OROP: Anna Hazare writes to PM Modi, says, BJP "reneged" on poll promise

Mumbai, Jul 17: Social activist Anna Hazare today a wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he accused ruling BJP of reneging on its poll promise of implementing One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP) for defence personnel.

"Your party, in its poll manifesto, had assured to implement OROP. However, even a year after coming to power, your government is yet to keep its poll promise," Hazare who has threatened to launch an indefinite fast in Delhi from October 2 on the issue, said in the letter to Modi.

It was decided to implement OROP at a high-level meeting of Defence officials on February 26, 2014 (during UPA tenure), but there is no implementation yet, Hazare, a former army man, said.

"A member of Parliament, after his tenure is over, gets Rs 50,000 per month besides many other facilities and yet they are demanding Rs one lakh per month. However, many of our sisters, who get widowed at the age of 30-32 get a measly Rs 3,500 to 4,500 as monthly pension," he said in the letter.

Despite farmers' opposition to the Land Acquisition Bill, ordinance is issued three times, but it is unfortunate that the government cannot decide on OROP, he said.

"In my life, I have only a bed and a plate to eat meals as my belonging and sleep in a temple. However, I get the respect which a millionaire does not get," he added. The Gandhian said he would launch an indefinite fast on October 2 in Delhi over the controversial Land Acquisition Bill and press for speedy implementation of OROP.

The 78-year-old activist would be returning to the Ramlila Maidan after a gap of over four years, after he had spearheaded an agitation on implementation of Lokpal bill, sat on hunger strike with thousands joining the protests in June 2011.

Hazare will honour widows and mothers of martyred defence personnel in Delhi on July 26 on the occasion of 'Shaheed Din'.

"After this event, rallies of farmers and former defence personnel will be held all over the country on the issues of Land Acquisition Bill and OROP," Hazare said.

"We have to take care of our soldiers and farmers. Making hollow announcements for their welfare and actually implementing them are different things," he added in the letter.

PTI