Several ex-servicemen came together on Friday in the city to protest against the delay in implementing One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Even as ex-servicemen are demanding immediate implementation of OROP scheme, army men who were in emergency commissions during the 1960s demanded they be included in the pension scheme. C.V. Narayanan, of Chromepet, who served his emergency commission between 1963 and 1968, says he does not get any pension and has to depend on his children even for medical expenses.

“I had the privilege of taking part in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965. After I was relieved from the army, I worked for a voluntary organisation. When I checked with the ex-servicemen welfare office in Tambaram, I was told there was no provision for getting a pension,” he said. Mr. Narayanan has also written to Prime Minister about the issue.

Several members of United Veterans of Tamil Nadu held a protest, insisting on the same pensions for people who retired a few decades ago as recent retirees of the same rank and service. Lt. Col (retired) C.R. Sundar, vice-president of United Veterans of Tamil Nadu, said: “Most of the soldiers are recruited in the armed forces at a young age. When they retire in 15 years, many of them do not have the time to develop skills.”

He demanded the pension amount for ex-servicemen be hiked to help them meet medical expenses. There are over 3.5 lakh ex-servicemen and widows in the State and 10 per cent of them are in Chennai.

Army men who were in emergency commissions during the 1960s demanded they be included in the pension scheme

Special Correspondent

[The Hindu]