New Delhi: Standing united and speaking in one voice, defence veterans and war widows say their trust in the Narendra Modi government is dwindling and also question why the government wants to celebrate 50th anniversary of 1965 Indo-Pak war if the soldiers who fought the war are on streets seeking One Rank One Pension. The protesting veterans want the implementation of One Rank One Pension without any compromise.
Sounding positive that One Rank One Pension will be implemented soon, Major General (retired) Satbir Singh said, "We want Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to come here and make the announcement."
After a series of meetings with Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag and Principle Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Nripendra Mishra, there has been some positive development but the final announcement is yet to come. Calling it their legitimate right, veterans are on protest at Jantar Mantar for the last 74 days and will continue till it is implemented.
"If the government fails to make the announcement on OROP by tomorrow, then more veterans will sit on fast-unto-death, rallies will be held, black flags will put at every house, more youth will join," Major General Singh said.
The government had made three proposals for implementing One Rank One Pension but they were rejected by the veterans. The government wanted the scheme to be in effect from April 1, 2015 but ex-servicemen say the scheme has to be in effect from April 1, 2014. The government wants 2011 to be the base year for pension which veterans say dilutes the principle of OROP.
"Why should we leave our dues? It is a question of principle. It is our legitimate right," said Group Captain (retired) VK Gandhi.
He is backed by Major General (retired) Satbir Singh. "There is no confusion in the OROP. There is only one definition, one implication and one calculation. The bureaucracy is the only roadblock," said Singh.
The OROP scheme was sanctioned by both UPA and NDA government and has got legal sanction from the Supreme Court.
"Governments have been degrading, downgrading and ill-treating Armed Forces. We are angry and feel humiliated. Seventy per cent of soldiers are children of the retired officers," added Singh.
Army veterans Havaldar Sahib Singh and Major Pyar Chand, who are on fast-unto-death over OROP, have also been taken to hospital.
Till now, seven war veterans and the father of a martyr are on fast-unto-death. Two former soldiers Colonel (retired) Pushpender Singh and Havaldar (retired) Ashok Chauhan are in hospital as their health deteriorated.
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