IESM RALLY REPORT : AMRAWATI (MAHARASHTRA) - 13 MAR 2016

Location :

• Amrawati, District – Amrawati, Vidarbha Region  

Organiser :

• Sub Maj (retd) Dinesh Goware  

IESM Team :

• Brig S R Luktuke, SM, VSM (Retd),
• Cdr Ravindra Pathak (Retd),
• Gp Capt Suhas Pathak (Retd),
• Col PM Naik (Retd)

Organising Team:

• Sub Maj (retd) Dineshkumar Goware
• Assisted by Veteran Sunil Bobade,
• Veteran Dinesh Kumar Hingmire,
• Vetaran Sanjay Taywade,
• Veteran Metange,
• Veratan Paikine,
• Veteran Gaikwad

Attendance : ESM – 1200 (including widows). This included veterans from neighbouring districts - Akola, Yavatmal & Nagpur, Chandrapur. Gadchiroli and Gondia.

  EVENTS 1. Press Briefing: The press briefing was organized on 12 Mar 2015, a day before the Rally and representatives of all local news papers and TV channels were present.  2. Rally : Core group members addressed the rally covering information on IESM functioning, JM activity, OROP update, pension matters, ECHS, personal documentation and actions to be taken by ESM and Widows.

• · The OIC ZSWO Flt Lt Ratnakar Charde briefed all present on activities of Zila Sainik Kalyan Kendra, measures taken for welfare of ESM/ Widows, how they can help the veterans and need for registration.
• · The OIC ECHS Capt Arvind Chandak shared important information on functioning of ECHS, facilities available, improvements done, problems & limitations and essential actions by veterans.
• · Other speakers included Veterans Dineshkumar Goware, Vilas Dawane, Ram Korke and B R Jadhav
• · The Core team members answered all questions before closing the event.

3. Personal Interaction: IESM Team interacted with a number of ESM/Widows after the rally that came forward with a variety of problems, most related to pension. Some were resolved on the spot and the remainder are being taken up by the Pension Cell.  4. Visit to ECHS: IESM team visited Amrawati ECHS on 14 Mar 16 and had detailed discussion with the OIC. The following are major points/ observations:

• i The ECHS is very well managed and OIC closely interacts with the patients on regular basis.
• ii The ECHS patient’s satisfaction level is very high particularly with respect to availability of medicines. The OIC’s medicine management is scientific and effective.
• iii Though Amrawati has about 3,200 pensioners ESM, only 1,300 are registered. More efforts are needed to get the remaining 1,800 registered.
• iv Soon after the Rally, 15 new ESM registered with the ECHS.
• v In Type D polyclinic (as Amrawati) no MD doctor is authorized, though 60% are heart/ diabetes patients.

5. Enrolment: 196 new members were registered.  Remarks: The IESM Rally in Amrawati was a grand success despite last minute hurdles created by IESL. These, we were able to overcome with the help of PI Kharate Patil. Thanks to him for efficient handling of the situation. The organizer Sub Maj Dineshkumar Goware and his team made excellent arrangements and all events moved smoothly. The attendance was high as expected and veterans participated actively.  We thank Flt Lt Charde and Capt Chandak for attending the Rally and for their valuable inputs. We appreciate the personal involvement of Sub Maj Dineshkumar Goware in organizing the Rally. We may plan similar rallies in the region with the initiative of Amrawati team.  Pictures Attached to this report  Press Coverage One week prior to the proposed rally, the news about the event was published. The Rally was covered very well with news and photographs appearing in all news papers of 14 Mar 16. It was shown on TV channels too.  Brig Sharad Luktuke’s interview was video recorded and telecast on the same day in the evening.

OROP KRANTI : CALL OF THE BUGLE FROM 'JANTAR MANTAR' -COME & WITNESS THE FALL OF BABU EMPIRE

CALL OF THE BUGLE 

WITNESS THE FALL OF BABU EMPIRE

 

 

FINAL PUSH - REQUEST TO ATTEND 

RALLY AT JM ON 13 DEC ’15

Friends , 

This message is for the Veterans of Mohali and areas 

around. If you are one of them take action on the same. 

If not,
KINDLY forward it to ALL your friends , foes and 

even remotest
contacts with request to fwd the same to

their friends, foes and
remotest contacts for attending 

the Rally.
The contents of the mail pasted below from 

Brig C. Kamboj are
self explanatory. To show that you 

want proper O.R.O.P. as defined
and accepted by the two

 Parliaments, PLEASE attend the Aakrosh Rally
at JM on 

13 December . Its GRAND SUCCESS will make the Govt 

the SEVEN anomalies and issue a fresh Notification on 

O.R.O.P.
accordingly.

It will also strengthen the hands of the

 mediator (Gen VK Singh) to get us 

JUSTICE. 

You have made great sacrifices and ONE MORE
sacrifice 

of ENSURING this Aakrosh Rally a GRANDEST SUCCESS

 will
bring you a crowing glory. Future generations of 

trhe soldiers will
remember you for your GREAT 

CONTRIBUTION.

Buses will start from Mohali on 13 

December , EXACTLY at 6 AM
(0600h) from “NRI and 

Women’s Wing , Punjab Police” building , next to 

Scooter Market Phase -7 , Mohali . KINDLY be there

 by 05.45 AM Sharp
on 13 December . For

any queries please contact Col AS Sandhu at
9872333060 .

 With Best Regards, 

 Brig Harwant Singh (Retd)
President ,

 the All India Defence Brotherhood (Regd) ,
Member Governing Body , IESM,

OROP : Status of Agitation at JM - Gp Capt VK Gandhi

STATUS OF AGITATION AT JM AND OROP

SAINIK AAKROSH RALLY AT JM

 

Dear Veterans,

 

Many mails are floating in the environment and creating confusion. Time has come to put all rumours to rest and clear the air. 

1. Agitation at JM for OROP; Ex-servicemen are agitating at JM since 15 June 2015. Today is 170  th day of agitation. ESM from 21 states have been visiting JM and observing RHS. There are days when we had more than 100 ESM sitting on RHS. It speaks volumes about the support JM is getting from ESM from all over India. It does not end in India, JM is getting support from ESM settled around the globe. Our friends have been visiting JM in support of OROP and contributing large amounts to offset the expenditure at JM. Our register shows that more than 10000 ESM have already visited JM in support of OROP.
    
2. Planning and Execution of RHS at JM;
   Agitation at JM was planned by IESM in May 2015. It is only IESM and AIEWA have been managing the agitation and RHS since 15 June 2015. 
3. Bank Account of IESM;
    There is no doubt that Bank account of IESM has been blocked for debit facility. Complete environment knows who has blocked our account and why it has been blocked. The account has been blocked on the letter of Lt Gen Raj Kadyan dated 22 May 2015 to HDFC bank. The account has been blocked just prior to rally planned on 14 June 2015 and beginning of RHS from 15 June 2015. The aim was to ensure that rally and RHS does not become successful. One cannot forget the meeting on 6 June of UFESM in constitution hall in which all members supported the rally and RHS except Lt Gen Raj Kadyan. On whose behalf this plan was made is left for your imagination. Veterans who visited JM in support of RHS realized that it would be well nigh impossible to sustain this satyagruh at JM in support of OROP and decided to contribute to meet the exp of JM. Veterans gave contribution in cheques in account of IESM, however some veterans realised that these cheques cannot be cashed hence they decided to contribute in cash at JM for  IESM. IESM is thankful to veterans, NDA courses and regiments for contributing funds and helping IESM to run the satygruh.
4. Accounts at JM;
   Some of our detractors who have never visited JM or in any way connected with the satyagruh or fight for OROP have been spreading rumours that unaccounted funds have been received at JM. The question is why are they so much bothered about the satyagruh being planned and executed by IESM, AIEWA and UFESM. If they sincerely want to help ESM then they should be joining JM or they can fight for OROP in their own way. But IESM is very sorry to note that they have been more concerned about the funds at JM. They seem to have no other work than to spread rumours about fund collection at JM by IESM. IESM has stated on many occasions that every penny at JM has been recorded and is accounted for. Still for the sake of mischief mongers IESM will place on record that Rs 1 crore has been received in IESM bank (despite account been blocked) and about Rs 70 lacs have been received in cash at JM. Funds received in bank have been invested in Fixed Deposit and funds received in cash are being used to meet expenditure at JM. IESM hopes that this will put all rumours to rest. 
5. Expenditure at JM;
   Approximately Rs 30000/ per day is the expenditure at JM to run the satyagruh. Apart from this exp is met for rallies all over India. So for IESM has had rallies at Delhi (two rallies), Ambala (two rallies), Gujrat six rallies, Him Pradesh six rallies, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh sahib, Nagpur, Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik and Mumbai. Apart from the rallies various events have been organised to attract media and these are Kavi sammelan, Kargil Vijay divas run (about 800 civ and soldiers took part in it), candle marches at India gate and medal deposit in various towns in India. Infact we are running out of cash at JM and will again make an appeal to veterans to help us in maintaining JM and to meet the exp of forth coming rally on 13 Dec 15 and many other rallies planned around the country. IESM also arranged many press conferences at JM, Ambala Maharashtra, Punjab and Patna to support the satyagruh.
6. Status of UFESM;
   All veterans are witness to the satyagruh going on at JM since 14 June rally and RHS from 15 June 15 under the banner of UFESM. Even Government forces that is police and NDMC attacked ESM on  the satyagruh at JM on 14 Aug to dissuade/force the veterans to close the satyagruh. But brave soldiers fought the police and finally Government had to withdraw this illegal order. Original UFESM is observing RHS at JM and will continue your fight for OROP. We have met RM number of times and conveyed to Government our concerns that the notification issued by Government has four major anomalies and three associated anomalies. UFESM has requested Government to remove these anomalies at the earliest as these anomalies completely destroy definition of OROP. 
7. Notification for OROP;
   Notification for OROP was issued on 7 Nov 2015 by MOD/ DESW. This notification has seven serious anomalies (four major anomalies directly affecting OROP and three associated anomalies indirectly affecting OROP fixation). UFESM has requested the RM in various meetings that notified OROP with these anomalies is like a body without soul.These anomalies need to be removed for OROP to be real OROP as defined by Koshiari committee and as approved by two Parliaments. UFESM has also requested that Government claim, that expenditure on OROP will rise astronomically with OROP, is incorrect. Government fails to explain the arithmetic of their calculations. This steadfast refusal on part of Govt to give calculation for OROP is puzzling India because Government is refusing to explain the astronomical rise in expenditure on account of NFU, which was granted to all class A serviced in 6 CPC. This favored treatment to class A services and stepchild treatment to Armed Forces is difficult to digest by an honest Indian.
8. Appointment of One Judge Commission;
    It is surprising and probably has happened for first time that Government has appointed a commission along with notification issued for OROP. This is clear admission of Government that the notification is faulty and will be objected by ESM. Our suspicion that this commission has been issued to circumvent the opposition of notification by ESM. This commission will not have any rep of veterans, its time will keep increasing from six months to one yr and then may be two yrs. God only knows whether its recommendation will ever by accepted or not. Because if the Government is not even ready to explain the arithmetic to ESM how will it accept recommendation of the commission, provided it is favorable to ESM, this itself is very doubtful. So for no committee has ever given judgment in favor of Armed Forces because there is no one in Government to speak for Armed Forces. Govt is yet to issue terms of reference and name of judge for the commission. UFESM very strongly feels that there should be atleast three members from veterans in the commission. The commission should work under commission of inquiries act with a fixed time frame. We recommend Justice Lodha as head of commission, if the commission is unavoidable.
9. Payment for OROP;
   Government has issued notification for OROP and has decided to start payment for OROP from Jan 16 onwards. ESM above 80 yrs, disabled soldiers and widows will be paid full arrears in one installment whereas other soldiers will be paid arrears in four six monthly installments. Anomalies in execution of OROP will be referred to one judge commission. 
10. UFESM  plan to get full OROP;
     UFESM plans to fight tooth and nail for correction of anomalies introduced intentionally by Government to spoil the definition of OROP. UFESM will fight the case in Supreme Court as a PIL. There are number of judgments given by Honorable Supreme court in favor of litigants on this issue. Legal luminary Sh Ram  Jethamalani has very kindly consented to take up our case in Honorable Supreme Court. He has been kind enough to take this case Pro-Bono. UFESM is having preliminary meetings with him for preparation of the statement of case. It is for information of all that there is no plan to take stay on the notification issued by the Govt. Hence payment of enhanced pension and arrears due to ESM will be given to all ESM. 
11. Adverse effect on OROP because of ESM are not united;
    There is no doubt that ESM must unite to create a strong pressure group to convince Government to accede to our legitimate demands.   Some members of original UFESM have separated and made their own organisation for reasons best known to them. ESM must have noticed many mails from splinter gp abusing Jantar Mantar satyagruh to prop themselves up in eyes of environment. But we the orginal UFESM at Jantar Mantar do not believe in abusing our own brothers and comrades and have always stayed away from this kind of criticism and mails. Some ESM get worried to read news about splinter group meeting RM to discuss OROP and are apprehensive that this group might accept diluted form of OROP. Any group which will accept any dilution in definition of OROP will be rejected by the family and hence there is no question of anyone accepting dilution in definition of OROP.   Govt has attempted to create a divide in unity of veterans and has partially succeeded. But it cannot go on for long as ESM all over country will unite soon on common issues. As UFESM see it we have been successful in creating pressure on Govt by agitating at JM. Agitation at JM is causing embarrassment to Govt in India as well as abroad. The party which came to power on pro Armed Forces image is getting labeled as anti Armed Forces party because of their refusal to fulfill their promise and their arrogance to see the point of view of agitating ESM. Now we have two pressure gps working on Govt one from JM agitators and other which is trying to become friendly with Govt. Govt has to listen to the most genuine demand of ESM and grant full OROP sooner than later as demand  of any gp.  
12. SAINIK AAKROSH RALLY ON 13 DEC 2015 AT JM; UFESM has planned SAINIK AAKROSH RALLY at JM from 1000h to 1500h on 13 Dec 2015 SUNDAY to express soldier's anguish with the Govts plan to dilute definition of OROP as given in notification issued on 7 Nove 2015. UFESM requests all ex-servicemen to spread this message to all and join the rally on 13 Dec at JM. This will send a message to Govt that ESM all over India are anguished with this stepchild treatment of Armed Forces and ex-servicemen. Rally is being attended by ESM from 21 states of India. 

 

I am sure above would more or less satisfy all the questions being raised because of rumours being spread by some disgruntled ESM. 

 

FRIENDS TIME HAS COME FOR THE LAST HEAVE TO REALIZE OUR DREAM OF OROP. LET US ALL ASSEMBLE AT JANTAR MANTAR IN LARGE NUMBERS TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE THAT ESM ALL OVER COUNTRY ARE UNITED AND WILL FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS. GOVERNMENTS CANNOT IGNORE US ANYMORE AND WILL HAVE TO OUR GENUINE DEMANDS. 

 

FRIENDS SEE YOU AT JANTAR MANTAR AT 1000H ON 13 DEC SUNDAY.

 

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO MEET THE EXPENDITURE ON THIS LARGE RALLY.; 

 

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM

OROP is our right. Dilution in OROP will NOT be accepted.

 

IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE GIVE HIM ONE OF YOURS.

 

  [Tri Services Veterans]

 

 

Action against Govt Employees at Rally

Action against govt employees seen at Cong rally when we come to power: BJP leader

 

Dharamshala: A senior BJP leader today said strict action will be taken against the government employees who were seen at a recent Congress rally and they may “lose their jobs” if his party returns to power in the state.

Senior BJP leader Kishan Kapoor

Speaking to the media, senior party leader Kishan Kapoor, who was also Industries Minister in the erstwhile BJP government led by P K Dhumal, said the party has photographs and phone recordings of many of such employees.

 

“If they repeat such act they may lose their jobs when BJP returns to power,” Kapoor said while speaking of the government employees who attended the Congress’ Jorawar Stadium rally near Vidhan Sabha here on December 3.

 

Kapoor said the party has evidence that large number of Anganwadi workers, workers of Irrigation department, Public Works Department, Electriccity board besides MGNREGA workers and teachers appointed by School Management Committees were present at the rally.

 

Large number of Himachal Road Transport buses were also “misused” by the corporation on the directions of the Transport Minister, he alleged.

 

The BJP has recorded the registration numbers of such buses, he said.

 

“Most of the ministers in the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government are looting the state and the BJP will soon uncover their faces,” he said.

 

The former minister also said the Virbhadra-led government has its days numbered and the state will see a major change in government soon.

[PTI]

Joshimath brigade organises rally for ex-servicemen

 

Ex-servicemen take part in a rally at Joshimath in Chamoli district on Saturday. A Tribune photo

 

Dehradun, November 14

The Joshimath brigade and station headquarters orgnised a rally for Army veterans from Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts at Joshimath today. The event was presided over by Station Commander Brigadier GS Jamwal, along with special invitees.

Officials from the Zila Sanik Kalayan Evam Punarwas Karyalaya, Rudraprayag, and Gopeshwar (Chamoli) and representatives from ARO, Lansdowne, GRRC, Lansdowne, PCDA, Allahabad, and SBI and PNB were also present.

The rally was attended by a large number of veterans, veer naris and their dependents from the two districts. The event was organised for interaction with the veterans and understand their problems. The station commander assured that the ex-servicemen, war widows and their dependents would be looked after and their problems would be resolved in a time-bound manner.

While addressing the gathering, Brig GS Jamwal said the aim of the rally was to appreciate the valiant efforts of veterans from the Garhwal region and understand and resolve the problems faced by them in the civil society after retirement.

He further emphasised that the Joshimath brigade remains committed to working for the welfare of the veterans and would provide all possible assistance and support to them.

The brigade honoured 70 veer naris and veterans and 10 selected veterans were provided with financial assistance at the event. The rally also encompassed a medical and dental camp, canteen facilities, preparation of ex-servicemen contributory health scheme cards, recruitment information, financial management, special provisions by banks and latest welfare schemes by the Central and the state governments for the veterans.

 

[Tribune India]

OROP: Ex-Servicemen to Hold Rally in Ambala Today

Continuing with their protest over ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme, members of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) held demonstrations at Rajghat here on Saturday even as they threatened to escalate pressure on government with a rally in Haryana’s Ambala on Sunday. “We sought from the Father of the Nation to guide us in our fight against the injustice. Around 100 of our members who turned up here from parts of the country did meditation as part of the protest,” IESM spokesman Colonel (retd) Anil Kaul said. Kaul maintained the veterans have received no communiqué on behalf of the government over the issues they have raised and said that a rally will be held in Ambala as part of series of demonstrations. The Government had dropped the contentious proposal to exclude ex-servicemen who sought premature retirement from the ambit of OROP scheme. 

 

 [New Indian Express]

 

Retired Paramilitary Personnel to Launch OROP Stir Tomorrow

 

First name

Surname

Receiver's email

NEW DELHI  / MUMBAI : The paramilitary personnel have decided to launch protest from November 2, demanding One Rank Pension (OROP) similar to what the Centre has recently offered to agitating ex-servicemen.

 

The All India Central Paramilitary Forces Ex-servicemen Welfare Association said the Narendra Modi government must implement OROP and give benefits on a par with the Army as they are recognised as ‘armed forces’ under Article 246 of the Constitution.
The association’s general secretary, P S Nair, said the three-day strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi would be attended by 5,000 ex-paramilitary personnel, widows and dependents from across the country.

The association is also seeking retirement benefits, including canteen stores department, health scheme, paramilitary welfare board, separate service and pension rule and exemption from new contributory pension for serving personnel.

 Meanwhile, ex-servicemen staged a protest in Mumbai against the delay in issue of official notification by the government on OROP scheme, announced by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in September.

The ex-servicemen, under the banner of United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement, held a rally at Azad Maidan on Saturday.

 Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) chairman Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh addressed the rally, which was aimed at making people aware of what several veterans feel is an active attempt by the government to water down the scheme, an IESM spokesperson said.

Objecting to the proposal to revise pensions after every five years, he said, by definition, OROP means an annual increase in pension and the veterans felt that a five-yearly revision will defeat the purpose of the scheme.

By ENS and Agencies

[ Indian Express ] Published: 01st November 2015 05:32 AM

Last Updated: 01st November 2015 07:39 AM

OROP : WarMumbai Rally: 31 Oct - Brig SS Gill

Further to my Despatches of 31 Oct.

Mumbai rally was a tremendous and resounding success.

It is another shot in arm in our endeavour to go Pan India.

Azad Maidan has a capacity of Five to Seven thousands and it was bursting at its seams.

 

ESMs from all the districts of Maharashtra thronged the venue.

 

Motorcycle rally was a huge draw for the Mumbaikers. Col Roy Guinness book of world record holder lent his charm to the MC Rally despite his mature age.

 

Bollywood celebrities Bhumika Chawla and Priya Gill enlivened the atmosphere with their charming presence and address. 

 

Ms Sunta Garware of Garware family expressed her solidarity and made financial contribution of Rs 5Lakhs.

Hope more Business Houses will lend their support.

 

Others too contributed willingly.

 

Col Advani leading the missed call campaign apprised that he has reached the figure of 28 lakh.

His tgt is two crore and his company Haweyey will bear the full expenditure of 25 Lakh.

 

Climax as usual was electrifying address by Gen Satbir also known as Sikandare Azim and Ashok Samrat of OROP.

Entire audience listened with pin drop silence and loudly cheered the leader. They were spell bound by the magic stick known as Satbir.

 

Gen Satbir left no one in doubt as to the serious seven observations on the OROP as announced by the government.

 

AT THE END EVERYONE WAS LEFT WITH NO DOUBT THAT OROP AS ANNOUNCED BY DEF MINISTER IS A SHAM POLITICAL STATEMENT AND NOT ACTUAL OROP AS APPROVED BY TWO HOUSES OF THE PARLIAMENT.

 

If actual orop is not annouced by the govt by Diwali ESMs all over India will celebrate KALI DIWALI.

 

Brig SS Gill
Ludhiana
09815182604

Sainik Melava - ZSWO Nashik

Sainik Melava - ZSWO Nashik : 29 Oct 2015

 



WREATH LAYING BY COL SUHAS S JATKAR (RETD), 
DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF SAINIK WELFARE PUNE

 

WREATH LAYING BY SHRI BHANUDAS PALVE,
OFFICIATING COLLECTOR NASHIK

 

Lightning light during Inauguration   of Maji Sainik Melawa by Col Suhas S Jatkar (Retd), Dir Department of Sainik Welfare, Pune

 

Col SUuhas Jatkar, Dir, Department of Sainik Welfare, Pune welcomes  to Shri Bhanudas  Palve, Officiating Collector Nashik during Sainik Melawa

 

 

 

 ADDRESS BY COL SUHAS S JATKAR (RETD)
 

 

ADDRESS BY SHRI BHANUDAS PALVE

 

LT CDR SOPAN DOKE (RTED),   DISTRICT SOLDIER  WELFARE OFFICER NASHIK

 

 

ADDRESS BY LT CDR SOPAN DOKE (RTED)  

 

 

 

 

 

RETIRED ARMY OFFICERS, ESM , WAR WIDOWS

AND WIDOWS ATTENDED EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY  

OROP Rally Photo - Avinash Kulkarni

 

 

OROP: Ex-servicemen hold rally in Mumbai

Ex-servicemen today protested against the delay in issue of official notification by the government to 'one rank one pension' (OROP) scheme as announced by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in September.

 

 

Ex-servicemen today protested against the delay in issue of official notification by the government to ‘one rank one pension’ (OROP) scheme as announced by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in September.

 

The ex-servicemen, under the banner of United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM), held a rally at Azad Maidan here today.

 

Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh addressed the rally which was aimed at making people aware of what several veterans feel is an active attempt by the government to water down the scheme, an IESM spokesperson said. “Rallies are being held across the country to make people aware of the machinations of the babus-netas who have relentlessly denied OROP to veterans after withdrawing it in 1973, within 18 months of the 1971 war victory,” he said.

 

The government’s declaration on September 15 had several shortcomings that would kill the very idea of OROP.

 

Despite the announcement, there had been no official government notification for the scheme, he said.

 

Objecting to the government’s proposal to revise pensions after every five years, he said, by definition, OROP means an annual increase in pension and the veterans feel that a five-yearly revision will defeat the purpose of the scheme.

 

On October 25, several retired officers and senior Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), under the banner of the UFESM, signed a petition in blood at Jantar Mantar in Delhi which was to be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

The petition demanded early implementation of OROP and the group expressed apprehensions that the government’s intention was not to give them the actual OROP

 

 

[ Financial Express ] [ PTI ] [ Mumbai | October 31, 2015 6:38 PM

One Rank One Pension: Rally of Ex-Servicemen in Mumbai on October 31

 

Ex-servicemen protesting for One Rank One Pension at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (Press Trust of India photo)

Mumbai:  The ex-servicemen would be taking out a rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on October 31 to press for their demands regarding the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

Mumbai convener of the Indian Ex-servicemen movement (IESM) Col Harbhajnik Singh (Retd) said the grievance over OROP dates back to 1973 when earlier OROP scheme was withdrawn by the Centre.

"Narendra Modi had declared in election campaign at Rewari, Haryana, on September 15, 2013 that his government would implement OROP within 100 days of coming to power. However, the announcement of OROP on September 5, 2015, was an apology for OROP," Col Singh said.

"Rallies are being held across the country to make people aware of the machinations of the babus and netas who have relentlessly denied OROP to veterans after withdrawing it in 1973 within 18 months of the 1971 war victory," he said.

IESM convener in Mumbai, Commander SH Kalawat (Retd) and Commodore RPS Ravi, VSM, Retd, also briefed the media on the continued OROP agitation.

While Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that OROP would be implemented soon after the Bihar elections, the ex-servicemen are carrying out a relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, saying that the announcement made by Mr Parrikar on September 5 regarding the implementation of OROP had several shortcomings.

              

[ NDTV ]Story First Published: October 26, 2015 23:39 IST