Team Herald
PANJIM: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Saturday said that difficulties faced by five per cent of the total ex-servicemen in getting their pensions would be solved within two months, claiming the issue of OROP is of only 4-5 percent of the ex-servicemen.
Speaking to reporters in Panjim, Parrikar said that more than 95% people are benefitted after the implementation of OROP.
He mentioned that there are only 4-5 percent of the ex-servicemen are facing difficulties in obtaining OROP benefits and these are veteran of 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, whose records are not available. “Since their records are old, the pension department doesn’t have them. The most important record for pension is the number of years of service put in by the personnel. That is not available,” he said.
“I have given special instructions to the officials to get the records within a month or if required accept the affidavits sworn in from the families of ex-servicemen,” Parrikar said.
He said that in many cases of old pensioners, the families are getting the pension. Parrikar clarified that there is no discontent amongst the ex-servicemen over the pension issue. “I have held meetings with the ex-servicemen associations who have said that they are happy with the implementation,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking at an election meeting at Curchorem, Parrikar thanked the voters of that constituency for electing the party’s candidate to form a stable government at the 2012 elections.
“The first problem, the party has to face after coming to power was the fallout from mining ban. Truck, machine owners/drivers and who were working in the mining industry lost their jobs,” Parrikar said.
Apparently meaning that the government handled the problem properly, Parrikar said, “Despite losing their jobs and income, no one in the mining industry committed suicide. The government extended the mining dependants financial help and that too despite losing royalty and another taxes of around Rs 1500 crore annually.”
Stating that there was a reason behind creating the ‘Ladli Laximi’ scheme, Parrikar said that it was made to protect the girl child and to bring down disproportionate ratio of male and female and that scheme has benefited many families in the State.
On national scenario, Parrikar said, “The morale of our army is very high and they are ready to give their life for the country despite the Uri attack. And in a befitting reply, they destroy four-five terrorist hideouts.”
“Our army and the government will not allow anybody to interfere in our boundary and will walk on the footsteps of late Sardar Vallabai Patel,” Parrikar said.
Appreciating Cabral for his vision and the development he has carried out in Curchorem, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that the new building of Government College would be inaugurated next month.
Warning the husband and in-laws, he said that Laadli Laximi scheme is meant for girls and not for their husband or in-laws.
Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, Industries Minister Mahadev Naik, Tourism Minister Suresh Parulekar, Party President Vinay Tendulkar, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Cuncolim MLA Rajendra Naik, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai, Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, Curchorem-Cacora municipal Council Chairperson Vishwas Sawant Dessai, Councillors, Sarpanchas and panch members were present on the occasion.
