Finally the defense veterans can breathe a sigh of relief, their woes are being considered by the Modi Government. Reports have confirmed that the defense veterans and Narendra Modi’s Government have marched a step forward regarding the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme and soon there may be a broadcast on the implementation of OROP.
If sources are to be believed then the defense veterans will have a reason to smile before the notification of the Bihar Assembly elections are handed out. Meetings are on regarding the issue and PM Modi has also had a meet with Manohar Parrikar, the Defence Minister to reach a the decision on the OROP , the pension plan scheme.
Reports had shown that the United Front of Ex-Servicemen had developed unsolvable differences over the two-decade old pension parity demand, OROP. The announcement was to be made earlier but disagreements between the Government and the ex-servicemen had postponed it further. The miffed ex-servicemen had been angered and 3 army veterans had gone on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The Prime Minister’s office had asked for more time to announce its decision.
Expressing dismay at the situation and upset at one of the army men falling sick during the hunger strike, prompted the veterans to write to the Government that it needs to “settle this issue expeditiously and in an urgent time frame.” The veterans reminded Modi that he had promised to take care of the OROP during his pre-election talks last year and its time action was
taken.
The One Rank One Pension scheme will assist almost 3 million servicemen who have retired from the army as they are paid far less than retired servicemen several ranks lesser than them, in today’s times. The OROP asks for “equal pension to servicemen retiring at the same rank regardless of when they retire.”
The Government has proposed that it will revise pension every 5 years but it’s the seventh pay commission that is a source of worry for the Ex-Servicemen, though most of the veterans have agreed to the proposal of the Government.
According to the Chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement, Major General (retired) Satbir Singh who was leader in the Jantar Mantar protest, has stated “We are willing to accept two years relaxation as normalization period. We will not accept revision in 5 years. This will be defeating of OROP. We will continue our agitation if it’s 5 years.”
Major General Singh has urged that the issue is non-negotiable. He has also asked the Government to fix the date of revision as April 1st, 2014. Now starts the time to wait and watch at this silent duel between the army veterans and the Modi Government.
