Ex-servicemen demanding the for One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme here on Monday said they have no problem with the paramilitary forces also asking for it, but then they would also demand that the retirement age of soldiers be raised to 60.
"As far as we are concerned, all have the right and will be rather happy. But we would then demand government to permit us to serve till 60 years of age," Group Captain (retd.) V.K. Gandhi, general secretary of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement told IANS at Jantar Mantar here.
"Soldiers are forced to retire at 40 (years)... A person who retires at 40 years, gets Rs.8 crore less than one who retires at 60 years," he said.
While the retirement age for civil servants is 60 years, 85 percent of the soldiers are compulsorily retired aged between 35 to 37. Another 12 percent to 13 percent soldiers aged between 40 to 54, as per estimates.
Monday was the 141st day of the agitation at Jantar Mantar by the veterans, when Over 200 retired paramilitary personnel on Monday launched a three-day protest here demanding 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) for around 13 lakh retired and serving personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
The retired paramilitary personnel have gathered under the banner of Delhi-based All India Central Paramilitary Forces Ex-servicemen Welfare Association.