OROP ISSUE

 

Shashi Tharoor of Congress says “At a recent media conclave, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar hedged his bets, suggesting that ex-servicemen would get 80% of the promised pension, and adding that "100% satisfaction to everyone is never given in real life."  This is an utter travesty. Is Mr Modi prepared to stand before the nation and say that we should not believe anything he promises, but that he will try to deliver 80% of it? If the Kargil war had happened on his watch, would we have to be content with getting 80% of the heights back?” Remember Kargil was a requirement and 100 %  had to be met. Akhand Bharat is the demand and may not be fulfilled in near future.

 

I ask Shashi Tharoor if that was the case then under Indira Gandhi it was your government which brought down the pension (in 1973) from earlier levels and created the problem. If that is not enough it was your Government which was there in the UPA I and UPA II avtar for last 10 years and you were cabinet minister in that government – why was it not implemented? Let’s attribute it to your policy paralysis and when it has been declared by Modi Government as an implementation of poll promise, if not praising the step, the least is not to comment on it.  

 

OROP issue has been addressed by Modi Government in an appropriate manner. We must remember the difference between 'demand' and 'requirement'. The requirement of OROP is met. Demands are subjective and no one can satisfy ever growing demands in full. Gen Satbir and others are just politicizing the issue. Congress is supporting it as it wants to remain relevant in politics.

 

Gen Satbir, whatsapp rumor churners and other veterans at Jantar Mantar should pack up and start doing some constructive work rather than searching for employability by agitating for the sake of agitation.