The demand for One Rank One Pension is festering for over 2 decades or maybe longer, but it gathered steam from 2008-09 when the servicemen felt that just plain talk was not having an effect. Many veterans returned their medals to the President , but the Congress government was not moved and just sat tight on the demand. To say the least this was a callous approach and showed that the Congress party( it has been in power since 1947) was not interested in the army and its ilk. Nehru had downgraded the army and paid a terrible price with his reputation in tatters.
One man cam on the scene and he was narendra Modi. He started his election campaign with a speech to ex-servicemen in Rewari, where he promised that in case voted to power, he would sanction OROP. Even after he won, he still announced that OROP would be approved.
Now one year has elapsed and on 26 May the BJP government will have completed one year in Office. The demand for various reasons , not the least by opposition from the finance Minster Mr. Arun Jaitley has not been approved. Jaitley is typical small time politician who does not know what historical perspective is.
But there is hope and now after a relentless agitation by ex servicemen, the OROP may be on the anvil of approval. There is a chance that Modi on his return from China and Korea may approve this demand on the first anniversary of the BJP government. One can't be sure in Indian politics , but perhaps Modi is a cut above an ordinary mortal and may very well announce the success of OROP. One can just keep the fingers crossed as there is many a slip between the cup and the lip
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