OROP stir: Veterans hopeful of a breakthrough soon

Defence veterans on Thursday expressed hope that a conclusion will emerge soon to the talks over implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme.

A team led by Nripendra Misra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, is holding negotiations with the veterans, informed sources said.

"We are hopeful that a breakthrough will be reached soon," Col. Anil Kaul (retd), the spokesperson of the ex-servicemen's front, told IANS.

Sources told IANS that the government wants 2011 to be the base year, while the veterans say it should be at the 2014 level, along with a three percent increment every year, which the government is not agreeing to.
 

 

Besides, the government wants payments to begin from April 1, 2015 as against the agreed date of April 1, 2014.

If the date of implementation is 2014, the government will have to pay arrears worth over Rs.12,000 crore.

Talks within government circles and negotiations with the veterans is still on, while two of the veterans on a fast-unto-death, Col. Pushpender Singh (retd.) and Hav. Ashok Chauhan (retd.), are still in hospital. Both continue to be on fast.

Hav. Major Singh (retd), whose condition deteriorated, is still at Jantar Mantar as well. He has been on fast since last Monday.

A spokesperson from the veterans' side said medical arrangements have been made at Jantar Mantar to address any emergency.

On Wednesday, Commander A.K. Sharma (retd) and Sanwal Ram Yadav, father of martyr Ln. Nk. Sunil Kumar Yadav, also joined the fast.