OROP fight continues, deadlock on 3 points
A final solution to the ‘One Rank One Pension’ row remained out of reach despite hectic back channel talks, as the protesting ex-servicemen today rejected government’s formula saying an attempt was being made to ‘short change’ them.
“Government is hell bent on short changing. There are only three points of contention”, a source said. According to sources, the government wants 2011 to be the base year besides no 3% annual increase. The government also wants payment to begin from April 1, 2015 as against the agreed date of April 1, 2014.
“We have rejected the proposal. Escalation of our protest in expected. The complicated arithmetic will mean reduced payout”, source in the ex-servicemen movement said. The development came after a nearly two-hour long meeting was held between representatives of ex-servicemen and Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag. Government sources have now said that in the wake of these differences, an announcement on OROP in the next few days is unlikely.
Meanwhile, ex-servicemen said the agitation will be scaled up. Two veterans are on a fast-unto-death, Col. Pushpender Singh (retd) and Hav. Ashok Chauhan (retd) and continue to be in hospital…
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