Defence Minister Parrikar announces OROP policy

Defence Minister Monohar Parrikar has announced the implementation of the the One Rank One Pension policy. Speaking to media persons in Delhi, he made the following points:

• Government has decided to implement OROP

• Personnel who retire voluntarily will not be covered under the #OROP scheme

• Pension will be revised every 5 years

• It will be implemented from July, 2014; all arrears payable in four bi-annual isntalments.

• Base year will be 2013-2014.

Shortly before the press conference, Parrikar had a meeting with protesting war veterans who have been demanding the implementation of OROP since the last 20 years. However, over the last three months they intensified their stir, observing a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Emerging out of the meeting with Parrikar, Major General Satbir Singh (Retd), Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen movement he made the following points:

• No junior should get more pension than his senior

• Government accepts OROP concept

• We have told them there is nothing like VRS(voluntary retirement) in defence.