Dear Members
IESM is emboldened that so many veterans are taking keen
interest and giving advise about conduct of Rally on 1 Feb 15 to ensure
that it is successful. Please be rest assured that IESM is taking note
of all advises and will do what is good for Ex-servicemen in overall
context. GB IESM has been chosen by the members to take care of member's
interest and please be rest assured that GB members will not leave any
stone unturned to ensure that ESM demands are approved by Govt at the
earliest. GB IESM is also committed to ensure that Government
notification for payment of OROP dues is issued on priority. Having said
and confirmed that GB IESM is fully committed to ensure justice for
ESM, let me come to the points being discussed on the net.
Why Agitational approach; Many veterans believed in last 50
years that asking for increase in pay and facilities is below the
dignity of Armed Forces. This resulted in down gradation of status of
all ranks of Armed Forces viz a viz civil structure. In pay commission
after pay commission status of Armed Forces was systematically brought
down viz a viz civil structure. This was first resented by men in
uniform and ex-servicemen in 2008. Ex-servicemen got together and
decided to form IESM in 2008. IESM then took a considered decision that
Government in India does not pay attention to any group unless the group
goes on agitations. ESMs will agree that a decision taken by IESM in
2008 has turned out to be well thought of and good approach to present
problems of Ex-servicemen to the Govt and to get the OROP approved. IESM
was heavily criticized at that time by many senior veterans, IESM did
not deter. IESM approach has paid dividend and today our cherished dream
of OROP stands approved. It took medal returns, submission of
memorandums signed in own blood and many rallies to wake up the
conscious of citizen and politicians to get OROP approved.
Undue delay in issuance of OROP notification; OROP has been
approved by two Parliaments, Commitment of two PM, present PM Mr Modi at
Siachin and on a Navy frigate has announced loud and clear that OROP is
his personal commitment to Armed Forces, Passing of OROP in two budget.
But even after seven months of approval, OROP notification has not been
issued. IESM has written numerous letters to Government but there was
no reply from the Govt, not even an acknowledgement. On the contrary
some negative statements were deliberately leaked by Govt circles to
test the reaction of ESM and ESM organisations. Confronted by wall of
silence by the Govt, IESM decided to resume agitation mode and announced
relay hunger strike from 3 Dec to 16 Dec, with a rally on 7 Dec and
return of another tranche of medals. Immediately on announcement of
agitation there were murmurs in the ESM circles and all those ESM who
were silent all these months, and did not ask a question on delay in
OROP notification, suddenly became active and started advising IESM to
cancel/ go slow on agitation approach. IESM agreed to defer the
agitation on personal intervention by sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar
(sympathizer of ex-servicemen) only after he promised to arrange a
meeting with the Honorable RM. Details of IESM delegation meeting have
already been sent to environment. Despite the promise of RM there was no
news from MOD/DESW about the early issuance of notification, on the
contrary some negative statements came out of RM/MOD. IESM thought that
these are incorrect reporting by the media/newspaper. IESM asked for
clarification but none came. On the contrary unconfirmed messages were
received that MOD/CGDA/DESW combine are exaggerating the expenditure of
OROP and are making all out attempt to dilute the OROP ( Now they are
attempting dilution when they realized the Govt is now committed to give
OROP and they can not stop it any further).
Holding of Rally on 1 Feb 15; On getting the news that there is
an attempt to dilute OROP definion and on getting no clarification from
MOD, GB IESM decided to hold a rally on 1st Feb 2015 Sunday to remind
and request the Government about their commitment to Ex-servicemen and
nation. IESM is very clear in its thought process that IESM wishes to
remind the Government of its commitment and does not wish to have
confrontation with the Govt. IESM is of firm opinion that the Govt will
live upto its promise and manifesto. However the question why is the
Govt is taking unduly long time to overcome bureaucratic politics is
bothering IESM? Hence IESM planned this rally and demonstration. IESM
condemns misinformation campaign undertaken about the purpose of rally
by few veterans. This misinformation campaign is being initiated by few
politically inclined veterans. IESM is not aligned to any Party and is
not involved in party politics. Some veterans who fought the last
election and miserably lost are the leader in this misinformation
campaign.
Reasons and Effects of the Rally; Few veterans have been
expressing that this rally may annoy Government and Government may
refuse to give OROP. IESM firmly believes that this Government is
committed to OROP and will definitely honor its commitment to Armed
Forces and ESM. However ESM are exasperated to wait for more than 8
months to get OROP and do not understand the compulsion of Government of
this undue delay (In-fact the letter should have been out and payments
of OROP should have been in our banks latest by Oct 14, but it did not
happen). IESM has done brain storming and have decided to go ahead with
the rally on 1 Feb 2015 Sunday at Jantar Mantar new Delhi because of
following reasons.
- IESM wishes to only remind the Govt of its commitments to Armed Forces and ESM.
- IESM
wishes to request the Govt to overcome the bureaucratic pressure and
release full OROP as approved by the Parliament at the earliest. Let this be a Republic day gift to Armed Forces.
- IESM confirms that IESM will accept the DGL sent by the Armed Forces Hq to Govt for approval as full and final OROP.
- IESM is unable to understand any logic of this undue delay in issuance of Govt letter for OROP.
- IESM is apprehensive that Government may come under bureaucratic pressure and may not issue full OROP
- IESM will not accept any dilution of the OROP definition.
Preparation for rally; IESM is thankful to members who have
wished good luck and advised to be prepared for rally. Ground work for
the rally has been done and IESM expects veterans to attend the rally
from 10 states. Telephone of GB members is constantly ringing confirming
support for the rally and confirming that ESM will come from all
states. A very large number of Ex-servicemen and sympathizer are
expected to attend the rally. IESM has also instructed its state
conveners to hold meetings and pass a resolution for full OROP. IESM
members in state capitals/Dist level have been advised to go to
Governer/CM/DC and hand over the memorandum to be sent onwards to
President and PM of the India. The memorandum will be signed by lacs of
members to convey our exasperation on this undue delay by the Government
for issuance of notification for OROP. The meeting to be held in
Secunderabad is part of that plan and some of the members of GB are
expected to attend the meeting. This should not be seen otherwise on the
contrary this meeting is planned accordingly.
However some well meaning veterans have been asking question
what if Govt refuses to issue the full OROP. Dear Veterans IESM is sure
that MODI Govt will definitely fulfill its promise given to Armed Forces
and ESM. IESM has full faith in promises made by Sh Narendra Modi
honorable Prime Minister of India and there will be no need to plan
further action. However GB IESM has plans ready in case of any exigency.
IESM HAS SELECTED THE AIM AND IS DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE IT.
IESM
REQUESTS ALL ESM TO COME TO JANTAR MANTAR AT 1030H ON 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY
AND BE COUNTED IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR OROP. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VERY
IMPORTANT TO SEND THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO GOVT THAT ESMs ARE AWAKE NOW AND
WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MORE DOWN-GRADATION IN THEIR STATUS. OROP IS OUR
RIGHT AND WE WILL TAKE IT.
DEAR
VETERANS RALLYS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE EVENTS AND LARGE FUNDS ARE REQUIRED
TO ARRANGE A RALLY. IESM REQUESTS VETERANS TO CONTRIBUTE FUND TO OFFSET
THE EXPENDITURE ON THE RALLY.
PLEASE
CONTRIBUTE FUNDS LARGE HEARTEDLY FOR SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE RALLY
PLANNED FOR 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY AT 1030H AT JANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI.
ALL VETERANS MUST COME AND PARTICIPATE TO MOUNT UNBEARABLE PRESSURE ON THE GOVT.
MILLION
DOLLAR QUESTION WHAT IF GOVERNMENT ISSUES THE GOVERNMENT LETTER FOR
PAYMENT OF OROP DUES TO ESM BY 26 JAN AS REQUESTED BY IESM.
DEAR
VETERANS RALLY WILL STILL BE HELD AS PLANNED ON 1 FEB 2015 AND IESM
WILL PROFUSELY THANK MODI GOVERNMENT FOR LIVING TO ITS PROMISE AND
HONORING THE 30 YR OLD DEMAND OF ESM AND ARMED FORCES. IESM WILL REQUEST
GOVT TO HONOR OUR OTHER DEMANDS ALSO.
LAST
WORD FOR ESM. COME ONE AND COME ALL AT 1030H ON 1 FEB 2015 SUNDAY AT
JANTAR MANTAR FOR ESM RALLY AND BE COUNTED, COME WHAT MAY.
IESM
REQUESTS ALL VETERANS NOT ISSUE ANY MORE STATEMENTS FOR
CANCELLATION/DEFERMENT OF RALLY. VETERANS ARE ALSO REQUESTED NOT TO BE
MISLEAD BY SUCH CALLS AND COME AND ATTEND THE RALLY IN LARGE NUMBERS.
Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM