Congress demands 'One Rank One Pension' benefits for Para Military Forces

CHANDIGARH: A day after Union government allocated Rs 1,000 crore under 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) for the ex-servicemen in the budget, Congress today demanded the Centre to sanction benefits of the scheme to the retired officials of the Para Military Forces (PML).

Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa said it was appreciable that the present government has carried forward the decision taken to this effect by the previous UPA regime.

He, however, said that this allocation should be hiked to Rs 3,000 Crore.

Pleading the case of the paramilitary personnel, Bajwa, in a statement here said the men and women from the PML have to work under adverse circumstances, including guarding the international borders.

"It is the PML which have to deal with the internal strife," he said.

He said the paramilitary forces have done a commendable job in the fight against Naxalism in central India and ultras in North-East and Kashmir.

"These men have made a lot of sacrifices in maintaining nation's unity and integrity. It is high time that their contribution and sacrifices are accorded due recognition," he said.

He proposed that one way to reward their services was to bring them at par with the defence services in the matter of post-retirement benefits.

Bajwa said the UPA had taken care of the defence forces and now the NDA government should extend this scheme to the PML in the broader interest of the nation.