M A I N   N E W S

Implement one rank-one pension before poll code: Ex-servicemen
Vijay Mohan and Sanjeev Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24
Ex-servicemen today demanded that the notification for the implementation of one rank-one pension (OROP) formula for defence personnel be issued by the government as soon as possible. They said there were still some apprehensions and lack of clarity on the announcement.

Speaking on behalf of ex-servicemen at a public meeting organised with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi here today, Major General KMKS Waraich (retd) said that the orders should be issued before the model code of conduct comes into effect.

While Rahul Gandhi neither made any public commitment on the time frame for the implementation of OROP and nor was any official statement issued by the Congress, party insiders claimed that the matter was being pursued and the notification could be expected soon. About 2,000 ex-servicemen, including senior retired officers, attended the event.

Maj General Waraich (retd) said that the OROP should be implemented by June 30 and any anomalies arising thereof should be resolved by September 30. A monitoring cell should be set up in the MoD to ensure that the scheme is implemented smoothly.

Nation can’t repay soldiers’ debt: Rahul
Sanjeev Singh Bariana and Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24
“All decisions are not taken by our minds, some flow out of our hearts,” said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi while addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen on a call given by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee here today. He was speaking on the recent UPA decision on ‘one rank-one pension’.

Ex-servicemen along with PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda present a memento to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo pradeep tewari

“On my return from a tour of the nation’s frontiers —guarded selflessly by our brave soldiers — I took up the subject with president of the party Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. I told them what I felt from my heart. Both unanimously supported the call and agreed that the nation owes the soldiers much more than what we can pay in cash,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi walked the entire length of the aisle under the ‘pandal’ where approximately 2,000 ex-servicemen, including senior retired officers and decorated soldiers, were seated. He stopped at many points and heard their views.

“I was very moved on my recent visit to the Rajasthan border. I asked a jawan on duty if he felt hot standing under a tin shed during summers. He replied: We get roasted —like in an oven, but we never budge from our position.”

Beginning his seven-minute speech on an emotional note, Rahul Gandhi said, “I was very touched when an old officer caught my hand just now and thanked me for the one rank-one pension decision. I said: Don’t thank me. I thank the sweat and blood you give for our safety.”

He was accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar, Punjab party affairs in-charge Shakeel Ahmed, AICC Secretary Harish Chaudhary and the Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar on the stage.

Calling Bajwa a ‘babbar sher’(lion) and reciting poetry in praise of Rahul Gandhi, Brig KS Kahlon (retd) thanked Rahul Gandhi for the keen interest he has shown for the welfare of defence personnel.