New Delhi: As the protest by the defence veterans over the delay in implementation for One Rank One Pension enters 81st day on Thursday, the rift seems to have widened within the United Front of Ex-Servicemen over the stand taken by Major General (retired) Satbir Singh, who is leading the protest.
Some retired Generals are disagreeing with the stand of Major General Singh and say why this issue is being decided only by two or three. They want a general body meeting to discuss all issues and the government proposal.
The government may announce the implementation of the One Rank One Pension soon but the time period for revision of the pension remains a major roadblock. While the government has proposed to revise pension in every five years, veterans have proposed the revision of pension every years or at maximum 2 years.
Major General Singh, chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), said no proposal has come from the government which is acceptable to the veterans. "I doubt government's intention. The government wants revision of pension ever 5 years but nothing beyond 2 years is acceptable," he added.
One Rank One Pension scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly 3 million ex-servicemen in the country. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
Several retired defence personnel have been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for One Rank One Pension. Some of them are also on fast-unto-death.
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