In protest against the Government's version of One-Rank, One-Pension (OROP) many armed forces veterans returned their medals at Parade Ground here on Monday. More than 200 medals were handed over by the ex-servicemen who assembled in a programme organised by the United Front of Ex-Servicemen (UFESM) of Uttarakhand. The UFESM is an umbrella organization of many associations of ex-servicemen fighting for the cause of OROP.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion the President of UFESM Uttarakhand, Major General Chander Nandwani said that the ex-servicemen are feeling let down by the Government which has promised OROP to them. One of the senior most members of UFESM Major General lalji D Singh (Rtd) told The Pioneer that the veterans have taken up the step with a heavy heart. "These medals show our dedication, we have shed our blood for them. We are taking such an extreme step with a very heavy heart in the hope that good sense would finally prevail on the Government. This Government is not honoring the blood which we shed," he stated.
The President of Ex-services league of Uttarakhand Brigadier R S Rawat (Rtd) clarified that the veterans are not returning their medals but actually sending them to the President of India who is the supreme commander of the Armed forces as a mark of protest. "We are tagging the medals and giving a receipt. It means that the medals are not surrendered or returned but are kept in safe custody," he said.
Honorary Subedar Major Hari Prasad (Rtd) who retired way back in 1981 was also present on the occasion. With quivering hands he returned his medals. He said that medals are most dear to a soldier but the Government had compelled the soldiers to take this step.
However the attendance in the programme was less than expected which clearly highlighted a schism among the veterans on taking such an extreme step on OROP. Some of the ex-servicemen are of the opinion that at least this government issued notification of OROP which was pending for many years.
The spokesperson of the UFESM, Uttarakhand Col P l Parashar (Rtd) said that many more such programmes would be held in near future till the Government understands the point of veterans.
The OROP means uniform pension to persons retiring on the same rank with the same of length of service notwithstanding their date of retirement. The scheme is expected to cost more than Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 to the national exchequer.
After a prolonged agitation by the veterans the Union Government notified OROP recently but the ex-servicemen are not happy with the government's version. However, Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar has cleared his intention of not yielding more than what is given to ex servicemen on OROP.