Ex-servicemen return medals over pension parity issue

Continuing their protests against the non-implementation of the demand for "one rank, one pension" (OROP) principle in the armed forces, scores of ex-servicemen, including General rank officers, on Saturday, returned their medals to the government.

Earlier, on February eight, a group of ex-servicemen had returned their medals on the issue. However, as it did not yield the desired results, scores of retired generals and jawans came together under the banner of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement and surrendered their medals which will be submitted to the president, the supreme commander of the Armed  Forces.

"For the second time with great disappointment we are returning our medals. The president has refused to meet us but her staff will collect the medals," IEM vice chairman Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh said.

They also threatened to emerge as a "potential vote bank" to contest the elections if their demands are not fulfilled.

"Jawans have got a raw deal. They serve for 15-17 years at the prime of their life in the army in inhospitable conditions," Maj Gen (retd) Bawa Bhalla said.

"After fighting three wars what are we getting? I get a pension of Rs 3000. We did so much for the country but who will look after us now. Therefore I have returned my medals," Lancet(retd), Bharat Singh Negi, said.