07-31-2009, 09:17 AM
by Lt Gen (retd) Raj Kadyan
Having made a reference to the resolution of ‘one rank, one pension’ (OROP) in its 2004 election manifesto, the Congress-led government had rejected this long-standing demand of some two million ex-servicemen in the country. The rejection was announced in Parliament on December 11, 2008.
Dejected, the ex-servicemen went on a relay fast at Jantar Mantar on December 16, 2008. In their show of disappointment they also took to depositing their medals with the President. On February 8, 2009, they made a public commitment to support the Congress during the elections provided the UPA government implemented OROP. The party did not respond.
On March 17, the BJP made an announcement of implementing OROP in case it was voted to power. The party also included this in the election manifesto. On April 12, the ex-servicemen pledged support to the BJP. They followed the democratic norm where the voting pattern is largely decided by issues that affect the voter.
After the election results were announced, the ex-servicemen started planning their next phase of struggle. Happily, on June 4 the President included OROP in her address to the joint session of Parliament. This gave fresh heart to the ex-servicemen. They fervently hoped that this time OROP would be implemented.
The four-months-long relay fast at Jantar Mantar brought OROP on the national radar screen. The public got familiarity with the term. The media picked it up. The demand also found overwhelming support from the man on the street. That is not to say that all those who empathise with the veterans’ demand actually understand OROP.
It is hardly a secret that in order to retain a youthful profile, the military retires its members early. Nearly 85 per cent soldiers thus proceed on pension in the lowest rank of sepoy after 17 years of service when they are in their mid-thirties.
Not only do they lose means of livelihood, they also undergo a trauma of being unemployed in the prime of their life. They see that the fine traits of loyalty, discipline and dedication that they acquired during their years in uniform have no more value and are being wasted away.
To top it all, they find that the system for which they gave their all is not even giving them enough to survive. They have no choice but to look for lowly jobs to sustain their families.
The officers have been only marginally better. In view of the very steep pyramidal structure, a majority of them retired as Majors in their forties. Even today nearly 90 per cent officers retire at the age of 54 years as against 60 years applicable to all non-defence government employees. There is no compensation for this truncated service.
For nearly 25 years, the ex-servicemen have been demanding OROP. The demand implies that whenever the pay commissions enhance salaries and thus pensions, these enhancements should be given to the earlier pensioners as well.
Simply put, it means bringing old pensions equal to the present ones and keeping these equal as a principle. This provision is already in existence for our legislators, judges, Governors and many other categories. The retired soldiers rightly see this as a principle of equity as justice.
The government indeed showed political magnanimity in deciding to revisit OROP and had it included in the President’s address. However, it is not getting translated into action. So far while all pronouncements have used the term OROP; in their actions they have not touched it.
It needs to be understood that removing pension anomalies between distant past and recent past is not OROP; bringing the past with the present is OROP. The ex-servicemen are waiting for the last word from the government before deciding on their response.
The government machinery is notorious in finding a difficulty for every solution. Those opposed to OROP would undoubtedly do so again. One does hope the political leadership will show sagacity. This long-pending issue needs to be pushed and resolved once and for all. No one wants to see soldiers engaging in public airing of their just demands; least of all the soldiers themselves.
The writer is the Chairman, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Source Link: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090731/edit.htm#8
Having made a reference to the resolution of ‘one rank, one pension’ (OROP) in its 2004 election manifesto, the Congress-led government had rejected this long-standing demand of some two million ex-servicemen in the country. The rejection was announced in Parliament on December 11, 2008.
Dejected, the ex-servicemen went on a relay fast at Jantar Mantar on December 16, 2008. In their show of disappointment they also took to depositing their medals with the President. On February 8, 2009, they made a public commitment to support the Congress during the elections provided the UPA government implemented OROP. The party did not respond.
On March 17, the BJP made an announcement of implementing OROP in case it was voted to power. The party also included this in the election manifesto. On April 12, the ex-servicemen pledged support to the BJP. They followed the democratic norm where the voting pattern is largely decided by issues that affect the voter.
After the election results were announced, the ex-servicemen started planning their next phase of struggle. Happily, on June 4 the President included OROP in her address to the joint session of Parliament. This gave fresh heart to the ex-servicemen. They fervently hoped that this time OROP would be implemented.
The four-months-long relay fast at Jantar Mantar brought OROP on the national radar screen. The public got familiarity with the term. The media picked it up. The demand also found overwhelming support from the man on the street. That is not to say that all those who empathise with the veterans’ demand actually understand OROP.
It is hardly a secret that in order to retain a youthful profile, the military retires its members early. Nearly 85 per cent soldiers thus proceed on pension in the lowest rank of sepoy after 17 years of service when they are in their mid-thirties.
Not only do they lose means of livelihood, they also undergo a trauma of being unemployed in the prime of their life. They see that the fine traits of loyalty, discipline and dedication that they acquired during their years in uniform have no more value and are being wasted away.
To top it all, they find that the system for which they gave their all is not even giving them enough to survive. They have no choice but to look for lowly jobs to sustain their families.
The officers have been only marginally better. In view of the very steep pyramidal structure, a majority of them retired as Majors in their forties. Even today nearly 90 per cent officers retire at the age of 54 years as against 60 years applicable to all non-defence government employees. There is no compensation for this truncated service.
For nearly 25 years, the ex-servicemen have been demanding OROP. The demand implies that whenever the pay commissions enhance salaries and thus pensions, these enhancements should be given to the earlier pensioners as well.
Simply put, it means bringing old pensions equal to the present ones and keeping these equal as a principle. This provision is already in existence for our legislators, judges, Governors and many other categories. The retired soldiers rightly see this as a principle of equity as justice.
The government indeed showed political magnanimity in deciding to revisit OROP and had it included in the President’s address. However, it is not getting translated into action. So far while all pronouncements have used the term OROP; in their actions they have not touched it.
It needs to be understood that removing pension anomalies between distant past and recent past is not OROP; bringing the past with the present is OROP. The ex-servicemen are waiting for the last word from the government before deciding on their response.
The government machinery is notorious in finding a difficulty for every solution. Those opposed to OROP would undoubtedly do so again. One does hope the political leadership will show sagacity. This long-pending issue needs to be pushed and resolved once and for all. No one wants to see soldiers engaging in public airing of their just demands; least of all the soldiers themselves.
The writer is the Chairman, Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
Source Link: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090731/edit.htm#8