New Delhi: Hundreds of army veterans today held a 'Sainik Ekta' rally to press for "honest and truthful justice" as they rejected the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme announced by the government even as some ex-servicemen groups dissociated themselves from the demonstration.
The rally, which began at 10 am at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, was attended by ex-servicemen from different parts of the country.
Various ex-servicemen groups had come under the common banner of United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM) to hold protests across the country for nearly three months demanding implementation of OROP.
However, cracks appeared in the front this week as its various factions levelled allegations against each other.
While a section of the veterans were against holding the 'Sainkik Ekta' rally, others feel they have been let down by the government, which had announced OROP on Saturday last.
On Wednesday, Lt Gen (retd) Balbir Singh, a key member of the front, had announced the exit of his group, Indian Ex-Services League, citing lack of cohesion and the continuance of protests.
Other participants in the agitation, including Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, have rejected the government's version of OROP and have now put forward seven points of dissent.
"The government has created avoidable confusion by including VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) in their announcement as it does not exist in the defence forces. However, those who have taken premature retirement must come under OROP," Mr Satbir said.
The veterans have also objected to the government's taking of the calendar year 2013 instead of financial year 2013-14 for fixing the base.
"The defence minister had earlier assured that the pensions would be taken from the top of the pay scales, but now the government seems to have gone to an unknown concept," he said.
The ex-servicemen are also opposed to the formation of a one-man judicial commission and demanded that it should be composed of three ex-servicemen, one serving officer and a bureaucrat.
Also, the deadline for the commission to come out with a report on the implementation of the OROP should be one month instead of the six proposed by the government.
The protesting veterans have also demanded that the OROP should be independent of the Central Pay Commission and the concept should be in perpetuity.
Rejecting the government's proposal of pension revision every five years, Mr Satbir said, "We had agreed to even two years, but now we seek our original demand of revision every year."
The rally, which began at 10 am at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, was attended by ex-servicemen from different parts of the country.
Various ex-servicemen groups had come under the common banner of United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM) to hold protests across the country for nearly three months demanding implementation of OROP.
While a section of the veterans were against holding the 'Sainkik Ekta' rally, others feel they have been let down by the government, which had announced OROP on Saturday last.
Advertisement
Other participants in the agitation, including Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, have rejected the government's version of OROP and have now put forward seven points of dissent.
Advertisement
The veterans have also objected to the government's taking of the calendar year 2013 instead of financial year 2013-14 for fixing the base.
Advertisement
The ex-servicemen are also opposed to the formation of a one-man judicial commission and demanded that it should be composed of three ex-servicemen, one serving officer and a bureaucrat.
Advertisement
The protesting veterans have also demanded that the OROP should be independent of the Central Pay Commission and the concept should be in perpetuity.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"For How Many Years...": Court Raps Centre Over One Rank One Pension Dues PM Modi, Emmanuel Macron Meet At Jaipur Jantar Mantar Ahead Of Roadshow All You Need To Know About Jaipur Jantar Mantar Where PM Modi Will Meet Emmanuel Macron 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case Starbucks' Indian-Origin CEO, Recently Fired, Never Worked Past 6 pm "Will Suspend All Freebies Unless...": Supreme Court's Warning To Maharashtra 3 Budding Hockey Players Killed In Lightning Strike In Jharkhand: Cops The Stories Of Valour You Need To Know Of Chakra Awardees Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.