IESM: Pension Parity delayed, diluted and denied

Dear Colleagues,
Just to recapitulate, the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee had made seven recommendations. Out of these the main one that affected some 12 lac ESM was at Serial (i) and it read ‘To bring pre 10.10.1997 PBOR pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 pensioners’. The government machinery had been taking unreasonably long in implementing it. As reported in the Press, the government orders for its implementation have now been issued on 08 Mar 2010. Any statement made in the Parliament earlier in the week, claiming that it had been effected, did not fit facts.

OROP has still not been granted. The IESM will therefore, continue with its struggle to keep the pressure on the government. The next action of depositing medals on 14 March 2010 will continue as planned, despite some motivated reports that it might be called off.

The benefits announced by the government though short of our main demand, are a welcome development for the pre 2006 JCOs, NCOs and men. This has been possible and OROP has come on the national radar screen, primarily due the notable efforts and contribution made by the following:

All the ESM who have been toiling relentlessly to keep the heat on.

All the media, politicians and others for pursuing our interests. This includes Mr LK Advani, who pushed for OROP in the discussion in the House, Mr Tarlochan Singh, MP (Independent) who raised the question in Rajya Sabha and took on the RM in debate on 5 March 2010, Mr Rajiv Chandrasekhar, MP who has consistently supported the IESM and who is all set for making a Special Mention of OROP in the Rajya Sabha.

The IESM is determined to continue its fight for justice. However, we have to be mindful of the fact that for us means are no less important than the end. We must avoid resort to methods for which our successors may have to avoid looking the society straight in the eye.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM