TEXT OF THE APPEAL MADE BY CHAIRMAN  IESM TO  SECRETARY ESM. WELFARE MR.SAMIRENDRA CHATTERJEE

Dear Colleagues,

          In pursuance of our efforts to seek justice for the ESM community I met Secretary ESW Mr Samirendra Chatterjee today. The main purpose was to check progress of the projected case of widows’ pension enhancement but the discussion covered a wider canvas. The issues covered were:

Widows' Pension. Having seen it past the MoD and MoD (Finance), the proposal was sent to the Finance Ministry. The latter queried whether it would generate a similar demand from civilian widow pensioners. It has now been sent to Pension & Welfare Department (dealing with civil pensions) for comments. Mr Chatterjee confirmed that apart from having sent an official note, he would personally speak to his counterpart Secy concerned to give a ‘no objection’ noting on the file. I stressed that the widows are getting impatient and are likely to renew their demand to take a large delegation to Mrs Sonia Gandhi. He said he would get it done in a week’s time further adding that he would ask the Defence Minister to intervene and speak to the Finance Minister on the issue. I am to contact the Secretary ESW again end of next week

OROP. He echoed the Defence Minister’s line that they would move towards it gradually. I underscored the fact that whatever further enhancement they give would be welcome but would not satisfy the veterans and they would continue their struggle till OROP as a concept is implemented.

Filing repeated appeals against Court Judgments. He confirmed that he would examine each case objectively and not have appeals filed as a routine.

Non-implementation of Supreme Court Judgments.This was highlighted by me with specific examples. Inter alia the most notable judgment of Rank Pay case that is again coming up for hearing on 21 Mar 2012 was underscored by me; he is apparently not aware of it. He promised to take stock after the next date of hearing.

Major’s Pension vis-à-vis a Lt Colonel’s.He agreed that the gap is wide and that the number of Majors affected is relatively small and that it is a one-time measure.  He appeared keen to find a solution.

 

·Poor functioning of PCDA Allahabad. I showed him a concrete example where a letter sent by a Records Office in November 2010 remains unacknowledged till date, despite a reminder in June 2011.  He promised to have a meeting with CGDA where PCDA will also be called to alleviate matters. 

·The non-issue of Annexure IV by Banks The pension paying banks are callous and are not issuing the Annexure IV where disbursements can be matched with entitlement. He promised to have a meeting with Banking Secretary where the point would be stressed and erring banks would be asked to pay penalty.

 

Later in the day Gen Satbir and I also had a meeting with the Army Quarter Master General on the  subject of Canteens. While Satbir will disseminate fuller details, broadly following points formed the agenda:

 

·        Supply of cars through CSD – a change in procedure seems the only solution.

·        Non-availability of latest models/brands in the canteens.

·        Facility of mobile canteens in rural areas.

·   Inadequate space and poor availability of conveniences/facilities in canteens in general.  

While apprising us of the efforts being made by all including the Army Chief to improve the situation, he also submitted that there is increasing number of reports of misuse of the facility by us as users. He cited a concrete case where in five users had given their CSD cards to civilians in return of Rs 500 each. While we asserted that some misuse exists in every scheme and it should not harm the majority of honest users, there is a need for of us to introspect and impress on the environment to be more punctilious in this regard.

Best regards,

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Chairman IESM

262, Sector - 17A

Gurgaon - 122 001

NOTE: The following points also may be taken up in future.

1.     Denial of dual family pension to the eligible widows.

2.     Speeding up the implementation of various AFT judgments.

3.     The deteriorating working condition of a number of ECHS polyclinics across the country.

4.     Delayed payment of bills to empanelled hospitals causing great concern.  Many good hospitals are withdrawing from the scheme.

5.     Mobile ECHS Polyclinics may be proposed to help the ex-servicemen living in remote rural areas.

6.     All Record Offices to be provided with email facilities to communicate fast with veterans problems.

ALL EX-SERVICEMEN JOIN IESM

AND MAKE IT STRONG.