OROP returns to haunt Govt, veterans to observe 'black' Diwali

The ex-servicemen on Friday announced that they would intensify their demand for early implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme as per the "approved and accepted" definition.

The veterans also announced that they would return their medals, and would observe a 'black Diwali' on October 11.

"Time is over for the government to shift goalposts. The agitation is going to the second phase. At first, the medals will be returned across the country and abroad," said Major General Satbir Singh (retd), chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM).

"We will inform further steps as we go forward," he added.

Medals will be returned to District Commissioners in all 647 districts of the country, said Major General Satbir Singh.

Meanwhile, veterans are also gearing up to restart their 'fast unto death' at Jantar Mantar beginning next week.

Veterans have listed seven deviations in the announcement, including annual equalisation, 2013-2014 financial year as the base year for calculating pension, taking the highest pension scale of 2013 as the base for calculation and not the average as announced by the government, not to link OROP with the seventh pay commission and accept that OROP once implemented is forever and in perpetuity.

OROP is expected to benefit 2.6 million veterans and over six lakh war widows for parity in pension based on rank and length of service irrespective of the date of retirement.