OROP protest continues, another veteran hospitalised

As talks between the government and ex-servicemen over the 'One Rank One Pension' issue remained stuck, one more veteran was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, on the 79th day of the agitation.

Hav. Ram Niwas Yadav (retd) was on Tuesday taken to hospital after his condition deteriorated.

Sources said there was some progress but few contentious points remain, one of them being the time frame for revision of pension.

The government has proposed revision of pension every five years, while the veterans want it to be 3 percent annually.

Other issues include the date of implementation, for which the government has agreed on September 2014, while the veterans want it to be April 2014.

"Talks are on, let's see what happens," spokesperson for the ex-servicemen front Col. Anil Kaul (retd) told IANS.

Col. Pushpender Singh (retd) and Hav. Major Singh (retd) entered the 16th day of their indefinite fast, while Hav. Ashok Kumar Chauhan (retd) entered his 14th day.

Hony. Lt. Ganga Singh Arya, and Sep. Vijay Pal Singh Yadav joined the indefinite fast on Monday.

Now three veterans are on hunger strike in hospital, and eight at Jantar Mantar which includes the father of a martyr.

There are around 24 lakh ex-servicemen in India and around 6.5 lakh widows who will benefit if OROP is implemented.