The principle which implements OROP we are committed to it but it has to be based on some principles," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. (PTI)
The government on Saturday said it has “significantly narrowed down” the gaps with the agitating ex- servicemen but held out no concrete assurances over ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) even as the veterans sought President Pranab Mukherjee’s intervention to resolve the vexed issue.
“I understand that over the last few days the gap has narrowed down significantly… The principle which implements OROP we are committed to it but it has to be based on some principles,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.
He also cautioned against raising demands which the economy cannot afford, asserting that what happened last Monday will probably happen once every month if we discard all fiscal norms and fiscal prudence.
“Therefore, you have to have a more disciplined economy and therefore, those raising demands in the various segments must realise that the governments can also implement such demands as much as the state of the economy can afford. But I’d like to see people being paid more,” Jaitley said at an event here, noting that one cannot have a system where pension of one segment is revised every year.
“Can it happen anywhere else in the world? And then if you do it one segment you have a demonstrative effect on other segments. And then we can forget about fiscal deficits and fiscal prudence and probably what happened last Monday will probably happen once every month if we discard all fiscal norms,” he added.
The annual revision of pension is one of the keys demands of the ex-servicemen who are seeking implementation of OROP.
Meanwhile, ex-servicemen took their 76-day-old agitation a notch higher by seeking the intervention of Mukherjee to resolve the vexed issue, stating that if any “damage or mishap happens” to those on hunger strike he and the government will be “solely responsible”.
In a letter to the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, United Front of Ex-servicemen (UFESM) said a soldier is supposed to kill enemy before laying down his life for country, “But under your rule, a soldier’s life is at stake and is being wasted as he is being deprived of his legitimate dues”.
UFESM, an umbrella organisation of agitating veterans, noted that as many as four former soldiers, who are on fast- unto-death, have been hospitalised and that health of another ex-serviceman Havildar Major Singh, who was on an indefinite fast since August 16, was fast deteriorating.
“Panel of doctors has declared that his medical condition has deteriorated to dangerous level and he needs to be hospitalised immediately to save his life,” the letter, a copy of which has also been sent to PMO, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP President Amit Shah, said.
“Your Excellency and the Government of India will be solely responsible if any damage/mishap happens to Havildar Major Singh or any other ex-servicemen because of hunger strike,” it said.
The letter requested Mukherjee to instruct the government to implement OROP as per the Ministry of Defence letter dated February 26, 2014.
(Source- The Financial Express)
Being an armed forces veteran, I cannot find the 3% increment anything but logical. For the sake of widows of veterans, NCOs & JCOs, if we lose 2 to 3 thousand per month, our focus should not be lost. No one who retired say in 2013 got a 3% raise pa. He just gets his last pension till the next pay commission. Please do not botch up a good case. Period
ReplyDeleteWATCH this program which is based on OROP, this link here : Hum Log: OROP deadlock continues - http://www.newsnation.in/videos/special/humlog-68/14592
ReplyDeletePMO, FM & FMO,DM & DMO are requested read the articles in Aerial View 10525 Blog dated 29 Aug 2015 for clarifications on 3% Increments and I hope the things will be clear thereafter. They ca also discuss if any doubt with comcerned officials. Why lives of ESM on FUD are put in danger?
ReplyDeletewhat is the principle that FM is talking about. I thought there is only one principle that a word given by the chief of executive to be implemented in letter and spirit. should there be a fiscal issue down the road, we will all be there to work things out for the betterment of country. Some bureaucrats sitting down working out maths feeding wrong lopsided information to political bosses is not helping. they are just trying to scuttle the whole issue. When the leader of a country makes a statement it is the responsibility of people who fed him the information to stand by it. Why was making a noise in Rajya Sabha when UPA was in power was he clueless of the financial implication then. So what is the difference between then and now. I guess no principle "then" and principle "now".
ReplyDeleteAs a retired officer, I very strongly feel that 3% increment must at least be given to the widows and veteran NCos/JCos
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused. why is there a second principle for the same subject matter
ReplyDeleteWe the veterans should promptly rebut twists being added every now and then by the finance minister and the govt reps handling the issue .They shall not be allowed to back out from their commitment made in black and white.This must be aggressively highlighted in block capital for the gen public to know and stay with our cause.
ReplyDeleteDear sirs,
ReplyDeleteArun Jaitely is very much happy seeing the veterans sitting on hunger strike to achieve their noble and just demand of OROP, because he was defeated by the ex army candidate in the lok sabha election, that stands testimony to his aversion and vengeful act against ex army people, MODI and PARRIKAR are immature politicians. now we come to realise the sin that we committed by electing them to rule the country, no body is happy from soldier to general, kissan bai, office goers and layman. let us wait for another four years. take it in written affidavit from see MODI will not repeat will not announce the implementation of OROP. His era as PM in india to be engraved as black days in the history
The FM is basically a lawyer besides being a failed politician, believes in the legal tradition of Tarikh par Tarikh which he has so far successfully implemented inspite of best efforts of RM to implement OROP . The FMs fondness for principles is laughable consequent to the bonanza for Bihar
ReplyDeleteOROP -----Hijacked by officers Group
ReplyDeleteWhen the OROP was demanded most of the officers retired from the rank of Major and 50 – 55years of age. In the last 30 years many thing changed in the defence forces. Officer’s cadre review gives more and fast promotions. Now officer minimum rank of retirement is Col/Brig. They have option to serve up to 60 years of age at par equal to cent civ servants.
Nothing more is changed for PBOR's a jawan has to retire between 35- 40 years of age where as others can serve up to 60 years.
Actually PBOR's are only eligible and have first & last right on OROP but officers also want the OROP. This is the obstacle in the way of OROP.
The Govt is scared, if it is granted to offrs then all civ servants will demand nobody can stop them.
It is requested to the Govt OROP to be given to the PBOR’s only at the earliest without any suspect or fear of civ servants.
I fail to understand what is the purpose of writing to The President. Can he do something that the Prime Minister cannot do? He is the Supreme Commander only in name. He is neither Suprme nor Command. When the actual commander, the chamcha COAS does not resign & protest what is the use of writing to rubber stamp President?
ReplyDeleteNow all the pensionrs will ask for 3% increase in the pension. Which is not correct. The OROP should be below officers rank. When we are in service their hands are high and now also they are doing the same
ReplyDeleteNow all the pensionrs will ask for 3% increase in the pension. Which is not correct. The OROP should be below officers rank. When we are in service their hands are high and now also they are doing the same
ReplyDeleteNow all the pensionrs will ask for 3% increase in the pension. Which is not correct. The OROP should be below officers rank. When we are in service their hands are high and now also they are doing the same
ReplyDeleteIf only Rs.33,000 is being spent by Govt on defence veterans who are 77% and remaining 23% are civilians in defence service pension on completion of 60 years age and their pension budget is Rs. 22000 crores. Why Govt Babus showing all budget of Rs.55000 crores only on defence combatant pensioners. It is great thing in over estimating defence veterans pensionary budget and fooling Political leaders and indian population. Once this figure is in hands of other political parties, Govt will face music in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for bluffing the nation and with holding approved OROP twice by the Parliament.One must read "Report My Signal" blog Email 230/2015 dated 30 Aug 2015. SHAME SHAME, SHAME by deceiving Defence Veterans on OROP..
ReplyDeleteWith draw 6th pay commission anomaly wef 1.1.06 All problems will be solved and will be easy to solved OROP issue.
ReplyDeleteBelieve the gap has been closed considerably given the country's expected fiscal situation down the road. So go for it now and see what happens after the announcement VII pay commission
ReplyDeleteOROP is not worth at the cost of the lives of veterans who are on FUD
ReplyDeleteWhat principle the minister wants. The three percent increase per annum is to bridge future gaps of future retiree and past retirees. OROP is least worth when compared life if veterans. Most shame to the. THE REPUBLIC HEAD AND DEMOCRATIC RULERS TO MAINTAIN DEAD SILENCE WHEN SOLDIERS ON THE STREET TO BEG FOR HIS DUES. Their stomach fully quenched when their soldiers belly throng for food. Probably they must have had human food only.
ReplyDeleteMr Jaitley is a liar, dihonest and a cheat completely sold to Babu's views and as long as he is a decision maker he will never agree to OROP. As a DM/FM he has messed up the issue in the early stages of this government. He will be least affected even if more than one Jawan at Jantar Mantar scumbs to the FUD even if the OROP cost to the nation is peanuts.
ReplyDeleteSoon after announcing Rs,1000/- crore, came modalities,then technicalities,feasibility, arithmetic and now principle.It is mockery on a decision accepted in the floor of the house and held right by the highest judiciary. When bureaucrat had done it for themselves by way of NFU (equal to OROP), there was no modality, technicality, arithmetic etc It is shame...
ReplyDeleteSir, My comments dated 30 Aug 2015 at 4.40 PM,. By mistake Defence veterans pension budget have been given as Rs. 33,000 crores whereas it is Rs.22,000 crores for 22 Lakhs veterans and 6 lakh widows(Veer Naries). Pension budget of 4 lakhs Defence Civilians is Rs.33,000 crors and not Rs. 22,000 crores. Why the Govt is not reflecting these two categoies pension budget separately. I hope this being done by IAS babus purposefully to confuse the issue.
ReplyDelete