Two ex-serviceman, participating in the relay hunger strike over One Rank, One Pension (OROP) were hospitalised on Friday after their health deteriorated during the agitation to which no end seems to be in sight.
Ex-servicemen wait their turn to undergo a medical check-up as they continue their hunger strike in New Delhi on Friday. pic/PTI
New Delhi: Two ex-serviceman, participating in the relay hunger strike over One Rank, One Pension (OROP) were hospitalised on Friday after their health deteriorated during the agitation to which no end seems to be in sight.
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Ex-servicemen wait their turn to undergo a medical check-up as they continue their hunger strike in New Delhi on Friday. pic/PTI
"Havaldar Abhilekh Singh and retired Havaldar Major Singh have been taken to hospital," said an official from the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, the umbrella organisation of veterans carrying out the protest.
So far, six ex-serviceman have been hospitalised. The agitation by the ex-servicemen entered the 76th day on Saturday.
Govt wants time
The government on Friday had said "some more time" will be required to roll out OROP as "small gaps are being filled". Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, "In principle, the Prime Minister on August 15 has given an approval. Now, PMO is directly involved... then by saying that do it in these many days will not help. All efforts are being made to solve the issue."
Close to 22 lakh retired servicemen and over six lakh war widows stand to be the immediate beneficiaries of the scheme, which envisages a uniform pension for the defence personnel who retire in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations of the time when he or she retired.
So, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws less pension than a Lt Colonel who retired after 1996.
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