A letter by Lt Col Sohi to PM

1. Ref: ESM/GC-M/2011/37. Date: 08 Aug 11.
To 31/8/11 & 27/3/12.
Dr Manmohan Singh Jee,
Hon’able Prime Minister of India.
PMO, New Delhi-11
UPA Promissed & gave but: Ex-Servicemen Welfare Deptt in MOD needs winding up
Respected Sir,
1. As promised by UPA Chairperson during last elections, a separate Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Welfare
Deptt (EWD) was created, but in Ministry of Defence (MOD). In which, all the civilian Govt employees
have got the jobs extended (& not to ESM) and are also working under bureaucracy, who never speak in
our favour. With the result, our welfare chain is increased for more blocks, which have proved only harmful
& damaging to ESM Community’s welfare. None of our problems, Grievances and complaint letters are
being properly redressed, but thrown away/ disposed off, irresponsibly. Our all the cases are often
rejected under fake pretexts.
2. On top of it, our Defence Minister is from south, which have never experienced action in History and
always reproduces IAS voice that One Rank One Pension demand cannot be met. None of them have
blood relation with Armed Forces Personal (AFP) and cannot think good of their War Veterans & their
suffering Widows. What ever we have got in recent times, is due to our Nation wide agitations & protests
and certainly not by dignified means. Therefore, there is an urgent need to over haul MOD and isolate
ESM Welfare Dept under independent command of Serving & retired AFP, with statutory powers. 90%
Court cases favouring ESM community, are not being implemented by the Bureaucrats, unreasonably.
3. The present EWD is a collection of clueless/ unprofessional civilians, who know nothing about AFP &
War Veteran’s basic problems/ needs, nor do they want to understand. Every letter they issue has
anomalies. When ever they issue a letter to rectify the contested anomalies, they add many more
anomalies, in turn. Therefore, our AFP at least, will not oppose & disregard our most legitimate cases/
demands. They will hopefully, be approachable, understand & work on our Grievances & feelings much
better. Comparatively, we are always valued much lesser than our civil counterparts?
4. Therefore, we suggest, EWD be put under a Retd General with Brigadiers & Colonels as subordinates,
to serve up to 60/62 Years of age. The Working staff must include at least 50% ESM from all 3 services,
on 3-4 year’s tenure. This new staff of EWD should be highly experienced & qualified with human heart. Its
lower specialised staff may be of Majors/ Capt, Junior/ non Commissioned Officers, allowed to serve up to
58/60 Years of age. This will give us cordial relationship & resettlement to much needy & deserving ESM.
Prolonged neglect of jobless War Veterans should not go on for long. Therefore, this change will be most
appropriate in the national interest and a befitting favour to the ESM community.
. Your’s Sincerely,
(Lt Col SS Sohi, Retd). President,
Copy to: Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell (Regd).
All Concerned.
Progress Action Report-I (Got displeasure & taunts from Bureaucrat, Secy EWD, in turn)
5. Sir, I was contacted by Ms Neelam Nath on 25/8/11 (011-23972914). She conveyed her displeasure &
discouraging response like: You people are ideal & have no job but to keep writing grievances &
demands. You are greedy. Got enough. I am also ESM’s wife. Should court marshalled Generals be
put in 40 Govt Dept, we need to run the Govt also? I get 1000 letters daily, so can’t reply U. Have U
ever met Def Minister? I am highly disappointed & do not feel like working more for you people.
6. I kept submitting politely like: Yes Mam, but somebody has to work for ESM community. Our
writings are logical & convincing. Expect positive response from you atleast. I met Def Min & our
ESM rep often meet him but w/o output. Legitimately, we expect ESM in ESM Dept. Like Minority
Commission. Does your Women Commission have MEN in control ? She banged the phone !!!
7. Under such circumstances, only our Anna Jee can convince her that we deserve proper Justice & ESM
demand nothing extra, but certainly not less than our civil counterparts, after giving our most & best.
Where as, EWD is snatching away our welfare, funds, CSD & Cars too. God save us from Bureaucracy.
To: As above. (Lt Col SS Sohi, Retd) Dt: 31/8/11
……. . . . . . . …… & 27/3/12.