Armed force veterans participated in large numbers in a rally organised to press for One Rank One Pension (OROP) on the occasion of Kargil Victory Day here on Sunday.
Donning their medals and military decorations the ex servicemen gathered at the Parade Ground in the afternoon under the banner of United Forum of Ex Servicemen. As a mark of protest for inordinate delay in the implementation of OROP, the veterans wore black ribbons on the sleeves.
Speaking on the occasion the Major General lalji D Singh (Rtd) said that One Rank One Pension is a long pending issue and it demands immediate attention. The meeting was also addressed by the Major General Chander Nandwani (Rtd), Brigadier RS Rawat (Rtd), Brigadier R S Rawat, Colonel P l Parashar and scores of other veterans.
The veterans then took out a massive rally which was led by four physically handicapped Ex-servicemen. Holding placards the veterans raised slogans in support of the OROP. Floral tributes were paid by the ex servicemen to the martyrs at Gandhi Park. Interestingly the veterans had boycotted all Government programmes on the occasion of Kargil Victory day.
The veterans who participated in the rally looked determined to go to any extent to claim OROP. Subedar S S Bisht who came from Vikasnagar said that the Union Government is dilly dallying on the issue of OROP. “We fought for the country, gave our best time and it is shameful that we had to hit the streets in such old age for OROP”, he said. Another veteran said that the ex servicemen across the country are united now and if the union government fails to implement it soon then the BJP and its allies would face the consequences in the ensuing elections of Bihar State Assembly.