Veterans meet defence minister Parrikar; govt likely to announce OROP today

TNN

New Delhi, 05 Aug 2015: A delegation of ex-servicemen met defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday amid indications that the government may announce "one rank, one pension" today. 

 

"We are meeting defence minister today," major general (retired) Satbir Singh, spokesman of the retired personnel, told reporters on Saturday. 

 

"We heard that those ex-servicemen who took VRS will not be given the OROP. This is totally unacceptable," Satbir Singh said.

 

Media reports say that the government may announce the OROP today. 

 

According to ANI, the defence ministry will hold a press conference at 2:30pm today. 

 

Before that, BJP chief Amit Shah would brief party spokespersons at 1pm on the OROP issue. 

 

Ex-servicemen began their protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding implementation of the OROP in June. Some have been on an indefinite fast since August 17. Relay hunger strikes in solidarity are being observed in some 60 cities.

 

The Modi government is set to announce a "one rank, one pension" package for ex-armed forces personnel that will kick in from July 2014 and use 2013 as the base year for calculations. 

 

Though military veterans are insisting the pensions be revised at least once every two years, the government is determined to stick to its position on a five-year reset clause. The decision to opt for a five-year timeframe - as against 10 years for civilians - factors complications resulting from a quicker adjustment. The ex-servicemen had originally demanded an annual adjustment. 

 

The benefit of OROP would be available to war widows too but those who have opted for voluntary retirement would not be eligible.