New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday held Narendra Modi government responsible for an ex-soldier's suicide over implementation of One Rank One Pension and accused it of diluting the scheme.
The Congress also blamed the government for illegally detaining party Vice President Rahul Gandhi when he went to meet the deceased's family.
Ram Kishan Grewal, 70, formerly of Rajputana Rifles, allegedly consumed poison at a park here on Tuesday evening and died, demanding the immediate implementation of the scheme.
"We are all shocked and sad about what happened in the Capital today. Rahul Gandhi requested many times to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) that OROP should be implemented as early as possible.
"The responsibility for the tragedy of an ex-serviceman committing suicide lies with the current Government," said senior Congress leader A.K. Antony.
"Modi government has been telling for one year that they have implemented OROP. In reality most of the ex-servicemen are still awaiting OROP," he added.
He also said the government while implementing OROP, has diluted the order issued by the then UPA government on this issue.
"The government said they would remove anomalies on OROP and they even set up a commission. But, the report is yet to be tabled. We aren't politicising this issue. Before 2014, it was the BJP which politicised this issue," he added.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the government has ignored the Indian armed forces.
"This has ashamed the entire nation. Modi government should hang its head in shame. Grewal wrote a letter to the Defence Minister. He said that for 30 years he served the nation, but neither got the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission nor OROP. He also wrote that he hasn't been receiving the benefits of OROP that he is entitled to," Surjewala said.
