Facing an apathetic bureaucracy and a self serving
political system, hundreds of defence veterans and war widows are out on the
streets to build pressure on the Narendra Modi government for the early
implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme. Since June 12, the veterans
including many war heroes and highly decorated former defence personnel, their
families and even some youngsters are peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar
for their right and pride.
The One Rank One Pension system means a retired soldier of
the same rank and same length of service will get the same pension regardless
of when the person retires.
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"It is not about money but it is our right. The government
must give it. Now, it has become a fight for our pride. If the government says
it has no money for us, we will stop our protest," said Chairman of Indian
Ex-servicemen Movement Major General (retired) Satbir Singh, one of the leaders
of the agitation.
It was during former Indira Gandhi's tenure (1966-1977)
that major changes were made in the pension scheme of the soldiers and those in
the lower ranks of defence forces were affected the most. The Third Pay
Commission, which came into effect from November 1, 1973, decided that a
soldier from the rank of Sipahi to Subedar Major will get 50% of his salary as
pension vis-a-vis 70% that was given earlier but with a condition that he has
to complete 33 years in service.
But the irony is that to ensure the youthful profile of
defence forces a jawan can be in service only till the age of 35-37 years and
so he cannot fulfil the given condition and gets lesser pension. Moreover, the
20% of his due was given to the civilian employees who never ever undergo the hardships
that a soldier faces during his career.
But the Third Pay Commission did not affect the pension of
officers and hence they never raised any objection. "It was Colonel
Inderjeet Singh who raised his voice in 1982 for the implementation of One Rank
One Pension," said Naik Subedar (retired) Gurucharan Singh Sidhu, General
Secretary of Armed Forces Veterans Association of India.
The government has already made it clear that the scheme
will be implemented with effect from April 1, 2014 but it is yet to see the
light of day. The total amount for implementing OROP stands at Rs 8,252 crore
and will benefit around 25 to 27 lakh war veterans and 6 lakh widows.
"I do not understand where the confusion is.
Everything is clear - Parliament has passed it twice, the Supreme Court has
asked to implement it. The Defence Ministry has cleared it and the Finance
Ministry has to provide the fund now. It is the bureaucracy which is a major
roadblock," said Naik Subedar (retired) Sidhu.
If a soldier dies, the beneficiary of his pension will
only be his wife, his daughter until she's married or his differently-abled
child.
"Our fight is majorly for war widows and lower ranks
who suffer the most," said Colonel (retired) Pushpender Singh, who is
sitting on fast-unto-death since August 16.
As the scheme will come into effect from April 1, 2014,
veterans will not get arrears from when they retired and only their pension
will be equal to that of a soldier retiring today holding same rank and having
put in same years in service. They will get their dues for last one-half-years.
A proposal was also made to the government to give cash to
war widows and soldiers upto the rank of Subedar Major immediately and the rest
can be given bonds for one-two years. But it is to be seen whether government
will accept their proposal or come up with a fresh one.
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