OROP notification signed, veterans not satisfied
Posted on: 08/Nov/2015 12:39:18 PM
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar signed a notification that gives veterans between Rs. 3000 and Rs. 5000 more in pensions. It is estimated that over 25 lakh veterans will benefit from this. The revised pension amount will come into play with effect from 1 July 2014.
The OROP or One Rank One Pension scheme has been a bone of contention between the veterans and the government. On Sept. 5, an announcement about the increased pensions was made. However, there was no official order citing the Bihar elections and the Model Code of Conduct prescribed by the Election Commission. On Saturday, the Mr. Parrikar signed the official government notification.
Pensions in arrears and for gallantry award winners will be paid at one go. The other recipients will receive the arrears in 4 equal instalments. All pensions will be equalised every five years as against veterans demands that it be equalised every two years.
As a result, many veterans are not happy with the notification. A retired Major General said, The notification is not accepted. This is One Rank Five Pension and not One Rank One Pension. This is injustice to the soldiers, we`ll fight with the government in court.
Another clause that is unacceptable to the veterans is that soldiers who quit without completing their full term will not get OROP, irrespective of whether they have been promoted to the next rank or not.
