EX-SERVICEMEN ARE NOW UNITED AND DETERMINED TO GET
ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) AS PER
DEFINITION APPROVED BY THE PARLIAMENT:
 INDIAN EX-SERVICEMEN MOVEMENT (IESM) CALLS FOR A MAHA RALLY ON SUNDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2015 AT 1030H AT JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI

Ex-servicemen of India, who had served their motherland for decades and then retired from active service, are a neglected lot today. Their welfare has been neglected for over 60 years and there is no one in Government who seems to care. India is the only country in the world that treats its ex-servicemen as discarded ammunition,GOOD FOR NOTHING! UNFORTUNATE BUT TRUE!

Ex-servicemen want a life of respect and recognition. Ex-servicemen expect the Government and the nation to give them the due respect for having served the country with their blood and life.

Biggest loss to 98% of soldiers is that they are forced to retire at the young age of 38 to 40yrs (just because profile of Armed Forces must be kept young), whereas every other citizen of India has a right to work till 60 years of age and thus enjoys much higher pension. Just to give an example: two young men, with the same educational background, from a village take up a Government job, one joins Indian army as a sepoy and other joins as a police constable or clerk in Government dept. A soldier would be forced to retire (provided he survives at borders and extreme weather) at the age of 38 to 40yrs but his friend in other Government service will retain his job till 60 yrs of age even if he is medically unfit and then retire and earn pension. The major disadvantage which is forced on to soldier is that he experiences all hardships and at times sacrifices his life in call of duty but will still earn about Rs 40 lakhs less than his friend if they both survive till the age of 70 years.

The moot question is: why this indifference to a soldier who is ready to sacrifice his life for safety of country and countrymen? Is it not the responsibility of the citizens of this great country and the Government to take care of welfare of the brave soldier and his family when he is in active service and after his retirement and to look after his family after his sacrifice in line of duty? Alas!! It is not happening in India. The citizen and the Government are indifferent to the brave soldier and this neglect has brought the soldier to such penury that even the Honorable Supreme Court had commented that the Government of India is treating its soldiers/ ex-servicemen like beggars.

Ex-servicemen are disciplined by nature. They do not approve of any disruption to civil society and respect freedom of all citizens. Ex-servicemen approached the Government with their demands and problems peacefully. Government did not pay heed to the woes of Ex-servicemen. Ex-servicemen resented this ill treatment; they decided to agitate peacefully like any citizen of India. Ex-servicemen resorted to return of gallantry medals and submitted memorandums signed in their own blood. This resulted in a big hue and cry and poor state of ex-servicemen was reported in international press. This forced the UPA Government to accept the demand of Ex-servicemen and their most cherished demand of OROP was approved in the budget on 17 Feb 14.

NDA Government followed suit and also approved OROP in the budget presented on 10 June 14. OROP has been thus approved by two parliaments; it has become statute, was a personal commitment of PM Sh Narenedra Modi and was approved by all political parties of India. Ex-servicemen were elated that at last their dream of OROP would become a reality. Alas this was not to be so; their expectations were shattered when issuance of Government notification for OROP got stuck in bureaucratic quagmire. Government has failed to issue notification for the payment of OROP dues even after 10 months of its approval. An indicator of GOOD GOVERNANCE of NDA Government!!

Ex-servicemen got united and decided to resume their agitation from 3 Dec to 16 Dec 14 to remind the Government of their commitment and for early issuance of OROP notification. Thousands of Ex-servicemen and other ESM organizations vowed to join in the agitation. ESM UNITY WAS FORGED FOR OROP.

Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MP Rajya Sabha, then approached IESM and advised them to cancel the agitation and suggested that the Government be given more time to issue notification. IESM was not willing to cancel the plan of agitation. Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar then offered to arrange a meeting with Raksha Mantri to discuss the issue and understand RM’s thought process on OROP. IESM met hon’ble Raksha Mantri on 9 Dec 14. Raksha Mantri personally assured the delegation that he had understood the nuances and finer points of OROP. RM cleared his thought process on yearly increments in defence pension as defined in OROP. RM also brought out wide difference in the expenditure on account of OROP. IESM delegation made it clear to him that finance experts of MOD must have worked out the expenditure for OROP at the time of budget allocation. Expenditure on OROP should be same as estimated for the budget presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister. Bureaucrats are now inflating the figure only to confuse the issue and deny OROP to Armed Forces. RM assured the delegation that his mind is clear on OROP and implementation order for OROP would be out soon. IESM delegation expressed their fear to RM that bureaucrats would certainly attempt to insert commas and full stops to distort or dilute the definition of OROP. RM personally assured that he would not permit any dilution in the definition. IESM delegation came back reassured that the issue of OROP was in right hands and for the first time, in sixty years, Ex-servicemen felt that they would not be denied justice.

Their joy was short-lived, as RM in his interview with Head Lines Today on 16 Dec 14 shattered their hopes when he stated that it would not be possible to meet 100% satisfaction for OROP. He further stated that Government is likely to give 80% to 90% OROP to Ex-servicemen. This statement was a big reversal on his promise on OROP. Ex-servicemen are aghast on this statement and have decided to resume the agitation for pressing their demand for 100% OROP. Ex-servicemen ask only one question from citizen of India; would they approve if Armed Forces fight the enemy or terrorists with 80% efficiency? Armed Forces lost 527 martyrs and 1363 soldiers were seriously injured/maimed during Kargil war because they gave more than 100% under extremely hostile conditions and won the war in 1999 for motherland. Armed Forces lost many more comrades in terrorist actions because they always give more than 100%.  If India does not accept less than 100% efficiency from Armed Forces then why grant only 80% of OROP, this is beyond our comprehension. IESM requests Honorable RM not to fall in the trap of bureaucrats and grant 100% OROP at the earliest.

IESM has full faith in leadership of Hon’ble RM and expect that he would soon find a suitable solution to overrule the machinations of bureaucrats against OROP and Armed Forces of India. IESM expects Hon’ble RM to fulfill his commitments made to IESM and other ESM organizations.

IESM has received calls from thousands of veterans and many ESM organizations that they are willing to support the agitation planned by IESM to press for 100% satisfaction on OROP.

IESM is steadfast that OROP has only one definition. This definition has been approved by the Parliament and any deviation/ dilution would NOT be accepted in the definition of OROP.

IESM requests all Ex-servicemen and ESM organizations to join in a MAHA RALLY ON 1 FEB 15 SUNDAY AT JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI TO PRESS FOR FULL OROP AS PER APPROVED DEFINITION.

DEAR EX-SERVICEMEN, NOW IS THE TIME TO UNITE AND GET YOUR DEMANDS APPROVED. JOIN IESM MAHA RALLY ON 1 FEB 15 SUNDAY AT 1030 H AT JANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI IN LARGE NUMBERS TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT TAKES YOUR DEMANDS SERIOUSLY AND APPROVES THEM.

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM                                                        

Gen Sec IESM                                                                            

26 Dec 14

One-rank one-pension' scheme before next budget: Parrikar

Last Updated:Friday, December 26, 2014 - 16:54
Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that 'one-rank one-pension' policy would be implemented in the defence forces before the next budget.
"One-man one-pension policy will be implemented. We are right now working on its detailing," Parrikar said.
The implementation has lot of financial implications which are being worked out, he said.
"It has lot of financial implications. Details would be available only once we work it out," Parrikar said.
'One-rank, one-pension' policy means soldiers of the same rank and same length of service get the same pension irrespective of their retirement date.
 Parrikar said the announcement to implement the policy was made in the last budget.
"Now we will have to implement it. I have kept a target that it will be implemented before the next budget. My effort is to ensure that it should be implemented as soon as possible. My target is that it should not wait for the next budget," he said.
PTI
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/one-rank-one-pension-scheme-before-next-budget-parrikar_1520757.html 

IESM TO DEFENCE MINISTER

23 Dec 2014 

                                                           

Shri Manohar Parrikar
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri 
104, South Block 
New Delhi -110011

 

  NON IMPLEMENTATION OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

Dear Hon’ble Raksha Mantriji,

             IESM is grateful to you for granting us time on 09 Dec 2014 to discuss One Rank One Pension (OROP) with one of the stake holders, in spite of your busy schedule when Parliament is in session.

             You patiently heard our point of view on this issue which has been agitating Armed Forces Veterans since 1982. You showed your sincerity to view this issue from different angles which unfortunately landed in your lap. The definition of OROP has been succinctly brought out by the written answer given in hon’ble parliament by Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri on 02 Dec 2014. We felt now that there is no doubt in definition of OROP even in Central Government. So we felt your meeting is only to chalk out a road map for implementation of OROP.

             Since the definition is very simple to understand in that pre – 2014 pensioner of same rank with same length of service will get same pension as if he retired on 31 Mar 2014 and his pension is hiked on 01 Jul 2015, we were happy that Government letter for implementation may not take much time to be issued. We even offered services of knowledgeable Armed Forces veterans to help out CGDA in making tables for various ranks indicating pensions rank wise and length of service wise and arrive at arrears w.e.f. 01 Apr 2014.  Your reply to query posed by Col Vinay Thapar in The Headlines Today conclave that 100% satisfaction is not possible in real life has caused much consternation in the minds of veterans. We are getting anxious calls from veterans not only from India but also from those settled abroad on meaning of 80 to 95% of OROP.

               Sir, the Govt of India is already violating hon’ble Supreme Court judgment delivered in Maj Gen SPS Vains Vs Union of India where the  apex court has made unambiguous judgment that senior ranked veteran cannot get pension less than a his junior. Today a Maj Gen retired in 2005 gets lesser pension than a Brigadier retired in Nov 2014.

             The OROP stands sanctioned by the Govt.  It has to be implemented 100 percent as per the approved definition and the executive orders issued by the Govt.  Also there has been an assurance by the PM, RM on a number of occasions that actual OROP will be implemented.  Any dilution to the approved definition will not be OROP.

              May we, therefore request you to accept the DGL prepared by the Service HQs without any dilution and issue instructions for the implementation of OROP as assured by you within 30 days ie by 09 Jan 2015.  Sir, there is extreme pressure from the Ex Servicemen to start a countrywide agitation to get Justice.  They are getting restless since 10 months have passed when OROP was sanctioned on 17 Feb 2014, but its implementation has not been done till date.  We had held in- abeyance our planned agitation from 03 to 16 Dec 2014 after getting positive feedback that the Govt is likely to implement OROP soon.

             Sir, We have not understood why CGDA cannot consult Armed Forces Veterans on OROP like Ministry of Pensions, Personnel and Public Grievance does whenever any letter is issued affecting pensioners does. It appears, sir, you as Rakshma Mantri is very clear on OROP but it is the IDAS Officers in Min of Def who are found to be stumbling block trying to find out difficulties in arriving at Govt letter on implementation where there are no difficulties at all.

      Your discussion with Dr Subrahmanyam Swamy of BJP on 21 Dec 2014 where in you are reported to have said implementation after taking concerns of Ex-Servicemen is likely to be effected by budget session in Feb 2015 has left us wondering as to where is the delay now? If funds are the problem as you expressed to IESL delegation which met you on 10 Dec 2014, IESM has suggested mode of payment of arrears to widows first, PBOR second and Officers last.

            May we request you to expedite issue of Govt Notification for the implementation of OROP as per the approved definition and as per the DGL prepared by the Service HQs.

 

             With regards

  Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Chairman IESM
Mob: +919312404269, 0124-4110570
Email ID: satbirsm@gmail.com

Swamy raises one-rank one-pension issue with Parrikar

New Delhi: Seeking justice for ex-servicemen, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and raised the issue of one-rank one-pension.

He reminded Parrikar that the implementation of same-rank same-pension scheme was BJP's 2014 election promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the campaigning at Bhiwani.
In his speech at Bhiwani, Modi had stated that if BJP came to power after the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government would do justice to the ex-servicemen of the armed forces on the same rank-same pension issue.
One-rank, one-pension means soldiers of the same rank and the same length of service get the same pension, irrespective of their retirement date. For an example, a sepoy who retired in 1995 would get the same amount of pension as the one who retired in 1996.
According to Swamy, Parrikar told him that he is seized of the matter and is closely studying the issue with a view to finding a solution to the satisfaction of ex-servicemen.
The Defence Minister assured Swamy that an announcement on the issue of one-rank one-pension is expected to be made by the time of the Budget presentation in February next year.
The decision to implement the scheme was first announced by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the UPA government's interim Budget in February this year. Chidambaram had allocated Rs 500 crore for it.
The NDA government had allocated Rs 1000 crore for the scheme in its July Budget this year.
Besides one-rank one-pension scheme, Swamy also brought to Parrikar's notice some strategic issues regarding China's defence capacity.

SOURCE LINK:-http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/swamy-raises-one-rank-one-pension-issue-with-parrikar_1518598.html

BRIEFING ON MEETING WITH DM ON 1Oth DEC 2014

A special meeting was called by RM on 10 Dec 14 to which reps of 3 recognized Ex-servicemen Associations, including DIWAVE, were invited. The officials who attended the meeting included DG(PS), DGR, MD (ECHS), Secretary KSB, AFA, Joint CGDA and JS (ESW), in addition to RRM and Secy (ESW).

2.Stating that the primary focus of meeting was OROP, RM sought the  views of the Associations on the issue . We responded that the organization that is spearheading the issue is IESM who had already briefed him yesterday and that we had nothing more to add.

3. After listening to Lt Gen Balbir Singh, President IESL’s arguments, RM stated that the implementation of OROP was not in doubt as it was a solemn commitment of the Govt and BJP. The only question was of modalities for future increases i.e. dynamic adjustments or in slabs.  A view was expressed that while granting increments until end 2015, the 7^th CPC could be asked to give formula for future adjustments. On the question of expenditure figures, it was pointed out that whatever be the amount, it would not appear significant when compared with Rs.12500 crores as the cost of each DA installment which is twice a year. Also, a commitment is commitment, whatever be the cost.

4. After hearing pros and cons, RM indicated that he was in a better picture and that while he would not like to bind himself with a time frame, he is keen to take final decision as soon as possible.

5. Before the meeting ended, we did bring to RM’s attention 2 priority issues – a. Attitude and functioning of DESW and b. The dire need to reduce litigation by effecting 4-5 changes in current pension policies. It was decided that a small group comprising DIWAVE reps and DESW officials would discuss the issues and put up recommendations to RRM & RM. RM indicated that he would have no hesitation in withdrawing legal cases if so warranted. Also, by end Jan15 he would call another meeting on such issues.

3. With reference to some reports about Shri Harbans Singh, former Dir /JS Pensions likely to be brought back, we made it clear that such a step would be retrogressive, because of his anti-veteran approach and the fact the he alone was responsible for proliferating mindless litigation against the disabled and war widows. The point was taken note of.

Government should clarify stand on One Rank One Pension Scheme: Deepender Singh Hooda

A Congress member on Tuesday urged the government in the Lok Sabha to clarify its stand on the One-Rank One-Pension scheme and implement the same without delay.
Raising the issue, Deepender Singh Hooda alleged that some bureaucrats are trying to change the definition of One Rank One Pension (OROP) causing concern among 32 lakh ex-servicemen awaiting the scheme's implementation. "The government must clarify its stand at the earliest and must not delay in implementing the OROP scheme in the name of either falling into a bureaucratic trap or wanting to maintain the fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of the GDP," Hooda said.
It was estimated that implementation of the scheme, brought during the previous UPA rule, would cost about Rs 9,000 crore. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said there should be a discussion on implementation of One Rank Open Pension scheme
Source-click this link to read original text 

IESM MEETING WITH RM

IESM Delegation meets RM on 09 Dec 14

Dear Members

As you aware that IESM had planned agitation from 3 Dec to 16 Dec with a rally on 7 Dec and medal return on 16 Dec 14 to remind the Government to fulfill the promises made by BJP in their manifesto. Though many veterans advised to delay the agitation but IESM was steadfast to resume the agitation because undue delay in issuance of notification on OROP.

Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar met IESM delegation on 1 Dec 14 and advised IESM that he would be ready to work as conduit between Govt and IESM and will arrange a meeting with RM soon to discuss OROP and its implementation. Based on the assurances IESM decided to postpone the planned agitation and decided to give a chance to negotiations. IESM got some welcome messages from ex-servicemen and some rebuttals for postponing agitation. However GB IESM had taken this decision in light of some positive information given to them by Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar. IESM firmly believes that doors for consultations should never be closed.

A meeting was arranged by Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar MP Rajya Sabha for IESM delegation to meet Sh Manohar Parikarr Raksha Mantri at 1420h on 9 Dec 14. Maj Gen Satbir Singh Chairman and Gp Capt VK Gandhi Gen Sec IESM met Raksha Mantri at Parliament house. After initial introductions, We came straight to OROP and its implementation. Concept of OROP and its historical back ground was explained to him. He asked many questions to clear his doubts and these were satisfactorily answered. IESM very clearly explained the concept of yearly increments for pensioners and explained that without this OROP has no meaning. However once an ESM reaches top of his pay band he would not be entitled to further increments. This aspect was elaborately explained. Honorable RM also touched upon the differing figures of funds required to meet OROP. IESM delegation explained that this must have been worked out by the responsible officers in MOD at the time of approving OROP. However fig given by Army Hq seems to be more reasonable. Moreover this is not the task of IESM or ESMs to work out the figures. IESM stressed upon that definition of OROP is sacrosanct can not be diluted. It stands approved by Parliament.

The meeting lasted for 30 min and IESM delegation got a feeling that the thought process of RM was positive. RM did not make any negative comment or any serious objection about OROP and its implementation. IESM delegation explained to RM that ESMs are getting restless about this undue delay in issuance of notification of OROP. Government needs to issue notification without any delay preferably within this year. Though RM did not make any commitment but delegation is hopeful that Govt is likely to make announcement on OROP very soon may be within one month. This would a very good news for complete veteran family.

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM

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