NEW DELHI: Congress today described key components of government's announcement
of 'One Rank One Pension' as a "betrayal" to the cause of ex-servicemen.
Former Defence Minister A K Antony charged the government with doing politics over OROP, "substantially diluting" its provisions and "ridiculing" ex-servicemen.
Attacking the government's decision to keep out of OROP those ex-servicemen who had opted for VRS, he said it was sad because 90 per cent of service personnel retire between 35 to 40 years of age, losing lakhs of rupees.
"There is no comparision of those in Defence forces with those in other services", Antony told reporters here.
Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said that Congress was against the provision of revision of pension every five years announced by the government. He also faulted it for not adhering to the equalisation principle.
Antony took exception to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar'sremarks that OROP was being implemented for the first time in four decades by his government.
"The Defence Minister is doing politics," he said insisting that UPA government had announced acceptance of OROP last year and had even provided a token amount of Rs 500 crores and constituted an expert committee.
Replying to a question as to what was the estimate of the financial impact of the erstwhile UPA on its acceptance of the OROP demand, Antony merely said that an expert committee was constituted.
Asked whether government's decision has opened up a Pandora's box as OROP announcement would lead to demands from other central security forces, Sibal said that the party would react only after the Prime Minister makes his stand clear in the matter.
He steered clear of a question whether Congress would participate in a rally being called by the agitating ex-servicemen in the national capital soon.
Both Antony and Sibal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalling that he had promised OROP in toto within 100 days of coming to power.
of 'One Rank One Pension' as a "betrayal" to the cause of ex-servicemen.
Former Defence Minister A K Antony charged the government with doing politics over OROP, "substantially diluting" its provisions and "ridiculing" ex-servicemen.
Attacking the government's decision to keep out of OROP those ex-servicemen who had opted for VRS, he said it was sad because 90 per cent of service personnel retire between 35 to 40 years of age, losing lakhs of rupees.
"There is no comparision of those in Defence forces with those in other services", Antony told reporters here.
Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said that Congress was against the provision of revision of pension every five years announced by the government. He also faulted it for not adhering to the equalisation principle.
Antony took exception to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar'sremarks that OROP was being implemented for the first time in four decades by his government.
"The Defence Minister is doing politics," he said insisting that UPA government had announced acceptance of OROP last year and had even provided a token amount of Rs 500 crores and constituted an expert committee.
Replying to a question as to what was the estimate of the financial impact of the erstwhile UPA on its acceptance of the OROP demand, Antony merely said that an expert committee was constituted.
Asked whether government's decision has opened up a Pandora's box as OROP announcement would lead to demands from other central security forces, Sibal said that the party would react only after the Prime Minister makes his stand clear in the matter.
He steered clear of a question whether Congress would participate in a rally being called by the agitating ex-servicemen in the national capital soon.
Both Antony and Sibal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalling that he had promised OROP in toto within 100 days of coming to power.
Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Sir,
ReplyDeletePerhaps, it is highly essential for unions & its leader to be political neutral. Without considering the pros & cons of any issue any derogatory remarks against any policy issue probably is highly undesired for maintaining a harmonious society. Politically vindictive statements must not find a place in the union web page which is being followed by thousands of learned people who are proactive in the nation building process.Every ex-servicemen is happy with present t NDA led Govt. declaration of OROP after 40 years of struggle. I feel there is no scope for any leader to utter dissatisfaction when they were in power for last forty years and pathetically miscalculated the cumbersome procedure involved in implementation of OROP and allocated Rs 500 crore instead of 8000 crore towards the implementation cost. What they would have given within 500 crore ? Do they have any face to shout foul for a welcome step taken by other party?
Instead of publishing such politically sensitive issue if union can look into the aspect of pay fixation problems of ex-servicemen, hope it would be step forward towards ensuring justice and equality to the veterans. Delhi, Gujrat & UP Circle have granted pay fixation of ex-servicemen but Odisha circle cries it foul even after unions have raised their voice in favour of the existing DOPT orders/ex-servicemen. Hope unions would take cognizance of the important facts and developments instead of small petty political tussles.
P Satpathy
PA BBSR DIVN
Dear Comrade,
ReplyDeleteThis is a reproduction of a news already published in the economic times. We don't necessarily endorse anybody's statement/remark. So there is nothing to get annoyed. We know who is who. A little involvement in P & T Trade Union movement will certainly clarify what has been gifted by which Govt . So question does not arise to favour any political party. As a member, you should know also who is who. And regarding OROP, I don't know whether you have gone through its conditions followed by the speech of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. Hope we will discuss the issue after release of the order for proper assessment.
Thanks for you comment.
Greetings.