PM Modi to Announce OROP Scheme on I-Day?
BANGALORE: Army veterans are likely to receive good news on Independence Day as PM Modi might launch the long awaited One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme on August 15. This would bring relief to the ex-defense personnel who have been on hunger strike for the past 57 days, reports ET.
Ex-servicemen said that there “concrete indications” are towards the announcement of much delayed scheme by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort and that the government is presently waiting for the final approval from the PMO. The scheme will affect around 3 million ex-servicemen and war widows.
However, some are of the view that these are yet again some rumors and they have witness many such deadline last year. "We are waiting till August 15. If the government fails to honor its promise, we will step-up our protests with hunger strikes around the country as well as a Maha Sangram Rally at Patna to demand our legitimate dues," said a veteran.
The OROP proposal which was one of the major promises made by Modi government last year, is almost ready with modalities been worked out by the defense ministry and is likely to be implemented early next year.
The demanded scheme asks for a payment of uniform pension to a military personnel who retires with the same rank after having served the country for the same duration without considering the date of retiring. The beneficiaries of the scheme would also be a part of any further changes in the pension rates.
However, there are financial, administrative and legal challenges that need to be overcome to implement the scheme.
