Arakkonam: Terming the attempts by war veterans to burn medals as an insult to the nation and armed forces, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said it was for protesting ex-service personnel to prove there was no political motive behind the OROP stir.

“If I say something, it will become an allegation. Let them prove that it is not political,” he told reporters here when asked if he saw a political link to continuing agitation despite the government’s response and notification on one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme.

“Medals are a recognition of the nation for the sacrifice done by the armed forces,” he said in reply to another query.

“Burning and returning them is an insult to the nation and the defence forces,” Parrikar said.

The minister’s comments come in the wake of a section of the ex-service personnel expressing dissatisfaction on the ground that the OROP notification has not fully met their demands.

The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country.

“Medals are a recognition of bravery, for the service to the nation. It has nothing to do with service conditions whereas OROP is about service conditions. It does not say you are entitled for medals, it talks about service conditions like your pay and entitlement,” Parrikar said.

On the issue of grievances of protesting ex-servicemen, he said, “Let them put the demands before the judicial committee, they will address it.” He said implementing OROP was BJP’s electoral promise and it had been fulfilled.

Earlier, he unveiled the first phase of the commissioning of Boeing P8i Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft fleet at Naval Air Station “INS Rajali” here, about 85 kms from Chennai. In the next phase, four more such aircraft would be inducted making it a fleet of 12 high-tech surveillance planes.

Induction of the eighth P8i plane and completion of aircraft equipment testing, trials and crew training for all the eight aircraft marked the launch of the first phase.

The function was attended by the top defence brass, including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command and other senior officials from the navy as well as civil administration.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: In a bid to break the deadlock, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday announced that the government has agreed to implement ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme, but with riders.

Addressing a press conference, Parrikar said the government was proud of its servicemen’s devotion, duty, and bravery.

Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank and same length of service, announced Parrikar.

Insisting that the issue has been pending for nearly four decades, the Defence Minister added that the OROP will be implemented from July 1, 2014 and the base year would be 2013.

PM Narendra Modi has fulfilled his commitment and approved OROP for the armed forces personnel, said Parrikar, adding the Ministry of Defence will give the detailed order soon.

Parrikar made the announcement after holding talks with the agitating ex-servicemen and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah.

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who was present at the party chief’s house, had told reporters that the government is close to announcing a solution that will cost the exchequer at least Rs 10,000 crore.

Addressing a press conference after holding talks with Parrikar, Major General Satbir Singh (retired), who is spearheading the campaign for the scheme’s implementation, had said the government is considering appointing a committee under a judge to go into the issue of equalisation of pension.

The chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen said the government while accepting the concept of the OROP, was still insisting on pension revision every five years and that is why it was thinking of constituting a committee.

In that case a representative of the veterans and one from the services should also be in the committee, Singh said, adding the committee should decide on the issue within 15-30 months.

It is understood that a draft proposal on OROP was circulated at a RSS meeting yesterday which envisaged commencement of the scheme from July 2014, besides revision of pension every five years.

According to the draft, the basis for the implementation of the scheme would be 2013 and arrears would be paid in four instalments.

Close to 26 lakh retired servicemen and over six lakh war widows stand to be immediate beneficiaries of the scheme, which envisages a uniform pension for the defence personnel who retire in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.

Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations of the time when he or she retired. So, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws less pension than a Lt Colonel who retired after 1996.

(Agencies)