The ex-servicemen demanding the implementation of One Rank One Pension on Thursday walked out of their meeting with the army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, because of the differences over proposed date of implementation and the annual hike.
The army veterans have threatened to intensify their protests with many now threatening to boycott the celebrations marking the 5o years of 1965 war starting on Friday.
Colonel (retd) Anil Kaul, spokesperson of United Front of Ex-Servicemen said, “On receiving a message from Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh and Lt Gen (retd) Balbir Singh reached South Block at about 7 pm… They waited for Nripendra Misra, principal secretary, PMO, but he was busy. The meeting was attended by a joint secretary in the PMO… The disagreement persisted over the annual hike. The government has been offering an increase every five years, while we are demanding three per cent hike every year. The government has agreed to our demand of considering 2013-14 as base year for the proposed revision in pension.”
Meanwhile, two more ex-servicemen, who were on hunger strike had to be admitted in hospital after their health deteriorated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking from the Red Fort on Independence Day, had said that his government accepted the demands on OROP, but there were some resolved legal issues.