New Delhi:
In a victory for ex-servicemen, the government has set aside Rs 2,300 crore to partly implement the One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP) demand that has been pending for years. This has been a major irritant between the armed forces and the government.
With this announcement, there will be additional pension for officers and jawans who retired before 2006. This will cost the government Rs 1,100 crore.
In recognition of this demand, the Prime Minister, in his Independence Day address this year, had said a committee headed by the cabinet secretary would look into the demands of the ex-serviceman.
The Union Cabinet secretary Ajit K Seth was put in charge of a committee that has submitted its report, though after more than a month's delay.
The demand for OROP implies that servicemen of the same rank and same period of service should get the same pension, irrespective of when they retired. It also means that as and when pension is enhanced, the benefit will also be passed on to those who have retired earlier.