Surjewala said the Supreme Court’s decision came after the Center opposed OROP and argued that it was a policy decision, which the court could not decide.
The Congress on Wednesday said the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the ex-servicemen’s demand for “one rank, one pension” was “not just” and accused the Center of not presenting the full facts before the court.
Congress general secretary and party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that by denying “one rank, one pension”, the BJP government has betrayed the interests of over 30 lakh ex-servicemen and put forward a set of seven questions that it has asked them to do. Why did you deny it? Benefit.
He said that while the BJP seeks votes in the name of sacrifice and valor of soldiers, it denies them benefits when it comes to giving them OROP.
He alleged that the government has given ‘one rank, one pension’ to ex-servicemen instead of ‘one rank, one pension’.
“BJP and Modi government seek votes in the name of valor and sacrifice of soldiers, but oppose their ‘One Rank, One Pension’ in court. Not only this, this right of OROP to them was later rejected by the Modi government. It told the Supreme Court that it was a policy decision and not their legal right.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is not justified as it is not based on facts. This decision of the Supreme Court is against the interests of more than 30 lakh ex-servicemen of the three services.
“We request the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and the Government to implement the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ approved by the UPA Government on 26 February and 24 April, 2014 without any delay. In a democracy, election victory promises to be fulfilled. Not to break the trust of soldiers and ex-servicemen,” he said.
Surjewala said the Supreme Court’s decision came after the Center opposed OROP and argued that it was a policy decision, which the court could not decide.
He said the sacrifice of soldiers is sacred for all 140 crore Indians, but it is a bitter truth that Modi and the ruling BJP are trying to make it political capital.
“Why is it that when it comes to taking credit for their sacrifice and garnering votes, the Modi government is at the forefront, but when it comes to relief and ‘One Rank, One Pension’ to our soldiers and ex-servicemen,” he said. It obstructs the Supreme Court by telling it that it is not their right?” Surjewala asked.
He said that according to the BJP, “one rank, one pension” is not the right of ex-servicemen as it will have financial implications. The Congress leader said that the UPA government had approved OROP for soldiers, but the Modi government did not implement it in the same spirit.
“Is denial of ‘One Rank, One Pension’ to over 30 lakh ex-servicemen not a betrayal of the armed forces of the country? What is the reason why Modi government opposed OROP in Supreme Court? What is the reason that government OROP But the refusal to implement the decisions of the UPA taken on February 26, 2014 and April 24, 2014?” He asked.
What is the reason that despite the UPA’s clear decisions to implement OROP, the Modi government is refusing to accept them? Surjewala asked.