Around 3 million defence pensioners may finally see their long-standing demand of ‘one rank, one pension (OROP) fulfilled with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reportedly backing the proposal.
Gandhi will meet a delegation of ex-servicemen (ESM) on Friday to discuss the OROP issue, which could boost the Congress’ fortunes in an election year.
“He is taking personal interest in the OROP issue and there could be some forward movement,” a source said. The Congress vice-president will also address an ESM rally in Uttarakhand on February 22.
The OROP will ensure that retired soldiers of the same rank and the same length of service receive the same pension, irrespective of their date of retirement. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs. 2,000 crore annually.
Currently, all pre-2006 (the year the 6th pay panel report became effective) pensioners receive lesser pension than not only their counterparts but also their juniors. For instance, a major general who retired in 1995 draws a basic pension of Rs. 30,350 but an officer retiring in the same rank after 2006 gets Rs. 38,500. Similarly, a colonel who retired in 2003 gets Rs. 26,150, compared to Rs. 34,000 drawn by a colonel who retired this year.
Gandhi’s now-famous interventions are seen to produce results, be it raising the cap on LPG cylinders from nine to 12 or junking a controversial ordinance shielding convicted lawmakers.
The push for OROP, which will benefit about 600,000 widows, comes at a time when Gandhi has made a strong pitch for women’s empowerment.
He also seems to have tapped into a potent source of discontent among defence pensioners.
“My pension is lesser than a colonel’s. It is humiliating. The ESM vote will go to the party that implements the OROP,” said Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who heads an ESM outfit. ESM groups claim they can influence at least three crore votes.
Decorated veterans have in the past returned their medals, gone on hunger strikes and signed petitions in blood to draw the government’s attention to the OROP issue.
The government had in 2009 declared that it had earmarked Rs. 2,200 crore annually to improve the pension of jawans, a step it described as “partial implementation” of the OROP that had benefitted 1.2 million pensioners.
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Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II
As per ratio 1:12 due to strength. The defence lowest rank Basic Pay Scale for Officers and PBORank must be maximum possible increasing at a reasonable gradient taking their postings at the front and the One Rank One Pension for the Rank and Length of Service for Family and wounded Pension. I request 7th CPC to look into it Seriously. Regards,
Daya Shanker Lal Srivastava Ex MCPO II Mumbai(07738115388).
ragu
Here all aware that this year will be a general election and Congress party may become to shrink down to two digit numbers , so they will try to do all political gimmicks to all the sections of the society,like 12 gas cylinder to all the personals,OBC reservations to Jats, minority statues to Jains/ Riots law for Muslims, land acquisition act 2013, Manrega, so they have given the lolly popes to ex-serviceman , and this poor people does not know how to react in the civilian crooked world , they are honest and brave peoples , but doesn’t knowing how to get their lea gel rights from political masters, due to this poor peoples are always a looser , we must remember that they only safe guarding our J&K, Assam , Odisha, Nagalands ,Manipur,AP, etc,26/11, any type of calamity they will be helping you like Utarakand ,without saving their own life , when India faces shame in corruptions in commonwealth games , this peoples only come front and saved our skin in front of the rest world .
when the poor old personals required the monetary help. (which is legally authorized)then this political masters will not give them for last 30 years , please give their dues to them and let them live respectfully life in the civilian world .
we must learn from the Italy , for their 2 Armed forces personnel they have put pressure on us from EU, and UN , and it was a big issue in the Italian general elections ,that is called the countries spirit towards the armed forces .
kumar prabhat
Dear sir
Why the minsters/ Govt. forget that they are safe & secure because of us & every one knows that one day one will be old & has to be Ex in every walk of life. When govt thinks of giving extra benifit to senior citizen, women, weaker section section of socitiey than why not to Ex sefvicemen, who deserve the most
kumar prabhat
Ex Sgt
JOHN SAMUEL, M
The demand of OROP was placed before Late Mrs Indira Gandhi when she was PM of India. A commission composed to study the problems of ExSM had recommended OROP and was accepted by her/Govt but she did nothing. Her son late Mr Rajeev Gandhi though accepted the need to raise the minimum pension also did nothing about OROP. It is not that the Govt is not convinced with the injustice been done to the Military pensioners, but it does not face that strong protest towards the Govt from the ExSM the disciplined category of personnel in India .The ExSM had left their courage and bravery with their uniform. They are left with fear of disciplinary proceedings/action if raise a voice against the Govt. They feel they are still bound with Military law and discipline. they fear to make strong protests.
Late Mr Rajesh Pilot asked the ExSM in one of the public meetings in Bangalore “What serious protest like burning of Trains, buses or Govt offices and or Schools have the ExSM done to show the Govt and the Political Parties about their existence and problems faced to live a standard life after serving the nation. Really, ExSM do know to protect Govt property and life but not to damage them.
When the great parents of Rahul Gandhi could not recognize the Indian Defense Personnel and their problems while they were ruling the nation what a vice president of a political party could do? Indira Gandhi had suggested to use the Military personnel for construction works and farming while there is no war in the country.
What her grand son whose mother is from a foreign country could recognize the sufferings and needs of Indian Military and retired personnel?
We the present citizens of India have waken up and know who/which party should rule us, who will solve the problems of Indian people including pensioners. A party that not only accepts the recommendations of a Commission composed by it and ensure
that it is provided to the needy those served the nation with the vow of sacrifice of their life. The blood they converted to sweat and the life they spared for protection of the land is very precious and the new Govt will render justice in its compensation.
When election comes false promises aired by the thirsty political parties. They need thrones, once seated they forget how they got it. There will be a time the Military will rule the nation of India, if political parties fail to meet justice to them. It is the time to decide whether to give genuine consideration to the ExSM of India.
The ExSM of today also have the right to live at par with the serving and tomorrows pensioners, civilian employees and pensioners, and high salaried officers (millionaires)and pensioners all buy the same food and clothing from the same shops/stores at the same price. All pensioners are first pensioners in one uniform ,all eat mouthful, let the rich eat rich food and the poor eat poor and perished, if not injustice.