Historic Press Release - Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM

HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE 29 APR, 2016

JANTAR MANTAR

1.   Dear Countrymen today we take the privilege of sharing our
journey from 1982, when the torch was lit for the first time by Col
Inderjit Singh to raise our voice for the rights of ESM which were
very unfairly snatched away from us in 1973. The crowning glory was
the start of movement on 14 June, 2015 at Jantar Mantar where Gen
Satbir, Gen Balbir and Col Inderjit emerged as the new stars on the
horizon of UFESM as galvanizing force to spread the movement to every
corner of the world.  The entire nation stood behind us in our fair
and just demands and we are grateful to the present Govt which has
implemented OROP though in a diluted form after 42 years of struggle.

2.       We have already sent our representation to address the
anomalies arising in the implementation of OROP to Justice Reddy
Committee on 25 Mar 2016 through the Hon’ble RM.  This is in response
to the discussion held by RM with the ESM representatives on 14 Mar
2016.  Justice Reddy Committee is scheduled to submit its
recommendations by 15 June 2016.  As already informed to you all, we
have brought out the following anomalies in the Implementation of
OROP:-

·     Equalization of Pensions as per the original approved definition
be carried out every year instead of 5 years as per the Govt
Notification dated 07 Nov 2015.

·     Pensions are to be fixed at maximum of the Rank and year of
service in the year instead of Average of Max and Min.

·     Since the OROP is being implemented with effect from 01 Jul
2014, the base year should be 2014-2015 instead of Average of 2013.

·     OROP should be implemented with effect from 01 Apr 2014 as
mentioned in the Executive Order of the Govt dated 26 Feb 2014 instead
of 01 Jul 2014.

·     There are serious inaccuracies in the construction of Tables
issued on 03.02.2016 for the fixation of pensioners.  The details of
inaccuracies have been brought to the Notice of Service HQs with
request to forward the same to Justice Reddy Committee.  We understand
from the Service HQs that these inaccuracies have been brought to the
notice of MoD.

·     Approved definition of OROP has been given out in the Govt.
Executive Order dated 26 Feb 2014. But it has been changed while
transmitting to Reddy Committee, which totally destroys the soul of
the OROP.  This approved definition has been confirmed by Minister of
State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in the Parliament on 02 Dec 2014
and is in line which the Recommendations of Koshyari Committee.  The
salient point of the Govt Executive Orders and the approved definition
of OROP vide Govt of India In of Def  Letter No. 12
(01)/2014/D(Pen/Pol) dated 26 Feb 2014 are as under :-

(i)      Finance Minister in his Interim Budget Speech on 17th
February 2014 announced that the Government has accepted the principle
of One Rank One Pension for the defence forces.  In pursuance of this
Budget announcement and the decision taken in the meeting chaired by
Hon’ble  Raksha Mantri on 26.02.2014, It has been decided to implement
the  principle  of One Rank One Pension for all ranks  of defence
forces prospectively from the financial year 2014-15.

(ii)   It  was noted that “One Rank One Pension (OROP) 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”

3.       However, the Govt through its Notification dated 07 Nov 2015,
has changed the above approved definition which totally destroys the
soul of the OROP.  We have already written to RM for the restoration
of original definition Justice Reddy has been requested to recommend
the restoration of the original approved definition.  The amended
definition in fact kills the very concept of OROP which is to be
applicable in perpetuity.

4.       We will shortly be impleading in the ongoing OROP case of Maj
Gen SPS Vains Vs others and Union of India in the SC for all ranks.
Senior Advocate Shri Ram Jeth Malani has very kindly consented to
fight our case of implementation of Actual OROP for all ranks
pro-bono.

5.       We are also filing the following cases in AFT RK Puram New Delhi:-

          (a)     Grant of pension equal to regular ranks for Hony
ranks awarded to ESM on retirement or after retirement.

          (b)     Broad banding of disability pension.

          (c)      Arrears upto 2006 for all JCOs/OR.

          (d)     Reservist Pension should be increased.

6.       The Print and Electronic Media has blacked out any new about
our ongoing OROP Agitation.  We have already brought to the Notice of
Information Minister Mr. Jaitley and requested him to issue suitable
directions to ensure free and fair media coverage of our Activities of
our Movement.

7.       There are serious and large numbers of Anomalies in the
recommendations of 7the CPC.  If the recommendations are approved in
the present form, it will furthers degrade and downgrade the
profession of Defence Forces.  The Review Committee constituted by the
Govt does not have any member from the Defence Forces.  Even the BSF
has got their member included. The three chiefs have jointly
represented to the Govt and brought out 36 Anomalies in the
Recommendations of 7th CPC.  We the Ex-Servicemen fully support the
views of our three Services Chiefs and would struggle to get our due
Justice.  The  degradation,  down gradation,  ill-treatment and
mistreatment of Military in  status, pay pension  and allowances have
to  stop  and the status of Defence Forces in all respects as it
existed on 26 Jan 1950 needs to be restored at the earliest.  We will
jointly and unitedly struggle to get Izzat and Insaf for the solders.

8.       We would request our Hon’ble PM & RM and the six MPs from the
Defence Fraternity to assist in Restoring the Izzat of the Soldiers”.
“Do we respect our Soldiers”? Discussion needs to be taken to every
nook and corner of the country on all forums to grant the due priority
to the “Profession of Arms” and the “Security of the Nation.”  Our
representatives in the Parliament must debate on the issue and restore
the status of Armed Forces in all respects to the 26 Jan 1950 level.

9.  We strongly feel that the Political Parties and the Govts of the
day did not pay any attention to the Defence Forces since they thought
that we, both serving and retired are spread across the Country and do
not use our Vote Power.  This thought had a lot to do with the neglect
of defence personnel by the Political Parties.

10. We now, understand power of Vote and have carried out study and
research across the country in various states.  The study reveals that
we have direct influence of over 6 crores Votes and our capability of
opinion making is so large in villages and Tehsils that we could
influence another 4 crores indirectly. This large no of voting
strength can affect the election outcome of at-least 150 Parliamentary
Constituencies and over 450 State Assembly Constituencies across the
country.

11.  We have decided to use this “Power of Votes” in all Election in
the States and Centre.  We request all members of the Sainik Samaj to
understand and use this “Power of Votes” for the interest and benefit
of Sainik Samaj in the coming State elections.

12.  We will soon be focusing on this important factor to restore our
status in all respects. ESM in various states who have the interest
should come forward and fight elections from Panchyat to Parliament.

13.  As a goodwill gesture, we are removing the wrongly perceived “Gun
on the Head” of the decision makers in the Govt and unilaterally,
suspending the activity of Relay Hunger Strike temporarily at Jantar
Mantar and at other locations in the Country with immediate effect.
We request our Hon’ble PM and RM to kindly consider and resolve the
anomalies in the implementation of OROP at the earliest please.

With regards,

          Yours Sincerely,

              Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen & Chairman IESM