OROP scheme: CPI targets Govt. as Anna joins protest

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja on Sunday said that veteran social activist Anna Hazare must not target all the parties over the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme and questioned the delay in its implementation on part of the ruling BJP at the Centre.

He also said that he had already raised this issue on the very first day of the Parliament session.

"I got a short question on the very first day of the Parliament on this issue One Rank, One Pension. Government formally replied to my question that certain recommendations are under the consideration of the Cabinet so we have been taking up this issue... I do not agree with Anna Hazare... the way he is accusing all the political parties. In fact, we are supporting the demand for One Rank, One Pension and it is the promise given by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and his party," Raja told ANI here.

He further asked the BJP-led NDA Government to take all steps to implement the OROP scheme.

"Why they are not implementing, what are the problems they must share with the people and the Parliament and they must explain why the government is not taking serious measures to implement it," he added.

Hazare, who today joined the protest over non-implementation of the OROP scheme at the Jantar Mantar here, said that he would not give up till the government accepts the demand.

He, however, urged the protestors not to indulge in any kind of violence.

The One Rank, One Pension scheme has been a long-standing demand of ex-servicemen. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.