Ex-servicemen give thumbs up to state-level rally at Jalandhar

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 8

Ex-servicemen across the state have given thumbs up to the peaceful demonstration call given by the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, Jalandhar, at a state-level rally to be held in the city.

The call has been made for the implementation of the one rank one pension (OROP) policy in the country. Maj-General Satbir Singh (retd) will address the rally that will be held on October 18 at the Dusshera ground near the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

According to Col Balbir Singh (retd), secretary of the United Ex-servicemen Front, a majority of the ex-servicemen associations have confirmed their participation in the rally. “We have been holding peaceful demonstrations all across the country till date. However, this would be the first time that veterans, including war widows and their dependents, would gather at the first state-level rally to be held in Punjab to voice their demand for the notification of the OROP implementation.”

He said ample arrangements had been made at the venue, including refreshments for the participants, and the district administration of Jalandhar has promised its full support to provide necessary civic amenities at the venue.

According to Brig Amarjit Singh Minhas (retd), vice-president of the Front, a majority of the ex-servicemen associations in the state, had joined hands to unitedly strengthen the demand of the implementation of the OROP to the Union Government. “We have been holding peaceful demonstrations so far all across the country. We would also appeal to the state government to take up the issue with the Union Government to provide respite to its strong ex-servicemen community of 25 lakh people comprising war widows and their dependents,” said Brig Minhas.