Retd.Military personnel call off hunger strike

New Delhi: A group of retired military personnel on hunger strike seeking revision of military pension has called off its indefinite stir a day after the Centre announced its plan to implement the one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen.

Fourteen ex-servicemen on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar were offered food after Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified that soldiers retiring after 15-17 years of service would also get the OROP benefits.

“However, our protest will continue till the government accepts the four points raised by us,” said Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement. “The victory is partial as there are four issues that need to be resolved, including the period of equalisation of pension,” he added. 

At present, the ex-servicemen are sticking to their plans for a rally on



September 12.  Addressing a rally in Faridabad, Modi said: “Jawans in the Army have to retire after 15-17 years of service. A few people think they will not get OROP. But jawans will be the first to get OROP. Those injured and those who had to compulsorily leave will get OROP. A prime minister who loves the Army cannot even think of depriving such people of OROP benefits,” he said.

In the armed forces, a soldier is entitled to pension after 15 years of service, while an officer has to work for 20 years to be eligible for pension. 

Because of the pyramidal structure of the armed forces, a large number of officers take premature retirement in their 50s.

While making the OROP announcement on Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said personnel who voluntarily retire would not be covered by the scheme.