Govt. has shown commitment towards OROP, says Patra

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra on Saturday said the BJP-led NDA Government has shown its commitment towards One Rank, One Pension (OROP).

"This is the government which has really shown the commitment towards one rank one pension. Today, with an allotment of approximately 9000 crore rupees per annum towards one rank one pension, this government has shown its commitment towards the welfare of the ex-servicemen," Patrna told ANI.

"It's a historic day today, not only for the ex-servicemen, not only for this Government, for the whole country. For 42 long years, the demand of One Rank, One Pension was tabled, but none of the previous governments had heeded towards it, he added.

Patra further said, "We take the opportunity of congratulating the Prime Minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government at the centre which has really thought so well about the veterans."

"Mr. Chidambaram had previously said that administratively, technically and financially, it was not possible to implement one rank one pension. In 2014, the Congress Government had just showed 500 crores for the one rank one pension knowing very well, that this would be nothing but a political gimmick," he added.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier today announced the much awaited OROP scheme and its benefits which would be given to all ex-servicemen, excluding voluntary retirees from July 1, 2014.

"The government has taken the decision to implement the OROP. Under the OROP scheme the benefit would be given from July 1, 2014. The base year would be 2013," said Parrikar at the press conference.

"The gap between the rate of pension of current pensioners and past pensioners will be breached every five years. Arrears would be paid in four half-yearly installments," he added.