NEW DELHI: Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government of not fulfilling even a “single promise”, including the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, and assured the defence personnel that he would do whatever he could to help them get their due.
Hazare, a former soldier himself, joined the protests by ex-servicemen at Jantar Mantar here against delay in OROP implementation. He said he would travel across the country to “awaken” people on the issue and it would culminate in a protest at the Ramlila Maidan here on October 2. Without taking the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Gandhian activist said he had promised OROP before the polls, but was yet to take a decision on the same.
“When we come to power, we will implement OROP... they (Modi and the BJP) had told this in Rohtak,” Hazare said, while referring to the Prime Minister’s pre-election rally.
“Shahid Diwas (Kargil Vijay Diwas) is not a day to make speeches. We will do whatever (we can) for (implementation) of One Rank One Pension... I will go to many states across the country and do rallies,” he said.
“Our Defence Minister is good and I know him well. In February, he had taken a decision that Rs 500 crore will be taken from the Finance Ministry and if it was less, then he will ask for more.
“Yet the assurance (on OROP) is not getting fulfilled... Still two months are left. We will go across the country and awaken people,” he said.
“My only request is please do not resort to violence. Common man should not be affected by this,” Hazare added.
Hazare asked the government to fulfil all the promises it had made before the polls. In an apparent hint on the need for agitation for OROP implementation, Hazare said the Lokpal Bill was passed only after protests at Ramlila Maidan.
“At that time (before LS polls), they had assured that we will give priority to fight against corruption. Wherever you go, corruption has increased and inflation has risen. So much assurances were given and not a single one has been fulfilled,” he said. “What about black money? You had said every person will get Rs 15 lakh money in their bank account. If you think you have majority and no one can harm you... If this is your thought, then every single passing day will be a loss for you. You will suffer losses,” Hazare said.
“Air fare, Railway AC ticket, bungalow, vehicle, Rs 50,000 salary. Still you are saying it is not sufficient and asking for a hike. And we have our wives and mothers of the defence personnel, who get Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,500. Is this justice and is this our freedom? Will we call this democracy,” he asked.
Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday accused the NDA government of not fulfilling even a “single promise” including implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme and said he would travel across the nation to “awaken” the people on the issue.