Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi over OROP, land bill

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Narendra Modi-led central government for delaying the implementation of the long awaited 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen.

Addressing party workers at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Gandhi also slammed Prime Minister Modi over the land acquisition bill accusing him of making changes in the legislation to suit the interests of his "industrialist friends".

"The United Progressive Alliance government had sanctioned money for the OROP. Before the Lok Sabha polls, Modi travelled across the country saying when his government will come to power it will implement the OROP but it has been a year and nothing has happened," said Gandhi.

"Our army men are crying and asking to know the date of its implementation. But Modi is saying ask us later as we are doing Yoga," said Gandhi taking a dig at the prime minister who has been using social networks to share Yoga lessons with his followers.

Gandhi's comments came on a day when officials of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) threatened to launch an agitation from June 14 demanding the implementation of the OROP.

Calling it the "suit-boot ki sarkar", Gandhi attacked the Modi government for not fulfilling pre-poll promises.

Continuing his attack on Modi, Gandhi said changes were made by the NDA in the land acquisition bill to suit the interests of industrialists.

"Besides compensation at more than four times the market price, the UPA land bill had a provision that if the land remained unutilized for five years it would revert back to the farmer. But Modi deliberately removed that provision to suit the interests of his industrialist friends," said Gandhi.

"Modi's intentions are not clear. Instead of parliament, he has the ordinance route to effect changes in the bill. Again, they are seeking land mostly in areas closer to big cites because the prices there are going up.

"When we say the benefits should go to farmers, Modi says the land should go only to his industrialist friends. It's evident his intentions are not clear," added Gandhi.