Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare begins stir for "one rank one pension: for former Indian soldiers
Xinhua, July 26, 2015 Adjust font size:
Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare on Sunday launched a stir against the Indian government for its failure to implement the "one rank one pension" scheme for the country's former military personnel.
The 78-year-old, himself a former Army man who was joined by several former armed forces personnel in the national capital, accused the government for depriving the servicemen of their dues.
"A jawan (soldier) is awake at night, that's why people sleep peacefully, but that jawan isn't being allowed to live with dignity. There are several war widows here. They get a pension of 4,000 Indian rupees (less than 100 U.S. dollars). In this day and age, how will they run a family?" Hazare asked.
He added "The government is thinking they promised and people voted for us. They are now in majority. If they think no one can touch them now, they should realize that each day will be difficult for them." The "One rank one pension" has long been the demand of former personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said last year that it would implement the scheme if it came to power, but has so far not been able to fulfill its promise. Endi