Expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister for accepting the 42 years long pending demand of ex-servicemen for One Rank One Pension (OROP), Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha leader of opposition Ajay Bhatt claimed that BJP led NDA Government has acted on its election promise within 15 months of being elected to office. He congratulated all the ex-servicemen for this. He reiterated that PM Modi is a man of words and by accepting OROP demand of ex-servicemen he has ascertained this belief. Although this would exert additional pressure of `12000 crore per annum, this would not be much of a hitch under the able leadership of PM Modi.
Despite knowing the fact that his predecessor Congress led UPA government had emptied the nation's coffers Prime Minister accepted their demand because he cares for ex-servicemen. This would be one the major achievement of the Central Government during its 15 months in office, he said.
Bhatt alleged that Congress had kept this demand pending and now when BJP led NDA announced its implementation, the Congress was unable to digest this. Instead of praising PM Modi they have started condemning this decision. He advised the Congress to learn how to praise for good works and when to criticise. Congress led Union Government had stopped giving OROP in 1972-73 and the ex-servicemen had been fighting for their right since then. BJP has always promoted the soldiers and ex-servicemen were aware that only BJP led union government can meet their demand.
The Union Government has accepted that the soldiers who opt for VRS will also get the benefit of the OROP. Now soldiers who took pre mature retirement or completed their term will be eligible for OROP. Bhatt expressed hope that the remaining demands of ex-servicemen related to OROP will be addressed by the committee constituted by union Government. He reiterated that BJP is always with their soldiers. With this decision large number of youth especially those discouraged from joining the army due to early retirement age and perceived financial loss will also join defence service.
As the soldiers were in need for better equipment, the BJP led NDA government cleared the budget to enable upgradation of the forces by procurement of latest technology. Before the days of NDA, family members of servicemen were provided only information about their family member dying in action but Atal Bihari Vajpyee led NDA government ensured that the bodies of martyred soldiers are taken back to their respective homes.