ENLARGEMENT OF SCOPE OF PROTEST MOVEMENT

Indian Military Veterans

Subject: ENLARGEMENT OF SCOPE OF PROTEST MOVEMENT

 

09 April 2016

ENLARGEMENT OF SCOPE OF PROTEST MOVEMENT

 Dear Friends,

1.         As we went along our Protest Movement at Jantar Mantar and across the Country, many other Organisations and segments of Society joined in and encouraged us with their support. We are thankful to them. We are now entering into our broader phase of the Movement to incorporate nation building issues, actions and activities. Some of the issues in our thoughts and planning are as under:–

a)    Through the efforts of one of the Defence Child Sh. Mukesh Anand, Cancer Detection Mobile Labs owners have volunteered to assist us in the Management of Cancer. It was encouraging to see one of the Mobile Vans being placed at Jantar Mantar on 03 Apr 2016 during the Rally. We will be sending a number of vans to the States, starting with Punjab. These will be managed by the ESM at various locations in Punjab.

b)   Provision of Instructors for skill development in villages and cities across the Country.

c)    Provision of HRD Instructors in Govt Schools in villages and cities. ESM can prove to be great asset in the development of personality of the youth of India and make them good human beings and good leaders.

d)   Development, maintenance and upkeep of both sides of the National Highways across the country. ESM are best suited for the job and can play an important role in this issue.

e)   Efficient Management of Dairies and Agriculture Research and Development.

f)    We also have given thought to taking an effective and efficient part in Governance. Slogan has been given “Panchyat at Parliament”. We will take part in the village Panchyatto Parliament in Elections. Some encouraging results to share. In Bhiwani district (Haryana) out of 191 Panchayats which went in for Election, 45 Panchayat Sarpanches ESM fought the Elections and all 45 have won. 19 ESM in Jhajjar (Haryana) and 16 Ambala (Haryana) have also won.

g)   We will take part in all State Elections using our collective Vote Power. Punjab will be our start point. We as Sainik Samaj will forge pre poll alliance with suitable groups/Parties.

h)   Other aspects of our participation in Nation Building will be added as we go along.

i)     We have moved forward in making the slogan of our honourable PM Sh Lal BahadurShastri “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” to become effective and efficient. Many farmers Organisation and United Front of ESM (Jantar Mantar) have joined together to fight for our Justice, respect and rights.

The Military issues are as under

2.        On the completion of 300^th Day of our Protest Movement on 09 April 2016, we need to constructively criticise, question and analyse the status quo to set ourselves on the path of restoration of Status of Defence Forces. Some of the thoughts worth sharing are as under:-

a)    As suggested by some of our friends, we need to expand the scope of Crusade/Protest Movement by modifying and Renaming OROP Movement to “Insaf –O-Izzat Jang”.

b)   We demand to restore the pension of Jawans and JCOs to 70% of last pay drawn as was the case on the Victory Day ie 16 Dec 1971 when the glorious Indian Army won the Indo-Pak War. Sadly instead of rewarding the soldiers, their pensions were brought down to 36% in real terms and the babus raised their pensions from 33% to 50%.

c)    The family pension of defence personnel to be the same as the ESM pension and not reduced to 60%.

d)   All defence personnel to be provided second career till the age of 60 years through an act of Parliament.

e)   OROP be implemented as concept in perpetuity as per the original definition given in the Govt Executive orders dated 26 Feb 2016 as under:-

                                         i.    OROP as approved, implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

                                        ii.    It further implies that Pensions of past defence retirees will be equal to that of a person with same rank and length of service retiring wef 01 Apr 2014, future enhancement in the rates of pensions will be automatically passed to the past pensioners.

f)    The recent change in the definition carried out by the Govt be cancelled. “Equalisation on periodic Intervals” as changed in definition has killed the very soul of OROP.

g)   The Pay, Pensions and allowances of defence personnel be 15-25% higher on “Year Wise” basis vis-a-vis other Govt Services and not rank/ appointment. Most of the democracies of the world pay 15-25% more to their defence forces.

h)   All the anomalies in 7^th CPC Recommendations as represented by the three Chiefs to the RM be rectified on priority before the acceptance of the 7^th CPC award by the Govt.

i)     OROP be updated to 01.01.2016 and then the 7^th CPC be applied to it.

j)    ECHS Scheme to be updated and improved:-

                                         i.    The ECHS budget be calculated 15-25% more than the CGHS per beneficiary to manage the scheme effectively.

                                        ii.    All the Medical Procedures which have been introduced in India be automatically put in the ECHS List.

                                      iii.    Medicines Dispensaries be privatised and opened in every ECHS Polyclinic with 100% availability of medicines.

                                       iv.    Veterans’ Hospitals be constructed across the Country on Priority to reduce dependency on the Empanelled Hospitals.

                                        v.    The DG ECHS be fully empowered to manage the Scheme.

k)   The 7th CPC Recommendations Review Committee must have a member from the Serving/retired defence personnel.

l)     ESM Commission, to be headed and maned by ESM, be established at the earliest.

m)  The design and progress of construction of War Memorial at India Gate be widely advertised from time to time to keep the countrymen informed.

n)    Like the Railway Budget, Defence Budget be also given full One Day for Presentation and Discussion. The RM must give out the National Security Policy and its update and the representation of the people must discuss and suggestions duly incorporated in the defence Policy and budgeting.

o)    MoD must be reorganised with 70% serving/ retired defence personnel.

p)   DESW must also be reorganised and headed and maned by serving and retired defence personnel.

q)    The reserved vacancies in Govt jobs for the defence personnel presently numbering 7.82 lacs must be completely kept filled in perpetuity.

r)    SSC Officers be duly resettled. Pro-rata pension/ lump sum grant be authorised to them. They must be owned by the Nation and not put in a basket of ‘‘Use and Throw”.

s)    Time Scale promotion be introduced for the ORs & JCOs.

t)    All Honorary Ranks must also be given additional pay and pensions.

u)    Any other addition as authorised to others but the military be packaged 15 to 25% higher than any other Govt services.

3. Please join in the Movement based on these objectives and to showcase solidarity to get due “Izzat”and “Insaf” to the Soldiers.

4. As we complete 300 days of our Protest Movement, we wish to convey that the Aim of our Movement ever since it was launched in 2008 has been National Security upgradation and Nation Building. Even, the Relay Hunger strike and other activities have been conducted in the most dignified and disciplined manner, the aim being Justice and Izzat of the Soldier thereby upgrading the motivation and morale the intangible factors in upgrading the National Security and ultimately the Nation Building.

With regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen & Chairman IESM
Mobile: 9312404269
Email: satbirsm@gmail.com