OROP: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar 'salutes' soldiers

"#OROP finally a reality," the Minister tweeted.

"Many thanks to Hon. PM, BJP President, FM, RRM & all the veterans whose guidance & support has helped in resolving the 40 yrs old issue," he said.

"I join many others in saluting the brave and selfless soldiers. #OROP," the Minister said.

The Centre on Saturday announced  the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme even as the ex-servicemen expressed their disappointment over the issue, yielding no positive solution to the ongoing conflict.

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.

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.