Friday, April 30, 2010

ESM Sitrep 28 april 2010

From: raj kadyan rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Sent: 28 April 2010 22:09
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in; TRUNCATED
Subject: ESM SITREP 28 APRIL EVENING

Dear Colleagues,
Someone out of our ESM community has floated a suggestion that we burn effigies of political personalities. The obvious intention is to pressurize the regime into conceding OROP. The fact that the IESM will have nothing to do with such a proposal that goes against our very culture and ethos is only part of the consolation. While all of us are entitled to our individual views, the fact that some out of us, brought up in the best military milieu, imbibing what are the finest soldierly values, could contemplate such a course of action, does come as a disappointment. However, none of us has a right to be prescriptive on the issue.
The main plank of our OROP demand is that we as soldiers are different from others. Our claim by itself is not sufficient; this difference has to be visibly reflected in our behaviour as well as in our actions. We should not forget for us means are as important as the ends. We are responsible to pass down a legacy that the posterity talks of with a sense of pride and not with a sense of guilt and embarrassment.
Undoubtedly, the suggestion has been mooted out of impatience and frustration at the continued stone-walling of our demand for equity and justice. We need to remember that an old and intricate problem where the regime has long taken an entrenched position is not expected to lend itself to a quick solution. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We need patience and perseverance. Let us not compromise on our dignity and our core values.
The Movement is making progress and there is no cause for undue concern.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A, Gurgaon- 122 001
Tele: 91+124-4015262, +919811226676

Friday, April 23, 2010

LETTER TO RM BY MAJ GEN SATBIR SINGH




Shri A.K. Antony Dated : 23 April 2010
Defence Minister
9, Krishna, Menon Marg
New Delhi


Dear Shri AK Antony


1. We are amazed at your reply in parliament the other day that granting of One Rank One Pension was not possible due to financial, legal and administrative reasons. The financial burden is too inconsequential and legal reasons have been adequately set aside by the courts in many of its recent judgements. As for as the administrative reasons are concerned, this is due to the mental block of the bureaucracy and its agonistic attitude towards the Defence Forces. That such a statement should be made by Defence Minister of India, in Parliament inspite of various SC, HC and AFT judgements to the contrary shows the scant regard the Govt in general and the Defence Ministry in particular has for the judiciary and morale of the Defence Forces. Just to take you back to the rulings given by the various courts, I would like to list a few judgements for your and your advisors perusal who appear to be hell bent to heap injustice upon the Military and not honour the courts judgements in letter and spirit.


(a) SC Judgement of 09 Sep 2009 in the case of Union of India &
Maj Gen Vains and Others. The SC ruled that:-

(i) No Defence Personal Senior in rank can get less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.

(ii) Similarly placed Officers of the same rank are to be given the same pension irrespective of the date of retirement.

(b) AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 03 Mar 2010. In the case of union of India and Maj Gen Vains and Others. The AFT ruled that the SC ruling in the case of Maj Gen Vains and others Vs Union of India dated 09 Sep 2009 be applied to the Petitioners for pre 2006 and post 2006 retirees and the judgement be implemented in three months.

(c) AFT Chandigarh Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of Union of India Vs Babu Ram Dhiman and Union of India Vs Sohan Singh The AFT has directed the Union Government:-

(i) That the state cannot lay down different criteria for grant of pensions to officers, JCOs and Jawans on the basis of cut off date of retirement.

(ii) No Senior in rank defence person can draw less pension than his junior irrespective of the date of retirement.

(iii) All pensioners of the same rank and service irrespective of the date of retirement are entitled to same pension.

(iv) The above directions be implemented within four months.

(d) SC Judgement dated 08 Mar 2010 in the case of retired Defence Officer Association Vs Union of India. SC has ruled that the anomaly of 4th Pay Commission regarding rank pay which was removed by the Kerala High Court in one case is applicable to all officers who were in service on 1.1.86 and arrears will be paid to them with 6 percent interest. This judgement has for reaching consequences in that the pay and pensions of officers in 5th & 6th Pay Commissions would have to be worked out afresh.

2. Mr Defence Minster sir, we implore upon you not to take the frustrations of the Defence Forces lightly because any further neglect is likely to have severe ramifications for the Nation at large. The situation as it exists today is reminiscent of the situation prevailing prior to 1962 debacle.

3. The defence personnel by training and thought are mature, patriotic and therefore, will not ask for any thing which is not their due but if justice is denied to them they will go all out albeit peacefully to get what is rightfully theirs. The humiliations heaped upon the Defence Forces in the last 10 years is leading to lot of frustration and anger and therefore, immediate action to address their grievances is required to be taken by the Govt. We therefore request you the following:-

(a) The above judgements of the courts be implemented in letter and spirit immediately
and Military Pensions of Pre 2006 Pensioners be fixed accordingly.

(b) Separate Pay Commission which has already been accepted by the Govt be set up
immediately and all anomalies in the Pay and allowance and pensions .etc be transferred to it. The commission may please be given a fixed time frame say one year to resolve all anomalies. Two third members of the commission be from serving and retired Defence Personnel.

(c) Military Veterans Commission be set up immediately which should consist of
members from the Military Veterans only with all its powers as given to any other commission.
(d) The Head of the ESW Department of the Ministry of Defence should be headed by a serving or retired Defence Officer. Besides that at the next level below the Head of the ESW Department, there should be one officer each from the Army, Navy and Airforce – serving or retired. Out of the remaining personnel forming part of the ESW Department, at least 50% should be from the Defence Services – serving or retired.
4. A serious immediate consideration of the above mentioned issues is requested.
With kind regards,

Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,


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


Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
152, South Block,
New Delhi -110011

Smt. Sonia Gandhi
Chairperson UPA
&
National Advisory Council
10 Akbar Road
New Delhi -11

Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC
Chief of the Army Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Army)
South Block, New Delhi-110011


Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC
Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and
Chief of the Naval Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Navy)
South Block, New Delhi-110011


Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, PVSM, VSM, ADC
Chief of the Air Staff
Integrated HQs of Armed Forces (Air Force)
Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

Monday, April 19, 2010

ESM SITREP 18 APRIL EVENING

From: raj kadyan rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Sent: 18 April 2010 21:03
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in; TRUNCATED
Subject: ESM SITREP 18 APRIL EVENING

Dear Colleagues,
The IESM Governing Body met from 1000 to 1230 hours today. CK Sharma, Aditya Jaini, Rajan Sriniwas, Chander Kamboj, Harwant, Sharan Ahuja, Vinod Gandhi, Rakesh Chaturvedi and self attended. The members were updated on continuing efforts for OROP and the upcoming rallies – in Ghamar (UP) on 25 April and in Hisar (Haryana) on 06 May 2010. The minutes of the meeting will be circulated as per SOP.
In the afternoon session we were also joined by our esteemed colleagues; Colonel Nair (Kerala), Sqn Ldr Dhiman (HP), Colonel Raina (J&K) and Colonel Sidharth Bose (Chhattisgarh). We are grateful to them that they came all the way to participate in the interactive session. They made useful suggestions that would be deliberated in the appropriate fora.
Regular telephonic contact with the ESM across the country continues – Gurmel from Gurdaspur, Hari Singh from Hisar, Ahmatullah from Kupwara, DR Singh from Lucknow and several others. The ESM are aware that we have been shortchanged again and OROP has not been given, notwithstanding the information spread to the contrary. There is infectious eagerness in the environment to follow whatever the Movement plans and decides to do.
To maintain pressure on the government, a letter has again been written by me to the President on 12 April 2010. It is reproduced below:
Quote
This letter may kindly be put up to the Supreme Commander
Hon’ble Supreme Commander,
I draw your kind attention to our letter dated 8th March, 2010. May I again request the Supreme Commander to intimate the date and time of her convenience where she could receive the medals from the Ex-Servicemen, who have been long pursuing their demand of `One Rank One Pension’. The silence on part of the authorities can not unfortunately, make the problem disappear. On the contrary, it could only further strengthen the resolve of the Ex Servicemen to seek justice.
I may also mention that I have received a reply to my earlier letter to you dated 11th January 2010. This has come from the Army Headquarters vide their letter No. B/39027/29(5)/MOD/AG/PS-5 dated 19th March 2010 (copy attached). It is merely a routine reply that does not address the issue raised. It is a well-known fact that the committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary did not address the issue of One Rank One Pension. It only addressed the enhancement of pensions under `related issues’. It is submitted that there is no relation between pension enhancement and the just demand One Rank One Pension that is based on principle of equity.

With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
Hon’ble President of India
& Supreme Commander of Armed Forces
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi – 110 004
Copy to:
Hon’ble Prime Minister
Hon’ble Defence Minister
Unquote

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

Chairman IESM

262, Sector-17A
Gurgaon- 122 001

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

SOLDIERLY SILENCE

SOLDIERLY SILENCE

Dear Veterans,

Rejoinder by Gen Bahri is most appropriate. The anti Military stance by Media is unfair. Let us all join together in condemning the military bashing by the media. We very well know who is behind this anti Military propaganda. The people who are doing it are doing the greatest harm to the well being of our Nation.


With kind regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,


Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM

Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

IESM COMPLETES TWO YEARS ON 27 APRIL 2010

IESM COMPLETES TWO YEARS ON 27 APRIL 2010
Dear Veterans,
1. The Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM) was formally launched on 27 Apr 2008 by placing a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. IESM is apolitical Movement with an aim of getting Justice for the Defence Forces. The event on 27 Apr 2008 at India Gate was replicated on the same day at other cities throughout the country. It is to our credit that inspite of the deep resentment within the Military Veterans, the Movement has been peaceful and dignified, this inspite of provocations by some mischievous elements. It is with some satisfaction to note that we have been able to achieve reasonable success by highlighting the Injustices done to the Defence Forces to the public at large and also the powers that be in the Govt.

2. The focus of our Movement is not only confined to rallies and holding meetings, but we are taking the fight for justice to the legal recourse and we have achieved a degree of success for which we should pat ourselves on the back. Certain AFTs and SC judgements have not only been favourable to us but the courts have passed strong strictures against the Govt and have given time bound judgements. It will be befitting the event if we go all out to commemorate the start of the Movement on 27 Apr 2010. The following suggestions are made:
(a) On 27 April 2010, ESM across the country to hold meetings/ rallies /discussions/ seminars at village, block, tehsil, city, district and state levels as per the local situation and as decided by the local IESM convenors and motivators. These events be given maximum publicity through extensive media coverage. All ESM organizations across the country are requested to join in to create the desired intensity and visibility throughout the country.

(b) I have requested the NDTV to replay the coverage of the event on 27 April 2010 a number of times during the day and hold panel discussion on the Movement, its events and outcomes. We will write to other media both print and electronic to cover the event. Let us hope the media plays up. All ESM who have contacts with the media, to please chip in and assist in organizing discussions and publishing articles.

(c) Veterans who have flare for writing to please write articles on Defence Forces, OROP, treatment of military over the years, current security scenario both external and internal, Indian military strength, security challenges, military leadership and challenges, making Military carrier attractive, civil military relations at its nadir causes and retrieval strategy, military pensions and any other contemporary topic. Maximum articles may please be published in National media to draw attention of the people of India. These articles should also be put on the internet on various blogs operating in the country.

(d) ESM organizations and individual ESM to interact with MPs, CMs and MLAs throughout the country and solicit their support to our cause. OROP must be sanctioned at the earliest. Separate Pay Commission which has already been accepted by the Govt, should be set up now and all anomalies of earlier Pay Commissions be tasked to it to resolve in a given time frame say one year.

(e) Writing letters and seeking audience with PM, UPA Chairperson, RM and Supreme Commander. Impressing upon these functionaries the need to grant Justice to the Defence Forces. The Govt should be magnanimous enough to accept all the judgements passed by the Armed Forces Tribunals and the Supreme Court and implement at the earliest.

(f) Effecting Unity amongst all ESM Organisations and ESM. ESM Cells of various political parties to shed their baggage and join with the Movement to get our demands met.

(g) All out efforts be made to get signatures in blood and medals from volunteer ESM. Irrespective of the ESM organizations, we belong to, every one should join for the common cause of getting Justice to the Defence Forces. A very large numbers of signatures and medals should be deposited with the Supreme Commander the next time. Gen Raj Kadyan our Chariman has written a letter to the Supreme Commander today.

4. Let us rise to the occasion and All together Heave to get our demands met.
With kind regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

ESM report 10 April

From: raj kadyan rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Sent: 10 April 2010 18:57
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in;
Subject:

Dear Colleagues,
I extend a very hearty welcome to our new members who have joined the IESM family and have made generous donations. I also compliment the mtivator – Ravi Pathak:
SNo Rank Name
1 Lt Gen D Ajwani
2 Wg Cdr Abhyankar M K
3 Air Cmde Dutton K R
4 Wg Cdr Athavale V N
5 Brig Palnitkar Shridhar
6 Cdr Sukhdev Singh
7 Mrs Hirjee Putlee
8 Lt Col N Srinivasan
9 Hon Lt K S Rawal
10 Sep S J Jadhav
11 Wg Cdr Gadre VJ
12 Maj Natu A V
13 Cmde M S Ramaiah
14 Sep Karanje S S
15 PO Kolambe M H
16 Col V Ram
17 Lt Col Minhas SPS
18 MCPO II Yadav Janardan
18 Ch Mech Mohapatra P K
19 MCPO Swatantra Kumar
20 MCPO Dubey R P
21 MCPO Basu Gautam
22 Hon Lt Kanhiya Lal
23 Hon SLt Rajput I S
24 CPO Shitala Prasad
25 MCPO Man Phool
26CPOPattanayak R N
27Hon S LtLekh Ram
28Hon S LtMohanty J K
29CPODesh Raj
30CPOKuldeep Singh
31CPORam Karan
32POGhosh Subhash
33POMaurya Harikesh
34POBasumantary H K
35POPrasad DSSS
36PODevendra Mohan
37PO Gadi Mohan Rao
38LTopSwain S S
39ColMaria VK

Further, I also welcome the following new members from Panchkula and thank them for their generous contributions. Kiran Krishan deserves our compliments for being the motivator:

SerRank and NameContact Details
1Lt Col Satinder Nath Duggal# 430, Sector-12, Panchkula (Haryana)
Tele: 0172-2586430
satinderduggal2007@yahoo.co.in
2Lt Col L K Sharma# 138, Sector-8, Panchkula
(Haryana)
Tele: 0172-2571081, 9316512314
3Gp Capt S P Daulay359, Sector-6, Panchkula
(Haryana)
Tele: 0172-2570870
niveditaasaini@yahoo.com


Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A, Gurgaon- 122 001
Tele: 91+124-4015262, +919811226676

Saturday, April 3, 2010

ESM sitrep 01 Apr evening

From: raj kadyan rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Sent: 01 April 2010 23:49
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in; TRUNCATED
Subject: ESM sitrep 01 Apr evening

Dear Colleagues,
I extend a hearty welcome to the following veterans on joining the IESM family and thank them for their generous donation of Rs 5,000/- each:
1. Col Bhupinder Singh
2. Brig T S Sirohi
3. Maj Gen K P Deswal
4. Brig B S Lamba
I also thank and compliment Brigadier Balbir Lamba, KUMAON, for being the motivator.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A, Gurgaon- 122 001

Thursday, April 1, 2010

LETTER TO PM DATED 30 MAR 2010 by Maj Gen Satbir Singh

From: satbir singh
Sent: 30 March 2010 15:28
To: IESM_GovBody@yahoogroups.com
Subject: LETTER TO PM DATED 30 MAR 2010


Dated: 30 Mar 2010
To,
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
152, South Block,
New Delhi -110011
RAW DEAL FOR DEFENCE VETERANS
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) has been espousing the cause of ex-servicemen and drawing attention of the Government through representations and other peaceful means. Issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been promised many a time but never implemented. What is being passed off is far from the OROP as following table would show:-

Pension Sepoy “Y” Group with 17 years Service

6CPC
(in Rs)Enhancement vide 08 Mar 10 letter
(in Rs)Post 6th CPC Retirees wef (in Rs)

1.1.06 1.1.07 1.1.08 1.1.09 1.1.10
Without DA4046497170457257747476987929
With DA5462671195119797100901039210704


Difference in Pension of pre 1.1.2006 and Post 1.1.2010 retiree Sepoy after Recent Enhancement :-
(a) Without DA : 7929-4971 = 2958
(b) With DA :10704-6711 = 3993
Likewise there is a large gap in the pensions of pre and post 2006 retiree defence personnel of all ranks. In an article published in Tribune "RAW DEAL FOR VETERANS" (March 27) (Copy attached), Lt-Gen Harwant SIngh (retd) has made a strong case for One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP) for the retired Armed Forces personnel. It will be an unsavoury development for the country--and its security scenario--if the disaffection, disgruntlement and demoralisation currently prevalent among the veterans and their kinfolks gets rubbed off on the Military combatants on active service.
We should also not forget that, in a large number of families with strong fauji traditions, the youngsters have been till now cheerfully taking to the profession of arms like their fathers and forefathers did before them. Henceforth this may not happen.
It is high time the issue of OROP is taken out of the gamut of bureaucratic control and dealt with directly by the political leadership for a fair and durable solution.
May we request you to kindly stand by the veterans and sanction the OROP at your earliest to give due Justice to the Defence Personnel.
With kind regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,

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

Copy to :-

1. Smt. Sonia Gandhi
Chairperson UPA & National Advisory Council
10 Akbar Road
New Delhi -11


2. Shri A.K. Antony
Defence Minister
104, South Block

New Delhi -110011