OROP issue: PMO steps in, urges ex-servicemen to call off stir

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 18, 2015: With the ex-servicemen intensifying their ongoing agitation to pressurise the NDA government to implement the ’One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme, the Prime Minister’s Office has now intervened to resolve the issue at the earliest.

Media reports on Tuesday said that PM Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra has been asked to negotiate with the agitating ex-servicemen and urge them to call off their protest.

The move comes a day after three former servicemen began a fast-unto-death demanding the swift implementation of the OROP scheme.

Importantly, ten former chiefs of the three services have also written a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to immediately implement the OROP scheme.

While the Centre has reiterated its commitment towards the OROP, it has refrained from giving a time frame on its implementation. The Centre has maintained that the scheme will be implemented as soon as the technical difficulties are resolved.

Over 2.5 million strong ex-servicemen and war widows community has been demanding One Rank One Pension for almost four decades.

With the OROP, defence personnel who retired in the past would be able to draw the same pension as officers and soldiers of the same rank retiring now.

OROP is expected to benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen and widows of defence personnel.