Notwithstanding "advice" from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to put off their stir, a third veteran on Tuesday joined the fast-unto-death by ex-servicemen as part of the agitation to press for implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' scheme.
'It seems to us that bureaucracy is again at its best machination to delay, dilute and finally destroy our most legitimate, already sanctioned scheme of OROP.' The letter the Veterans sent the prime minister.
Ex-servicemen on Saturday protested against the delay in issue of official notification by the government to 'one rank one pension' scheme as announced by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in September.
The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi area on Tuesday evening.
Defence Minister Parrikar was in favour of granting OROP to ex-servicemen but pressure was exerted on him by his cabinet colleagues on the issue, Ram Jethmalani claimed.
With no announcement on One Rank One Pension coming from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his nearly 90-minute speech at the Red Fort on the 69th Independence Day, ex-servicemen who have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi say they have been betrayed by the BJP-led government.
Havildar Abhilash Singh (retired) has been taken to hospital. He was on relay hunger strike.
Stepping in to pacify agitating ex-servicemen over the 'One Rank One Pension' issue, Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday held talks with representatives of the protesters who have agreed not to escalate their agitation for next 10 days.
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