Centre to push diluted OROP?

The government floated a Hindi draft of the proposed OROP package on Friday afternoon in a bid to gauge the mood of the protesting army veterans. Highly placed government sources said that it may propose a compromise formula on pension revision every three years.

“There are reports that the government may unilaterally declare the implementation of OROP. If it is as per our terms and conditions then we will welcome it and thank the government. If not, then the unilateral declaration will be unacceptable to us. We will intensify our protest,” said Maj Gen Satbir Singh (<g data-gr-id="69">retd</g>), Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement.

“Our fight is not against any leader, political party or the government. It is for our rights and the injustice meted out to us. Soldiers have sacrificed their lives for the country,” Singh said, adding that their main focus was that the base year for the implementation of OROP should be March 31, 2014, the end of the financial year 2013-14. 

The ex-servicemen have also been asking for annual revision of pension, but are also ready to settle for biennial revision, “but not beyond that”. “We have heard that the government may declare the date of effectiveness from July 1, but we are not ready for this. The date of effectiveness should be April 1, 2014.

“April 1 should be the date when arrears should be given. This is what Parliament had passed. If they don’t give every year, then it is not OROP. If the government acts in stubborn manner, then we have other ways to bring them on track. But even if they say two years (for revision of pension) then we are ready,” Singh said. “If the government can spend Rs 60 crore on giving subsidy on Parliament canteen, then I have nothing to say,” he added.

As the ex-servicemen’s fight for their demand reached 82nd day, Singh appealed to the other retired personnel to join the stir. “If you (ex-servicemen) are watching this (on the television) from villages, different part of the country, come to Delhi and join us. Our movement is strengthening. On August, the OROP (<g data-gr-id="73">hastag</g>) was trending for seven hours on Twitter,” he said.

The ex-servicemen claimed that they had also sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi five times in last one year but received no response, and reiterated their demand for an audience with him.

Government sources indicated that the OROP package may <g data-gr-id="77">unveiled</g> on Monday or Tuesday, to coincide with the announcement of the Bihar poll dates by the Election Commission.