indian veterans for democracy profile 9 feb 12
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
Democracy is too dear to the veterans to be ignored
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
JAI HIND
Join the movement. Join the group at Facebook by clicking our link
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/324567280915715/
Political Prayer of Veterans for Democracy
If, one has faced death,
he understands how precious the life is
If, one has faced war,
he understands the real value of peace
If, one has fought to prevent injustice,
he understands what the justice means
If, one has experienced extreme anger,
he understands the true meaning of love
If, one has seen destructions and devastations,
he understands the real meaning of growth, development and prosperity
If, one has carried the honours of uniform silently,
he understands the real meaning of freedom of speech
If, one has lived by his commitments to the nation,
he understands the oneness of people irrespective of their caste, creed, gender and religion
If, one has stood by freedom risking his blood,
he understands the true value of democracy.
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
Indian Veterans For Democracy (IVD)
Background
Indian Veterans for Democracy (IVD) is a political platform for a large number of retired Military Veterans
(officers including SS and woman officers, JCOs and ORs and equivalent ranks in other services), their families,
friends, supporters, sympathisers and various organisations to create awareness, express, demand and
participate in the process of democracy to further strengthen it.
Commitment
IVD is not affiliated to or front organisation of any political party or political believes. IVD is fully committed to
the principles of ‘democracy by the people for the people’ and the spirit of ‘we the people’ as given in our
constitution.
Mission
IVD is working towards integrating all stake holders through this political platform to become a meaningful
force to uphold the values of democracy and create a voice in its support.
IVD is working with an agenda to integrate and meaningfully mobilise large number of voters among retired
military veterans, their families, friends, supporters, sympathisers and various organisations for nation building
in a democratic and peaceful manner.
Objectives
IVD will work with the objectives of strengthening the democracy by active participation in the nation building
process within the framework of our constitution and democratic value. IVD believes that:
1. Political corruption, economic disparities among various sections of society, backwardness of various
regions, divisive political games, fatigued governing; justice and administrative system, poor foreign,
defence and security management policies and unsettled boarders are the biggest security threats for
the nation and proactive and immediate measures are needed to address them.
2. It is the utmost responsibility of democratically elected government to work with fair judgment and
without any discrimination, abiding by the directive principles of governance as given in our
constitution, to be a welfare and institutionalised state based on the principles of equal opportunities,
assured fundamental rights, freedom of expression, protection of human rights, social justice,
brotherhood, tolerance, and secularism (state to encourage dialogue and interactions among all
religions and support inter-religious harmony without any discrimination) for India to emerge as a
secure, peaceful and prosperous nation.
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
3. India with her size, location and all resources at her possession and disposal has the potential to play
a positive and leading role in world affairs and deserves a place to actively work for strengthening the
UN, conflict management through dialogue and assertive persuasion/ outlook, global peace, fair trade
and global business practices, human rights and environment protections based on the principle of
equality of nations and mutual respect.
4. Large pool of talent among retired veterans (including short service commissioned and woman
officers) must be utilised by the state as part of their duty for nation building efforts by having a
structured policies and provisions to re-settle them respectfully corresponding to their experience
and position, in govt administration, public sector, business and corporates and ensure their welfare.
The infusion of military work culture, operation concept and technology after due adaptation cycle in
govt, civil and corporate environment is a proven methodology to strengthen the character of a
society.
Strentgh
Retired military veterans with their character, values, ethos, talent, skills, size and spread along with their
families, friends, supporters, sympathisers and various related organisations can create a strong political voice
for strengthening the democracy and extend support for achievements of objectives given as above.
Action Plan
IVD proposes to build a political movement progressively by uniting concerned people, stake holders, and
organisations through this platform by directly be part of it or have association or by supporting or
sympathising with it.
The action plan will be implemented in following stages
1. Stage 1. Awareness. IVD plans to progressively spread awareness among all stake holders about the
existence of this platform, its utility, issues and demands to prepare a base by mid-2013. A core team
of convenors will manage the stage.
2. Stage 2. Laying the base. Well before parliamentary elections in 2014 IVD wishes to consolidate and
form basic organisation structure.
3. Stage 3. Strategic entry into political decision cycle. IVD will than attempt to make a strategic entry
into the political decision cycle to achieve given objectives through the process of interactions, and
perusations.
Methodolagy
IVD plans to remain in constant dialogue and interaction with military veterans, govt, various political parties
and stake holders through all mediums using democratic tools to create awareness, educate and assist
authorities and institutions to achieve its objectives in peaceful and democratic manner.
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
IVD will create awareness to garner support among various political parties on the issues related to nation
building and military veterans. IVD will also impress upon various political parties to nominate candidates from
military veterans and others who have proven track records and qualifications in various elections. All
necessary inputs and assistance shall be provided to all political parties to draft their elections manifests on
the relevant issues.
IVD will join hands with other organisations to mobilise support of central and state legislature to assist govt in
passing relevant laws which support achievement of objectives of IVD as stated above.
IVD will endeavour to create awareness and educate voters among military veterans to vote for political
parties who are willing to work for their cause of nation building.
IVD in long term wishes to create a nationwide organisational network to help, assist and guide military
veterans and also form bodies at district and block levels to help them resolve their problems with district and
block administrations and also to mobilise them in case of need.
Military Veterans need to realise their potential to work together for the cause. Let us mobilise ourselves and
help our society in nation building.
Military related specific demands are attached as annexure
Please Rise, Join Hands and Contribute in Nation Building
We have served democratic India with our blood, now we will live for democracy
JAI HIND
Join the movement. Join the group at Facebook by clicking our link
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/324567280915715/
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
Demands for Resettlement and welfare of Veterans and War Widows
Constitutional Reforms
1. Carry out constitutional amendments to include ‘Resettlement and Welfare of Military Veterans’ in the
concurrent list of VII Schedule of the Constitution. Presently our constitution is silent on it. The subject is
not even mentioned making it the duty of the state to re-settle veterans which is the norm in most of the
democratic countries. The passing of such acts and rules will make it an obligatory constitutional
responsibility of the state (both at centre and state) to ensure resettlement and job security to all ranks of
veterans, war widows and depends.
2. Bring required provisions for management of ‘War and Peace’ and all other related subjects as mentioned
in the first list of the VII Schedule of the constitution. Presently there are no such provisions in our
constitution leaving it totally to the executive of the state without any provision for parliamentary
interference. Ours is the parliamentary democracy where it reigns supreme. Leaving a subject like war
(where in very survival of the state may be jeopardised) totally to the executive without any control of
parliament is just too dangerous a situation. US and other democracies have such provisions. Such
provisions will strengthen the democracy and bring better management of war and defence of India.
Legal Reforms
3. Accordingly pass military veteran resettlement and welfare act and rules (on similar lines as USA, UK and
other countries) and implement it at centre and state levels to ensure job and settlement assurance to all
ex-servicemen including short service commission and woman officers, disabled and homeless soldiers,
war widows and dependents. Include provisions for considering military persons at par with central and
state employee for giving jobs to their dependents in case of deaths. Such acts and rules are there in all
democracies of the world.
4. Amend Govt Business Rules accordingly and bring the subject under Ministry of Personnel and Human
Resources Development. Place DGR under Ministry of HRD with concurrent relationship with Minster of
Corporate Affairs as MOD is not capable enough to plan and implement such schemes effectively.
5. Better would be to have an independent ministry as is the convention in most of the democracies and if
not possible than create national and state commissions for military veterans on the lines of Minority or
SC/ST commission at centre and states both.
6. Promulgate Short Services Commissioned and Woman Officers Acts and Rules. The same shall include
their assured resettlement and welfare provisions.
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
7. 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 needs to be put in form of Acts and Rules in
terms of Article 312 and 313 of our constitution with proper parliament sanctions. Such lateral absorption
will also save lots of govt financial liabilities by correspondingly reducing civil intake in such vacancies.
Administrative Reforms
8. To keep the armed forces young and fighting fit, soldiers (including officers) retire at early age or are
encouraged to take pre-mature retirements. In this case, it is the duty of the state to assure job to
veterans up to the age of 60 like in the case of civil employees. Give job security to all serving Officers
(regular and short service), JCOs and soldiers from all three services who retire before 60 years of age, by
assured lateral entry into All India Services, Central Services, central and state govt services, railways,
ordinance factories and PSUs in according to their length of service (equating with length of service of all
civil jobs) and position. The same is the convention in most of democracies including US and UK.
9. Bring a separate pay commission for armed forces and also give pension based on the principle of “One
Rank One Pension”.
10. 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.
11. Provide incentives in Govt contracts to corporates who have formed consortiums and JVs with military
owned private companies.
12. Provide suitable relaxations (in terms of BG, EMDs, experience and size of company) for company owned
by military veterans to help them bid in govt tenders.
13. Make suitable amendments in company laws to encourage companies to have military veterans as
independent directors.
14. Provide invectives to military veterans owned companies in Govt procurement policies.
15. Provide sufficient loans on marginal interests with relaxed security and repayment terms for military
veterans to start business. Suitable incubators be created to help veteran in starting the business. All
military held venture be IT free for first 7 years from the start of the date of the project or 12 years from
the date of retirements.\
16. Create veterans homes all across country for those who are left alone and helpless.
17 Create strong education training support system in India and abroad (may be credit base as in US army)
for serving officers and soldiers. All military training and education be given due education recognition
(Post Graduate. Graduate, Diploma/ certificate)
Join the movement. Join the group at Facebook by clicking our link
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/324567280915715/