Punjab veterans for ‘undiluted’ OROP

JALANDHAR: Ex-servicemen from across Punjab gathered at a massive rally in Jalandhar on Sunday to demand the “undiluted implementation” of one rank one pension (OROP) and threatened to intensify their agitation.

Addressing an estimated 7,000 retired defence personnel, Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who spearheaded the recent OROP hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, said: “The government did not implement the demands recommended by the Koshiyari committee. The OROP announced by it is diluted. If the government does not implement the original OROP in letter and spirit, we will intensify our protest”.

The rally got a huge response despite the tension and protests across Punjab due to the recent incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

“The government is underestimating our voting power. We will stand against it in the 2017 election (in Punjab), if they don’t listen to our demands,” said Maj Gen Satbir Singh, chairperson of the United Ex-Servicemen Front of India.

“Politicians and the bureaucratic system are responsible for the condition of the veterans. The defence fraternity is suffering due to their bias against us,” he said.

Ex-servicemen at the rally complained that the government had diluted provisions of the OROP scheme and accused it of backtracking from its earlier stand of implementing it.

On intensifying the protest, they said similar rallies would be held in Chennai and Bengaluru besides venues in Andhra Pradesh in NovemberandDecember.Adharna will be held again at Jantar Mantar in the national capital in December.

Some veterans also accused the government of backstabbing them. “PM Modi has only been giving speeches on peace and harmony. He is ignoring the army that is the biggest pillar of national security,” said Colonel Teja Singh (retd).