Mega Melawa of veterans, organized by Nagpur Division of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement to discuss shortcomings in OROP threadbare, to be held in city on October 4.
Nagpur: Has the Central Government’s announcement on implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for veterans of Indian Armed Forces turned out a damp squib? Confusion galore among ex-servicemen who have been agitating at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for full-fledged implementation of OROP scheme since June 14 this year. The veterans see the half-hearted September 5 announcement on OROP by Modi Government as Bihar Assembly poll inspired. However, the announcement seems to be limited to announcement only as there are no signs of implementation in real terms. No forward action on the part of Government has been initiated to reach the benefits of OROP scheme at veterans’ doors. Such disturbing facts are gripping the feelings of the ex-servicemen and they have now started raising questions on sincerity of the Central Government. The veterans find holes in the declared OROP scheme and doubt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words that the shortcomings would be removed. Thus felt the Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Maj Gen Satbir Singh (Retired) who is face and spearhead of the OROP agitation in Delhi.
To clear all these aspects that are pricking the veterans, the Nagpur Division of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement is organizing a Mega Melawa (large gathering) of ex-servicemen in city on October 4. The Mega Melawa will be held at Sanskrutik Bachat Bhavan, near Hotel Hardeo at 10 am on Sunday. Maj Gen Satbir Singh, the President of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, will himself attend the meet and discuss the OROP scheme aspects threadbare.
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Addressing a press conference, the members of IESM Core Group Wing Commander Mukund Limaye, Lt Col Aman Bhaduri, Brig Sunil gaopande, Anuradha Deo, Vilas Davne, Sunil Futane and other office-bearers of the Movement have appealed the ex-service to attend the Mega Melawa in large numbers. For further information the IESM, Nagpur Division can be contacted on 9422820519/9922732722.
The agitation of ex-servicemen going on at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar being launched since June 14 this year is for following demands:
1) Review of pension given to old and new pensioners should be held every year. The OROP is based on the same principle. The Government is stressing on review once in five years. If this stand is accepted then the OROP could be termed as One Rank Five Pension. This is not acceptable.
2) According to Government statement in Parliament, the OROP will be implemented from April 1, 2014. But now the Government has changed the date and says the OROP implementation will be effective from July 1 2014. Why this three-month delay? With this change of date, the Government desires to usurp Rs 2100 crore of ex-servicemen and war-widows.
3) The Government, while announcing OROP implementation, the figures of financial year 2013-14 pension should have been considered. However, the Government is fixing the pension figures of 2013 calendar year. This move would create confusion and the pensioners would be put to loss of Rs 1000-3000. This is not acceptable.
4) The announcement of OROP is riddled with a trap. A new alternative for VRS has been found by saying there is no VRS in Defence vocabulary. The VRS belongs to civil companies. There is apprehension that the Government is linking it to Premature Retirement (PMR). This move will deprive 60 percent defence pensioners (Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks) of OROP benefits. This is conspiracy.
5) The OROP Redressal Committee should comprise of five members including serving and retired defence personnel. However, the Government has announced one-judge committee. Till now, the umpteen number of committees set up by Government had only babus whose decisions always were anti-soldiers. Therefore, the committee should have soldier representatives.
6) OROP principle is aimed at next era of future and not for the present one or two years.
7) OROP issue is not linked to any Pay Commission and this is separate from Pay Commission and not instead of it.
