Let veterans prove OROP stir not politically motivated: Parrikar

Terming the attempts by war veterans to burn medals as an insult to the nation and armed forces, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said it was for protesting ex-service personnel to prove that there was no political motive behind the ‘one rank, one pension’ (OROP) stir.

“If I say something, it will become an allegation. Let them prove that it is not political,” he said when asked if he saw a political link to continuing agitation, despite the government’s response and notification on the OROP scheme.

“Medals are a recognition of the nation for the sacrifice done by the armed forces,” he said in reply to another query, adding that: “Burning and returning them is an insult to the nation and the defence forces.” 

The minister’s comments come in the wake of a section of the ex-service personnel expressing dissatisfaction on the ground that the OROP notification has not fully met their demands.

The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country.

“Medals are a recognition of bravery, for the service to the nation. It has nothing to do with service conditions whereas OROP is about service conditions. It does not say you are entitled for medals, it talks about service conditions like your pay and entitlement,” Parrikar said.

On the issue of grievances of protesting ex-servicemen, he said: “Let them put the demands before the judicial committee, they will address it.” He said implementing OROP was BJP’s electoral promise and it had been fulfilled.

Earlier in the day, he unveiled the first phase of the commissioning of Boeing P8i Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft fleet at Naval Air Station “INS Rajali” in the town, about 85 km from Chennai.

In the next phase, four more such aircraft would be inducted making it a fleet of 12 high-tech surveillance planes.

The induction of the eighth P8i plane and completion of aircraft equipment testing, trials and crew training for all the eight aircraft marked the launch of the first phase.

The function was attended by the top defence brass, including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command and other senior officials from the navy as well as civil administration.

Parrikar, who flew to INS Rajali aboard a Boeing P-8I from Port Blair, described the aircraft as one of the best for surveillance.

During the flight, Parrikar was given an exposure to various sensors and other sophisticated equipment and their capabilities.

He said the aircraft will provide the Indian Navy the necessary reach and flexibility to undertake extensive surveillance as also to respond swiftly and effectively to contingencies in the areas of interest.

He referred to P-8I aircraft making notable contribution in the search effort for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370 and the first successful firing of air-launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world, among others.

P-8I is a variant of P-8A Poseidon plane that Boeing developed as a replacement for US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.

Indian Navy became the first international customer for P-8 aircraft with the conclusion of the nearly USD 2.1 billion contract on January 1, 2009 for a total of eight planes.

The first aircraft arrived in India on the May 15, 2013 and as of date, all the eight planes have been inducted in the Indian Navy and are fully integrated into its operations.

P-8I plane is equipped for long range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations.

Its communication and sensor suite includes indigenous equipment developed by defence PSUs and private manufacturers.

With its high speed and high endurance of about 10 hours, the aircraft is capable of thrusting a punitive response and maintaining a watch over India’s immediate and extended areas of interest.