Ex-servicemen returned fake medals

The medals which were returned have been purchased from Sadar Bazar in the Delhi cantonment area. We have proof that they have been bought recently, Praveen Davar,Secretary,AICC Ex-Service Department,said.

Davar said IESM,which he termed a pro-BJP organisation,has been returning medals by the thousands to the President but not a single gallantry awardee has come forward to return a medal. Not a single awardee of gallantry awards has returned his medal. This shows that the bravest of the brave soldiers do not approve of the activities of a handful of ex-servicemen being misled by disgruntled elements, Davar said,adding that the signatures were not in blood but in a red chemical that looks like blood.

IESM has been holding rallies and protests for the past few months over the governments decision on pensions of retired armed forces personnel.

While the defence ministry has redressed most grievances,the issue of one-rank-one-pay remains unresolved.

At present,the retired personnel are divided into two categories for pensions. The first category comprises those who retired before 2006 and the second those who left the services later. The pensions of the personnel who retired in 2006 and later are higher than the others.

IESM is headed by Lt Gen retd Raj Kadiyan who incidentally is also a senior member of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.