Centre announces OROP implementation, ex-servicemen dissatisfied

Addressing a press conference, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier in the day said: "Government of India respects its Defence Forces and ex-servicemen for their valour, patriotism and sacrifices. The Government is proud of their devotion to duty and bravery. Our forces, besides vigilantly and gallantly defending the nation, have displayed exemplary standards of courage and bravery in natural calamities, law and order situations and other difficult circumstances."

"The issue of “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) has been pending for nearly four decades. It is a matter of deep anguish that the various governments remained ambivalent on the issue of OROP. In February 2014, the then government stated that OROP would be implemented in 2014-15, but did not specify what OROP would be, how it would be implemented or how much it would cost. An estimated Rs. 500 crore provided for OROP in the budget presented in February 2014 by the then government was not based on any thorough analysis," he said.

"It is pertinent to mention that the then Minister of State for Defence in 2009 had, in reply to a question, informed Parliament that there are administrative, technical and financial difficulties in implementing OROP. It is for these reasons that the present government took some time to fulfil its promise," the Minister said.

Parrikar said: "The Government held extensive consultations with experts and ex-servicemen. The main argument for OROP is that the Defence personnel retire early and thus are not able to get the benefits of serving till normal retirement age. Despite the huge fiscal burden, given its commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen, the Government has taken a decision to implement the OROP."

"In simple terms, OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement. Future enhancements in the rates of pension would be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals," hr said.

Speaking further on the issue, he said: "The benefit will be given with effect from 1st July, 2014. The present government assumed office on 26th May, 2014 and therefore, it has been decided to make the scheme effective from a date immediately after."

He said: "Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. All widows, including war widows, will be paid arrears in one instalment."

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling his commitment and approved OROP for Armed Forces personnel.

Immediately after he made the announcements, General Satbir Singh 'thanked' the government for implementing the OROP but said the ex-servicemen are not fully satisfied by the stance taken by the government on the issue.

"We thank the government that they decided to implement OROP," Singh said.

"But we seek clarity from govt on OROP benefits for personnel taking VRS," said Singh.

"If they still don't accept then it is a big blow to the forces," he said.

"We reject one-man judicial panel for six months proposal to examine OROP.....The government has rejected six points proposed by us.. We are not fully satisfied with the stance taken by the government," he said.

Ex-servicemen said they will continue their ongoing agitation over the OROP issue.

Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah welcomed the move and tweeted: "I thank & welcome PM @narendramodi for a historical decision on #OROP a big step for the welfare of our soldiers.. the real life heroes."

"The decision of #OROP will go long way in boosting morals of our soldiers & their families," he said.
The Congress, however, attacked the government over the issue of OROP and party leader AK Antony said it was 'disappointing' move.

"Today's announcement about OROP by Defence Minister is totally disappointing," Congress leader and former Defence Minister AK Antony said while addressing a press conference here.

"This announcement by the Defence Minister is ridiculing the ex servicemen," he said.