New Delhi: Following the Defence Ministry's proposal to increase the retirement age of officers and slashing pension of those seeking premature retirement, the Congress on Friday slammed the Centre for "betraying" the armed forces and termed the move as BJP's "fake nationalism".
Addressing a press conference, Congress General Secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Habitual of seeking votes on the sacrifice of our brave soldiers and fake nationalism, the Modi Government has become the first regime in history to 'steal the pension' and even the alternate career choice after active service of those officers who protect our motherland."
The Congress' attack came after a note by Department of Military Affairs (DMA), headed by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, proposed new retirement and pension policy.
Under the new rules, the retirement age of colonels (except the Army Medical Corps and Military Nursing Service) will be increased to 57 from the current 54 years. While those seeking premature release with 20-25 years of service will now be entitled to only 50 per cent of the pension.
"Indian Army always remains young, which in the military language is called 'Lean and Mean Fighting Force'. If the Modi government's devious proposal comes into force, then 65 per cent of military officers will forever lose their second career option and their creative support in nation-building in civilian areas outside the military," Surjewala asserted.