One rank-one pension scheme to be rolled out soon, Manohar Parrikar says

[Sam.]

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - 19:57
OROP issue: Veterans' umbrella group breaks, one faction dissociates | Zee News

New Delhi: The umbrella organisation leading the agitation for 'One-Rank, One-Pension' (OROP) split on Wednesday, just three days ahead of a planned rally, with a key faction dissociating itself from the grouping, citing "lack of cohesiveness" and suggesting politicisation of the movement.

"We have informed the United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM) about our decision to withdraw from the grouping. The movement is no longer cohesive," said Lt Gen (Retd) Balbir Singh, President of Indian Ex-Servicemen League.

Singh, who was one of the key negotiators from the veterans' side in talks with the government over OROP, said he was against the rally being organised on Saturday at Jantar Mantar.

He claimed that his group has about 4.5 lakh members and none from his side would be participating in the rally. Altogether, there are around 26 lakh ex-servicemen.

He said constitution of his organisation maintains that its activities will be apolitical "but with rally being planned in Bihar, we felt this is against our own constitution".

He was referring to a grand rally planned by the UFESM in poll-bound Bihar for which no date has been fixed yet.

"Protests can continue after that if need be. Meanwhile, our grievances against the OROP announced by the government should be pursued before the one-man judicial commission that will be set up... We should wait for the final written order that will be issued by the government," he told PTI.

Meanwhile, undeterred by the withdrawal, UFESM said the rally will go on.

"It is an attempt by the government to break us. We will not be deterred and the rally will go on as planned," said Col (Retd) Anil Kaul, the media advisor to UFESM.

Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the agitation under the banner of UFESM, could not be reached for comments.

The government had last weekend accepted the 43-year-old demand to remove disparities in pensions but a few sticking points continue to exist.

The main concern of the protesting veterans relates to extension of benefits to premature retirees, annual revision of pensions as against the five-yearly review granted by the government and the method of re-calculation.

Another point that Maj Gen (Retd) Balbir is objecting is the government's decision to set up a single-member judicial committee to look into various aspects of OROP. This committee is supposed to submit the report in six months.

However, the veterans want a five-member panel with a one month deadline for submission of report.

PTI

Army will lose it's respect amongst civilians as they are politicizing this thing.Army rally in Bihar (give me a break) congress stooges.

Military and politics never intermingled ,look at Pakistan what will happen if they do.

@SarthakGanguly @GURU DUTT @Chanakya's_Chant @Rain Man @rezangahir

 

[dray]

Army will lose it's respect amongst civilians as they are politicizing this thing.Army rally in Bihar (give me a break) congress stooges.

Military and politics never intermingled ,look at Pakistan what will happen if they do.

@SarthakGanguly @GURU DUTT @Chanakya's_Chant @Rain Man @rezangahir

I think retired army officers should be transferred to BSF, they will have a secured income, they will remain productive, the economic burden of pension can be reduced, and quality of BSF will improve as well.

Besides, we should move to Defined Contribution Pension Plan for all types of pensions.

 

[Sam.]

I think retired army officers should be transferred to BSF, they will have a secured income, they will remain productive, the economic burden of pension can be reduced, and quality of BSF will improve as well.

Besides, we should move to Defined Contribution Pension Plan for all types of pensions.

let me tell you half of retired guys working already and should not be having high pensions as some guys even having 100 k per month salary. People should never look at from only one perspective.

I have always been a supporter of OROP, without reservations. But the attitude of *some* veterans has been disgusting, to say the least. Panag, Pushpinder, etc. are politically motivated veterans who have an agenda. Pushpinder is a relative of Congressi Hooda. Panag and his daughter are AAP supporters. Their attitude is sickening and disgusting.

 

[Hindustani78]

OROP budget will be met, says Manohar Parrikar | Zee News

Last Updated: Saturday, September 12, 2015 - 16:49

New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said the expenditure for implementing One Rank One Pension will be just 2.2 percent more from the allocated budget for the defence ministry.

"Only 2.2 percent additionally is needed for implementing One Rank One Pension. I can recuperate that amount by saving wastages," said Parrikar at a seminar organised by industrial chamber FICCI.

The minister said the cost can be recovered by using "innovative methods" and removing middlemen.

Later, responding to a question on the ongoing agitation, he said: "It is a democratic right (to protest), you cannot take it away."

The comments came on a day when veterans organised a rally, demanding that the government remove "anomalies" in the scheme announced by it.

 

[dadeechi]

Very sad to see military personnel playing politics. Loyalty of any military should lie towards the state not towards a political party.

May be time has come for India to make a law to bar military personnel from voting.

 

[Hindustani78]

There are other methods than agitation to get OROP: VK Singh | Zee News

Guwahati: Union Minister and former Army chief General (retd) Vijay Kumar Singh on Wednesday said there were other methods than agitation by retired soldiers to get 'One Rank One Pension' fulfilled.

"I feel that there could have been other methodologies than agitation to get OROP... I would have preferred agitation at the last and less intense," said Singh, who is also currently the Minister of State for External Affairs.

Addressing a press conference here, he said agitation for implementation of OROP has been going on for the last 43 years and only the NDA government resolved the issue.

"Only some minor perceptional issues have remained. These can be resolved by talking to each other. The Defence Ministry will solve these," Singh said, adding that the doubt over VRS for soldiers has been cleared.

On militant camps in Myanmar, Singh said India has raised the issue with the neighbouring country.

"India and Myanmar have friendly relations and it has improved since the new government came in New Delhi. We have taken our concern very seriously to Myanmar and it is in sync with our concern so that requisite action is taken to address it," he said.

On ISIS, Singh said the organisation is a threat to the entire world and all countries are looking at it seriously.

"There is a great amount of information sharing with other nations so that we can prevent the group, which is extremely fundamental," he said.

The Union Minister was in the city to create awareness on Mudra Bank, the Centre's latest financial initiative.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

'Notification on OROP possibly next month' | Zee News

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - 16:18
New Delhi: A government notification implementing 'One Rank One Pension' scheme may take another month, top defence sources said Wednesday.

"It can take 2-4 weeks more easily because it is quite an extensive issue," the sources said.

Asked if the government will have to wait till the Bihar Assembly polls get over, they said the announcement has already been made and what is now expected is just a formal notification.

The government had announced the OROP scheme earlier this month and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said a notification could be expected in a month.

However, some of the veterans have objected to the scheme.

They claim that the government has created avoidable confusion by including VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) in their announcement as it does not exist in the defence forces and those who have taken premature retirement must come under OROP.

The ex-servicemen have also objected to the government's taking of the calendar year 2013 instead of financial year 2013-14 for fixing the base.

They are also against the formation of a one-man judicial commission and demanded that it should consist three ex-servicemen, one serving officer and a bureaucrat.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

VK Singh assures speedy implementation of OROP scheme | Zee News
Last Updated: Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 20:03

Jaipur: Union Minister VK Singh on Friday gave the assurance of speedy implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the benefit of ex-servicemen.


The government is committed for the welfare of ex-servicemen and the One Rank One Pension will soon be implemented, a government release quoting Singh said.

The former Army Chief, who was at Pithisar village in Churu to attend a function, also underlined the importance of a permanent seat for India in UN Security Council which, he said, has become "necessary with the change of time".

Meanwhile, the minister asked the people of Shekhawati region, from where many move to Gulf countries for work, not to seek the services of unauthorised agents to go to foreign countries.

"Many people go to Gulf countries and some of them also face problems there. To avoid such problems, do not trust unauthorised agents," he said.

The Union minister was received by Rajasthan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore at Churu.

PTI


First Published: Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 20:03

 

[Hindustani78]

All help to war veteran hit by bureaucrat's car: Parrikar

Five days after a bureaucrat's car alleged knocked down a 90-year-old war veteran in Chandigarh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today assured all necessary help to injured Capt Paramjit Kaur Dhanoa (Retd) and said 'legal manipulation' won't be allowed to take place.

"We will give whatever help is required. I can ask my people in Chandigarh to monitor and see that legal manipulation does not take place because of the influential person involved," he told reporters on board the warship INS Kochi which he commissioned here today.

The car belonging to Secretary, Industrial Training in Haryana, Anil Kumar had allegedly knocked down Dhanoa, a former army doctor, on September 25 when she was entering the Tagore theatre to watch a play along with her family members.

Dhanoa has alleged that the officer neither provided any help nor did he apologise to her as she lay on the road bleeding and bruised.

The army veteran received injuries on her face and her head and also suffered broken rib, her son said.

The woman was admitted to Command Hospital, Chandimandir and her condition was now stable, her family said.

Her grandson, Gobind Singh Dhanoa took to Facebbook to express his "disgust" over what is being described on social media as VVIP racism. Social media users expressed outrage at the incident.

The Chandigarh Police has booked an "unknown person" under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 (endangering life and personal safety of others) of IPC.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ex-servicemen during their protest for One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

 

[Hindustani78]

OROP implementation after Bihar poll, says Manohar Parrikar | Zee News
Last Updated: Sunday, October 11, 2015 - 21:59

Panaji: The One Rank, One Pension scheme will be implemented after the forthcoming Bihar elections, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday.

"A notification will be issued after the Bihar elections," he said during a public interaction near here.

Parrikar also said that a decision had already been made on the OROP issue, but said that the Election Commission may have an issue with such an announcement.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

There are about nine lakh personnel serving in the paramilitary forces working under the Union Home Ministry. Seen here are BSF forces patrolling the Zero Line at the India-Pakistan Border. Photo: R.V. Moorthy

OROP: Retd paramilitary officials to hold stir from tomorrow - The Hindu
Updated: November 1, 2015 13:43 IST

An association of former officials of forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB will hold the sit-in at Jantar Mantar.
After military veterans, retired paramilitary officials will now hold a ‘dharna’ here tomorrow demanding One Rank One Pension (OROP) benefits and other privileges under the ex-servicemen category.

An association of former officials of forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB will hold the sit-in at Jantar Mantar for implementation of their demands which they say have been in the waiting for the last over a decade.

“Our major demands to the government are the granting of OROP to paramilitary veterans like military personnel, exemption of serving troops from contributory pension scheme and extending full benefits to these forces under the ex-servicemen category.

“The ‘dharna’ and protest will begin on November 2 at 10 AM at Jantar Mantar,” national general secretary of the All India Central Paramilitary Forces and Ex-servicemen Welfare Association P S Nair said.

He said the association has already sent a memorandum to the government in this regard and failing to get any reply they have decided to begin the protest here.

“The country cannot sleep peacefully even for a day without the paramilitary forces. There is no proper rehabilitation ensured for these forces. We need the support of the government and public in bettering the lives of these men and women who are on job 24x7 in hard working conditions,” Nair said, adding the defence and paramilitary forces should be kept on equal footing while granting service benefits.

The association claims to have support of a maximum number of state chapters in this regard and has met senior government leadership in this context earlier.

The agitators have also demanded that benefits of health care and canteen facilities should be extended to the families of both the serving and retired personnel.

“The agitation beginning tomorrow will be held for three-four days and if the government does not listen to us we will begin a large action from March next year,” Nair said.

There are about nine lakh personnel serving in these forces working under the Union Home Ministry while there are an equal number of retired personnel and their families in the country.

 

[Hindustani78]

Retd paramilitary personnel begin stir to press OROP demand
New Delhi, Nov 2, 2015, (PTI)
Retired personnel of various paramilitary forces today began a three-day 'dharna' here demanding one rank one pension (OROP) benefits and other privileges under the ex-servicemen category.

An association of former officials of forces like Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force and Sashastra Seema Bal began the sit-in at Jantar Mantar here to press their demands which they said should be conceded as they are undertaking similar rigours and hardships as the defence forces.

"The dharna is to request and inform the government that its ex-paramilitary personnel are suffering. We have representatives of various states assembled here and they will continue the agitation till November 4," National General Secretary of All India Central Paramilitary Forces and Ex-servicemen Welfare Association P S Nair said.

"Our major demands to the government are the granting of OROP to paramilitary veterans like the military personnel, exemption of serving troops from contributory pension scheme and extending full benefits to these forces under the ex-servicemen category," he said.

President of the Association R B Pathak said the agitation by the paramilitary veterans will "intensify" in the coming days and they will hold a big rally next year if there is no positive communication from the government.

Close to 300 of these veterans assembled at the protest site, very close to where a similar agitation is being held by the ex-servicemen of the armed forces for the prompt implementation of the OROP for them.

They said their 'fight for right' agitation has a ten-point charter which includes a demand for change in the their common identity name from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMFs).

The government has recently said it will soon come out with a notification for OROP implementation for the veterans of the armed forces.

The association of the paramilitary forces said it had sent a memorandum to the government in this regard and after having failed to get a reply it decided to hold the protest.

Veteran Ram Singh said the government was acting in a "discriminatory manner" with regard to paramilitary personnel and they will agitate in all those states which will go to polls.

"The country cannot sleep peacefully even for a day without the paramilitary forces. There is no proper rehabilitation ensured for these forces. We need the support of the government and public in bettering the lives of these men and women who are on job round-the-clock in hard working conditions," Nair said quoting a statement.

He said that the defence and paramilitary forces should be kept on equal footing while granting service benefits.

The association claims to have support of state chapters in this regard and had met senior government leaders in connection with its demands.

The agitators also demanded that benefits of healthcare and canteen facilities should be extended to the families of both the serving and retired personnel.

There are about nine lakh personnel serving in these forces working under the Union Home Ministry while there are an equal number of retired personnel and their families in the country.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being welcomed at Ex Servicemen Public Meeting, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Ex Servicemen Public Meeting, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Ex Servicemen Public Meeting, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016. The Governor of Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh, Shri O.P. Kohli, the Union Minister for Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]