Rahul's letter to PM Narendra Modi: Demands centre deliver on armed forces' demands as diwali gift

NEW DELHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has demanded in a letter to the Prime Minister that the Centre must address immediately the armed forces demand for rank parity with civilians, review of the recent cut in the disability pension, revision of pay panel recommendation on pay scale and their demand for one rank one pension.

Gandhi has demanded the Prime Minister ensure these demands of Armed forces are met as "a Diwali gift".

"I am writing today to bring to your attention reports emerging in the media about decisions taken over the last few weeks by the government that I believe adversely affected the morale of our Armed Forces. Our soldiers risk their lives each day to defend the nation and it is our duty to show them we care for them and their families, not only through our words but also through our actions", Gandhi said in his letter to PM Modi on the eve of Diwali.

Gandhi further urged the PM, "I urged you to ensure that our soldiers get their due whether it is regarding compensation, disability pension or parity with civil employees. OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way to satisfy our ex-servicemen and the anomalies in the 7th Pay Commission be addressed at the earliest because soldiers do not have to struggle to claim what is due to them on behalf of a grated nation".