New Delhi: One Rank One Pension as defined by the government and not the defence veterans has become a reality. With several points of contention remaining, the government and veterans are still at loggerheads but there seems to be some clarity on those soldiers who opt for premature retirement.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday evening met Major General Satbir Singh (retired) and said "Voluntary Retirement Scheme" (VRS) is being misunderstood even as there is no such concept in the armed forces where personnel can take premature retirement.
The Defence Minister confirmed to the veterans that he will issue a clarification letter on this in the next one or two days. "We came to discuss VRS and pre-mature retirement issue. The Defence Minister confirms that there is no VRS in Army," Major General Singh said.
In a defiant tone, the former Army officer Singh said, "Till the government issue a fresh note we will not withdraw our agitation."
The protesting veterans at Delhi's Jantar Mantar were glued to Parrikar's press conference with hopes of a positive news but as soon as it got over the mood turned sombre as most of their demands had been rejected by the Centre.
While thanking the Defence Minister for announcing OROP, the veterans pointed out several anomalies and declared that out of the seven points, only one was acceptable to them.
The scheduled rally on September 12 will also take place at Jantar Mantar.
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