One Rank One Pension row: On Rahul Gandhi's remark, ex-IAF chief warns against creating wedge between officers, jawans

livemint.com:

‘One Rank One Pension’ issue. Speaking at a meeting of the Air Force Association, ACM Bhadauria (retd) said, “I got more concerned in the last one-odd week when a different twist to this is being given in terms of creating a wedge between officers and men.

That officers are getting more (in the OROP) which is taking a political color." He also urged the veterans from the Indian Air Force to stay away from politics or agitations over issues related to the forces, according to a report published by the news agency ANI. Bhadauria said, “We must stay away from this.

There is nothing like this, there is no merit in these arguments. I am aware of every single anomaly and case that has been taken up...I must clearly spell out that in these political times, we must stay away from politics of it." "Whatever is correct and justified, which needs to be taken up, must be taken up through the right channels.

That is the only way result comes, that is the only way the issue will get addressed," he added as quoted by ANI. He said that there are anomalies that have come up in the schemes which include, One is from the Pay Commission and all its anomalies and the other is some One Rank One Pension (OROP)-related anomalies which have all been taken up by the Service with the ministry.

His remarks came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's video went viral in defense circles where it was mentioned that the officers are getting more monetary benefits from the OROP scheme whereas the jawans who form the bulk of the fighting forces are getting a lesser amount. OROP scheme was given to the veterans which means that people retiring from the same rank would get the same pension irrespective of the time they have retired from the defense forces.