Settle OROP issue: RSS to BJP

The RSS on Wednesday asked the ruling BJP to put an end to the controversy surrounding ex-servicemen’s One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue at the earliest. It has reportedly asked the BJP to set up a commission for the purpose, if required.

At the Samanvay Baithak, or coordination meet, of the RSS and 15 of its main ideological affiliates, the Sangh’s top leaders reportedly conveyed to the BJP their anxiety to settle the OROP issue, over which ex-servicemen have been agitating for over two months. The issue does not reflect well on the Centre, and has resonated at an emotional level, the RSS is said to have told the BJP brass. Significantly, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley too was present at the meeting, as was Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

OROP is among the important contemporary political issues — such as the Census data on religious communities, the Patidar agitation in Gujarat, the Land Bill, labour reforms and education policy — which are expected to be discussed at the meet over the next two days.

Attending ministers BJP president Amit Shah was present at the meeting besides RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar and Health Minister JP Nadda. Top ministers, including those for Labour, Agriculture and External Affairs, made presentations. Swaraj also spoke on the Indo-Bangladesh Accord and the Naga Accord.

On the first day of the meet, the discussions focused on economic issues and agriculture, and the crisis arising out of falling farm incomes and related aspects. It is significant that the Centre has withdrawn its ordinance amending the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2013, largely because it did not want to be perceived as being anti-farmer. Sangh affiliates, especially the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch and the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, were vehemently opposed to the ordinance.

Similarly, the Sangh has serious objections to GM foods because of the ideological issues involved in genetic engineering of crops.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the meeting, possibly on Thursday. That day, discussions will reportedly focus on “cultural” aspects and on any of the contemporary issues that the 93 top functionaries of the RSS and its affiliates may want to discuss or raise with the PM.

Moreover, other Union Ministers will brief RSS functionaries about the economy, agriculture and education, and will be given inputs by the Sangh Parivar bodies, sources said.