MEETING OF IESM OFFICE BEARERS WITH DEFENCE MINISTER- OROP OUR DEFENCE MINISTER MR.MANOHAR PARRIKAR.

MEETING OF IESM OFFICE BEARERS WITH DEFENCE MINISTER- OROP OUR DEFENCE MINISTER MR.MANOHAR PARRIKAR. A Delegation of IESM led by our Chairman Gen.Satbir Singh met Defence Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar on 2-3-2015 and expressed the aunguishment /dissatisfaction of Ex-servicemen community regarding Non-Mention of OROP in the on 28-2-2015 in the Budget.. Defence Minister , after hearing the grievances patiently , asked the Delegation to be comfortable in the meeting. He informed that an amount of Rs.8300 Crores has been allotted for OROP and it is included in the Defecne Budget and waiting for the Modality to be released DM has requested the ESM community to wait for few more days to hear a Happy and favourable News in this regard. Gen.Satbir Singh thanked our Defence minister and told him that this is the first time the Demands of Ex-Servicemen are being given proper consideration and attention. Gen.Satbir Singh also put forward 2 more points in the meeting for consideration. 1. Family pension not enhanced in the last revision. 2. .Pre-1996 Majors, having Qualifying service of 21rs not paid the pension of Lt.Col And those who are short of few months for 21 yrs also may be considered. 3. Defence Minister has agreed to consider both the cases favourably. Dear, Veteran Brothers, this is the latest News and please be patient and hope that we have the Present Defence Minister with us and for our cause. Meeting of IESM Delegation with RM Sh Manohar Parrikar on 2 Mar 2015 > > Dear Members IESM delegation of five members met RM Sh Manohar Parrikar today at 1400 h. The salient points of the issues discussed in the meeting are given below and are attached. I am sure this will satisfy most of the queries of veterans arising out of budget speech given on 28 Feb 15. This is now clear that one needs to be optimistic and OROP will be out soon. However hold your celebrations till Notification of OROP is out as there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Meeting of IESM Delegation with RM Sh Manohar Parrikar on 2 Mar 2015 IESM contacted Sh Manohar Parrikar Raksha Mantri at the end of the budget presented on 28 Feb 15 and communicated to him that ESM in general are disappointed because OROP has not been mentioned in the budget speech of Finance Minister and allocation of funds for OROP has not been announced. RM explained on telephone that OROP has been approved in two budgets and hence it is considered approved and therefore there was no need to mention in the budget speech. He was kind enough to invite the IESM delegation at 1400h on 2 March 15 to clear any doubts if we had any. Following five members of IESM met Sh Manohar Parrikar RM at 1400h on Monday 2 March 2015. Major DP Singh was also invited by RM for discussion on disability pension issue. RM made everyone comfortable in the beginning itself that OROP for Armed Forces and Ex-servicemen is NDA Government’s commitment and he has worked out the expenditure for the OROP. He advised that there was no need to cover this issue in budget presented by NDA Government on 28 Feb 15 as it already stands approved by Parliament as part of budget for financial year 14-15. He confirmed that he had discussed the issue with officers of MOD and ironed out all issues of OROP. He also confirmed that OROP is genuine demand of Armed Forces and must be met in full; hence there is no difference in thinking of Armed Forces and MOD. Accordingly file has been prepared and is in process for approval from Ministry of Finance. After approval of the file from Finance Minister, it will be put up for approval of CCPA (Cabinet Committee for Political Affairs). RM has confirmed that MOD has recommended giving OROP for X group and Y group separately. He also confirmed that all ranks including widows have been included in the OROP. He further confirmed that he is attempting to meet the date line for issuance of Government letter (OROP Notification) given by him on 1 Feb 15 meeting with IESM delegation. There was no doubt left in our minds after such a clear statement by RM and IESM delegation was convinced that OROP is now in safe hands will see the day light soon. General Satbir Singh thanked him and told him that it is first time that the demands of ESM are being given proper consideration and attention. IESM delegation then discussed following issues with RM. Increase in Widow’s pension w.e.f 24 Sep 12; General Satbir Singh informed him that widow’s pension was not increased in 2012 when pension for all ranks was increased as per recommendations of 6 CPC. Widows must be given that increase in pension. RM expressed concerned on this issue and asked the delegation to give him the note for his consideration. Major’s Pensio Retired pre 1996; It was brought to RM’s attention that MOD is not paying Lt Col pension to Major rank officers who retired pre 1996 on completion of 21 years of service. Major Thomas of pre 1996 retirement had gone won the case in AFT and had been paid enhanced pension. It should be applicable for all Majors who had retired pre 1996 and had completed 21 years of service. RM asked for a detailed note on the issue for his consideration. Major’s Pension who had retired of completion of 20 yrs but with less than 21 yrs of service; RM was informed that there will be only few hundred Majors who will fall in that category and MOD must consider giving them Lt Col Pension with Major’s grade pay as a special case. RM demanded a paper on this issue also for his consideration. IESM will be sending the detailed paper on above issues to RM at the earliest.IESM delegation was encouraged with the response and encouragement given by RM. One can now say that OROP is in safe hands will soon be approved. 2 Mar 2015 With warm regards,