memorundum to political parties - demands march
TRANSCRIPT
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
M/VFD/02 11 Mar 2012
MEMORUNDUM
DEMANDS OF RETIRED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF ARMED FORCES AND WAR WIDOWS
State has been denying the constitutional rights as assured under Articles 14 (Equality before law),
15 (1) (Prohibition of discrimination) and 16 (1) (Equality of opportunity in matters of public
employment) of our constitution to the retired officers, soldiers and war widows (veterans) of our
armed forces. As the constitutional rights of the serving officers and soldiers to form a union or
association have been further restricted they feel constrained to put across their genuine grievances
to the govt. The offices of chiefs of Army, Naval and Air are in no position either to aggressively
pursue these grievances with the Govt. The newly created Dept of Resettlement and welfare of ex-
servicemen in MOD doesn’t have statutory sanctions or authority to address these issues. Unlike
foreign democracies there is no separate standing committee of parliament to take up the burning
issues related to almost 24 lakhs ex-servicemen and war widows. Finding no way out, ex-servicemen
has taken this new initiative of forming an independent political front without any affiliation to any
political party and ideology (except constitution) to highlight their plights directly at a political level
to prevent their exploitation, discrimination and denial of constitutional rights by the state.
This memorandum of demands of retired officers, soldiers and war widows therefore is submitted
herewith for grant of justice to them. We feel that the problem needs a political attention at the
highest levels to address the grievances. It may be appreciated that rising awareness led frustration
among the ex-servicemen is not a healthy sign for the progress of our nation. The fact is that these
people can be meaningfully re-employed by the state for nation building. Towards this end the
demands of ex-servicemen and war widows are given in the succeeding paragraphs. Some more
demands to bring administrative and legal justice reforms are submitted as the same are related to
the security and safety of the country which has a direct bearing on the lives of the ex-servicemen
either as reservist or otherwise as citizens.
1. Assured Job Security and employement opportunties up to 60 years of age. It is the
responsibility of the state to treat its all employee fairly and without any discrimination. Almost
60000 officers and soldiers retire every year. They do not have assured job or employment
security. Unlike civil govt employees who retire at the age of 60 years with assured job security,
officers and soldiers of armed forces due to the nature of job are made to retire at a very young
age with 50% or fewer pensions or no pension in case of Short Service Commissioned and
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
women officers. At a very young age when the children are grown up and the responsibilities
and requirement of money are increasing, they are dumped by the govt without any care to fend
for themselves. Comparing a civil govt employee due to early compulsive retirement, a soldier
gets 2-3 times less monetary intakes and lesser pension in his entire life span. The act of govt if
seen in the backdrop of guarantee of certain constitutional rights as mentioned above amounts
to discrimination, exploitation and denial of rights of ex-servicemen and war widows. We
demand that such discrimination and exploitation of officers and soldiers by the state shall cease
and they should be:
a. Assured job security in accordance with their skills and experience up to 60 years of age
like any other civil govt employee and if not given job than
b. Incentivise employment opportunities outside govt in private and public sector and help
them to start their own business by capacity building in more meaningful way for those
who are not in position to take the govt jobs due to various reasons. Some of the
incentive schemes as proposed are as attached with this memorandum as annexure 1.
2. Assured Job to dependent of officers and soldiers in case of death while in service. If a civil
govt employee dies while in service, their one of the dependent is given assured job by the govt.
The same privilege is not extended to the officers and soldiers of the armed forces. This act of
govt if seen in the backdrop of guarantee of certain rights in our constitution also amounts to
discrimination, exploitation and denial of rights. We submit that such discrimination and
exploitation of officers, soldiers and war widows by the state shall cease and their one of the
dependent should be assured job in any of the Govt Department, in case the officer or the
soldier dies while in service. In case the dependent is not in position to take up job then he shall
be given an assured offer of opportunities in form of incentives at explained above.
3. Assured Job Security to Short Serives and woman officer as per their position and length of
service When the provisions of short service commissioned officers along with emergency
commissioned officers were made, in principle it was decided that these officers will be
absorbed in other Govt Jobs once they leave armed forces. Accordingly provisions were made in
all India Civil Services Acts and Rules. But over a period of time such provisions were diluted by
giving them entry through state services without any compensation of length of service for
which he has served in the armed forces. This dilution is an act of gross injustice. These officers
who are commissioned (no other officers of the state are commissioned) and class 1 gazetted
officer should not be given entry at lower positions. Worldwide the concept is to take such
officers in civil services to not only to assure them the jobs but also to improve the work culture
of civil services. It is submitted that such discrimination, humiliation and exploitation of officers
by the state shall be stopped and willing officers be absorbed in civil services ( IAS, IPS and
equivalent) as class 1 Gazetted officers giving them due seniority as per the length of service for
which they have served in armed forces.
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
4. Bring resettlement of Officers and Soldiers Act and Rule and also bring the subject in
concurrent list of VII Schedule of the Constituion At the moment there are no parliamentary
provisions in terms of acts and rules to assure job or employment guarantees to retired officers
and soldiers. The subject is not even mentioned in any list of schedule VII of the constitution.
The functioning of department of re-settlement and welfare is purely an administrative
arrangement with no powers to assure or protect the rights of the officer and soldiers. World
over such acts and rules exist. In fact in USA and UK, there are dedicated ministry functioning
with a proper act and rules in place. Unless such provisions are made the rights of the officer and
soldiers cannot be protected. As we have a written constitution there is also a need to include
this subject under concurrent list of VIIth schedules so that along with central govts, state govts
also become responsible. It will also make the absorption of officers and soldiers into state jobs
possible. We therefore demand that subject of resettlement and welfare of officers and soldiers
be included in concurrent list of the constitution and accordingly an act and rule be passed to
protect their rights. A subject ministry or a commission (like OBC or minority) can be created at
central and state levels both as the present Sainik Kalyan Boards do not have required statutory
sanctions or powers.
5. Pass All India Defence Services Acts and Rules In terms of Articles 309-313 of the constitution;
promulgate ‘All India Defence Services Acts and Rules’ on the lines of Civil Services and All India Services
Acts and Rules. Presently these provisions are in form of regulation (DSR) which have been issued by the
ministry of Defence and leave lots of scope of misinterpretation causing sufferings. Such sensitive issues
need to be put in form of Acts and Rules in terms of Article 312 to 313 of our constitution with proper
parliament sanctions. The acts and rules shall contain suitable provision for lateral absorption of regular
officers of the armed forces in Civil Services, public sector, various bodies, corporations and committees.
6. Separate Pay Commission and One Rank One Pension. The service conditions and nature of job of the
armed forces are very difficult and different. They are required to serve in hostile and remote area for
prolonged period and during time of war and actions they are expected to risk their lives till death to
ensure victory over enemy. World over the established concept is that a person shall be paid as per profile
of his job. All across the world in democracies armed forces have separate pay commission which is so
logical. Therefore Govt shall bring a separate pay commission for armed forces and also give pension
based on the principle of “One Rank One Pension”.
7. Need for administrative reforms to bring efficiency. Please note that over of period of time civil
services officers have successfully managed to change the policies in their favour damaging the
genuine administrative requirements. British Indian Govt never allowed any ICS officer less than
15-16 years of service to be a collector. The administration of the district is very critical for
providing fair and efficient governance to the people. Today administration is at the verge of
collapse due to these vested manipulations where in one finds that a constable, sub inspector or
a state police officer join and retires in the same rank or some more ranks where as an IAS
officer is assured 6-7 promotions on fast track basis thereby creating a situation of frustration in
the governing machinery at the level where the peoples contact is maximum and at the district
administration leadership level (collector and SP) the required leadership, maturity and
experience is missing. The same frustration and inefficient decision making is then passed on to
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
the poor services to the people thereby leading to a situation of insurgency. And worst for even
little lapses political leadership has to do the damage control or suffer whereas officers serving
and responsible for such lapses go scot free. To serve people we need motivated administrative
machinery especially at a level where the people contact and service delivery is maximum.
World over the concept has been to promote people with grass root level experience to the top
positions to have better and sensitive governance. The present structuring of govt cadres into 4
classes (Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 exist) and then having direct entries in all four is a colonial system
created to serve the British masters. India doesn’t need this system anymore. The entries should
be at two levels of working and managerial levels with equal promotion opportunities for all
two. For senior positions, suitable selection procedures be adopted with provisions to have
people even from private sector with suitable experience to join the govt. Veterans shall be
accordingly provided an opportunity to join such govt jobs too. The same is the practice
worldwide to have such people responsive structure then why this exception only in India?
8. Urgent Judicial reforms to strengthen administration of justice. The state owns the responsibility to
administer justice in timely and affordable manner. The corruption in judicial system (police, state
persecution structure and courts) and delay in justice (decades of litigation) are two biggest hurdles for
the state to fulfil its commitment to the people. The rot in judicial system is so much that it is threatening
the very fundamental of our state leading to frustration among people. Our soldiers and veterans who
defend our democracy also become victim of the same system leading to weakening of will to fight and
die for the unjust system. The state and parliament need to work on urgent reforms to strengthen the
administration of justice to its peoples, soldiers and veterans. There is also a need to have an independent
accountability act and rules with provisions of giving 3-6 times higher punishments to the people holding
offices on oath or allegiance including the cases of corruption.
9. Need to strengthen the parliamentary democracy. Political feudalism, corruption and weakening hold of
parliament over the state executive are cause of great concern. The basic structure of our democracy is
based on parliamentary supremacy. Somehow this constitutional structure is under the risk of being held
hostage by extra-constitutional authorities or players. The risk is so high that if it is allowed to continue for
longer periods it will undermine the parliamentary democracy totally. The situation is cause of great
concern to the veterans who served on oath to defend constitution and also carry reserve liability to
defend it. There is therefore an urgent need to strengthen parliamentary democracy by making state
executive more responsible to it, scrap procedure of party whips and also to ensure that only those parties
who have fair internal democracy (no nominations), committed to the constitution, have fair source of
funding, internal audit and clean candidates with proven records shall only be allowed to take part in
elections.
10. Inclusion of war provisions in Constitution and also Parliament to have control over it. The state
executive is accountable to the parliament on all subjects. Unfortunately, our parliament doesn’t not have
any direct control over a sensitive issue like wars. What a strange gap? Though the parliament is required
to pass all financial bills but has no control over govt taking nation to war which can not only in fact
threaten very existence of this country but also create financial burden in billions? Further under existing
colonial provisions a DM can call for army but parliament has no right to question the state executive to
for the commitment of armed forces in internal security duties except raising debates. Indian
Constitutions need amendments for inclusion of necessary provisions for war and commitment of armed
forces in internal security duties.
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
All above demands by retired officers and soldiers are justified and are being raised to strengthen democracy.
The state till now has been exploiting them and denying them their due rights. Such a huge skilled men power
resource needs to be utilised by the state in more productive manner. Serving the nation by taking the risk of
sacrificing one’s life for the nations and that also with so many restrictions on the one’s fundamental rights is
not an easy call. These are the citizen who provides un-compensable service to the nation. It is the duty of
state to suitably re-settle these warriors with required welfare input in civil life to assist them for leading a
respectable life. It will also then encourage others to take a call to serve nation. It is an ultimate service which
any citizen may offer to the nation. The career in armed forces rightly so has been considered as service and
not the job.
The issue of good governance and administration of state as per our constitution is equally a cause of concern
to soldiers. Soldier like freedom fighters have been giving and risking their lives to defend Indian democracy.
Soldiers have served and strengthened it with their blood. They are soldiers of democracy fully committed and
loyal to it. Veterans have a political stake in the democracy. Their will to fight hinges on to their belief of the
state executive and parliament giving nation good and just governance. Inefficiency, corruption, and unjust
system weaken their belief and will to fight. It is a universal truth and has to be taken note of. The empire of
Nanda collapsed without giving any meaningful fight to the armies of Chandra Gupta Mourya under Chanakya
as it was infested with corruption and inefficiency. India has had a long history of foreign rules. Can it afford to
take a single chance to expose it have similar situation? It is question which worries veterans too. The
frustration among the people is on rise. State needs to take care of it before it comes out as an explosion or
foreign powers take advantage of it. Veterans having political stakes in the democracy and freedom have
therefore demanded certain reforms as cited above.
The above demands therefore are submitted in form of this memorandum with a request to objectively
consider and implement them as early as possible to give justice to aggrieved retired officers and soldiers and
also strengthen our democracy, governance, judicial system and administration.
Thanking you with an anticipated positive response to our demands.
Regards
Colonel Ashok Kumar Singh
Convener
Veterans for Democracy
D-249, Sect P3
Greater Noida, UP
201310
Mob; +9711390413
E mail: [email protected]
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
Annexure 1
( to memorundm of demands of
retired officers, soldiers
and war widows)
Demand for Incentives for Generation of Employment Oppotunties and Other Services and Faculties
for Veterans and War Widows in Public and Private Sectors
1. As a very large number of officers and soldiers retire from services therefore it may not be
possible for the state (both central and state) to give them lateral absorption in respective govt
jobs. As also many of such officer or soldiers may not be keen in taking up another govt job to
stay with their families or cities or his or her native place.
2. In such situations the govt shall incentivise their employment in corporate and public sector as
under:
a. Create suitable amendments in company laws to encourage them for taking retired
army personnel’s as independent directors. Suitable training be organised to develop
required skill.
b. Incentivise companies bidding in govt tenders to form consortium/ JV with the
companies owned by retired military personals.
c. Provide relaxations to the companies owned by retired military personals in terms of
lowered experience, turn overs, security and performance guarantees.
d. Provide easy business loans up to 30 Crores to retired military personals to start their
own business. The JV shall be permitted.
e. Bring changes in procurement policies of the govt to reserve 10% procurements from
the companies owned by retired military personals. The JVs/ Consortium shall be
permitted.
f. Reserve 10% business licences in sectors like bus permits, liquor, public distribution
shops, canteen and any services outlets, import/ export of restricted items ( like liquor),
train luggage coaches and likewise to the companies owned by retired military
personals.
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) ( A Political Front of Retired Military Soldiers)
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
Veterans have a political stake in the democracy and will exert and exercise it
g. Provide full time regular and complete training and education in reputed institution in
India and abroad with govt funding to eligible personals before retirement at total
government expense so that they can take up job in private sectors.
h. Amend PESB selection procedure to allow retired officers to apply to the vacancies
published by them with relaxed criteria.
i. All military held ventures be IT free for first 7 years from the start of the date of the project or 12
years from the date of retirements.
3. Provide incentives to PSUs and corporates to encourage them to give employment to military veterans.
Certain appointments in certain sensitive areas like telcom, transport, highways and defence industries by
law to be occupied by ex-defence staff.
4. Create veterans and war widow homes all across country for those who are left alone and helpless.
5. Reserve residential plots/homes for retired military personals and war widows. The cost of plots or homes
to war widows be subsidised by 70%.
6. Free education and coaching up to or for any professional course of war widows to be totally free and for
other retired and serving officers and soldiers be subsidised by 60%.
7. Reserve 7% seats in all professional colleges and schools for the direct dependents of war widows and
serving and retired officer and soldiers.
8. No officer rank in military to be considered under creamy layer for reservation under SC/ST, OBC and
minority. Such provisions will encourage citizens from these socially backward castes and classes to join
military as officers.
9. The travel incentives by air, rail and road to continue to be applicable to retired military officers and
soldiers as these are applicable to serving.