If in spite of the PM assuring
that the prematurely retired faujis will not be denied OROP, ESM is continuing
with the agitation.This is because of the continual short changing and the
consequent sowing of seeds of distrust and that has been happening since 1973.
The faujis cannot let the movement lose steam and be short changed again in the
last minute over “minor issues.” The larger issue of trust deficit, which has
ballooned over the years, needs to be addressed by the top leadership and not
let the low cunning of the babus influence and aggravate the state of
affairs. There is no evidence of the top leadership waking up to this!
For the first six months when
Jaitley was the RM nothing moved. Was it to wear out the retired faujis who
were thought to be incapable of mobilising resources to carry out an effective
agitation?
Jaitley-ji seems to have grossly miscalculated.
It only helped in the scales falling from the eyes of the retired
faujis revealing that something sinister was on. Disparate parts coalesced
under the leadership of Gen Satbir Singh to show that the faujis can get
resolute.
Parrikar was brought in who after
considering the inputs from all the stake holders cobbled up a proposal and
sent it to the FM. The file shuttled between the ministries endlessly. The fine
art of procrastination practiced by the babus inflamed the faujis.
Reason and
entreaties by the fauijis was falling on deaf ears.
The press was fed with
stories of unbearable pension bill ballooning out of control. What was not mentioned
was that the number deaths of retired faujis will soon over take the inflow of
freshly retired faujis, reducing the pension burden over time. The intake at
the officer level has been declining since 1973 and there is a crippling
shortage -- fewer will retire in future.
When appeals to reason and
entreaties by ex-faujis failed, the relay-hunger strike at Jantar Mantar was
started.
The use of police force, roughing up of 80 year olds, and the start
of indefinite hunger strikes stirred sympathetic and concerned organisations
like the RSS. The retired Chiefs started thawing out and making pro OROP statements. Bihar elections were looming.
OROP was finally announced with
impossible and petty riders.The mention of VRS and denial of
OROP to prematurely retired faujis stunned every one. The method behind it went
over every one’s heads.
It should be enquired into.
The very next day. PM
announced that the VRS/PMR will not be denied OROP.
However it was stressed that
“minor issues” will take a minimum of 6 months to sort out by their appointed
man.
The ex-faujis used to speedy decision making after due deliberation without dithering, feel that 10 days should be more than enough to sort out the “minor issues”. The ex-faujis have been generous in acceding one month.
The ex-faujis are entreating that the inputs of ex-faujis should be
considered so that the history of short-shrifting of ex-fauji’s entreaties is
not repeated. Entreaties and attempts to reason will not work?
After every war a “lessons
learnt” exercise is carried. What lessons has the above taught the ex-faujis?
Build and flex ones muscles to
be noticed and heard? Do not lower ones guard and don’t trust anyone?
Ex-faujis
have been forced to come of age and have lost all innocence. What a
shame!
Our top leadership has their work
cut out for them in restoring the trust deficit.
A palliative offer of kiss and
make up will cut no ice.
(Source- via e-mail from Lt Col T Saibaba)
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