With Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar failing to keep his promised meeting with agitating ex-servicemen on Wednesday, the veterans decided not to seek any more meetings with political leadership over the ‘One Rank One Pension’ issue.
The agitating ex-servicemen also said that anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will join their protest shortly.
“There was no meeting with the defence minister today (Wednesday). We have decided not to make further requests for a meeting to any one (political leader),” Col. Anil Kaul (retd), a spokesman of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen Morcha (UFESM) said.
“The onus for any further meetings now lies with the establishment,” he said.
According to UFESM, Parrikar told the protesting veterans last week that the complications around OROP have been sorted out and promised to meet them this week.
The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, but was cancelled later.
Meanwhile, the protest by ex-servicemen over the OROP continued for the 25th day on Wednesday. It started on June 14. Since June 15, the veterans have been holding a relay hunger strike.
The ex-servicemen are demanding a definite date from the government for OROP implementation. They also demanded that the nature of the scheme should not be changed.
Currently, the pension of retired personnel is based on the pay commission recommendations in force at the time of their retirement.
This leads to a difference in pensions for officers of the same rank who retire on different dates.
With OROP, earlier retired personnel would draw the same pension as officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now.
They would also be entitled to a year’s back pensions at the new rate, which would be a windfall for pensioners.
OROP will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen. It is expected to cost the government around Rs.8,500 crore.
IANS
R D Moss says
I retired in June 1971 in the rank of Sergeant Gp. 1 and drew a pension of Rs. 95/= pm. My plight is well known. There are thousands like me, before me and after me who wake up each morning hoping for the ‘big bang’ announcement only to retire on a bed full of broken promises and dashed hopes. Apart from this, it is rather pain full to listen to speakers who cite problems and difficulties faced by the Officer cadre chiefly. The other ranks also are faced with similar situations, so please, let us make this a concern for all ranks (Officers and PBOR) equally. Thanks and regards.
Anant Pundle says
Anant Pundle
Datw- 09/07/2015
I am a lay man in respect of pension calculations for defence personnel.
However I understand that it is NOT One Rank One Pension BUT IT IS
“ONE RANK, EQUAL NO OF YEARS SERVICE IN THE RANK; ONE PENSION.”
That is there will be 20 different pensions to cover up service from 1 year to 20 years service in that rank.( if not more) So where is one pension for one rank?
Regards
JOHN SAMUEL says
WE DEMAND COMPENSATION. WE SACRIFICED OUR BEST OF OUR YOUTH FOR THE NATION WHILE THE COUNTRY WAS IN DANGER. WE SACRIFICED ALL OUR COMFORTS INCLUDING SLEEP, FRESH AND WARM FOOD, EVEN A SHOWER OR BATH FOR MANY DAYS, STAYED AWAY FROM OUR BELOVEDS WITHOUT ANY COMMUNICATIONS, WE CARRIED OUR LIFE AT THE POINT OF THE ENEMY GUNS, THERE WAS NONE TO WIPE OUR SWEAT OR BLOOD POUR THROUGH STRIPES AND WOUNDS IN DIFFICULT TERRAINS WHILE THE NATION WAS ENJOYING COMFORT LUXURIOUSLY IN THEIR AIR CONDITIONED HOUSES AND OFFICES. VERY LOW WAGES WAS GIVEN TO US DURING THAT TIME BECAUSE THE RULERS LIKE INDIRA FELT THAT THE COUNTRY IS SAFE BECAUSE SHE HAS NICE AND BEAUTIFUL UNDERWEAR.
COMPARE WITH TODAYS’ CIVILIAN LIFE WITH THE SOLDIERS AND HAVE A LOOK TO THE SOLDIERS IN THE PAST. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU ALSO FACE THE SAME CONDITIONS WE SUFFERED.
NO MATTER YOU UNDERSTAND OR NOT, WE WANT JUSTICE. WE NEED THE SAME PENSION WHAT THE SOLDIERS OF TODAY RECEIVE AND MAY RECEIVE IN FUTURE. OUR DEMAND WAS ACCEPTED AS GENUINE IN THE EIGHTIES. AND THE RULERS IN POWER MADE MANY PROMISES IN THE PAST BUT DID NOT IMPLEMENT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO THEIR FATHER ARE. THEY SIMPLY FORGET WHAT IS HEAT ONCE THEY MOVE AWAY FROM THE FIRE.
WE NEED YOU, THE PRESENT RULERS, IMPLEMENT THE ONE RANK ONE PENSION FORMULA ALREADY ACCEPTED, PROMISED AND ASSURED. WE HAVE DECIDED TO STRIKE, BREAK AND KILL WHO EVER STAND AGAINST IT. NO MATTER, MANY OF US MAY DIE . WE FIGHT FOR OUR OWN LIVING.
Bijayakumar jena says
I salute ur braveness and courage. Be together till fufilling the demand and have a lesson to politicians and beuracrats those who are playing with the defence fraternity and its veterans.
Kewal Krishan Sharma says
It has been mentioned in the text in para 11 that pension of all ranks will be for the rank at the time of retirement.
This is not correct. OROP as accepted by the government means length of service and rank last held to draw equal pension irrespective to date of retirement.
Bijayakumar jena says
Finally timr has come to think Mr RM ji.Much water has flown. Initially the veterans boycotted the the in pune and now verterans refused meet DM any more. What a slap to DM of India. R U a toy of Fm Jetly or Rakhya Mantri pf the great India. How do u answer during the external aggression by this nature. What happen u, yes u might have forgotten thr das before or just took over the charges. Veterans are lost faith from u no matter what are u.Hope ANNA HAZARE WILL JOIN SOON . PM Modi must think over the issue because if erruption once take place by alarge gather then situation will be out of control. Plese think again , again and again. Jai hind.
AG says
Anna Hazare shall always like to prefer to join and share Dias with arvind kezriwal / mamta banerjee then joining poor EXSERVICE MEN starving for dreamy project the OROP.
May God bless Mr.N.D.Modi to declare OROP on 15 the AUGUST 2015 from REDFORT.
NIRMAL SINGH BHULLAR says
sir,what does it mean one rank one pension little confusing now?Does it mean person from all the trade/group in which he was recruited and had served till last in particular rank will get same and equal pension to the person retiring to day with same rank ? ARE THEY GOING TO MIX all groups with equal ranks equal pension or as on today difference between each group irresptive of rank will be maintained? If we talk only rank wise equal pension then paystructure of all group/Branch/tradeS has to be changed making pay scales equal for every person/RANK worked in any group/TRADEor BRANCH. PL.CLARIFY THIS !!!! ONE MORE POINT IS THAT EXSM SHOULD ALSO GIVEN 5% increment in pension every after five yeas from the date of his discharge/retirement till he is alive and should not be made wait and suffer till he crosses 80 years age ,which istoo late for him to avail and enjoy this benefit ,because persons before 4 th pay commission suffered lot with only 35 kgs weight supposed to be their property carrying from one corner of india to any other unknown corner without any hitch and other life /home enjoyment as my fellow friends retiring from civil enjoy full home facilities and also settle well within their service period making proper home/other properties thus settling their childerns also giving them better one place education.jobs/marriage etc,which a defence person is always is deprived off thus demanding to taken utmost care of !!!!!! thanh you sir.