OROP and Other Issues: Time for Course Correction

OROP and Other Issues: Time for Course Correction

Major General Mrinal Suman

The social media is getting increasingly flooded with veterans’ grievances these days. They appear to be the most unhappy and discontented segment of the society. Their outpouring borders on despondency. Not only are they unhappy with the environment but with each other as well. They seem convinced that the country (read government) has not been fair to them and feel highly aggrieved.

Are things as dismal as being made out? Are the veterans being singled out for unfair treatment? Is such a state of dissatisfaction justified? These posers are of immense importance. Veterans need to do some serious introspection rather than get carried away with the prevailing wave of gloom. Self-pity and persecution complex are not the traits soldiers are known for.

There are three reasons why the current state of despair cannot be allowed to continue. One, veterans are a highly esteemed segment of the society. They represent confidence and sanguinity. The country looks up to them as beacons of national pride. Unhappy veterans infect the national psyche adversely. Two, veterans have an umbilical bond with the serving fraternity. Unhappy veterans demoralise them as they see themselves as veterans of the future. Finally, sense of discontentment and desolation plays havoc with the health of individual veterans.

A look at the veterans’ major grievances (both real and perceived) will be in order here. Veterans are primarily dissatisfied with the current government on account of three promises it made prior to getting elected to power – Veterans’ Commission, War Memorial and OROP. Here is an appraisal of the progress made so far.

·         Veterans’ Commission

In his reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 11 March 2016, Minister of State for Defence informed the house that pursuant to government’s decision to appoint a Veterans Commission, the National Commission for Ex-Servicemen Bill, 2015 had already been drafted. It was further stated that the comments of Department of Legislative Affairs and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances have also been obtained. According to the Minister, the matter is under consideration of the government.

As is well-known, drafting a bill and having it legislated is a deliberate and painstaking process. It is highly encouraging that rather than creating a toothless Veterans Commission through an executive order, the government has decided to make it a statutory body through due legislation. It will enjoy considerable powers like the Minorities Commission and the Women’s Commission.

·         War Memorial

On 07 October 2015, the government approved construction of a National War Memorial and a National War Museum near India Gate, taking a major step towards fulfilling its election promise. At last the country will be able to pay homage to the memory of nearly 23,000 soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country.

The National War Memorial will be made around the existing canopy near India Gate with the memorial wall, containing the names of martyrs, flushed with the ground.  The War Museum will be constructed in the adjoining 14-acre Princess Park area. Both will be connected by a subway. Global tenders are being issued. Foreign architects are being contacted for assistance. The whole project is estimated to cost Rs 500 crore and is likely to take 5 years.

It may be recalled that Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had shot down a similar proposal in 2012. She is reported to have commented, “It is a people’s place. It is just like Marina beach and Chowpatty. My point is that you can make a memorial anywhere else. Why spoil this beautiful place? Why become a hindrance to the people’s enjoyment?” The proposal had to be shelved.

·         OROP

OROP has been by far the most contentious issue. Modi had publically promised OROP and the veterans expected him to announce its sanction soon after taking oath. A few comments by some leaders of the ruling party vitiated the environment, forcing the veterans to harden their stand. Despite Modi’s repeated assertions that he stood by his commitment but needed time to sort out details, the delay made veterans sceptical about the government’s intentions. They became restless and adopted agitational approach. Most unfortunately, relations between the government and the agitating veterans became inimical.

The government announced grant of OROP on 06 September 2015, effective from 01 July 2014. The notification was issued on 07 November 2015. It was announced that the pension would be re-fixed every five years. Anticipating that certain provisions of the policy would be contested by the veterans, it appointed a Judicial Committee to look into the anomalies and submit its report in six months.

A section of the veterans remains unconvinced and has decided to continue the agitation till all their demands are met in totality, the core issue being periodicity of re-fixation of pension. They want it to be done annually, as had been recommended by the Koshiyari Committee (Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence). On 14 March 2016, Defence Minister Parrikar stated unambiguously that after the appointment of the Judicial Committee, the government cannot consider any demand of the veterans directly. They must approach the Judicial Committee. Some veterans do not trust the government and the stalemate continues.

Need for Course Correction

The current impasse is proving highly detrimental to the establishment of convivial relations between the government and the veterans. Veterans should never allow its equation with the government to become adversarial. That shall be a very unfortunate development.

What should the veterans do now? Is there a need for course correction? Before carrying out an appreciation of the courses open, the veterans must keep some factors in mind:-

   

One, recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committees are advisory in nature. They are not debated and passed by the parliament. The recommendations are not binding on the government. As a matter of fact, governments rarely accept them. Therefore, obsession with the views of the Koshiyari Committee may be misplaced.

Two, whenever negotiations take place, both sides have to give and take. There cannot be a unilateral diktat. Even the most stubborn trade union leaders also understand this fact and make compromises during negotiations. As Parrikar stated, no government can be coerced to concede demands at gun-point.

Three, the government has already shown a way out to the veterans: put up your grievances to the Judicial Committee, convince it and the government shall consider them.

Four, it will be incorrect to cite Patil/Gujjar/Jat agitations. They belong to an entirely different genre.

Five, both Modi and Parrikar are trying to fulfill all the election promises made to the services. India will have a magnificent war memorial and an impressive museum in the near future. Commission for the veterans will be a huge step forward. OROP arrears have started flowing to the veterans. All this in less than two years.

All veterans associations have reasons to be happy with the result of their struggle. For the first time, the government has officially accepted the concept of OROP, frequency of re-fixation notwithstanding. It is a huge achievement and they deserve credit. For future crusade, veterans have three courses open to them:-

a)  Continue with the agitation as hitherto fore. As the government is unlikely to even discuss any demand, veterans will achieve nothing except developing an antagonistic relationship with the ruling dispensation.

b)  Call off the agitation and approach the courts for justice. Again, it may not be a viable approach. The courts may well ask the veterans to first explore the avenue of the Judicial Committee. Additionally, veterans should not fall in the trap of some renowned advocates who are always ready to fish in the troubled waters. In any case, litigation is a long-drawn process.  

c)  Call off the agitation and seek remedy of all anomalies from the Judicial Committee. It will be unfair to suspect the fair-mindedness of the Judicial Committee. This approach may produce quickest and most-favorable results.

To start with, all veterans associations must unite, sit down together and debate all courses open to them. An estranged veteran community does not bode well for the country. Prudence demands that the stances be softened. Both the government and the veterans will do well to adopt mutually accommodative and reasonable postures. For the first time we have a ruling dispensation that is pro-services. The veterans should not miss this opportunity. Amicable negotiations should be the ruling mantra.*****