News Politics National Narendra Modi govt is ‘anti-Army’, says Arvind Kejriwal

Narendra Modi govt is ‘anti-Army’, says Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accused Narendra Modi-led union government of using Indian Army’s sacrifices for political gains and termed it ‘anti-Army’.

Arvind Kejriwal Image Source : PTINarendra Modi govt is ‘anti-Army’, says Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accused Narendra Modi-led union government of using Indian Army’s sacrifices for political gains and termed it ‘anti-Army’.

"Weak OROP, reduction in disability pension and now this. Isn't Modi government anti-army? They just milch army's sacrifices for political gains," tweeted Kejriwal.

Kejriwal's tweet came in response to a media report which claimed that the armed forces are upset with a letter issued by the Defence Ministry regarding their rank disparity vis-a-vis their civilian counterparts.

According to the quoted report, the Defence Ministry circular brings the rank of armed forces officers a notch down compared to their earlier status.

One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme aims to grant retired armed forces personnel pension parity with those retiring now.

Indian soldiers receive disability pension equal to their last drawn salary for 100 per cent disability. The government recently turned it into a slab system, which, according to critics, significantly reduced their pension. 

The Defence Ministry later asked the Anomaly Committee of the 7th Pay Commission to continue with the old system. 

In another tweet, Kejriwal also attacked the central government over the SIT investigating 1984 riots.

"Extension after extension. Zero result till now. Obviously, there is no intention (to bring justice). Intention is to save culprits of 1984 riots," Kejriwal tweeted, quoting another media report.

The media report said that the SIT set up by the Home Ministry has been given another extension till February 2017.

The panel set up in February 2015 was initially granted six months to file report, but was later given two extensions.