant observations made by the Supreme Court Bench:

(1) "... Your bureaucrats are not bothered ... people in the army are returning medals in thousands and some have even burnt their artificial limbs in protest. They get a feeling now that these bureaucrats do not hear them ... ."

(2) "If this was a proposal for the bureaucrats, it would soon be implemented. We do don't expect the bureaucrats to support this proposal ... We need to deal with them (armed forces) separately as a distinct class."

This of course is just one instance among an unending list of acts of omission and commission on the part of The Times of India (TOI) under your stewardship with regard to the material carried in the newspaper on matters of national/Armed Forces importance.

Yet, there is no dearth of news on wags and windbags, wannabes and wasps, wimps and wenches. How impressive! What an array of achievements on the part of a "national" paper!

Why do you do such things, Dear Mr. Editor? What indeed is the compulsion to repeatedly ignore/twist/garble news and events pertaining to the Armed Forces of India? Surely not the space.

Please pull up your socks, Sir--and do it fast. Before you manage to make your newspaper too famous for your comfort!!

(To be continued ... )

TAILPIECE: With reference to the write-up "Kashmir bargain--Should India trade the Valley for a permanent UN Security Council seat?" by one Mr. Jug Suraiya (TOI, October 20), a friend here has asked: "Should TOI trade Jug Suraiya for someone who is more sensitive and responsive to the interests and aspirations of this country and its people?" I do not really know.

Warm regards. And, please do have a nice productive working week ahead, Sir, in the discharge of the job you have set your heart on.

Sincerely,

SC Kapoor
Wing Commander (retd)
E-145, Sector 21
Noida-201 301

Mob: 9810515424

IESM AGM and ELECTION 101127/3

From: CK Sharma
Sent: 26 October 2010 16:53
To: iesm_group@googlegroups.com; Lt Col G K Mohan Rao
Subject: IESM AGM and ELECTION 101127/3

To check your personal particulars as members of IESM, pls follow these steps:
Go to: www.iesm.org
Click on LOGIN
If you have already created your login ID, then LOGIN: else, create your own login by filling in all the details. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR LOGIN ID & PASSWORD.
In the offered menu, click on "Edit Profile"
All your details should appear: please go and correct your personal information and all details.
Make a note of your own Membership No.



Sunshine & Blue Skies!

Wg Cdr CK Sharma (Retd)
Treasurer, IESM

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Rank Pay Anomaly of Fourth Pay Commission being fixed by Supreme Court

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
Reference email received from Retired Defence Officers Association, appended below.
The remarks of Justice MK Katju need careful examination.

I feel that Justice Katju wants to use the Rank Pay case as a lever and push the Government to order a separate Pay Commission for Defence Services at the earliest. Even if the Rank Pay case is delayed a little and a separate Pay Commission is ordered at an early date – it will be good for all the Defence Personnel, serving and retired.

Let us hope and pray that the Supreme Court succeeds in their mission to help the Defence Services.

Kindly help in giving wide publicity to the contents of the email of Retired Defence Officers Association appended below.
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.

From: RDOA India
Sent: 18 October 2010 19:21
To: "REPORT MY SIGNAL" (CS Kamboj
Subject: Rank Pay Anomaly Case: Latest Update

Bureaucrats and IESL convolute OROP: Politicians remain confused

All India Ex-Services Welfare Association
Lt Col Inderjit Singh (Retd).
Chairman
Member: Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India.

Dear Chander,
I read with much concern the way opinions are being expressed on the definition of OROP. My humble appeal to all the wise men please do not confuse the entire matter by expressing different definitions of the OROP. Well I will give you the definition which was evolved while working out the concept and understanding its intricacies and effects, while also taking into consideration the shenanigans of the bureaucracy for scuttling this issue. It is all pervading and has stood the test of times and is accepted in the official circles also. Well here it is...

Definition
"The pre 01 Jan 2006 retirees got the same pensions as the post 01 Jan 2006 retirees by matching up the three factors that govern the pensions of ex servicemen i.e. the rank, the length of service and the trade (in case of all ranks below officer ranks only). After this was effected any future increases be automatically applied to old pensioners. The family, disability and dependents pensions are included for the purposes of this definition. This however does not mean the grant of pensionary benefits such as DCRG (Death Cum Retirement Gratuity) and additional value of commutation pension."

Perhaps you would recall that in my earlier mail, to Mr Sehrawat, i narrated how i got the high level empowered committee appointed in Sep 1991. After my heated exchanges with the RM in his parliament office, he realized that I was talking sense. He then besides requesting me to put up to him a paper about our discussions in two hours time but also desired that I should meet him in his office on subsequent Monday morning so that if there was any clarification necessary he could speak to me before going and making a statement in Parliament.

After my meeting he had another meeting with the bureaucrats on the subject, where he wanted to discuss my projections. The bureaucrats after seeing my paper misled the RM especially about the expenditure involved by including the cost for paying DCRG and additional commutation value. The last two sentences of the definition above in green were added after this meeting so that leadership could not be misled by them in future.

When I landed in his office and met him, his attitude was again very hostile. As soon as I sat down he shot a question to me.

RM: why should we give you pensionary benefits at new rates. We gave you pensionary benefits at old rates when you retired. With that you made your houses, educated your children, and married them off all at old rates. Since you have already met all your family obligations at old rates why should you be given pensionary benefits at new rates?

Self: You are very right Mr Pawar. You gave us pensionary benefits at old rates. With that we built our houses, educated our children. and then married them off all at old rates. We are not seeking from you the pensionary benefits at new rates, we are seeking monthly pensions at new rates, which is for our survival and not meeting family obligations. This is because when we go to market for buying our requirements, the shop keeper does not look up at us to say oh you are old pensioners, I would therefore charge you less. I have to pay the same rates as new pensioner, I therefore should get the same pension as new pensioner.

The RM thanked me for clarifying his doubts, went to the Parliament and announced the HLEC of which i was made a member. This committee was very inclined to give OROP, but for the very bad economic situation, where we had to send our gold to UK to run the country, could not take the final leap. i was however able to work up a deal which took us almost there. The deal of one time increase (oti) by which the gap of new and old pensioner was reduced ranging from Rs 10 to 46.

I hope after this, the argument about the definition would come to an end and our wise friends would stick to this definition and not concoct fresh ones and offer a convenient handle to the bureaucrats to confuse the issue before scuttling it again.

I have just read Gen RN Radhakrishanan mail which he must have taken great pains to write for our benefit. All his questions are answered by this definition. There is no point in wasting time on going through all the rigmarole stated by him as you would notice from what I narrate below.

When we went on hunger strike in 1990, the next day I was called by the PM Mr VP Singh for a meeting on this matter. The earlier one I took up when he was the defense minister in 1987. he had been totally misled by the bureaucrats. When i met him, the first thing he told me was that old records were not available, they were therefore finding it difficult to give OROP. I told him that his bureaucrats were totally misleading him. All records were available with DPDOS, if not there with the CDA, if not there also then with Record Offices. In any case what do we require for working out OROP, the rank, the length of service and for JCOs, NCOs ans Sepoys, the trade also in which they served. these were all available in the discharge books. He was stunned to hear this.

Then he said that many difficulties were coming up for working out officers pensions. I told him that working out officers pensions was even more easy. Supposing you want to work out the pension of an earlier Major with 28 years service, all that is needed is that you work out what will be the current pension of a Major with 28 years and give it to the earlier pensioner. He was again taken aback and promised to do something about this matter. He went back on his promise that is a different matter. He was misled by our great IESL into giving one time ad hoc increase. This we termed as betrayal of our trust by the PM. The great IESL branded it as OROP. If any body wants to see it I can post the paper clippings of these statements i.e. ours as well as that of IESL.

Best wishes and regards,
Lt Col Inderjit Singh
Chairman
All india Ex Services Welfare Association

Send them to High altitude

TIMES OF INDIA
e paper/Indiatimes
Pune City
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-about-spending-10-days-in-high-altitude-Army-posts-SC-asks-defence-secy/articleshow/6770479.cms
How about spending 10 days in high altitude Army posts,
SC asks defence secy
TNN, Oct 19, 2010, 04.11am IST

NEW DELHI: A little over a month ago, the Supreme Court had suggested to the Centre to keep its armed forces personnel happy by providing them with an independent pay tribunal where they could ventilate their grievances instead of returning their medals and burning artificial limbs.

But finding the response lukewarm, a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur expressed unhappiness in no uncertain terms and termed the bureaucracy in the ministry of defence "insensitively effective".

"Sitting somewhere in a plush office in Delhi and finding fault in each proposal is easy. The defence secretary must be sent for 10 days to the high altitude posts. He will at least see first hand the conditions in which these people serve the country," the Bench said.

To minimise further flow of anguished remarks, solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared for the Centre, sought time to respond to the proposal but not before clarifying that the government was getting objections to the proposal for setting up a panel to look into pay-related and pension-related grievances of armed forces personnel.

The Bench reluctantly gave a final opportunity to Subramaniam to come back with a proper response from the government to the suggestion of setting up an independent pay tribunal but also reminded him that on the last two occasions, the government had done nothing better than seeking further time.

"Your bureaucrats are not bothered. People in the Army are returning medals in thousands and some have even burnt their artificial limbs in protest. They get a feeling now that these bureaucrats do not hear them. If you have a commission, at least some steam (anger among the armed forces personnel) will be let out," the Bench reasoned.

Subramaniam said, "I see value in what the court has suggested, but this involves more than one ministry. Even the recurring liability would be high."

The Bench posted the matter to November 8 asking the Centre to respond specifically to the suggestion, setting out the areas and parameters it was willing to consider. The apex court on September 8 had suggested setting up an independent pay tribunal chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge that would be a recommendatory body.

The Bench said, "If this was a proposal for the bureaucrats, it would have been implemented. We don't expect the bureaucracy to support this proposal. We need to deal with them (armed forces) separately as a distinct class."

The court even asked the Centre to consider including the paramilitary forces in the scope of the tribunal as they too have tough assignments, quite similar to the task performed by armed forces.

------------
THE END

Rank Pay Inputs

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.

Reference Rank Pay case hearing in Supreme Court on 18 Oct 10.
Two important inputs are reproduced below.

In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj.
-----------

On Tue, Oct 19, 2010 at 10:27 AM, Col NR Kurup wrote:
I doubt whether you had a look at the file notings of the Defence Secretariat file on the issue. Anyway, I had a look at it. In case you have not seen it so far, kindly go through it. If you seek inspection of the file under RTI Act, you will get it. Let me point out
following:
1. As per Defence Ministry's note, dated 22-12-2009 the financial implications were estimated t be Rs.433 cores without taking into account financial implications on pensionary benefits in respect of army and navy officers.
2. It was referred to Legal Adviser (Def)
3. The Legal Advisor was of the opinion that review can be done on following grounds:
a. Discovery of new facts.
b. Mistake or error apparenton face of record and
c. Any other sufficient reason
4. It has gone to the solicitor General
5. The Joint Secretary(L) Anand Misra had pointed out that "In view of the huge financial implications and importance of the case, it is proposed to get it assessed by a High Power Committee consisting of Defence Secretary, Secretary, Dept of Expenditure and Secretary (Defence Finance)
6. The RM has approved constitution of the above Committee
7. This Committee has worked out the expenditure as - Arrears on account of pay and pension to be around Rs.426 crores and Rs.83 crores
respectively. Interest @ 6% per annum on these arrears as ordered by the SC to be Rs.1.114.71 crores and the total financial liability comes to around Rs.1,623.71 crores
8. The case was pursued purely on taking of the above mentioned one-time financial implication and enhanced recurring implication.
9. In nutshell it may be seen that only the financial im0plication was the criteria for the government to seek the review/recall and not the merit of case
10. Now we should recollect following
a. The arrears was resulted due to the misinterpretation of the 4 PC orders by the babus
b. The mistakes were corrected and the correction has been ratified by the HC and SC
c. Now the position is that the above amount is due to officers. ie. amount due to the employees of government. It is legally incumbent on the employer ie. the government to pay this due to its employees.,
d. Government cannot absolve from this liability on a plea that the amount is too high.
e. If the government is not capable of discharging its liability, it has no choice other than declaring itself 'INSOLVENT'. After becoming insolvent, the employees are entitled to seek their dues by REVENUE RECOVERY.


I therefore request the concerned to bear in mind the requirement of the government becoming INSOLVENT to escape the payment and our entitlement to get our dues by REVENUE RECOVERY. I also request the concerned to impress all concerned that the interest of Rs.1,114.71 crores cannot be considered as the expenditure as the entitled interest has always been more than 6% and more than Rs.1114,71 has already gained by government by withholding the dues from us. This is as good as returning our DSOP deposit. This can never be considered as an additional burden. In fact, we should insist payment of interest at market rate from 8-3-2010

Col NR Kurup (Retd)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Request for Donations: IESM

Dear All
IESM, as you are aware, is a tri-service organization and veterans from Army, Navy and Air Force as members. IESM also has many regional veteran organizations on its membership rolls as Associate Members. As on date, IESM has approximately 8500 Life Members and around 4000 Associate Members.
IESM is a registered society with The Registrar of Societies Gurgaon, Haryana.
By the laws that govern Registered Societies, any money that IESM gets as one-time-lifetime subscription is NOT permitted to be utilised for any expenditure for a period of 5 years (till 2013). The funds received by IESM under the head of Subscription are kept in Fixed Deposit.
A resolution at the AGM may permit usage of 15% of these funds in an emergency. IESM have NOT used this clause so far. Day-to-day expenditure of the organization is to be run from either the donations received or from any interest earned on FDs.
As per the Audited Balance Sheet on 31st August 2010, the present FDs are of Rs 19 lakhs. Interest earned on these FDs was about 1.27 lakhs.
This is the reason why IESM does not incur any expenditure on rent for office, office equipment or furniture. All office bearers are operating from their residences and no emoluments are paid to any office bearer except one clerk.
The only expenditure being incurred is on the meetings and rallies. Each rally requires an expenditure of roughly Rs 2 lakhs.
IESM had received sufficient donations to arrange demonstrations and rallies to press for the demand of OROP in the first two years, ie 2008 and 2009. However, donations for the year 2010 have dwindled and IESM has received only a fraction as compared to last year. IESM is finding it difficult to continue with planned protests without adequate funds. IESM therefore is in need of funds to continue with the fight of the veterans with the Govt.
IESM made a fervent appeal to the veterans for the donations. Following veterans have committed donations in response:
1. Col LK Anand Rs 500/month
2. Col A Mehndiratta Rs 500/month
3. CPO SB Sharma Rs 300/month
4. Col AS Ahluwalia Rs 500/month
5. Veteran Kulvinder Rs 500/month
6. Gp Capt VK Vidyadhar Rs 100/month (Recd Rs 1,500 for 15 months)
7. Wg Cdr Raj Kumar Poonia Rs 500/month
8. Col Navin Chaudhary Rs 100/month (Recd Rs 1,200 for one year)
9. Brig MS Oberoi Rs 100/month
10. Sqn Ldr DK Nangia Rs 100/month (Recd Rs 2,000 for 20 months)
11. Lt Col JP Nauni Rs 200/month

One-Time Donations:
1. Wg Cdr VK Sethi Rs 1,000
2. Maj Gen Anil Sawhney Rs 5,000
3. Brig HS Sandhu Rs 5,000
4. Lt Col Rakesh Sachdev Rs 20,000
5. Gp Capt (anonymous) Rs 5,000
6. Maj Gen IJS Dhillon Rs 5,000
7. Brig CS Kamboj Rs 1,00,000
8. IRB Infra Developers Ltd Rs10,000 courtesy Brig Malik
9. Air Cmde MK Chandrasekhar Rs 1000

IESM welcomes any amount as donation from veterans.
All veterans are requested to come forward and contribute in the struggle for their honor and respect and of course their cherished dream of OROP. A special request is made to the veterans who hold important positions in private companies, to try and ask their companies to donate generously for IESM.
For those who may wish to support IESM, you can give the donation in any one of the following methods that is convenient for you:
· Send a cheque in favour of "Indian Ex Serviceman Movement" at any given periodicity to me at the address given in my signature block below.
· Deposit the Cheque directly to the IESM account and send the Deposit Slip to me.
· Do the transaction over the internet through net-banking and inform me of the details every time you do that OR
· Give standing instructions to your Bank for a fixed date-every-month pay-in into IESM account -- and inform us the exact instructions, to enable keeping track of the funds.
· For EACH Donation, please do fill up the attached form and send to me by email ASAP.
Details of the Bank account are:
Name of Account: Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Account No: 06162000001330
Name of Bank: HDFC Bank
Nine Digit MICR Code of Bank: 110240109
IFSC Code No (for e-transfer): HDFC 0000616
Postal Address of Bank: Palam Vihar Branch, SCO 87, Gurgaon
IESM will issue a receipt for all donations under Section 80G, which would afford a set-off against Income Tax payable every year. This receipt would be issued once in a financial year for the sake of administrative convenience.
I am sure all the veterans will come forward and be counted in this, their struggle for honor and the cherished dream of OROP.
Let us all together convert shove into a heave and move the mountain!

__________________

Sunshine & Blue Skies!

Wg Cdr CK Sharma (Retd)
Treasurer, IESM


N-15 1st Floor
Greater Kailash 1
New Delhi – 110 048
INDIA

Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Slipshod Way to Treat Defence Veterans by Col LK anand

Free Press


Indore, Sunday, October 10, 2010


Weekend


EDUTAINMENT


A Slipshod Way to


treat Defence Veterans


By Col LK Anand (Retd)


It has been seen in the past few months that the defence veterans have been protesting do draw attention of this sleeping Government of India, for seeking justice to their legitimate demands for One Rank One Pension (OROP) agreed a number of times by the past ruling governments, by returning their hard earned gallantry medals, as well as signing the protests in their own blood. The protests in the eyes of all citizens of the country are conducted in a most dignified and peaceful manner.


However, a very small fraction of people who look down upon these gallant soldiers as some sort of rivals, unfortunately have remarked this form of protest by them as a new low in the abominable acts, unconventional methods of dissent for communication with the government and of not conducting these activities in a civilized manner. Could anyone in this country suggest a proper form of protest, better than the one adopted by these veterans? Is it by any chance unlawful or unjustified to hold peaceful protests to seek proper justice from their Supreme Commander and their government whose integrity they have upheld all along?


The Government and its worthless, indifferent, incapable and corrupt machinery down the line, which does not allow even the judiciary to carry out its lawful functions, could not be blind to the dignified ways and means adopted by the defence veterans to seek justice from the government. It is most unfortunate, to bring to the kind notice of one and all, that all the previous governments have forgotten the gallantry and sacrifices of its past soldiers, who have exclusively kept the country together in spite of the malafide intentions of many to disintegrate the country. The indifferent attitude of the present UPA Government towards its gallant and dignified defence veterans is yet another example of ignoring the injustices perpetrated upon them.


Is it not a debatable issue that neither Indias so called Supreme Commander, nor anyone else in the Indian Government, has had the time to spare, for these gallant men to listen to their long pending grievances and understand them, leave alone attend to them in a judicious manner. Their signatures in blood and their surrendering gallantry medals have been blatantly ignored and have failed to move anyone including the Supreme Commander. Instead their feelings of disgust and protest have been considered as lacking in dignity. Perhaps, they have forgotten the actions and sacrifices of their forefathers who fought tooth and nail for earning freedom for this country.


There is no doubt that these gallant men are deeply respected and adored from the bottom of their hearts by majority of Indian citizens, who know their capabilities and achievements in all spheres of national activity. They can well understand their pain and unhappiness upon the cognisable neglect shown by the Indian government towards their problems and failing in their responsibility of undoing the injustices heaped upon them. Incidentally, so far Punjab Government is the only State Government in the country whose, all party MLAs have respected and realised their just demands, and passed a resolution unanimously in the Assembly, for grant of OROP to them. Would some other State Governments take the clue of Punjab Government on similar lines.


Is it not improper by the successive governments, to ungratefully deny the gallant, and dependable defence forces of India and their past soldiers, an equally dignified and honourable existence during their retired lives, in return for their unflinching selfless service rendered to the nation, even at the peril of their life. This unjust precedence seems to have become a part and parcel of the government policies towards the defence veterans, and a clear cut example of false promises, wrong announcements (even in Presidential addresses and budget speeches) hoodwinking and total indifference towards upholding their dignity and fulfilling their just needs. The government seems to be lacking a genuine interest towards solving their justified and genuine problems and have closed their eyes completely to the peaceful protests and demands of these gallant men, at the behest of sycophant, lazy, misguiding, highly irresponsible, incapable, corrupt and self serving bureaucracy.





The same government could not oppose the 300% to 500% increase in the salary of the public representatives in less than a week, majority of whom have already amassed unlimited wealth from the citizens of the country. It seems to be the priority of this government to deny, the deserving defence veterans, who have toiled endlessly and have been struggling for this just demand for nearly 26 years. This would at best help in restoring partially their regularly deteriorating honour and dignity, besides an increase of may be 20% to 30% in their pensions to make their life a bit more liveable in the dusk of their lives. The government has been so liberal to grant 3 to 5 folds increments to their already crorepati MPs.





It would be worth mentioning and appreciating the action of only one MP amongst them ie Mr Rajeev Chandrashekhar, in refusing increment in favour of defence veterans cause. It is not only courageous but highly commendable and it is wished that some more who see the defence forces in higher esteem could follow his example.





The government and the bureaucracy who invariably misguides it, seem to be the only set ups within the country, who do not have genuine interests and feelings towards the grievances of the defence forces at heart, because they do not understand high level of their character and their system of functioning. It is done on the premise, that they will as always, take everything offered to them lying down, in view of their disciplined and un protesting approach to Government actions. Their acts in denying what they deserve give a fair indication of the bureaucracys mindset.





I would like to pose a question, whether the role of the governments is to assist their subjects in solving their problems and to ensure their welfare, or to oppose and obstruct their cause, or to harass them by ignoring their genuine grievances, especially even when the courts have ruled in their favour.





To me it appears that the dispassionate ministerial staff and subordinates in the national capital who are never or dare not be moved out of Delhi, are the main accomplices of the bureaucracy and major villains in such matters. Their aim seems only to get everything what they want and to deny all others what they genuinely deserve. Such is the class of people in whose hands destiny of the defence forces and their veterans is entrusted. Unfortunately, this meanest class of people in the ministries exploits the defence services to the core in a manner treating them as national enemies and not those who defend the nation and uphold its integrity. Is it by chance an indication of good governance?





The Rank Pay Case of the 4th Central Pay Commission (4CPC) is a striking example in point, to prove the unsporting behaviour of the ruling government and the bureaucracy to unduly delay/deny the benefits to the affected lot as a result of this anomaly. The defence personnel who have already earned the benefits of the 4CPC way back since, 1 January 1986, have mischievously been denied the benefits all these years and despite a Supreme Court ruling in their favour on 8 March 2010. Unfortunately, the benefits have still been held up because some smart Babu in the concerned Ministry decided to file a petition against this ruling.





Indian government has certainly not become a pauper, that they are unable to disburse these dues to the affected defence personnel, which should have been given to them years back. Can any right thinking person apprehend the reason or compelling circumstances or the mentality to obstruct and deny the benefits already earned by the affected and deserving soldiers, by filing another petition in the Supreme Court. The Government is not poor and can certainly afford to spend over Rs 70,000 Crores for a gigantic show of 12 days duration. Is it really an indication of good governance?





The bureaucracy has always been making attempts to justify the step motherly treatment being given by the government so far to the cause of the defence veterans. Their attitude gives a strong feeling that it may take years before the just demand would ever be fulfilled. Of course by then the government would feel satisfied, relieved and take pleasure in getting the news that most of its gallant warriors of yester years do not now exist in this world and would not be there to demand OROP, which seems to be pinching its soul like no other demand from any other quarters, as also to save a fraction of their meagre finances from giving to the defence veterans. Government is least concerned about the billions of dollars stashed away in foreign banks by its corrupt citizens.





Finally, I would like to submit to the representatives of the Government that if they have even the slightest of respect and a heart to feel for these gallant and brave ex soldiers of this country, they should instead of ignoring their dignified protests, do something worthwhile for them without making unjustified excuses ie to get them the benefits of OROP and solve the anomaly of Rank Pay, resulting after the 4CPC, so that they remember and respect them as their true representatives and not hate them for their mean mentality till posterity.





Jai Hind to one and all





Col LK Anand (Retd)


elkayanand@rediffmail.com