For many ex-servicemen the wait has been a long one. Their
demand and fight for One Rank One Pension will become a reality soon. Sources tell OneIndia that the
defence ministry is working over time to ensure that the same is implemented in
quick time. Manohar Parrikar, the defence minister of India was
recently quoted as saying that the announcement of its implementation would be made
in 4 to 8 weeks.
Significance of OROP
It is an equal demand for pensions. If an officer has retired
last year and there is an increase in the pensions the following year owing to
enhancements by the pay commissions then it is implemented only prospectively.
Basically if an officer has retired in 1990 in the current scenario he is not
entitled for an enhanced pension if the same is implemented during the later
years.
The argument has been that the pension for officers of the same
rank should remain the same at all times. This the ex servicemen had demanded
as the costs of living was going up and the hike in pensions should benefit all
and not just those who have recently retired.
Red tape
The government has time and again assured the ex servicemen that
the OROP will be implemented. It was promised during the elections and even the
Prime Minister had said that he was blessed to be the one implementing
it.
However there are certain teething issues that the government is
facing on this front. Several ex servicemen say that they have done the rounds
of various offices several times. However there has never been any clear
response. They also have stated several times that the government or the
political class needs to step on the gas pedal to push this issue
through.
Budgetary allocation
Government sources say that the finance minister had already
allocated Rs 1000 crore for the OROP. This itself is an indication that the
government is committed to the cause. We agree there have been delays but work
is on in full throttle now to dismantle all those bureaucratic hassles which
had slowed down the process.
The government says that unlike the previous regime we will not
just make announcements and then forget about it. There are 24 lakh pensioners
and all of it has to be taken into consideration.
There was also a bit of a delay as when the government took over
it had appointed one man to handle both defence and finance. However now with
the new defence minister taking charge this issue is being exclusively looked
into. All bureaucratic hassles have been wiped out and an exclusive team is
working on it, sources in the ministry informed.
(Source- CG Employees blog)
Count not the chickens before the eggs are hatched. The Govt. has NOT rpt NOT promised OROP as expected by veterans. The Govt. will give something which they call OROP, not what we would call OROP
ReplyDeleteThe tradition of deception continues as we nurse our cantonment isolation where welfare of the Jawan is of no priority . They are there to do or die and if get disabled only the Indian judiciary can protect them. As far as veterans are concerned , they should be thankful to the Sarkar for whatever they are getting and wait for the acche din like all countrymen
ReplyDeleteacche din an he wale hai
ReplyDelete