While Indian leaders in New Delhi marked the anniversary of the 1965 war, retired personnel of the Indian army have boycotted the government’s ‘carnival’ over the failure to break the deadlock of the one rank one pension (OROP) issue, Hindustan Times reported on Friday.
Talks between the Indian government and its military veterans ended inconclusively on Thursday night, with a group of retired armed forces personnel walking out of a meeting held to decide a new pension package.
Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh had also held a meeting with the representatives of the veterans who have been protesting since the past 75 days demanding the implementation of the one rank one pension (OROP), but no significant development could take place.
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee kicked off government celebrations of the 1965 war anniversary in New Delhi, paying tribute to soldiers who had lost their lives at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial at India Gate in central New Delhi.
In a tweet, Modi said: “As we mark the 50th anniversary of 1965 war, I bow to all brave soldiers who fought for our motherland in the war.”Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday that, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned about OROP in his speech on August 15. He will take a decision and will announce as and when time comes.”
The protesting retired military men who had served in the 1965 war said they would gather at Jantar Mantar to observe the golden jubilee and boycott the official function as the government has not yet implemented OROP.
The OROP scheme will ensure the same pension is paid to veteran of the same rank, regardless of when they retired. It is expected to benefit nearly 3 million defence pensioners and 600,000 widows.
The deadlock between the government and the veterans over the implementation of OROP remains over the increase in pensions as the veterans are demanded an annual increase while the Indian government has suggested an increment every five years.
Decorated veterans have in the past returned medals and signed petitions in blood to draw the government’s attention to the issue.
