To,
Hon. Narendra Modiji,
Prime Minister, Government of India,
South Block, Raisoni Hill,
New Delhi.
Sub- To implement One Rank One Pension to widows of martyrs & retired Armed forces
Personnel.
Dear Sir,
During election campaign you had assured the widows of
martyrs & retired defence personnel’s mothers & sisters that,
after winning the elections you would implementing the One Rank One
Pension scheme as soon as possible. Your party’s agenda too had
mentioned this. Your party has completed a year of power, but still the
scheme One Rank One Pension, has not been implemented.
On
26.02.2015 the meeting of Ex-servicemen welfare Ministry was held under
the chairmanship of Defence Minister, at Room no. 103, South Block, New
Delhi. This meeting was attended by, defense Secretary,che three Vice
Chiefs of Armed Forces, other senior officers from the Services Head
Quarters & the concerned Joint Secretaries of the Ministry.
During
the course of meeting, the Hon. Defence Minister reaffirmed the
Government’s commitment to implement the OROP & that sufficient
funds would be made available to ensure its timely implementation. He
specifically indicated that the Finance Minister had also clarified that
the figure of Rs.500 crore made available was only indicative &
even if more funds are required, they would be made available. But so
far there has been no action.
On
the issue of OROP, citizens had filed petitions in the Supreme Court.
The SC had directed the Govt. of India on 16.02.2015, to take decision
regarding implementation of OROP, within three months’ time. No more
time would be allotted now.
The
SC had given time frame of three months to the govt. The Govt. has
failed to take any decision in these three months’. The Govt. has not
adhered to the SC’s directive. This is not in the interests of the govt.
Today
many Retired Armed Forces Personnel’s receive very less pension due to
non-implementation of OROP. The soldier after serving the motherland, is
not able to lead his life with dignity. The Armed Forces martyrs have
their widows and children left behind. Today these widows receive rupees
Rs.4,000 to Rs.5000 Pension. How can these families survive, in this
amount? How can they educate their children? The govt. must think about
this seriously.
The
armed forces personnel are serving the nation in severe conditions of
47 degrees temperature in the deserts, high mountainous ranges of
Himalayas, Forests & snow clad regions across the borders of the
motherland. But after retirement they are not able to lead the life of
dignity due to low pension.
Being
an armed forces personnel, I myself had lived a life in the snow clad
mountainous regions of Himalayas. I had experienced harsh conditions in
those days. One can never experience these conditions sitting in an air
conditioned rooms. As the govt. is not sensitive about these hardships,
the retired armed forces personnel’s, the widows of martyrs’, mothers,
sisters, are leading a hard life due to low pensions.
You
all Parliamentarians get amenities of railway, electricity, water,
luxurious apartments and still feel that the salary of Rs.50,000 is to
be raised to one lakh rupees, as it is inadequate. On one hand, the
widows of martyrs & retired armed forces personnel are getting low
pension of Rs.4,00 to Rs.5,000 and on the other hand, the salary of
Rs.50,000 is too less and therefore should be raised to one lakh
rupees. The person demanding salary of one lakh are the servants of the
nation. Isn’t it going to give rise to social inequality? The
Constitution says that the social inequality should not rise in the
country.
The
Land Acquisition Ordinance was opposed in the Rajya Sabha as well as by
the farmers in different parts of the country, but it gets passed in
the Lok Sabha with majority, but the one rank one pension bill is not
passed, which is unfortunate. To raise the salary to one lakh rupees is
against the interest of the country but when this suggestion is brought
in the Parliament, it could get passed. You have the majority but there
is lack of will. Before entering the pious temple of democracy you had
bowed your head at the doorsteps; we countrymen thought that sanctity of
this institute would rise. After you have got power & majority in
the Parliament, you all are demanding a rise in salary to one lakh
rupees; are these the holy thoughts to be addressed in the pious temple
of democracy?
In
support of Lokpal & Lokayukta Bills, the public had come out on
roads to express their discontent against the Congress govt. Under
public pressure the govt. had to pass these laws. The President too had
signed these laws. Last year I had wrote to you several letters
regarding implementation of Lokpal & Lokayukta & Land
Acquisition bills, but the govt. hasn’t replied me yet. Neither Lokpals
nor Lokaayuktas are appointed. I had written to Congress govt. several
times to pass the bills of Lokpal & Lokayukta, but since it ignored
it, the public agitated in support of Lokpal & Lokayukta and crores
of people participated. Once more I am planning to start a countrywide ि
on the points of one rank one pension & land acquisition ordinance,
for the welfare of farmers & soldiers. I am confident of public
support & participation in this agitation. Many times I have
repeatedly said that our agitation is not against any political party or
any individual. For the last 30 years, I have been agitating for the
benefit of the society & nation &its development. This time too,
the agitation would be with selfless attitude & non-violence. The
agitators would not be from any political party. However, during the
agitation if any one wishes to join, we can’t stop them. But on the dais
of the agitation, there won’t be anyone from any political party. On
one side, you, as our PM is giving slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ but
on the side, you are neglecting them.
Once
again I request you to provide the citizens of this democratic nation,
their rights, which they are eligible to. It’s the responsibility of the
govt. to restore citizens’ their rights. It’s unbecoming of the govt,
that the citizens have to come on the roads & agitate to get their
rights. My next letter would contain the dates of agitation in Delhi
& other parts of the country.
Thanking You,
Yours.
K. B. Alias Anna Hazare
Thanks with warm regards,
Anna Hazare Office,
(Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas)
At & Post- Ralegansiddhi, Tal- Parner,
Dist- Ahmednagar, MS
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