Samirpur, October 11, 2026: State Convener of the BJP Ex-Servicemen Cell, Lieutenant Commander Abhishek Patial, and Co-convener Kamlesh Parmar met former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal at his residence in Samirpur on Sunday.
During the courtesy call, discussions were held on issues concerning the welfare of ex-servicemen, the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and organisational activities.
Patial said that Prof. Dhumal had first raised the demand for One Rank One Pension in the Lok Sabha, describing it as one of the most significant demands of military veterans. He said the Union government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had implemented the scheme, providing significant relief to veterans across the country.
He added that the Prime Minister had taken the respect and recognition accorded to soldiers to new heights, asserting that the Centre’s commitment to the armed forces was unprecedented.
Prof. Dhumal said the Modi government had not only implemented OROP but had also strengthened the emotional bond between the armed forces and the nation by celebrating Diwali with soldiers. He said the gesture conveyed the message that the entire country stood firmly with its armed forces.
Recalling the changes in the military over the years, Dhumal said there had been a time when even the basic needs of soldiers were not adequately met. Today, he said, the Indian Army was equipped with modern weaponry and advanced technology. Describing the armed forces as the backbone of the country, he said the sacrifices and dedication of soldiers enabled citizens to live in peace and security.
Dhumal also described the BJP’s Ex-Servicemen Cell as one of the party’s most disciplined organisational units. He said veterans had demonstrated discipline, dedication and a strong sense of duty throughout their service to the nation.
Their experience and commitment to public service, he added, could play an important role in communicating the party’s policies and public welfare programmes to the people.
The former Chief Minister urged office-bearers and members of the Ex-Servicemen Cell to actively work towards taking the party’s policies and welfare schemes to every section of society, saying that such efforts would help strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level.
