New Delhi: The opposition parties were united in voicing protest against the ‘diluted’ notification of the One Rank One Pension Scheme while scores of veterans returned their medals on Tuesday in a symbolic protest.
“First, we saw delay in announcement and then we saw cut-back in the scope of the announcement before giving anything. We saw the quantum reduced by technicalities”, said Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.
He also alleged that the government is practising “politics of deception, hypocrisy and deceit” on the issue. Former defence minister A.K. Antony accused the Narendra Modi government of “betraying” the war veterans and dubbed the notification as a “Diwali shock” for them.
“Its not a Diwali gift. It is a Diwali shock,” said Mr Antony adding, “This order is a vast dilution of UPA’s order.” “I feel that by issuing this order, this government has gone back on its solemn commitment to Indian soldiers. This is one rank five pension,” he said.
Noting that the order says the soldiers who retire voluntarily after 15 years of service won’t get OROP, he said, “This will affect our policy to maintain an ever youthful force.”
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