Congress accuses government of 'fake nationalism', 'stealing' pension of army officers

Surjewala said the Modi government is deliberately hurting the morale of army officers by "snatching away" their pension

Congress launched a fresh attack on the Modi government accusing it of betraying the armed forces by planning to “steal” their pension and post-retirement benefits.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, on Friday, said the Modi government is deliberately hurting the morale of army officers by "snatching away" their pension and demanded an immediate reversal of the decision.

"We demand that Prime Minister Modi comes forward and clarifies his stand on the issue and takes back its anti-army decision of October 29," he told reporters.

This is Congress’ second attack on the Modi government regarding welfare of armed forces after the high-decibel campaign about four years ago over the implementation of ‘one rank, one pension’, a long-pending demand of the armed forces.

Randeep Singh Surjewala circulated a letter at a press conference here written by the Department of Military Affairs seeking suggestions on proposals to increase the retirement age for officers of various ranks in the Army and the Air Force. Suggestions were also sought on reduction of pension entitlements for pre-mature release of officers.

“The Modi government has become the first regime in history to steal the pension and alternate career choice after the active service of those officers who protect our motherland,” Surjewala told reporters here.

He said according to the Modi government’s new proposal, only those officers who have spent more than 35 years in the Armed Forces service shall be entitled to a ‘Full Pension’.

“But the reality is, 90% of the army officers retire before 35 years of service. In such a situation, the Modi government is hatching a conspiracy to deny 90% of the army officers their full pension,” Surjewala said.

He contended that the proposal of the Department of Military Affairs was akin to modifying the terms of service of military officers with a ‘backdate’.

Surjewala contended that 65% of the officers inducted into the Army are confined to the Lieutenant Colonel rank due to the limited number of posts in the higher ranks.

In such a situation, several army officers serve for 20 years and seek early retirement for exploring second career options with full retirement benefits from the government, he said.

“If the Modi government’s devious proposal comes into force, then 65% of military officers will forever lose their second career option and their creative support in nation building in civilian areas outside the military,” Surjewala said.

The Congress leader said there is already a shortage of 9,427 officers in all the three Armed Services. The figures available for June 2019 show that there is a shortage of 7,399 officers in the Army, 1,545 in the Navy and 483 in the Air Force.