CAPTAIN HITS OUT AT PARRIKAR ON OROP STIR
Friday, 13/11/2015
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CHANDIGARH: Taking exception to defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s remarks against the agitation of ex-servicemen for a better deal under the one rank, one pension’ (OROP) scheme, the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh, has said it can affect the morale of today’s soldiers, who are tomorrow’s ex-servicemen.
In a letter to the defence minister, Amarinder referred to his recent statements in which he had declined more concessions on OROP and claimed that the behaviour of the protesting ex-servicemen was not soldierlike. “This is adding insult to the injury,” Amarinder stated on Thursday here, adding: “If this country has an institution that is completely loyal and disciplined, it is our armed forces.”
Sharing the sentiments of the ex-servicemen who returned their medals in protest against the deal that was given to them, Amarinder said: “This is the ultimate they can do. These medals are a soldier’s prized possession and not government charity. These were won on the battlefield for gallantry or distinguished service, and are worn with pride” he told the minister.
Making a strong case for undiluted OROP, the former chief minister told Parrikar: “Your government gives `125 lakh crore to Bihar and `80,000 crore to Jammu and Kashmir but denies an extra `1,000 crore to the patriots who helped keep J&K in this country by shedding their blood and sweat over the past 68 years?”
“Does annual equalisation pose much of a problem for your ministry, full of bureaucrats?” he said, warning the minister “not to be misled by bureaucrats”.
