Indian Military Veterans
Major General (retd.) Satbir Singh who is part of the OROP agitation, displays medals that ex-servicemen have given to be returned to the government. Photo: Manoj Kumar
Major General (retd.) Satbir Singh who is part of the OROP agitation, displays medals that ex-servicemen have given to be returned to the government. Photo: Manoj Kumar
‘It will send a message to country that assurances have not been fulfilled’
Thousands of gallantry medals may be returned to the government soon, if veterans who have been protesting the delay in the implementation of the one rank one pension policy have their way.
Ex-servicemen, who have been on a relay hunger strike since June at Jantar Mantar, will be asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet them and take back 10,000 medals as a mark of protest. Though the government announced on September 5 that OROP would be implemented, the protesting veterans said there were seven major flaws in the plan.
Major General (retd.) Satbir Singh, who has been leading the agitation as an adviser to the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, said on Tuesday that they would be writing to the Prime Minister seeking appointment.
“Over the past year, 10,000 medals have been sent or given to us by ex-servicemen across India. We will be asking the Prime Minister for time so that we can return the medals to him. The apathy of the government has left us with no other choice,” said Maj. Gen. Singh.
He said that in the past disgruntled ex-soldiers had returned their medals to the President, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
“But, this time we want to give the medals to the Prime Minister, as it was he who promised during the election campaign that we would get OROP. Returning the medals will send a message to the entire country that assurances given have not been fulfilled,” said Maj. Gen. Singh.
The veterans said the government had not issued the notification to implement OROP, which it said would do so within a month of the announcement on September 5.
Fast by women
Meanwhile, Tuesday marked a first in the 114 days of the relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar with only women family members of the veterans observing fast.
Sudesh Gohat, wife of Major (retd.) Ajmer Singh, said it was the plight of widows of veterans that made her join the agitation.
“Talking to widows of soldiers, who have to survive on Rs. 3,500 per month as pension, moved me. Then, my husband told me that crying would not help and we must fight for our rights. After that, I have decided to join the protest till the Prime Minister gives us true OROP,” said Ms. Gohat.
Every Tuesday will now be a “ladies day” at Jantar Mantar with women family members of veterans observing a hunger strike, said Maj. Gen. Singh.
Source :http://www.thehindu.com
Exp:56%
No comments:
Post a Comment
Indian Military Veterans Viewers, ..
Each of you is part of the Indian Military Veterans message.
We kindly request you to make healthy use of this section which welcomes the freedom of expression of the readers.
Note:
1. The comments posted here are the readers' own comments. Veterans news is not responsible for this in any way.
2. The Academic Committee has the full right to reject, reduce or censor opinion.
3. Personal attacks, rude words, comments that are not relevant to the work will be removed
4. We kindly ask you to post a comment using their name and the correct email address.
- INDIAN MILITARY VETERANS- ADMIN