Another army veteran collapses; hospitalised

New Delhi, August 30

A 70-year-old Army veteran on hunger strike to demand implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' collapsed on stage at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

Havildar Bal Singh had to be immediately taken to Army Research and Referral Hospital. His condition is now believed to be stable.

Singh is the fifth veteran to faint as the protest by ex-servicemen entered its 77th day on Friday.

Some veterans met Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag at his house earlier on Sunday.

"It was a routine meeting and nothing more. We met at his house," Lt Gen Balbir Singh (Retd), president of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement said.

Several people joined the protesters at Jantar Mantar: the ones who stood out most were a group of bikers riding Harley Davidsons.

Ex-servicemen wrote a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee — the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces — on Saturday holding him responsible for any “untoward incidents”.

The Central Government, meanwhile, claimed late on Saturday that it made “significant” progress in engaging the protesters but made no concrete promises.

Some 22 lakh retired servicemen and over six lakh war widows stand to gain immediately from the scheme, which envisages a uniform pension programme for people who retire in the same rank. 

The current pension scheme for ex-military is based on Pay Commission recommendations in effect at the time of a defence person’s retirement.

The Central Government has offered to revise their pensions every five years; an offer promptly turned down by protesters, who want it revised every year. 

Another point of contention between the two sides is the base year; while the Central Government has insisted on making 2011 the base, the ex-servicemen argue that it should be 2013-14. — PTI