Govt announces OROP, ex-servicemen not fully satisfied

The ex-servicemen said six of the points set by them have been rejected by the Centre.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the one rank, one pension scheme.

"The Centre will implement OROP," said Manohar Parrikar while addressing a press conference.

"PM Modi has fulfilled his commitment of implementing OROP," said the  Defence Minister.

Speaking on the issue of implementation, he said: "The benefit of the OROP to be given with effect from July 1, 2014; a date immediately after the present Government assumed office."

General Satbir Singh 'thanked' the government for implementing the OROP but said the ex-servicemen are not fully satisfied by the stance taken by the government on the issue.

"We thank the government that they decided to implement OROP," Singh said.

"But we seek clarity from govt on OROP benefits for personnel taking VRS," said Singh.

"If they still don't accept then it is a big blow to the forces," he said.

"We reject one-man judicial panel for six months proposal to examine OROP.....The government has rejected six points proposed by us.. We are not fully satisfied with the stance taken by the government," he said.

The hunger strike undertaken by war  veterans in Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the issue of implementation of OROP has entered its 83rd day.

OROP was a key promise made by Prime Minister Narenrda Modi when he was campaigning for last year's national election. It will give the same pension to ex-servicemen who retired many years ago as that which soldiers of the same rank retiring now draw.