The veterans community of defence services has been sorely disappointed by the absence of any announcement regarding implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) by the union government after the completion of an year in office and discussions have begun on whether this is the right time to hold a nation-wide agitation to press for the same.
Throughout the day yesterday, there was a buzz of excitement on social media groups as the veterans got the impression that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would make an announcement regarding OROP at his rally in Bareilly. However, no such announcement was made causing consternation among the veterans ranks.
Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (retd), a well known strategic expert tweeted, “All Veterans and those who support them are requested to retweet please… #OROP Prime Minister we are disappointed”. Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), member of Armed Forces Tribunal tweeted, “ OROP overtakes DDLJ as the longest running reality show”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Brig KS Kahlon (retd), President, All Indian Defence Brotherhood, said that non implementation of OROP has caused great amount of resentment among the veterans and they are gearing themselves up for a prolonged agitation to ensure that the government delivers on its promise.
Prime Minister Modi made repeated assurances at many places, and while addressing the troops at the highest battlefield of the world, Siachin, on the eve of Diwali last year, he stated that the order of implementation of OROP had been issued. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar repeatedly assured the veterans that the NDA government will implement OROP before the government completes a year in office. Unfortunately the government hasn’t lived up to its promise,” said Brig Kahlon.
The veterans had conducted a mass movement during the tenure of the UPA government wherein they had returned their medals to the President and held rallies at Jantar Mantar to force the government to accept their demand of OPRP. According to Lt Col SS Sohi (retd), President of Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, the time has come when another such mass agitation may have to be held all over the country again.
We are still willing to wait for a few days more for an announcement in this regard. If by the end of this month if they do not do anything we will go for an agitational approach. There have been several meetings with the defence minister and several promises made but each time the veterans community has been let down. We must take recourse to a more tough approach if we have to force the government to concede to our legitimate demands,” said Lt Col Sohi.
However, Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (retd), a former Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of Indian Ex-Serviceman Movement was of the view that the hype over the expected announcement by PM was largely “self created”. “We were hoping that the PM would make the announcement but I am of the view that there is no need as yet to hold an agitation. We have waited for 33 years and we should wait for some more time,” he said.
See more at: Indianexpress.com
SUB MAJ NIRMAL SINHA says
OH p-aaisab-o. Asi aur tusi ki kar rahe hai ji. o mai to mar jaon gud khake agar sadda orop thik tame pad ailan na kar di to. Ha ji sachcha gaal hundi. OH TTERI, yoh fir kaun kah raha ki orop mil gaya si? Utthe patiala maharaj log paithhe hai jo sadde ko ginti mei nei ragda.teinu nehi pata ? ley. Tu kaun sa leader hai ji.
SUB MAJ NIRMAL SINHA says
Marho ko yoh sandeh ho raha ki koi pad bhi rahs ki nei, ashi ne gadhe ki jaisa likkhen ja rahe hai hour koi pade bhi na. AHO BADI SARAM KI GAAL HUDI
Sub Maj Nirmal Sinha says
One important message for all – WE MAKE THE POLITICAL LEADERS TO WORK FOR US, for the country. If they don`t do so, we may be changed. NO PROBLEM AT ALL. We will ask for one amendment in the Constitution to include such a rule that any MLA/MP nominated or elected or selected for Minister MUST HAVE UNDERGONE THREE MONTHS MILITARY TRAINING to strengthen his HONESTY, to make him CORRUPTION FREE with a deep sense of PATRIOTISM. This will be possible when we make a powerful leader from amongst ourselves.
Ex-Sub Surinder Singh says
All IESM are requested to wait for upto 15th Jun 2015 then take firm action plan on OROP.
y.r.singh says
What are we looking for now. Now it is time to do or die. Fin Min;Def Min and talking master Mr Prime Minister all are using us making fool. Are we not really a big fool that we have not understood these bloody politicians. whether Govt want the veterans to resort to agitation which becomes an unsurmountable problem for them. Mr Fin Min and DefMin have to think many a time if Such situation develops. Veterans are not tools to play with. OROP is our genuine demand. Let us unite snd stand to fight not with our external enemy but….
SUB MAJ NIRMAL SINHA (RETD) says
I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW OUR BELOVED HON’BLE PM FORGOT HIS COMMITMENTS. IS THERE NO VALUE OF HIS MANIFESTO /SPEECHES DELIVERED REPEATEDLY BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTION, WHICH WON THE HEARTS OF BOTH SERVING AND EX-SERVICEMEN? WHY NO ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE SO FAR? WHY OUR MOST REVEREND AND HON’BLE MINISTER GEN VK SINGH SIR IS SAYING NOTHING? I WAS THINKING TO COMPETE FORTHCOMING MLA ELECTION FROM BJP WITH OR WITHOUT ITS TICK ET TO DO SOME EXEMPLARY GOOD THINGS BUT—DISHEARTENED.
SUB MAJ NIRMAL SINHA (RETD) says
Sir, Our Govt is testing the patience of our ex-servicemen. Whatsoever the party is, our govt is not thinking for the soldiers and the national security. By delaying and by not making an announcement for implementation of OROP the govt seems to invite and face a terrible consequence. If boycott / agitation starts in ex-servicemen, definitely it will get an welcoming room in servicemen and if it happens so, our enemies will explore the situation. Truly speaking, the govt is not favouring the soldiers with this OROP. It is their legitimate dues unpaid to them since long and by implementing OROP the govt is getting a chance to be free from its debt to soldiers and ex-soldiers. Playing with the innocent hearts of soldiers who get nothing in exchange of their supreme sacrifice, the govt is doing an IRRECOVERABLE mistake knowingly. Soldiers are/were not doing their duties for money. They got training/learning from their superiors to save the nation, its security and integrity and the people at the cost of last drop of blood and not for money. The sense and awareness towards KEEPING HIGH patriotism, pride and honour and feel pleasant to do duty is their invaluable treasure which our leaders are seems not having and therefore they do not understand and estimate the IMPORTANCE OF ONE SINGLE MOMENT of a soldier. Delaying in implementation of OROP is a sign of NEGLIGENCE and NON ATTACHMENT on the part of govt with the SOLDIERS and ultimately with the NATION. Had there been a compulsory QR for the hon`ble MLAs/MPs to pass 3 (THREE) days only away from their `RAJMAHAL`, with our soldier brothers in sensitive borders to become Ministers, they will surely not pass time to do it. Let us see how much our Hon’ble PM N Modiji and other BJP leaders are touched with the NATION and the SOLDIERS WHO KEEP SAFE THE NATION AND ALLOW THEM TO PLAY IN IT. JAI HIND.
harmohinder singh bedi says
This is the apathy of what a PM says and does (Does not do ) not say . Not astonished . God bless him .
harmohinder singh bedi
H/Capt Anil Kumar Mahato says
Sir,
All veterans have shown great concerned over the implementation of OROP issue. I have also gone through the views of most important officials on this issue. But, in my opinion, the views of Gen Kadyan is heart touching opinion and I also support him in this regard.
Hong Flt Lt B N Sharma says
NDA Govt lead by PM Narendra Modi is also behaving in same manners as UPA Govt lead by Mr Manmohan Singh with All Defence Staff.UPA Govt did not raise Retirement age even after making various times announcement. Now NDA is reluctant to declare orop for retirees. Thanks And Jai Hind.