Amarinder accuses BJP of betrayal on one-rank-one-pension issue

Indian Military Veterans

Deputy leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh on Monday accused the BJP led NDA government of the worst betrayal with the ex-servicemen of the country by not granting their long pending demand of “one rank one pension.” He regretted that the Finance Minister had skipped the matter so conveniently that it shattered the hopes of about 30 lakh ex-servicemen across the country.

Through a statement here Capt Amarinder said that contrary to expectations generated by an earlier commitment by the Defence Minister Manohar Parikar that the OROP will be settled as the modalities were being worked out, the matter found no mention in the budget. The Congress leader disclosed that the Defence Minister had given a written assurance, on the matter, before the budget.

Capt. Amarinder alleged that the dilly-dallying on the issue betrayed the intentions of the government. “I am surprised that despite having assured during the campaign and subsequently after forming the government, the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister have let down 30 lakh ex-servicemen who have given their entire life to the country,” he said demanding of the Union government to make a time bound commitment.

Debt relief

Raising another matter, Capt Amarinder went on to blame Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the Finance Commission’s refusal to provide any debt relief to Punjab despite the State having been identified as debt-stressed along with Kerala and West Bengal.

“This is obviously because first the Akalis rampaged and ransacked the Punjab’s economy with all impunity to the brink of bankruptcy and then they failed to plead their case on merit by banking more on goodwill than on facts,” he said emphasising that economic decisions were settled strictly according to merit and not guided by any preferences or prejudices as Mr Badal will try to convince people.

Capt. Amarinder reminded that Mr. Badal had always politicised everything accusing the previous Congress-led UPA government of discriminating against Punjab. “Now let Mr. Badal explain to the people of Punjab as why he failed to get debt relief for the State despite a friendly government at the Centre, of which his (Mr. Badal’s) party is an alliance partner,” he asked, especially when the opposition ruled Kerala and West Bengal could get debt relief.

The former Chief Minister pointed out that the Congress-led UPA government had identified Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal as debt-stressed States which could be provided debt relief. He regretted that Punjab missed the bus as the State government either failed to convince the Centre or its financial mismanagement that caused the mess prevented any such relief.

However he warned that the debt situation in Punjab was now beyond any redemption as the only hope of Central assistance had fizzled out after the Finance Commission’s refusal.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/amarinder-accuses-bjp-of-betrayal-on-onerankonepension-issue/article6953069.ece