Will meeting with Modi bring achche din for ex-servicemen?

Veterans protesting for early implementation of One Rank, One Pension are likely to meet Modi in the last week of August

Representatives of ex-servicemen, who have been protesting for the implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme for the last 66 days, are likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week.

The dates have not been fixed yet. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will meet Modi on August 23 or August 24 and then we will be informed,” Major General Satbir Singh (retired), chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement said.

Colonel Anil Kaul (retired), media adviser to the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, also said the meeting is on the cards.

“No dates have been fixed so far. It could be between August 24-26,” he said, adding that Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag had spoken to both Major General Satbir and Lt Gen Balbir Singh (retd), president of IESM.

Stepping in to pacify agitating ex-servicemen, Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday held talks with representatives of the protesters who have agreed not to escalate their agitation for next 10 days.

The meeting with Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra at the PMO came on a day when a third veteran joined the fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar, where the ex-servicemen have been protesting demanding early implementation of OROP.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ex-servicemen said Maj Gen Satbir Singh and Lt Gen Balbir told Misra that if government was serious about the interest of ex-servicemen, it would have initiated action on the two other promises made in manifesto of BJP -- martyrs memorial and establishment of veterans’ commission to be chaired and manned by ex-servicemen.

“Misra was taken by surprise and immediately called secretary MOD and asked to be briefed soon on both the issues. The meeting ended without any assurance from both sides,” the statement said.