New Delhi: Two war veterans today boycotted a function where they were to be felicitated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, to protest against the delay in implementation of "one rank, one pension" for the armed forces.
One of them is Wing Commander SD Karnik, a 1971 war veteran who was awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India's top gallantry medals. "Since 1973 we haven't got any support from the government. This is downgrading the armed forces. I am hurt," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was widely expected to announce it on Monday when he addressed a rally in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, but he didn't. NDTV has learnt that the file on one rank, one pension, a BJP election promise, is currently shuttling between the Finance and Defence Ministries after several queries were raised.
Sources tell NDTV that the government doesn't want to announce anything that can be challenged in court. "One rank, one pension" means that the same pension will be paid to personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of when they retired. "I may not like ex-servicemen protesting but they are being pushed into it," said former Army Chief General VP Mallik. Ex-servicemen say they call it NATO - "No Action, Talk Only." Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the pay commission recommendations at the time when the personnel retired. For instance, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws less pension than a Lt. Colonel who retired after 1996. With one rank, one pension, 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 pay in pensions at the new rate, which would be a windfall for pensioners.
Six years ago, the Supreme Court directed the government to follow a one rank, one pension principal for retired servicemen. In February this year, the court said failure to implement it within three months would mean contempt of court. One rank, one pension will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen. It is expected to cost the government more than Rs. 8300 crore a year. In its Budget last year, months before the national election, the Congress-led UPA government announced that one-rank-one pay would be implemented, but allocated meagre Rs. 500 crore seen as inadequate funds for the initiative.
The act of THE HERO today indeed great honour to all veterans. He has uprooted in all our heart and his image spectrumly visible in all angles.We knee down before him. Todays act supersedes the one in 1971. As air war veteran I stand him as mouse and SALUTE HIM.
ReplyDeletehats off to wgcdr.karnik.
ReplyDeleteHow neglected our ExServicemen and War Widows was clearly demonstrated by the government in their victory week celebrations. We all are kept apart in the on going welfare measures around the Nation.
ReplyDeleteThe proposal has already been finalised by the RM. Now it is in process of vetting by the FM. Why this delay in implementing a much discussed and finalised policy which is clear in its definition immediately. All other bills costing the Nation lakes of crores are just passed with no discussion on the Parliament's floor, the Parliamentarian's pay perks are given with no discussions/arguments, then why not this scheme involving millions of ExServicemen, War Widows and others? If only the PM looks at the checklist of promises he made a year back and before the troops, he will see the OROP at the top of that, which he is wilfully/deliberately avoiding for reasons known to him alone. At least he could have given an open assurance to all of us while counting his good eggs before the Nation on 25 May at Mathura.
ReplyDeleteI feel ashamed by reading comments by my co veterans asking for orop implementation but these shameless our Thiefs not our Sevak feel no shame .Jiski Uter gayi Loi uska Kya Karega koi thaks
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