Ex-servicemen to hold 'Run for OROP' on Vijay Diwas

Continuing their protest over delay in implementation of the 'One Rank One Pension' scheme, ex-servicemen on Monday said they will hold a "Run for OROP" on July 26 on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

The "Kargil Vijay Diwas Run for OROP" will start from Dhaula Kuan in the national capital at 6 a.m. on that day, and will be led by blade runner Maj. D.P. Singh.

Maj. Singh, a veteran himself, was grievously injured in Kargil during Operation Vijay. His leg was amputated, but this did not stop him as he started running with one artificial blade leg.

The run would go through 11 Murti Dandi March memorial, Akbar Road, Janpath, Connaught Place and then end at Jantar Mantar where the ex-servicemen are on a relay hunger strike. Monday was the 37th day of the protest.

Over 35 volunteers observed a hunger strike on Monday while around 200 others were present.

Col. (retd.) Anil Kaul, spokesperson of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen (UFESM), said effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were burnt in Ambala.

The ex-servicemen are demanding that the government should give them a date for implementation of the OROP scheme. They have also demanded that the nature of the scheme should not be changed.

Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations at the time the personnel retired. This leads to a difference in pension for officers of same rank who retire on different dates.

The protesting veterans launched their agitation on June 14, and have been sitting on a relay hunger strike since June 15.