OROP: Ex-servicemen Warn of Upping Ante

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

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OROP: Ex-servicemen Warn of Upping Ante

BENGALURU: Around 1,500 ex-servicemen descended on the Town Hall in the city on Sunday demanding that the government implement the one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme.

This was the second such agitation by the veterans in the last few weeks.

The veterans were miffed that the government has not implemented the scheme from 1973 when the issue was first raised.

The scheme entitles uniform pension for armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same duration of service, irrespective of the date of retirement. On Sunday, many of the veterans expressed hope that OROP will be implemented soon. Col K D Shelley (retd) told Express that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had recently said funds were not a problem.

“However, it is appalling that not one government representative visited us during our agitation. We, being a disciplined force, do not resort to arm-twisting tactics like rasta/rail roko. However, we will be forced to take up such measures if there is a delay in implementation of OROP,” added Shelley.

Most of those present blamed the delay in implementation of the scheme on bureaucrats, who they said, are throwing a spanner in the works.

Shelley was also surprised that the city police did not grant permission to the veterans to take out a rally.

Input from http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/OROP-Ex-servicemen-Warn-of-Upping-Ante/2015/07/20/article2929812.ece