OROP KRANTI :: BACKGROUNDER - LT COL INDERJIT SINGH'S STRUGGLE FOR OROP

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Cdr Sharan Ahuja Sja with Kulwantbir Wadhera.

 

LT COL INDERJIT SINGH'S STRUGGLE                                    FOR 

                                OROP

      Cdr Sharan Ahuja Sja with Kulwantbir Wadhera.

Service Background

Lt Colonel Inderjit Singh was commissioned into 9 Grenadiers in 1956, served later in 4 Grenadiers. While there he passed his Staff College as one of the toppers and was posted as Brigade Major which is one of the most prestigious Staff appointments. He then commanded 14 Grenadiers. In 1971 he fought a very grim battle. After his Command he was posted to Army HQ where he for some time wrote Tactical Doctrines for the Army and then controlled the foreign training of the Army. He took pre mature retirement from the Army in 1978.

First Memorandum

In 1981 formed an organisation called the All India Ex-Services Welfare Association (AIEWA) and on February 22, 1982 presented their five basic demands to Indira Gandhi. The demands were - removal of disparities in pensions of old and new pensioners (It was given the name of OROP by the HLC of 1984), guaranteed employment up to the age of 58 years,

pre 1964 pensioners widows to be given proper family pensions, restoration of commuted value of pension after the commuted period is over and vacation of lands and houses if occupied by tenants at the time of retirement

High Level Committee,

In Aug 1983, when we threatened 10000 medals return to President of India on 15 Aug 1983, Smt Indira Gandhi set up a High Level Committee (HLC). Lt Col Inderjit Singh was its special Invitee The HLC gave 68 recommendations. In 1984, the report was presented and after two days, Indira Gandhi was shot dead,

The Govt accepted 52 recommendations but the16 most important recommendations were rejected.

Indefinite Fast

On February 25, 1987, Lt Colonel Singh sat on indefinite fast with his five colleagues. On the fourth day of the fast, the government sent a letter increasing the pension from Rs 150 to Rs 375. On 7th day they sanctioned pension for pre 1964 widows of ex servicemen. On tenth day they restored the commuted pension after 15 years. Every time this favour was done it accompanied with a request to give up fast which was rejected.

On the 16th day of the fast, he collapsed and passed out. He was admitted to Wellington hospital in Delhi. He was revived after four hours effort by Doctors. The fast was called off on the 17th day by the direct intervention of the PM Sh Rajiv Gandh. Meetings were fixed for him with the then Defence Minister Sh VP Singh. By the time we got him to accept OROP he was removed as RM on account of Bofors.

High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC)

Then came the PV Narasimha Rao Government under whom

a High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) was formed with five ministers, six MPs, three defence veterans including Lt Col Singh. and headed by Sh Sharad Pawar with Dr Man Mohan Singh the FM as member. "The committee was inclined to give OROP but could not do so because of the bad economic state in which we had to send our gold to UK to run the country. Despite that it gave very good award but bureaucrats ruined it completely.

Fifth Central Pay Commission

Lt Colonel Singh then prepared himself to tackle the Fifth Central Pay Commission which was soon due. A very strong representation was made to the PC. As a result PC accepted OROP. While implementing the bureaucrats short changed us by granting modified parity to Armed Forces and applied it for themselves too.

CPC Report Rejected

We rejected the CPC Report. He again launched protest Rally on August 22 1997. The PM Sh IK Gujral called Lt Col Inderjit Singh for a meeting in which he promised to come back after examining it. The rally continued for 107 days at Red Fort supported by 23 Chiefs, Vice Chiefs and Army commanders of all the three forces. On 03 Nov PM Mr Gujral deputed Defence Secretary with full mandate to accept three or four of our demands for approval by the Cabinet. Others could follow in the normal course. Meeting was held and following four demands accepted for Cabinet approval:-

a) OROP

b) Removal of 33 years Conditionality for grant of 50 % pension.

c) New Disability rules to be made applicable to the Armed Frces

d) Two pensioners widow to get two pensions.

The Defence Secretary asked Lt Col Inderjit Singh to work out a paper which could be put up to Cabinet. The paper was prepared and given to him next day. This the bureaucrats did not put up to the Cabinet till the Govt fell.

Meeting With The PM

Then came BJP Govt. We tackled the RM to begin with. When that did not work we met Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee with our seven demands. He accepted three of them, for four which included OROP he appointed RM's Committee. This Committee rejected all four demands and then RM conveyed this decision to us through a letter.

Rally at Ram Lila Ground

Held another Rally at Ram Lila ground and called Sh Madan Lal Khurana, Chairman of Standing Committee of the Parliament on Defence. Conveyed our disgust to him. He then promised to invite Lt Col Inderjit Singh to Parliament to understand the problem and help.

On April 21, 2003, Lt Colonel Singh made presentation in Parliament which resulted in a brilliant report of the Defence Committee. This was again rejected by bureaucrats.

Grant of OROP

In 2004, the Congress formed the government and the Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman called Lt Colonel Singh. A Group of Ministers under Pranab Mukherjee was appointed. He first promised to invite Col Singh before giving its award and then reneged from doing so. In this desperate situation we met Smt Sonia Gandhi for help. She ordered the RM to do the needful. On 25 Jan 2006 this Committee gave full parity with Fifth CPC rates to JCOs and Jawans. Which was OROP.

Sixth CPC Report

Then came Sixth CPC Report in 2009. We went to Sh AK Antony the RM demanding maintenance of full parity with Sixth CPC rates. He confirmed vide his DO letter to Col Inderjit Singh that he has directed the MOD to give full parity to Armed Forces. Which is OROP. Then some of us burnt Sonia Gandhi's effigy and urged Veterans to support BJP during elections. The Govt then pulled back their hand.

Other Measures

Our efforts continued. On 14 Feb 2014 Sh Rahul Gandhi met Vaterans in Delhi. Col Inderjit Singh presented him the Memorandum. While doing so told him that he was privileged to present the same to his father Sh Rajiv Gandhi on 22 Feb 1982. He was pleased to know this and promised to solve the problem. On 17 Feb 2014 his Govt announced the grant of OROP in the Parliament.

Conclusion

The 34-year long fight for One Rank One Pension started by Colonel Inderjit Singh is still continuing with defence veterans out on streets of the national capital demanding their rights.

Cdr Ravindra Waman Pathak I.N. (Retd)
Member Governing Body and Pension Cell
Indian Ex Servicemen Movement
1 Surashri,1146 Lakaki Road
Shivajinagar
Pune 411016
raviwarsha@gmail.com
9822329340

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