After an intense protest by war veterans that lasted 83 days, the Narendra Modi led government has announced the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.
Defence Minister Manoj Parrikar made the announcement on Saturday, September 05, 2015.
Justifying the delay in the implementation of the scheme by the government, Union Minister Parrikar said, “Implementing the OROP will cost the exchequer Rs 8000 to Rs 1000 crore. This cost is bound to rise in the future.”
He added, “The government decided to implement the scheme despite this is being a huge financial burden on the government.”
It should be noted that the previous government led by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had allocated only Rs 5,00 crore for the scheme.
The decision was taken after BJP President Amit Shah met the ex-servicemen following which Parrikar met Shah. BI India lists down are some of key features of the OROP scheme announced.
· Government to appoint a committee headed by a judge that will focus on the issue of equalization of pension.
· Pension to be revised every five years
· OROP will be considered implement from July 1, 2014, and the base year being 2013, thus making the ex-servicement entitled to arrears
· Arrears will disbursed four half-yearly installments
· War widows to be given arrears first
· Arrears alone will cost the ex-chequer anywhere between Rs. 10,000-12,000 crores.
· Ex-servicemen who took voluntary retirement will not be covered under this scheme
Image credit: Indiatimes