EX-SERVICEMEN CONTINUE THEIR DEMAND FOR O.R.O.P.

5000 ex-servicemen return medals

22 Aug 2010, 1457 hrs IST

5000 ex-servicemen held a massive protest in the Capital over the emotive 'one-rank one-pay' and submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil in support of demand. The ex-servicemen have been demanding one rank one pay for the last 26 years. Interestingly the ex-servicemen have timed their protest to the MPs pay hike demand in a clear attempt to put more pressure on the government. Yashpal Rathi, Former Defence Serviceman said, "The government doesn't care about us. They are only concerned about us when we are fighting the enemy on the battlefield. But now we are considered as junk. Our protest is futile unless our demands are discussed in the Parliament." Meanwhile, Bhairav Singh, another ex-serviceman added, "It is unfortunate for the country that our politicians are ignoring us. Armymen and farmers are the backbone of this country. While farmers are committing suicide because of their state, we have been dismissed as used cartridge." Earlier this year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that the demands of the ex-servicemen are being looked into. On March 5, 2010 the prime minister had said, “The factual position is that we have constituted a committee under the cabinet secretary to look in into issue of one-man-one-pension and other related matters. The committee did not recommend one-man-one-rank-pension.” “But whatever recommendations the committee made to substantiate and enhance the pensionary benefits of persons below officer rank and commissioned officers were accepted by the government,” added the PM. The Defence Minister AK Anthony, meanwhile, had said that the Cabinet Secretary initially looked at the issue and gave his recommendation after which the GoM took it up. “The one rank one pay demand for armed forces hasn't been totally accepted because it can't be given to Armed Forces alone. It would also have to be given to retired civilians, government officials’, paramilitary forces and policemen,” added the defence minister.