This Article is From Aug 27, 2015

Breakthrough Soon in Talks With Government on OROP: Sources

Breakthrough Soon in Talks With Government on OROP: Sources

The agitation demanding the implementation of OROP has been on for over two months.

New Delhi: The protesters demanding the implementation of the One Rank One Pension Scheme, or OROP, believe that they are about to each a breakthrough in the negotiations with the government, sources said.

The government, sources said, is likely to accept the figure of Rs 8,298 crore per year as the basic additional annual payout.

The sources also said the protesters believe that the government is coming around to accepting a formula under which the process of equalising salaries can be completed in four years.

The army veterans believe that the government will dispense revised pensions at 2014 rates, sources said.  

The talks between the government and the army veterans have been continuing after Tuesday's session remained inconclusive.

In their talks with Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh, who had been acting as an intermediary, the protesters had turned down the government's suggestion of implementing the scheme from 2015 instead of 2014, sources told NDTV. This was the key issue on which the talks have been stuck for long.

Sources have told NDTV that a "positive movement" is expected on the issue this week since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is handling the matter.

There have been speculations that the announcement will be made on August 28, the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The implementation of the scheme - a promise made by the BJP before last year's general elections -- will give equal pension to servicemen retiring with the same rank regardless of when they retire.

At present, a soldier who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him retiring now. It is expected to benefit 3 million former soldiers.
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