New Delhi: Reiterating that the One Rank One Pension (OROP)scheme was fulfilled, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, the medal burning incident was a disrespectful one.
"OROP was an election promise of the BJP and I feel the promise has been fulfilled. The notification was issued after consultations with 300 various ESAs. Para 6.4 of Koshiary Committee says the pay review in five years is an acceptable proposal," Parrikar told reporters.
He advised the protesting veterans to go to the Judicial Commission if they had any pending issues.
"Burning of medals or showing disrespect to the service medals is neither good for the nation nor to the Defence service. The medals are given in the Armed Forces for gallantry, performance or service to the nation and it is not a service condition," Parrikar added.
The minister said OROP and medals were two separate issues and must not be mixed up.
Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement general secretary VK Gandhi had said earlier on Thursday that the veterans' attempt to burn their medals to protest the "diluted" OROP scheme showed that they were emotionally charged.
However, Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, who is leading the OROP protest against the government, rubbished the rumour of ex-servicemen burning their gallantry medals.
He also called upon the Defence Minister to meet the protesters and have an open discussion.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went to Jantar Mantar today and expressed solidarity with the protesting war veterans.
(With inputs from different sources)
(Picture Courtesy: www.theweek.in)