New Delhi: After ex-servicemen, paramilitary veterans have decided to launch an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press the government to speed up the OROP announcement.
Times of India reported that paramilitary veterans have planned to launch their agitation from November 2.
The Central government, after the ex-servicemen protested for over 3 months at Jantar Mantar, recently announced the implementation of OROP scheme.
All-India Central Paramilitary Forces Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AICPMFEWA) national general secretary PS Nair has written a letter asking fellow retired paramilitary officers to join the agitation.
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"After seeing the feelings of our members all over the country, we have suggested dharna/strike from November 2," the letter reads.
"Even a mother would not breastfeed her baby till it cries. The time is ripe to act before the heat of Bihar elections rises," Nair was quoted as saying in the report.
Paramilitary veterans have always clamoured for parity with armed forces, the AICPMFEWA said.
AICPMFEWA further said that paramilitary forces are the first line of defence in every security operation, whether it is on the border or internal security.
"Paramilitary forces are in the war field 24x365 days, while the defence forces enjoying 'peace time' comfortably in their well secured barracks. The government is pouring all facilities to them and totally neglecting paramilitary men. We need equal status and equal facilities," it said.
The OROP package announced by the Centre for the armed forces is expected to cost Rs 8,300 crore annually.
During Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Leh on Tuesday, the ITBP officials have raised the issue. According to them, Singh assured that he would take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The report stated that 9 lakh retired personnel of paramilitary forces will give a final notice to the government on September 26.
The paramilitary veterans have nine primary demands: OROP, Canteen Stores Department facilities, granting ex-servicemen status with all consequential benefits, extending Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities, framing of separate service and pension funds, change of present nomenclature of Central Armed Police Forces used for BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles to Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs), granting statutory paramilitary welfare board similar to Sainik Welfare Board, granting paramilitary service pay and exempting them from new contributory pension system.
