Implement OROP immediately: Congress

Congress today asked the Union government to immediately implement 'One Rank One Pension' for ex-servicemen who have been protesting over delay in implementing the policy.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to implement the scheme, Congress spokesperson P L Punia asked when it would be done.

"During (2014 Lok Sabha) poll campaign, they asserted they will allow One Rank, One Pension. But what happened now? In his radio programme Mann Ki Baat he says he will do it. Do it, but when?

"He should tell or whether this too will remain mere announcement? The ex-servicemen today find themselves cheated. Then UPA-II Government's decision should be implemented and we support the ex-servicemen's agitation. We are part of their fight," Punia said.

He also came down heavily on Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's reported remarks that importance of Indian Army has gone down because it had not fought any war in past 40 years, saying the BJP leader should refrain from making such statements.

"Defence Ministry is a very sensitive Ministry. And the Minister must think well before speaking. He keeps giving such statements which are irresponsible and he should refrain from making such statements," he said.

Referring to the attack on a journalist in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit yesterday, Punia said the situation the state was "grim" and demanded Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to "sternly" act against culprits.

The journalist, Haider, was allegedly attacked by four persons while he was working on robbery report.

Reacting to media reports that 53% of accounts opened by Centre under Jan Dhan Yojana have become inactive, Punia said it has been dumped into cold storage by BJP.

"They launch any programme with lot of fanfare and dump it in cold storage. They opened 10 crore accounts with much fanfare. But according to media reports, 53% of it have become inactive due to non-transaction. The accounts will work only if there is arrangement for transaction," he said.