New Delhi: Succumbing to pressure, the Central government is likely to announce the implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme on August 28, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to make the announcement himself.
The move comes even as three ex-servicemen are on on fast-unto-death. The three veterans are Colonel (retired) Pushpender Singh, Havaldar Major Singh, Havaldar Ashok Chauhan. Colonel Singh was moved to the ICU of the Army Research and Referral Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated. Adding to the worries, there were also reports that the health of Havaldar Major Singh deteriorated on Tuesday. However, the veterans have maintained that they will continue their fast till their demands are met.
Expressing dismay at the government's inability to make the announcement on OROP, the protesting veterans have decided to boycott the upcoming celebrations of 1965-war golden jubilee. 63-year-old Colonel Pushpinder Singh (Retd) had said, "We thought Prime Minister may announce at least a date from his speech. But now we are demoralised and it is a huge setback that he didn't say anything. We are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike and it will continue till the OROP is accepted."
Close to 22 lakh ex-servicemen and over six lakh war widows stand to be the immediate beneficiaries of the scheme, which envisages a uniform pension for the defence personnel who retire in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement. Currently, the pension for ex-servicemen is based on the Pay Commission recommendations of the time when they had retired.
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