The euphoria in the morning among the protesting veterans at Jantar Mantar anticipating the Central government’s announcement on One Rank One Pension (OROP) quickly gave way to “disappointment, anger and even a sense of betrayal’’ by early evening, with the protesters stating, “We are not fully satisfied with what is being offered to us by the government.’’
Addressing a press conference minutes after the government’s decision to implement OROP, Major General (retd.) Satbir Singh said at a press conference: “We thank the government that they have decided to implement OROP, but they have accepted only one of our points and rejected six points. We are not fully satisfied with their offer.’’
Some veterans couldn’t hide their disappointment. Some of those who had come with their family members from the Delhi-NCR, opted to leave the venue immediately after the government announcement.
“The group has been keenly following the day’s development in the Ministry. We can’t but be dejected by what has happened,’’ said Wing Commander (ret) Vinod Neb.
“We want a clarification on the VRS issue. If the government doesn’t accept them under OROP, it is a big blow to the forces. Forty per cent of the forces take voluntary retirement and this would mean that a large group doesn’t get the benefit of OROP,’’ said Major General (retd.) Singh, his voice reflecting the general atmosphere of dejection at the protest venue.
The veterans also rejected the proposed one-member committee, which is to look at the implementation of OROP.
“We reject the one-member committee. We want five members, of which three should be veterans, one serving serviceman and one the choice of the government or the Defence Minister,’’ said Major General (retd.) Singh.
He said: “There should be three conditions that the committee must follow. First, the committee should follow the definition of One Rank One Pension in letter and spirit. It should be a pre-condition to the scheme. Second, no defence personnel of a higher rank should receive a lower pension than his junior. And the last, as soon as the Pay Commission changes pension, the veterans’ pension should also change.’’
OROP will be implemented with effect from July 1, 2014, the base year being 2013.
‘It’s a disappointment’
“The OROP announcement is a great disappointment. This has come to us in a very diluted manner, which is not acceptable to us. When the Prime Minister of a country promises implementation of a programme, we can only trust his word. He told us that OROP would be implemented within 100 days of his taking charge, but despite a year and more passing by, we have nothing in hand,’’ said another protester.
Speaking about the way forward, Major General (retd) Singh said: “The relay hunger strike will be called off if the government withdraws the decision on not including pre-mature retirement and accepts the essence of OROP. The group is united and have declared that they will continue with the relay hunger strike and protest unless there’s clarity on the modalities of OROP implementation.’’