One-rank-one-pension Not So Soon: Antony


New Delhi, August 25 (IANS): Even as ex-servicemen take the extreme step of returning their medals demanding one-rank-one-pension, the government Wednesday clarified that it may not come very soon.

Replying to a zero hour mention by Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley (Bharatiya Janata Party) and supported by members across party lines including the Congress, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said that the implementation of one-rank-one-pension is an ongoing process.

"At the time we cannot implement one-rank-one-pension, but we are nearing the goal. It is a long process," Antony added.

Raising the issue, Jaitley said that though it was mentioned in the budget speech of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, no steps have been taken so far for implementing the one-rank-one-pension system.

"Neither the 5th nor the 6th Pay Commission addressed the issue. The finance minister also indicated in his budget speech that a committee will be formed but nothing happened," Jaitley pointed out.

He also saud that ex-servicemen should not take extreme steps like returning their medals.

"The medal is an honour given to them by the nation. I therefore appeal to them not to return the medals," Jaitley said.

He was supported by Communist Party of India-Marxist member Sitaram Yechury and Congress member P.J. Kurien, among others.

"I would also request the government to look in the issue of thousands of jawans (soldiers) being retired before the age of 40," Kurien said.

The defence minister, however, said that though one-rank-one-pension was still far, a number of steps have been taken by the government to ensure that ex-servicemen are benefitted.

"The prime minister appointed a committee to look into the issues of the ex-servicemen. The committee gave recommendations in five areas and all have been accepted," Antony said.

"Government has increased the pension of nearly 12 lakh ex-servicemen. We are also starting 197 additional polyclinics for them across the country," he pointed out.

The opposition, however, remained unsatisfied with the reply as BJP member S.S. Ahluwalia urged the government to talk to the ex-servicemen and settle the issue.

Over 5,000 ex-servicemen Sunday returned their medals to protest the government's reluctance to accept their one-rank-one-pension demand. They also submitted a memorandum on the issue to President Pratibha Patil, the supreme commander of the armed forces.

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Ex-Sgt D'silva. LA, Udipi

    Wed, Aug 25 2010

    One rank one pension is dream for all ex-servicemen. It may take decades to implement. 3rd to 4th pay commission it took 15 yrs where as every after 10 yrs it should be implemented. About clinics, there is no polyclinic in udipi district at all. If an ex-serviceman from kundapur area get sick he has to travel more than two hours to reach Mangalore polyclinic. Why not Government open DSS&A at Udipi. The benefits of ex-servicemen are only available in North India. There is no good support from State Government also.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: One-rank-one-pension Not So Soon: Antony



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.