Ex-servicemen dissatisfied by the Modi government’s notification on One Rank One Pension (OROP) reportedly attempted to set their medals on fire in protest on Wednesday.
Several ex-servicemen gatherered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to set medals on fire but were stopped by other protesters, according to ANI news agency.
The move comes after months of protests by the former members of the armed forces who have demanded parity in the pensions given to officials of one rank regardless of the year of retirement.
The ex-servicemen have lambasted the government notification and have accused the centre of cheating people by calling it an OROP notification.
“What the government has announced is not OROP. It is one rank several pensions,” Maj Gen Satbir Singh (retd), Chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
Many have already returned their medals earned for their service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited air force bases and war memorials in Punjab on Thursday, said that the OROP notification was a ‘Diwali gift’ for the forces.
While addressing Army personnel in Khasa, Modi said that the government has set up a commission to look into complaints and suggestions regarding OROP.
