ESM TO ESCALATE AGITATION FURTHER

 Dear veterans,

In continuation of its protest RHS by volunteers of UFESM at Jantar Mantar entered its thirty fifth day today. With simultaneous hunger strikes being undertaken from across the country. Today volunteers had come from Poonch & Jammu J&K leaving behind terror stricken families due to the situation on the LOC. A 35 member delegation too came from Chandigarh under Brigadier Khosa. Sitting on the RHS were a total of 75 volunteers with 13 officers. A large contingent from the Sikh Regiment was representative of the increasing participation.

The generous contribution to the cause both in cash and kind, e.g. supply of breakfast and drinking water and the steady stream of volunteers on a daily basis continues to ensure that the protest is here for a very long time indeed. Notwithstanding appreciations being made by certain agencies hovering around the area of protest as also failed efforts by a certain section of individuals to somehow get this called off including illegally and in connivance of lowly placed officials of sealing the only operative bank account for management of funds.

In furtherance of the decision taken by the "Advisory Committee" of UFESM, as also announced at the press conference of 14 Jul the extended deadline to the Government ends on 22 Jul. In view of which the next step towards escalation will commence on 23 Jul. The details of the same will be communicated before that.

A Kargil Vijay Diwas Run for OROP is being planned to be undertaken on 26 Jul, with Blade Runner Maj DP Singh, in the lead and the event  to be graced by Hav Anna Hazare. Details of the event will be communicated by all means for greater participation by society to show solidarity with the veterans. 

Col Anil Kaul, VrC

Media Advisor

 DETAILS OF BANGALORE RALLY
Ex-Sgt M Prabhakaran Reports from Bangalore

Ex-servicemen staging a protest in front of Town Hall demanding implementation of the one-rank-one-pension scheme on Sunday |

 The second rally of Bangalore veterans in demand of immediate implementation of OROP and in support of the ongoing agitation at Jantar Mandir commenced sharp at
10 am today, infront of the imposing Bangalore Town Hall. More than 1500 veterans and about 25 ladies and widows were in attendance holding placards like, " We seek justice; we demand OROP."

The full contingent of both print and visual media of Bangalore were present to cover the rally. Thanks to the press meet that we held on 17th at Bangalore press club.

Lt. Gen. Ravindranath (Retd) GOC-IN-C, Eastern Army Command, Air Marshal. KA Lewis, AVM PK Murali, Lt. Gen. PG Kamath and Sgt. M.Prabhakaran addressed the rally. All the speakers expressed their support and solidarity with all veterans who are on continuous agitation from 14th June 2015 onwards at Jantar Mandir, Delhi.

All speakers invariably talked in terms of escalating the agitation. There was a demand for resorting to direct action like Rail, Road and Goods roko. The intention and commitment of our political class was questioned.

I on behalf of AFVAI have raised the following points in my address:-

1. We must involve civil society leaders and general public in support of our demand for OROP and our agitation;
2. We should condemn people like Sunil Jain, who wrote an insensitive article against grant of OROP for XSM.
3. The current PM who was then the CM Gujarat , despatched a team of Gujarat police without even getting the permission of Karnataka government simply because of a request from an young Gujarati woman from Bengaluru. But he has no courtesy or time to visit or depute his DM to meet that innocent looking young widow whose husband Sepoy Hemraj was slain by Pakistanis, when she was sitting on hunger strike at JM in demand of OROP.
4. We must work towards publishing full page ad in all leading newspapers of this country by mobilizing funds from XSM in order to enlist the support of general public.

The speech was well received by the participants of the rally. We could also collect about Rs.70000/- during the rally to meet the expenditure.

The rally was quite impressive and we hope that the noise made in Bangalore rally will be heard in the corridors of power at New Delhi and move this unrelenting government to issue OROP orders without any further delay.
Jai Jawan!        Long live AFVAI!!

Sgt. M PRABHAKARAN
Bangalore.

Dear Veterans,
 UFESM announces the conduct of the "KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS RUN FOR OROP" as our way of celebrating this day by veterans and civil society alike on 26 July 2015. It will also be STEP 1 in the escalation of the on going protest. 

 

The run will commence at 5.45 AM from DSOI DHAULA KUAN and terminate at Jantar Mantar venue of the relay hunger strike by ESM. (Participants to assemble by 5.00 AM). 

Route. : - DSOI DK-11 MURTI- 3 MURTI - TEEN MURTI MARG- AKBAR ROAD- ef- RAJPATH- INDIA GATE (AMAR JAWAN JYOTI) -RAJEEV CHOWK- JANTAR MANTAR rhs site. 

The run will be led by The Indian Army Blade Runner "Maj DP Singh" a veteran himself in his own right. Permission and security will be provided by Delhi Police along the route. Refreshments and medical aid is being catered for. All participants will be given commemorative t-shirts and caps on a first come-first served basis. internal administrative instructions will be issued seperately.

UFESM would like to request all segments of civil society as also media houses to propogate this message and join the veterans in a show of solidarity by participating and covering the event in large numbers, Especially as a homage for those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

Notwithstanding the above RHS continues. Over 35 volunteers observed hunger strike, A spectator number of 200 were present. Effigies of the PM were burnt in Ambala and police did not allow ESM to accost Mr Nitin Gadkari with Black flags at Ambala.

 It is reliablely learnt that 45 MP's led by Mr Dereck O'Brien would visit RHS at JM tomorrow 21 Jul 2015.

Col Anil Kaul, VrC

Media Advisor 

UFESM

CAUTION ? PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

 Ex-soldiers burn effigies of PM, FM, Defence Minister for OROP delay

Ex-servicemen burns an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension scheme at the Dasehra Ground in Mohali on Monday. A Tribune photograph

REPORTS FROM JM ON18/07/2015 WHEN THE HS ENTERS THE 34th DAY

Dear Veterans,

Today is 34 day of RHS at JM. The mood is upbeat and morale is sky high. Jathas after Jathas are coming from all over India for observing RHS and to fight against injustice heaped on ESM. ESM from Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bhopal, Mangalore, Reva, Bhopal, Chhindwara, all dist of Punjab and Haryana, HP, Uttar Khand, Jammu and Kashmir, UP, Bihar and even WB have participated in RHS. Supporters have come from all states to raise morale of ESM on RHS and organisers. ON AN AVERAGE MORE THAN 30 ESM ARE OBSERVING RHS EVERYDAY. ON SOME DAYS WE HAD MORE THAN 100 ESM ON RHS.

Organisers morale is high because veterans are contributing with large heart for the agitation and to offset the expenditure of agitation. It is for information of all that on an average exp at the venue is around Rs 25000/ per day. Full account of donations received and expected expenditure will be put on net in a day or two. 

Some veterans who have never shown their face at JM and have never helped in administration and who are working on behest of forces inimical to success of OROP are spreading unpleasant information of happenings at JM. We request all veterans to be careful and give them a suitable reply by coming to JM in large numbers and see the upbeat mood of organisers and ESM observing fast. This will give you real time situation at JM. 

RHS is becoming stronger as the days go by, resolve of organisers and participants is hardening and they will not stop this agitation till OROP letter is issued.

UFESM have only one complaint with ESM in NCR (Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon) that they are not participating and are not even coming to support the ESM on RHS. Friends One can not achieve OROP by sitting in drawing rooms and criticizing the agitation. This trend of thinking that if OROP will come we will also get it, why go to JM in this humid and hot weather, does not behove a soldier. For your information Intelligence bureau man sits at JM every day on duty and he has commented that ESM population in NCR region is more than 2 lacs then why strength at JM does not not cross even 100 at times. He is sending IB report with pictures thrice a day. Friends we can not get OROP by staying at home, we will have to take trouble of leaving air conditioned comfort of home and come to JM to support and show solidarity with fasting ESMs. This will send a strong message to North and South block and only then they will agree to clear OROP. 

 IF YOU WANT OROP THEN COME TO JANTAR MANTAR IN LARGE NUMBERS TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH FASTING ESMs

Veteran Anna Hazare has given his consent to come from Ralegaon Maharashtra to come in support of the agitating ESM at JM on 26 July but our friends at Noida, Delhi and Gurgaon can not find time to come to JM or should I say that they are too lazy to venture out in this heat.

UFESM REQUESTS DELHIETS, NOIDAIETS AND GURGAON RESIDENTS TO PLEASE COME TO JM IN LARGE NUMBERS EVERY DAY. 

YOU WILL BE SURPRISED LAWYERS FROM DELHI BAR ASSOCIATION, COLLEGE STUDENTS AND OUR CIVIL FRIENDS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN RHS AT JM, ONLY MY FRIENDS FROM NOIDA, DELHI AND GURGAON ARE FEELING SHY OF SHOWING THEIR FACE AT JM AND STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH FASTING ESM AND ORGANISERS. 

Regards

Gen Satbir Singh

ADVISER UFESM

Presence of Military Veterans & their spouses

is requested at

Ex-Servicemen Rally for OROP

 10 AM-12 Noon on Sunday, 

19 July 2015

 

at Town Hall

At the Junction of SJP Road and JC Road

Please come with Cap, Medals and Identity Card

 M PRABHAKARAN, KARNATAKA STATE CONVENOR. AFVAI, 9880016240

BANGALORE RALLY-II ON 19th July 2015 (Sunday)

Dear veterans,
It is really painful to note that inspite of we being on agitation mode for the past 30 days commencing with "Mahasangram Rally" at Jantar Mantar and at different cities including Bangalore on 14th June 2015 and the ongoing relay hunger strike at JM, the GOI seems unmoved and unrelenting in solving the long pending issue of  OROP.
Therefore it is now necessary that all XSM residing at every nook and corner of this country to come out and protest in whatever possible manner and force the GOI to implement the OROP immediately. Such country wide agitations would also strengthen the hands of veterans who are on continuous agitation at Jantar Mandir, New Delhi. Further this would also send a clear message to the GOI that we are united and together in our demand and agitation therefor. From East to West and from North to South, be an officer, JCO or NCO, we do or die together in our battle for OROP exactly in the same spirit with which we defeated our enemy during 1971 and Kargil wars.

DATE : SUNDAY, 19th JUL 2015
TIME : 10.00 AM ONWARDS
VENUE: TOWN HALL
Sgt M Prabhakaran 

The Champion's of so called nationalism, open your eyes before it is too late

BANGALORE RALLY-II ON 19th July 2015 (Sunday)   Dear veterans,

It is really painful to note that inspite of we being on agitation mode for the past 30 days commencing with "Mahasangram Rally" at Jantar Mantar and at different cities including Bangalore on 14th June 2015 and the ongoing relay hunger strike at JM, the GOI seems unmoved and unrelenting in solving the long pending issue of  OROP.
Therefore it is now necessary that all XSM residing at every nook and corner of this country to come out and protest in whatever possible manner and force the GOI to implement the OROP immediately. Such country wide agitations would also strengthen the hands of veterans who are on continuous agitation at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Further this would also send a clear message to the GOI that we are united and together in our demand and agitation therefor. From East to West and from North to South, be an officer, JCO or NCO, we do or die together in our battle for OROP exactly in the same spirit with which we defeated our enemy during 1971 and Kargil wars.

In consonance  with this. the Bangalore veterans represented by various associations jointly are holding a rally jointly co-ordinated by AFVAI, IESM and MVI, as per the details given below:-

DATE : SUNDAY, 19th JUL 2015
TIME : 10.00 AM ONWARDS
VENUE: TOWN HALL

All  Veterans from Bangalore & near by districts of Karnataka are requested to participate along with their families positively and make the rally a grand success!

Ex-Sgt M Prabhakaran(Convener) Mob.9880016240

Veterans of the June 1971 batch of the IMA protest in New Delhi on Saturday.

Tribune News Bathinda, July 8   

Traffic on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway was hit as ex-servicemen today blocked the highway
SC VERDICT FOR IMPLEMENTAION OF OROP IS ONLY FOR Maj Gen & NOT FOR OTHER VETERANS

NEW DELHI: A group of 254 major generals has decided to reject the grant of one-rank one-pension unless it is accorded across all ranks, after the Centre assured its implementation in the apex court.
In 2010, the government moved the Supreme court after the Armed forces tribunal ruled in favor of granting OROP to the major generals who approached the body.
On Wednesday, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand told the court that the centre will grant OROP to the petitioners in three-four days. Col (Retd) Devendar Bahl, spokesman for the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, said if the Centre implements OROP only to the major generals, it will open the floodgates of litigation.
Others also raised concerns. "The one-rank one-pension scheme is for all, starting from a sepoy to the senior most general. Creating such divisions will be dangerous for national security in the long run," Maj Gen Satbir Singh, one of the petitioners and chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, told ET.
The implementation of OROP for all services along with the case of major generals must go hand in hand, organisations representing ex-servicemen said. 
 http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

 

Anna Hazare jumps in support of OROP scheme, says it's a 'fair demand'

Anna Hazare to Launch Stir Over One Rank One Pension and Land Acquisition Bill All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: July 08, 2015 00:22 IST

Mumbai:  Social activist Anna Hazare on tuesday said a countrywide agitation will be launched over the issues of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and the Land Acquisition Bill. "I will inform you about the date of the agitation in my next letter to you," Hazare said in a letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We have to take care of our soldiers and farmers. Making hollow announcements for their welfare and actually implementing them are different things," Mr Hazare stated in his letter. In a democracy, the government should listen to woes of the people, Mr Hazare said. "I wish to reiterate that my agitation is not political," Mr Hazare's letter stated. First Published: July 08, 2015 00:22 IST  Source Link ;http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/anna-hazare-to-launch-stir-over-one-rank-one-pension/

 OROP unlikely to get implement in Parliament's monsoon session

LUCKNOW: The much hyped and much talked about BJP's election promise of implementing One Rank, One Pension may not see the light of the day, at least in the coming Monsoon session of the Parliament, which would commence on July 21. Replying to specific questions about the implementation of the OROP, Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar, said, "Since issues like this (OROP) involve more than one ministry, hence there cannot be any time-frame for its implementation." However, Parrikar reiterated the Centre's commitment for the speedy implementation of the OROP. Addressing reporters on the sidelines of an orientation programme for elected members of Cantoment Boards (Central Command), Parrikar said, "Our commitment to implement the OROP remains intact. I cleared the file as soon as it came to my notice. However, since other ministries are involved, hence it is taking sometime. But, I assure you that the issue would be effectively addressed." Earlier in Delhi, Parrikar had said, "There will be good news soon." Ex-servicemen have been protesting since June 14 to press for the implementation of One Rank, One Pension. Currently, the pension of retired personnel is based on the pay commission recommendations in force at the time of their retirement. This leads to a difference in pensions for officers of the same rank who retire on different dates. With One Rank, One Pension, those who retired earlier will draw the same pension as officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now. They would also be entitled to a year's back pensions at the new rate, which would be a windfall for pensioners. The system will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen, and is expected to cost the government around Rs 8,500 crore.

DESPARATE SOLDIERS ARE ON THE WAR FOOT

Exclusive: Narendra Modi has betrayed the very trust of us soldiers: Army General on OROP

by Janta Ka Reporter

Written by Janta Ka Reporter

By Rifat Jawaid   India’s army veterans have blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for betraying the men in uniform by not fulfilling his promises over One Rank One Pension. Retired soldiers have been on a relay hunger strike for over a month demanding that the OROP is implemented without further delay. Speaking exclusively to Jantakareporter.com, Major General Satbir (retired) said that PM Modi on 15 September 2014 in Rewari had assured that he will grant OROP “the moment government is formed.” He said, “But he’s (Modi) betrayed the very trust of us soldiers. So, in all my hosho hawaas (consciousness), I have no hesitation in saying that Mr Modi is responsible for causing injuries to hearts and minds of the soldiers of this country called Bharat. ”

  They call themsleves nationalists. If they were nationalists, they will honour the commitment made to the soldiers. Let Mr Modi come on TV to say that he doesn’t have money to pay to the soldiers, we will finish our agitation. But has he guts to say that to the country?” In an extraordinary development, as many as 11 Generals sat on hunger strike on Saturday with their demands on OROP. They were joined by 15 more Generals  that included five Lt Generals, one Admiral of Indian Navy and 10 Major Generals on Sunday. Maj General Satbir said that the soldiers were determined to take their fight to its logical end adding that “we don’t leave the battlefield until we’ve either won or lost, or we are POWs or we’ve captured.” He said, “Military training has taught us to finish our task. There’s no middle ground. 
It’s not a fight against the government. It’s a fight against injustice. 15 months time delay is unacceptable. We are hurt, we are angry with our prime minister, angry to the core. He’s gone back on his assurance. If his finance minister is not delivering, he should haul him up and tell him to clear the Rs 8300 crores. File is lying with the FM since 17 March 2015.” 

 The Generals were invited by the defence minister Manohar Parriker after the Army Chief General Suhag and the Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar reportedly intervened and facilitated the minister’s meeting with the protesting army veterans. Parriker has agreed to meet them again early next week. Maj Gen Satbir said that there were 6,75,000 widows of the defence forces and over 24 lakh retired officers adding that “these thirty lakh believed in Modi, who betrayed them spectacularly.”