Union Minister and former Army chief Gen (retd) VK Singh’s daughter Mrinalini joined One Rank One Pension (OROP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday and called for its speedy implementation.
“I am there to support the cause of ex-servicemen because I am an ex-servicemen’s daughter,” said Mrinalini.
Mrinalini, the wife of an Army officer, said, “This is a just cause and the matter has been pending for many years. I have come here as the daughter of an ex-serviceman to give support to the veterans who have served the country but are now protesting for their rights for over two months”.
Asked if her father, Minister of State for External Affairs Singh, approves her joining the protest since he is serving in the Narendra Modi government, she said, “I have not sought his permission and neither do I need his permission. I have come straight from Hisar because I feel for the cause. A few years down the line, I will also become the wife of an ex-serviceman.”
She added that she has full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has promised the OROP.
Representatives of ex-servicemen have been protesting for the implementation of ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme for the last over two months and are likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week to press for early implementation of their demand.
The protest over the delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme continued for the 70th day with three veterans observing an indefinite fast for nearly a week.
Support also poured in the form of monetary assistance and other things with NGOs, individuals and organisations coming forward to back the veterans.
The ex-servicemen are hoping to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have sought help from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for this.
