Delegation Meets Finance Minister
1. On 03 Jan 2016, Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Chairman
IESM and Advisor UFESM, along with more than 200 Sainiks and Veer Naris,
representing eight states, staged a peaceful and dignified Dharna in front of
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s residence.
2. The positive response received from Mr Jaitley was
much appreciated by the Sainiks and Veer Naris.
3. In the gigantic rally held at Jantar Mantar, New
Delhi, on 13 Dec 2015, it was unanimously decided to give 15 days’ mediation
time, extendable by max another seven days, to the Govt to resolve the OROP
impasse. Yesterday this period ended.
4. As there was no progress during the period, it was
decided to escalate by resorting to certain direct actions. To honor our
commitment to the Sainiks and Veer Naris a peaceful and dignified protest was
staged in front of the residence of Honorable Finance Minister of India Mr Arun
Jaitley. Sainiks had come from eight states, most of them from Punjab, Haryana,
Delhi, Himachal, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, to participate
in the protest.
They were prepared to rough it out for days together if contingency so arose, but such contingency did not arise.
5. Our peaceful and dignified protest elicited
positive response from the FM. Following points were discussed in a very
congenial environment -
a) OROP granted after 43 years is appreciated but
unfortunately, notification issued totally destroys the approved definition by
two Houses of the Parliament.
b) There
was no need to appoint the One-man Commission.
c) Review should be every year and not after five
years.
d) Fixation
should be at top of the scale and not average of calendar year.
e) Similarly,
other anomalies as pointed out to Govt in various letters were discussed. Subsequently
duly framed memorandum was handed over to the Finance Minister. Memorandum
highlights lowering of the morale of the defense forces because of
Implementation of lame duck OROP.
6. FM listened to all the points with a positive
mind and assured the delegation that he will discuss the matter with Defense
Minister to resolve the issue.
7. May Gen Satbir Singh also politely put across the
point to Mr Jaitley as Minister of Info and Broadcasting that probably Media
has instruction from the Ministry not to cover OROP since 12 Sep 2015. Mr
Jaitley promised to address the issue.
Homage
to Martyrs
8. ESM pays heart rending and soul stirring homage to
martyrs of Pathankot. UFESM has also decided to pay homage to these
martyrs on 05 Jan 2016 at India Gate Amar Jawan Jyoti. We make a
humble request to all the citizens of the nation (including serving soldiers
and their families) to join us.
Relay Hunger Strike
9. Relay Hunger Strike entered the 203rd Days.
There was record crowd at Jantar Mantar today.
Sainiks on Dharna infront of residence
of the Finance Minister
of the Finance Minister
In Front Row is Mrs Sudesh Goyat,
wife of
Ex AMC Maj, The Iron Lady of OROP,
who has completed over
130 days of fast at Jantar Mantar.
who has completed over
130 days of fast at Jantar Mantar.
Some of the Lady Protestors
outside residence of FM
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