New Delhi: In a bid to end the logjam on the issue of `One Rank, One Pension` (OROP), the government is likely to announce a package for ex-armed forces personnel on Saturday. The government has been facing criticism after its determination to stick to its position on a five-year reset clause, while the military veterans are insisting the pensions be revised at least once every two years.
The ex-servicemen had originally demanded an annual adjustment. The OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country. Defence Ministry has called a press conference at 2.30 PM today where the announcement is likely to be made.
The ex-servicemen protesting for the implementation of One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme on Saturday said that they won’t accept the government’s decision if the United Board of Ex-servicemen is not taken into confidence.
“If any decision is taken without taking us into confidence, then it will not be accepted,” one of the protestors Colonel (Retd) Rajeev told ANI. “If the government is sticking to its five-year reset clause, then it is very unfortunate. The five-year scheme doesn’t go with the parliamentary definition of OROP. It is not One Rank, One Pension, it is One Rank, Five Pension,” he added. Another ex-servicemen Uday Singh further added, “Still can’t trust government, if our concerns are not met then our dharna will continue.”
BJP President Amit Shah is scheduled to brief the party spokespersons at 1PM on OROP. Ex-servicemen began their protest here demanding implementation of 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.
Bureau Report
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