PRESS RELEASE (OROP)
AS AT 1800 HRS 13 Dec, 2015
JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI
Breaking news
1. Once again, a sea of humanity at Jantar Mantar at today’s Sainik Aakrosh Rally.
2. Arun Jaitley’s statement at the eleventh hour spoils reconciliatory mood of the veterans.
3. Veterans openly announce vote against BJP and isolate Jaitley.
REPORT ON RALLY
1. Sainik Aakrosh Rally at Jantar Mantar today was an astounding, resounding and thumping success.
2. In some quarters, it was misunderstood that this Sainik Aakrosh Rally was meant to express our anger at OROP not being granted as per Koshiary committee report. In fact, it was to express veterans’ accumulated anger of the last 68 year for being degraded, downgraded and maltreated in the garb of democracy. Honorable first prime minister of independent India did not want army and wanted to be apostle of peace in the world. He went ahead even to reduce its strength. This caused us a humiliating defeat in 1962 and which will remain a permanent depressing blot on the nation psych.
3. Honorable fourth prime minister of India and the daughter of first prime minister snatched away our one rank one pension in 1973 when defense forces in 1971 gave the country one of the most brilliant victory in the annals of military history. Perhaps fear of the field marshal hounded her political ambition. Thereafter every pay commission brought down the status of defense forces with the most cruel stroke coming with the seventh pay commission recently.
4. OROP case has been going on for 42 years and when finally it has been delivered, it is not only lack luster but also without a soul. Adding fuel to fire are the hawkish statements given by politicians as well as bureaucratic condemning veterans as greedy, harbouring political ambitions and so on. This is simply playing with the pride and honour of the veterans and that is what make the veterans feel grievously hurt. Most hurting was the statement made by the honorable present prime minister in Chandigarh that OROP has been granted to the veterans at the cost of poor ( Garibon ka pet katkar sainikon ko OROP diya gaya hai)
5. Despite above provocations veterans of UFESM decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire to call off the agitation for two months to create a congenial atmosphere for the talks. This was also to allow the other group to show their mettle who not only claim to get all the issues resolved but also get JCOs/ORs pension enhanced to 70% and 75% respectively.
6. However, everything turned turtle with the reported immature, politically ill advised and factually incorrect statement of the honorable finance minister that all the veterans are happy with the OROP as sanctioned by the government. Only a fringe or small section is unhappy. We wish he could have been here to see the fringe, which actually was tsunami and flood of veterans at Jantar Mantar.
7. Despite the tempers running very high to immediately resort to some drastic action because of inaction on the part of the government, Gen Satbir was able to moderate and convince the veterans that we give another two to three weeks to government to come to an honorable and amicable settlement.
Today’s Sainik Aakrosh Rally dedicated to the field marshal Maneckshaw-
8. Some of you may not know that Field Marshal Maneckshaw’s daughter stays in Delhi. UFESM volunteers contacted her to grace the rally with her presence. However due to certain unavoidable reasons she expressed her inability/ regretted to attend the rally. At the same time, she was kind enough to handover a fully framed photograph of the Field Marshal, which is very dear to her. This photograph adorned the stage and there was standing ovation when Gen Satbir dedicated the rally to the most brilliant soldier of India and the architect of 1971 victory.
9. Emotionally Maneckshaw daughter also said although field marshal may not be present physically but this photograph should make everyone feel that he is present to express his solidarity with the just cause of the veterans. Throughout his life he talked about soldiers and veterans, therefore it will make him happy sitting in the heaven. We wish some of our surviving senior veterans draw an inspiration from the brave daughter of the Field Marshal and grace Jantar Mantar with their benign presence.
Motorcycle Rally
More than hundred bikers from all over India made a dazzling display of their solidarity with the movement. It included woman bikers also one of which had come from as far away as Pudducherry. There roaring support on the stage was as invigorating and inspiring as the disciplined entry and exit from the venue. We wish them all the success.
OROP Message Rider
Dfr H S Khaira led the motorcycle rally into the venue. He had covered more than five thousand Km along the border of Punjab and Jammu to not only spread the message of OROP but also collect the soil of battlefields where soldiers have shed their blood for the security and honor of the country. Soil was ceremonially handed over to Gen Satbir Singh on the stage. He kneeled down to pay the homage to the soil, which made him and everyone emotional once again.
Participation from 26 states
Mammoth gathering of about 15000-20000 of veterans representing 26 states attended the rally with majority from the northern states. In a referendum, everyone raised hands to approve the continuation of the protest at Jantar Mantar. Some of them were not prepared to even grant them one day of reconciliation suggested for two to three weeks if positive signals do not emanate from the government.
Appointment of Gen V K Singh as Mediator
Gen V K Singh in a communication made to Gen Satbir has divulged that, as on 13th Dec 2015 he has not received any communication from government appointing him as mediator. Therefore, there is no progress made on the meeting held in congenial atmosphere with the defense minister on 1st Dec 2015. This appears to be an ominous sign on the sincerity of the government to amicably resolve the issue in the near future. However, Gen Satbir still sounded positive about an honorable breakthrough.
Legal Action
Some veterans raised certain apprehensions about the legal actions. It was clarified that One-man commission has yet not been appointed by the government so far therefore no representation can be made legally to one-man commission as on date.
A- Some veterans were apprehensive that if we go to the court matter will become subjudice and the case will linger on for a long period. It was clarified that legal action as and when taken will not be a stay order against the notification issued but it will be against the several anomalies contained in the notification. .
B- Some veterans felt that legal option be exercised immediately. They were convinced when apprised that all the necessary spadework has been done and case will be immediately filed as and when our legal advisor of international fame Mr Ram Jethmalani decides to go ahead and which will not be very far off.
Refusal by Hindustan Times to publish advertisement
Everyone present became very angry when told that probably on government’s instruction Hindustan times has refused to publish an advertisement regarding OROP. This is not sportsmanship and soldiers / veterans call it hitting below the belt. Power that be may like to answer the propriety of the action to deny a right enshrined and granted in the constitution.
Blockage of media sites
As the rally was coming to an end our social media site got blocked. This has happened earlier also. Is it fair? Mandarins may like to answer
IRE against Finance minister
As brought out earlier there was seething anger against the honourable FM who probably is perceived to be biggest stumbling block presently and in future will also remain the biggest stumbling block for the grant of genuine OROP.Therefore, there is a need to isolate him. BJP may also like to pontificate / ponder seriously over this issue as to how an unelected person holds complete sway can over the elected body. Veterans should not be punished for voting according to their will in a democratic system.
Media coverage
Media covered the event adequately with live broadcast especially NDTV. We are thankful to them for their unstinted support.
Rally to pay homage to the martyrs of independent India
It was told to the gathering that on 16th Dec 2015 UFESM will hold a rally at Vijay Chowk to pay homage to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives from 1947 till date. Modalities of the event will be intimated later however it will be done in a dignified manner.
The Photograph of Field Marshal Sam Bahadur,
presented by his daughter, adorns the main poster at Jantar Mantar
presented by his daughter, adorns the main poster at Jantar Mantar
(The Photograph could have taken from better angle to avoid glare of the glass)
Left to Right –
Lt Col Inderjit Singh, Grenadiers,
Chairman All India Ex-Services Welfare Association, THE DOYEN OF OROP Movement
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Chairman IESM, THE LIVE WIRE OF OROP Movement.
Lt Col Inderjit Singh, Grenadiers,
Chairman All India Ex-Services Welfare Association, THE DOYEN OF OROP Movement
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM, Chairman IESM, THE LIVE WIRE OF OROP Movement.
Gen Satbir Receiving the Soil Collected by Dfr H S Khaira from Various Battled Fields.
Gen Satbir with some of the Veterans who sat on Fast Unto Death during Aug-Sep 2015.
Sitting Down is Maj DP Singh, The Famous Blade Runner.
Sitting Down is Maj DP Singh, The Famous Blade Runner.
In the Centre Gp Capt VK Gandhi, Secy Gen IESM.
Gp Capt VK Gandhi and Wg Cdr CK Sharma
are the two strong pillars of IESM who are managing the daily show at Jantar Mantar,
along with some other Veterans and Veer Naris.
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Gp Capt VK Gandhi and Wg Cdr CK Sharma
are the two strong pillars of IESM who are managing the daily show at Jantar Mantar,
along with some other Veterans and Veer Naris.
----------
Updated: December 13, 2015 16:57 IST
Ex-servicemen to boycott R-Day celebrations over OROP
Ex-servicemen during a protest against the OROP scheme announced by the government at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Sunday.
Giving the government 15 days to begin discussions with them to resolve the impasse on the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP), ex-servicemen on Sunday announced that they would boycott the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 unless OROP is implemented in its rightful form.
“We will give the government 15 days to begin discussions and a notice period of another seven days beyond that. After that we will take the protest to the people. We will boycott the Republic Day celebrations and we will also request the ex-servicemen contingent that marches on Rajpath on January 26 to boycott the parade, Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh (retd), Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) said at a rally in Delhi.
Early this month, the ex-servicemen had announced that the government has agreed to appoint V.K. Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs to mediate between the government and veterans. However, Maj. Gen. Singh said that the government failed to adhere to that and demanded immediate action.
Maj. Gen. Singh said that the veterans would not vote for the BJP or its allies till OROP is implemented in its rightful form. “We voted for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections because of their assurance on OROP. But they have failed to honour it,” he told The Hindu.
Col. Anil Kaul (retd), media advisor, IESM, said that the notification issued by the government on November 7 is flawed and deviates from the accepted definition of OROP.
Veterans have listed seven points of deviation in the notification. The major issues of disagreement are the issue of pre-mature retirement (PMR) and pension equalisation. The notification stated that “those opting for PMR henceforth on their own accord will not be eligible for OROP”, which caused major concern among the serving community. On the equalisation, veterans have been demanding it annually as against five years proposed by the government in the spirit of the definition of OROP.
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OROP Row: Ex-Servicemen Threaten To Intensify Stir
Ex-servicemen with their family members during a protest against the One Rank One Pension scheme
announced by the government at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
announced by the government at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Ex-servicemen agitating over 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister VK Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister VK Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice.
"Issue an order today itself empowering VK Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Mr Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Mr Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government's OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen's organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it.
"He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here," Mr Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed.
Mr Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong.
Mr Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay "united" for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans are still unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
"Issue an order today itself empowering VK Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Mr Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Mr Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government's OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen's organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it.
"He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here," Mr Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed.
Mr Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong.
Mr Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay "united" for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans are still unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
--------
NDTV LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF 13 DEC AT JANTAR MANTAR
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OROP: Ex-servicemen threatens to intensify stir,
if demands not met within 3 weeks
Sunday, 13 December 2015 - 7:14pm IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
File Image PTI
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest,
demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
Ex-servicemen agitating over the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue on Sunday threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen(UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately". The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice. "Issue an order today itself empowering V K Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said. Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam. The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed. However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added. The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year. Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government's OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen's organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it. "He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here," Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed. Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong.
Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP. The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay "united" for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification. OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
---------
OROP: Ex-servicemen threaten to intensify stir
By PTI | 13 Dec, 2015, 05.26PM IST
NEW DELHI: Ex-servicemen agitating over the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice.
"Issue an order today itself empowering V K Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice.
"Issue an order today itself empowering V K Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
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Posted at: Dec 13 2015 10:03PM
OROP: Ex-servicemen threaten to intensify stir
Ex-servicemen holding a ‘Sainik Aakrosh’ rally at Jantar Mantar against the government notification
on the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) issue in New Delhi on Sunday.
Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
on the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) issue in New Delhi on Sunday.
Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
New Delhi, December 13
Ex-servicemen agitating over the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister VK Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice.
"Issue an order today itself empowering VK Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government's OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen's organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it.
"He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here," Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed.
Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong.
Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay "united" for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain. — PTI
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OROP: Ex-Servicemen Threatens To Intensify Stir
Press Trust Of India | New Delhi (India) | Updated: December 13, 2015 8:35 pm
Ex-servicemen agitating over the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) issue on Sunday threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints “formally” former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue “immediately”.
The veterans “gave” 15 days’ time to the government to “correct” its OROP scheme in line with the protesters’ expectations — failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
“We are giving the government 15 days’ time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days’ notice.
“Issue an order today itself empowering V K Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP,” major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during ‘Sainik Aakrosh’ rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha – more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has “cheated” veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
“You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored,” he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government’s OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen’s organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it.
“He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here,” Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
“The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are
against it,” he claimed.
against it,” he claimed.
Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will
call of the movement if proved wrong.
call of the movement if proved wrong.
Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay “united” for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1,
2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
-----------
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Ex-servicemen rally in Delhi against OROP announcement
Ex-servicemen agitating over the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks.
New Delhi, December 13, 2015 | Posted by Shruti Singh | UPDATED 23:54 IST
Ex-servicemen from across the country on Sunday held a 'Sainik Akrosh' rally in New Delhi to protest the government notification on the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) issue.
They threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The protesting ex-servicemen, who have been agitating at the Jantar Mantar for the last 183 days, claim the OROP scheme announced by the government is different from its original definition that was agreed upon between the two sides.
"There is no demand... the (OROP) scheme that parliament approved and the notification issued are different," Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who is spearheading the ex-servicemen's agitation, said.
"There are seven major mistakes. They (government) are telling the nation they have given the OROP but they have actually finished it," he said.
Singh also slammed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his alleged statement that more ex-servicemen were satisfied with the OROP scheme announced by the government.
"We are sad (that) Jaitley said most veterans have agreed to the scheme... it is a lie... look at the number of people who have come," he said.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
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पंजाब और कश्मीर की मिट्टी लेकर आंदोलन में पहुंचे पूर्व सैनिक हरजिंदर सिंह
Reported by Rajeev Ranjan , Edited by Suryakant Pathak , Last Updated: सोमवार दिसम्बर 14, 2015 12:18 AM IST
ओआरओपी आंदोलन में पहुंचे हरजिंदर सिंह।
नई दिल्ली: पंजाब के पटियाला जिले के रहने वाले पूर्व सैनिक दफेदार हरजिंदर सिंह दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतरमें हुई सैनिक आक्रोश रैली में दो छोटी-छोटी थैलियों में मिट्टी भरकर लाए। यह मिट्टी पंजाब की उनऐतिहासिक जगहों से लाई गई थी जहां देश के सैनिकों ने लड़ाई लड़ी थी। इसके अलावा वह जम्मू-कश्मीर कीउन जगहों की भी मिट्टी लाए हैं जहां आज भी आतंकवादियों से लड़ते हुए सैनिकों का खून गिरता है।
जवानों का खून सिर्फ जंग में ही नहीं गिरता
हरजिंदर ने याद दिलाया कि न केवल जंग में बल्कि बिना जंग के भी सैनिकों का खून दुश्मनों से लड़ते हुएगिरता है। हरजिंदर ने पंजाब और जम्मू में सरहद पर तैनात जवानों को कसम भी दिलाई कि देश कीहिफाजत जान देकर करनी है। उन्होंने कहा कि सरकार से लड़ाई उनके जैसे पूर्व सैनिक लड़ेंगे।
मोटरसाइकल से दिल्ली पहुंचे
सेना से 2007 में रिटायर हुए दफेदार हरजिंदर सिंह ने मोटरसाइकल से वन रैंक-वन पेंशन के समर्थन मेंअपनी यात्रा पांच दिसंबर से शुरू की और आज दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर पर खत्म की। हरजिंदर के दादाक्रांतिकारी थे तो पिता फौजी। वह अपने बेटे को भी फौजी बनाने में जुटे हैं। फिलहाल वे सरकार से नाराज हैंकि उसने ओआरओपी का अपना वादा पूरा नहीं किया जिस वजह से पूर्व सैनिकों का गुजारा बढ़ी मुश्किल सेपेंशन के सहारे होता है।
काले कपड़े पहनकर सरकार का विरोध
हरजिंदर कहते हैं मुझे 14000 रुपये पेंशन में मिलते हैं। कैसे इतनी राशि में अपने परिवार का गुजारा करूं।35 साल में रिटायर हो गया और फौज से बाहर कोई नौकरी भी नहीं मिली। वह काले रंग की मोटरसाइकलऔर काले कपड़े पहनने का कारण सरकार से विरोध बताते हैं। वह कहते हैं क्या करें आज न तो प्रधानमंत्रीऔर न ही रक्षा मंत्री को सैनिक की परवाह है? इसे क्या कहा जाए, छह महीने हो गए जंतर-मंतर पर पूर्वसैनिक धरने पर बैठे हैं लेकिन सरकार का कोई भी नुमाइंदा यहां बात करने नहीं आया? क्या यहां आने सेउनका सम्मान घट जाता? इससे पता लगता है कि सरकार और अधिकारियों की नजर में सेना क्या मायनेरखती है?
जवानों का खून सिर्फ जंग में ही नहीं गिरता
हरजिंदर ने याद दिलाया कि न केवल जंग में बल्कि बिना जंग के भी सैनिकों का खून दुश्मनों से लड़ते हुएगिरता है। हरजिंदर ने पंजाब और जम्मू में सरहद पर तैनात जवानों को कसम भी दिलाई कि देश कीहिफाजत जान देकर करनी है। उन्होंने कहा कि सरकार से लड़ाई उनके जैसे पूर्व सैनिक लड़ेंगे।
मोटरसाइकल से दिल्ली पहुंचे
सेना से 2007 में रिटायर हुए दफेदार हरजिंदर सिंह ने मोटरसाइकल से वन रैंक-वन पेंशन के समर्थन मेंअपनी यात्रा पांच दिसंबर से शुरू की और आज दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर पर खत्म की। हरजिंदर के दादाक्रांतिकारी थे तो पिता फौजी। वह अपने बेटे को भी फौजी बनाने में जुटे हैं। फिलहाल वे सरकार से नाराज हैंकि उसने ओआरओपी का अपना वादा पूरा नहीं किया जिस वजह से पूर्व सैनिकों का गुजारा बढ़ी मुश्किल सेपेंशन के सहारे होता है।
काले कपड़े पहनकर सरकार का विरोध
हरजिंदर कहते हैं मुझे 14000 रुपये पेंशन में मिलते हैं। कैसे इतनी राशि में अपने परिवार का गुजारा करूं।35 साल में रिटायर हो गया और फौज से बाहर कोई नौकरी भी नहीं मिली। वह काले रंग की मोटरसाइकलऔर काले कपड़े पहनने का कारण सरकार से विरोध बताते हैं। वह कहते हैं क्या करें आज न तो प्रधानमंत्रीऔर न ही रक्षा मंत्री को सैनिक की परवाह है? इसे क्या कहा जाए, छह महीने हो गए जंतर-मंतर पर पूर्वसैनिक धरने पर बैठे हैं लेकिन सरकार का कोई भी नुमाइंदा यहां बात करने नहीं आया? क्या यहां आने सेउनका सम्मान घट जाता? इससे पता लगता है कि सरकार और अधिकारियों की नजर में सेना क्या मायनेरखती है?
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जंतर-मंतर पर बैठे पूर्व सैनिक गणतंत्र दिवस समारोह का करेंगे बहिष्कार
Reported by Rajeev Ranjan , Edited by Suryakant Pathak , Last Updated: रविवार दिसम्बर 13, 2015 10:41 PM IST
तर मंतर पर धरना देते हुए पूर्व सैनिक।
नई दिल्ली: दिल्ली में पूर्व सैनिकों की आक्रोश रैली में अंबाला से आए 82 साल के ब्रिगेडियर बीएस बाजवा सरकार से काफीगुस्से में है। 1962,65 और 1971 की लड़ाइयों में हिस्सा ले चुके ब्रिगेडियर बाजवा कहते हैं कि हमारी यह लड़ाई अब पैसों कीनहीं इज्जत और सम्मान की है।
सरकार से वन रैंक-वन पेंशन का पुराना वादा लागू करने की मांग
सरकार के वन रैंक-वन पेंशन के एलान से नाराज करीब तीन हजार पूर्व सैनिक दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर पर जुटे हैं। यहीं परकरीब छह महीने से भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे इन सैनिकों की मांग है कि सरकार वन रैंक-वन पेंशन का अपना पुराना वादा लागूकरे। पूर्व सैनिक वैसे तो सरकार को ओआरओपी में सात विसंगतियां गिना रहे हैं पर सरकार का कहना है कि पूर्व सैनिकों कीअधिकतर मांगें मान ली गई हैं।
सरकार से वन रैंक-वन पेंशन का पुराना वादा लागू करने की मांग
सरकार के वन रैंक-वन पेंशन के एलान से नाराज करीब तीन हजार पूर्व सैनिक दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर पर जुटे हैं। यहीं परकरीब छह महीने से भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे इन सैनिकों की मांग है कि सरकार वन रैंक-वन पेंशन का अपना पुराना वादा लागूकरे। पूर्व सैनिक वैसे तो सरकार को ओआरओपी में सात विसंगतियां गिना रहे हैं पर सरकार का कहना है कि पूर्व सैनिकों कीअधिकतर मांगें मान ली गई हैं।
वित्त मंत्री ने कहा, ज्यादातर पूर्व सैनिकों ने सरकार का फैसला स्वीकारा
वित्त मंत्री अरुण जेटली ने कहा कि "सरकार अपने फैसले का एलान कर चुकी है। ज्यादातर पूर्व सैनिकों ने इसे स्वीकार करलिया है। अगर किसी गुट में इसको लेकर मतभेद है तो आपस में मिल बैठकर इसका हल करें। कई संगठन मिलकर मुझेबधाई दे चुके हैं कि सरकार ने उनकी बरसों पुरानी मांग मान ली है।" लेकिन कई पूर्व सैनिक इससे सहमत नहीं है। इंडियनएक्स सर्विस मेन मूवमेंट के चेयरमेन मेजर जनरल सतबीर सिंह ने कहा कि 'हम विरोध के तौर पर न केवल 26 जनवरी केकार्यक्रम का बहिष्कार करेंगे बल्कि अपने समर्थकों से बीजेपी और उसके सहयोगी दलों को वोट न देने की अपील करेंगे।'उन्होंने साथ में यह भी कहा कि अगर सरकार उनकी मांग मान लेती है तो उनके पूर्व सैनिक 26 जनवरी की परेड में हिस्सालेंगे।
वित्त मंत्री अरुण जेटली ने कहा कि "सरकार अपने फैसले का एलान कर चुकी है। ज्यादातर पूर्व सैनिकों ने इसे स्वीकार करलिया है। अगर किसी गुट में इसको लेकर मतभेद है तो आपस में मिल बैठकर इसका हल करें। कई संगठन मिलकर मुझेबधाई दे चुके हैं कि सरकार ने उनकी बरसों पुरानी मांग मान ली है।" लेकिन कई पूर्व सैनिक इससे सहमत नहीं है। इंडियनएक्स सर्विस मेन मूवमेंट के चेयरमेन मेजर जनरल सतबीर सिंह ने कहा कि 'हम विरोध के तौर पर न केवल 26 जनवरी केकार्यक्रम का बहिष्कार करेंगे बल्कि अपने समर्थकों से बीजेपी और उसके सहयोगी दलों को वोट न देने की अपील करेंगे।'उन्होंने साथ में यह भी कहा कि अगर सरकार उनकी मांग मान लेती है तो उनके पूर्व सैनिक 26 जनवरी की परेड में हिस्सालेंगे।
सरकार को 15 दिन का वक्त दिया
जंतर मंतर पर आए पूर्व सैनिकों ने सरकार को 15 दिन का वक्त दिया है। अगर इस दौरान भी सरकार की ओर से कोई पहलनहीं होती है तो वे फिर एक हफ्ते का नोटिस देंगे और उसके बाद भी कुछ नहीं हुआ तो फिर आंदोलन को सड़क पर लेआएंगे।
जंतर मंतर पर आए पूर्व सैनिकों ने सरकार को 15 दिन का वक्त दिया है। अगर इस दौरान भी सरकार की ओर से कोई पहलनहीं होती है तो वे फिर एक हफ्ते का नोटिस देंगे और उसके बाद भी कुछ नहीं हुआ तो फिर आंदोलन को सड़क पर लेआएंगे।
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Ex-servicemen rally in Delhi
against OROP announcement
Tags: Jantar Mantar, OROP, Sainik Aakrosh Rally
New Delhi, Dec 13: Ex-servicemen from across the country on Sunday held a ‘Sainik Akrosh’ rally here to protest the government notification on the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) issue.The protesting ex-servicemen, who have been agitating at the Jantar Mantar here for the last 183 days, claim the OROP scheme announced by the government is different from its original definition that was agreed upon between the two sides.”There is no demand… the (OROP) scheme that parliament approved and the notification issued are different,” Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who is spearheading the ex-servicemen’s agitation, said. (Also Read: OROP; Ex-servicemen threatens to intensify stir)
“There are seven major mistakes. They (government) are telling the nation they have given the OROP but they have actually finished it,” he said.Singh also slammed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his alleged statement that more ex-servicemen were satisfied with the OROP scheme announced by the government.”We are sad (that) Jaitley said most veterans have agreed to the scheme… it is a lie… look at the number of people who have come,” he said.
Modified Date: December 13, 2015 7:35 PM
OROP:
Ex-servicemen threatens to intensify stir
By Press Trust of India @indiacom | December 13, 2015 5:17 PM
New Delhi, Dec 13 : Ex-servicemen agitating over the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections. The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints “formally” former Army Chief and Union Minister V K Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue “immediately”. (Also Read: Ex-servicemen protest in Haryana over OROP)
The veterans “gave” 15 days’ time to the government to “correct” its OROP scheme in line with the protesters’ expectations — failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified. ”We are giving the government 15 days’ time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days’ notice. ”Issue an order today itself empowering V K Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP,” major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during ‘Sainik Aakrosh’ rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here. Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam. The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha – more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has “cheated” veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said. ”You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored,” he added. The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year.
Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government’s OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen’s organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it. ”He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here,” Singh said, pointing towards the gathering. ”The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it,” he claimed.
Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong. Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP. The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP.
He urged the ex-servicemen to stay “united” for their rights. The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification. OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
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http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/orop-issue-ex-servicemen-threaten-to-intensify-stir_1834027.html
OROP issue:
Ex-servicemen threaten to intensify stir
Ex-servicemen threaten to intensify stir
Last Updated: Monday, December 14, 2015 - 01:00
New Delhi: Ex-servicemen agitating over the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue today threatened to intensify the protest if their demands were not met by the Centre within three weeks even as they decided to not vote for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFES), an umbrella body of associations of ex-servicemen which is leading the protest, demanded that the Centre appoints "formally" former Army Chief and Union Minister VK Singh as the mediator between them and the government to resolve the issue "immediately".
The veterans "gave" 15 days' time to the government to "correct" its OROP scheme in line with the protesters' expectations -- failing which a seven-day notice period will be given to the government before the protest is intensified.
"We are giving the government 15 days' time, requesting the government for mediation and after that we will give them seven days' notice.
"Issue an order today itself empowering VK Singh to mediate with us and discuss the issue with us and resolve it within three-four days by removing seven discrepancies in the government OROP," major general (retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest, said.
Singh made the demand during 'Sainik Aakrosh' rally organised by UFES at Jantar Mantar here.
Aiming to mount pressure on the NDA government, the UFES urged its members to not vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in several including Assam.
The veterans claimed it were the votes of ex-servicemen which helped BJP improve its tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha - more than what the NDA major itself had expected, they claimed.
However, the government has "cheated" veterans by not giving the OROP they wanted and BJP had promised to give, Singh said.
"You saw what happened to the party in Delhi and recently Bihar. We urge the members to not vote for it in upcoming polls now if our demands are ignored," he added.
The UFES also called upon ex-servicemen present at the rally to boycott Republic Day celebrations this year. Major general (retd) Singh also hit out at Union Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley for stating that the government's OROP formula was accepted by most of the ex-servicemen's organisations and that only a small section had some issues with it.
"He (Jaitley) should come here and see the number of people who have turned up here," Singh said, pointing towards the gathering.
"The number would be even bigger had our other colleagues reached here in time. Jaitley claims their OROP is acceptable to most of us, it is a lie. More than 99.99 per cent of us are against it," he claimed.
Singh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to face a debate with UFES on the issue and added that the ex-servicemen will call of the movement if proved wrong.
Singh also announced the UFES rejected 7th pay commission report, saying it is over and above OROP.
The rally was also addressed by Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is considered to have begun the fight for OROP. He urged the ex-servicemen to stay "united" for their rights.
The government came out with a notification on OROP on November 7 but the veterans still remain unsatisfied. They have demanded that OROP should be implemented from April 1, 2014 and not July 1, 2015 as in the government notification.
OROP principle is in perpetuity and cannot be fiddled with, they maintain.
PTI
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Monday, December 14, 2015
Ex-servicemen Rally in Delhi Against OROP Announcement
By IANS
Published: 13th December 2015 11:26 PM
Last Updated: 13th December 2015 11:26 PM
NEW DELHI: With the protest over 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) marking its 183rd day on Sunday, ex-servicemen gave the government three weeks' time to resolve the issue, and warned of stringent steps after that.
"We have given the government two weeks, after that we will give one week's notice. This disciplined agitation will change if the government does not listen to us," spokesperson of the Indian Ex-Servicemen (IESM) movement Col. Anil Kaul (retd) told IANS at a rally at Jantar Mantar here.
He said the step was taken following a demand in this regard by ex-servicemen from across the country.
The veteran also said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement that most former soldiers were happy with the schemes has angered more ex-servicemen.
A member of the IESM told IANS that they had almost agreed to tone down the movement, but Jaitley's statement irked several members.
Ex-servicemen from across the country on Sunday held a 'Sainik Akrosh' rally here to protest the government notification on OROP.
The veterans also said they will boycott the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The member also said a half-page advertisement that the veterans had given in a leading newspaper was stopped after the government's intervention.
The protesting ex-servicemen, who have been agitating at Jantar Mantar for the last 183 days, claim that the OROP scheme announced by the government was different from its original definition that was agreed upon between the two sides.
"There is no demand... the (OROP) scheme that parliament approved and the notification issued are different," said Major General Satbir Singh (retd), who is spearheading the ex-servicemen's agitation.
"There are seven major mistakes. They (government) are telling the nation they have given OROP but they have actually finished it," he said.
Singh also slammed Jaitley for his alleged statement that more ex-servicemen were satisfied with the OROP scheme announced by the government.
"We are sad (that) Jaitley said most veterans have agreed to the scheme... it is a lie... look at the number of people who have come," he said.
The IESM said around 10,000 people participated in the rally.
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Monday, Dec 14, 2015
OROP acceptable to large number of defence associations:
FM Arun Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said government's OROP (One Rank One Pension) formula for retired defence personnel has been accepted by most associations and only a small section had some issues on it. (PTI)
ROP acceptable to large number of defence associations: FM Arun Jaitley
Army veterans have been protesting for One Rank, One Pension (OROP) for over four decades. Recently, when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the implementation of OROP, some ex-servicemen boycotted it while some gave it thumbs-up. Here are five points Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said about OROP: (PTI)
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said government's OROP (One Rank One Pension) formula for retired defence personnel has been accepted by most associations and only a small section had some issues on it. (PTI)
Army veterans have been protesting for One Rank, One Pension (OROP) for over four decades. Recently, when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the implementation of OROP, some ex-servicemen boycotted it while some gave it thumbs-up. Here are five points Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said about OROP: (PTI)
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said government's OROP (One Rank One Pension) formula for retired defence personnel has been accepted by most associations and only a small section had some issues on it. (PTI)
"The government has already announced its decision. Most personnel in their (defence) organisations have accepted that. If one faction or the other have reservations, I think it's for all of you to sit together and decide ...within the organisation itself. (PTI)
"The mainstream organisations personally met me and thanked the government that their long-standing demand has been accepted," he said. The Minister was responding to a question on the implementation of OROP. As approved by the government in September, the OROP will be implemented from July 2014 and arrears alone would cost the exchequer about Rs 10,000-12,000 crore.
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Defence ministry seeks more funds post-OROP
IANS | New Delhi December 11, 2015 Last Updated at 18:18 IST
In the wake of the announcement on the implementation of the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen, the defence ministry has sought additional budgetary allocation of over Rs.5,000 crore for the current fiscal.
(Thanks to some Veterans, who feel that we should accept what Govt is giving – Rs 8,300 crore is now reduced to Rs 5,000 crore; and then they feel proud about it – Chander Kamboj)
According to the Supplementary Demands for Grants, tabled by the government in parliament on Friday, the defence ministry sought Rs.5,735.74 crore in addition to its budget "for meeting expenditure towards increased rate of relief on pension and growth in pension".
The government announced the OROP scheme on September 5, following agitation and indefinite fast by ex-servicemen at the Jantar Mantar here. A notification was issued on November 7.
The defence ministry said the pension of earlier retirees would be re-fixed on the basis of those who retired in 2013 and the benefit would be given with effect from July 1, 2014.
The notification said pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retiring in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
Arrears will be paid in four equal half-yearly instalments. However, for all family pensioners, including those in receipt of special or liberalised family pension, and gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
The pension would be revised every five years.
The veterans however rejected this scheme, calling it 'one rank five pension' and continue to agitate.
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New Delhi: Veteran lawyer and Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani on Monday attacked the central government for allegedly going back on its promise on 'One Rank, One Pension' issue, and said he would legally fight the ex-servicemen's case if the need arose.
Jethmalani, however, added that he hoped the issue would be settled amicably and ex-servicemen would not need to take legal recourse.
"I am ashamed of the breach of promise... the prime minister went on record that there is another interpretation of OROP which was recommended to him by a cabinet minister," said Jethmalani.
"The prime minister has no right to stay in his post if he says I made this promise but do not understand what it meant," he said at a press conference with veterans who are protesting for OROP at the Jantar Mantar here.
He said that the government must not say it does not have money to give OROP to ex-servicemen.
"If the prime minister does not attend a few meetings abroad, money can be saved," he said.
Jethmalani also accused the government of going back on its promise on black money.
He said despite his expulsion from the Bharatiya Janata Party in May 2013, he supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
The senior Supreme Court lawyer said he went to Bihar when the Grand Alliance invited him so that he could "seek forgiveness" for supporting Modi.
The Services veterans, protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last 176 days, plan to hold a 'Sainik Akrosh' rally here on December 13.
"We hope all anomalies that exist in the government notification will be resolved speedily and mutually. The main aim is to see that the OROP is as per the parliament-approved definition of February and July 2014," a statement from the ex-servicemen said.
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