Congress accuses Centre of deception on OROP

The Congress on Tuesday attacked the government over 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) issue, accusing it of practising "politics of deception, hypocrisy and deceit" on the issue. Unhappy with the Centre’s notification on OROP, war veterans have threatened to return their medals.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "We are not doing any charity to them. We are giving them what they are owed by the nation in a debt of gratitude which is unending."

Singhvi added, “"First, we saw delay in announcement and then we saw cut-back in the scope of the announcement before giving anything. We saw the quantum reduced by technicalities."

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Goa said he was "pained" to see such tactics being used by ex-servicemen. "This is unlike a soldier. Whoever are still protesting despite the announcement are being misguided," he said.

Dismissing the minister's allegations, Singhvi said, “We continue to see examples of the politics of deception, the politics of hypocrisy and deceit. We forgot, the government of India and the BJP forgot that these are our esteemed ex-servicemen who ensure our sleep, protection and security while they fight.”

Singhvi said, “What was promised is 'X' and what is being given is 'Y'?  What is promised is 'north' and what is being given is 'south' and what does the defence minister say, 'We have notified it. Now, you go to the commission (set up by the ministry)'."