One finds it hard to swallow the truth that those who have defended our borders with missionary zeal and an unflinching sense of service are today out on the streets in pursuit of a better deal for themselves.
Not for a moment can one deny that the Narendra Modi government has erred gravely in holding out solemn promises that the demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) would be implemented without fail and then dragging its feet, evidently succumbing to the obstructionist tactics of a bureaucracy that has been perennially unfair to the soldier.
But, after no less a person than the Prime Minister had promised implementation, for defence personnel to sit on dharnas, walk the streets with placards, and sit on fast unto death is a blow to the exemplary discipline of the forces we have all looked up to.
After the Manmohan Singh government dithered on a decision on OROP for a decade, it was not expected of the Modi government to drag its feet so brazenly while paying lip service to the acceptance of the principle.
Prime Minister Modi has done his credibility great harm by delaying the rollout of the scheme. What has rubbed salt into the wounds of defence personnel is his announcement while on an election visit to Bihar that the Centre would give a hefty Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package to that state, ostensibly to win favour with the electorate. This was merely three days after his Independence Day speech at Red Fort in which he reassured the forces that OROP was on the anvil.
In fairness to Modi and his government, the burden that OROP would impose on the national exchequer would be considerable and recurring, but having accepted the principle, the government has to move on and find the resources. Procrastination is compromising the morale of a force, which cannot afford to be low on morale come what may.
True, the Congress vacillated on this issue for much longer and set apart a measly Rs 500 crore towards OROP in the interim budget just before the Lok Sabha elections. It was the Congress government of Indira Gandhi that had withdrawn OROP in 1973, but now it is the Modi government that has the sole responsibility to right the wrongs.
There are varying estimates of the annual expenditure for implementing OROP, but they hover around Rs 15,000 crore which is not too tall an order for a Central government. But there is the worrying aspect that even now there is virtually nothing left from the defence budget for procurement of modern weaponry. For a limited period, a 1 per cent cess can be imposed in the general budget for all taxpayers to take care of the increased expenditure.
All said and done, there is no denying that the defence personnel need greater monetary support. The high-risk conditions under which they work are exacerbated by the fact that they retire as early as at 35 years of age, and their pension was reduced—in percentage terms from the last salary drawn—in the 1970s.
There was a time when there were more post-retirement jobs for ex-servicemen, but in recent years jobs in general have shrunk, making it difficult for the soldier and his family to make ends meet.
A fair package for ex-servicemen is imperative and it can’t be made to wait any longer. But on their part, the soldiers must return to their disciplined ways.
k.kamlendra@gmail.com
Kanwar is a former journalist