Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to implement the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme as soon as possible. Hazare, who is an ex-serviceman himself, has threatened to launch a nationwide agitation if the government fails to honour these demands.
“We have to take care of our soldiers and farmers. Making hollow announcements for their welfare and actually implementing them are different things,” Hazare wrote yesterday.
Hazare, however, has clarified that his agitation is not political.
India’s army veterans have blamed PM Modi for betraying the men in uniform by not fulfilling his promises over One Rank One Pension.
Retired soldiers have been on a relay hunger strike for over a month demanding that the OROP is implemented without further delay.
Speaking exclusively to Jantakareporter.com, Major General Satbir (retired) recently said that PM Modi on 15 September 2014 in Rewari had assured that he will grant OROP “the moment government is formed.”
He said, “But he’s (Modi) betrayed the very trust of us soldiers. So, in all my hosho hawaas (consciousness), I have no hesitation in saying that Mr Modi is responsible for causing injuries to hearts and minds of the soldiers of this country called Bharat. They call themselves nationalists. If they were nationalists, they will honour the commitment made to the soldiers. Let Mr Modi come on TV to say that he doesn’t have money to pay to the soldiers, we will finish our agitation. But has he guts to say that to the country?”
In an extraordinary development, as many as 11 Generals sat on hunger strike on Saturday with their demands on OROP. They were joined by 15 more Generals that included five Lt Generals, one Admiral of Indian Navy and 10 Major Generals on Sunday.
