Declare OROP implementation date immediately, Brinda Karat urges Narendra Modi

Kolkata : With two ex-servicemen launching fast-unto-death over implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP), CPI(M) on Monday urged the Centre to heed to their demands and declare immediately the date for the scheme’s execution.

In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat also demanded the government to express regret to the personnel for their alleged manhandling by Delhi Police on August 14.

The agitating ex-servicemen were allegedly manhandled by cops as they tried to evict the protesters from Jantar Mantar a day before Independence Day celebrations on the ground of security.

In his Independence Day speech, Modi did not give a specific timeline for implementation of OROP and only said that talks were in the final stages, drawing sharp reactions from ex-servicemen who vowed to step up their protest.

“It is a shame on this country that the government is making mockery of slogan of Jai Jawan and forcing ex-servicemen to sit on hunger strike. And it is a sad day when the government allows such a situation to develop.

“When there is a complete consensus of all political parties, all state governments to support OROP, then what is the hindrance?” Karat asked after meeting the protesting ex-servicemen.

The former Parliamentarian further slammed the government for not expressing “even a single word of regret” over the alleged manhandling of the protesting personnel, who she said, “are very upset about the treatment by cops”.

In the memorandum, Karat also suggested that Modi should meet women family members of the pensioners and hear their sufferings.

“I request you to also meet the women family members and hear their sufferings which I am sure will move you into urgent action,” she wrote to Modi. Stepping up agitation over the scheme’s implementation, two ex-servicemen Col Pushpender Singh (retd) and Havildar Major Singh rpt Major Singh (retd) today launched fast-unto-death.

The protesters have been on relay hunger strike since the agitation started 64 days ago.

PTI