THE reason why our Hon’ble Prime Minister brushed aside the issue of pensions of Defence personnel in the Parliament on March 3, 2010 and again on March 5, 2010 is not known. The enhancement in pensions of Jawans and JCOs was recommended by the committee of secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary and accepted by the Govenment.
The facts have been ascertained from our veteran Jawans, JCO and the service HQs. It is emphatically reiterated that the enhancement of pensions of Jawans and JCOs as announced by the government in the Parliament on July 6, 2009 and again announced by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2009 from the rampant of Red Fort for which Rs 2,140 crore had been earmarked to benefit 12 Lakh ex-servicemen Jawans and JCOs has not been implemented.
This clearly reveals that either the staff at the PMO has not correctly and appropriately briefed the PM or the government is absolutely callous about genuine entitlements of the Armed Forces personnel. This negative attitude of the government towards the Armed Forces has been clearly noticeable for many years. One wonders why? This is having a very adverse effect on the morale of the Armed Forces. The soldier today is feeling betrayed by the government.
IESM will intensify its movement to expose the injustices being perpetrated upon the soldiers.
(The writer is Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement and can be contacted at satbirsm@yahoo.com)
