OROP demand, unheard for last 40 years, fulfilled by our govt.: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday highlighted the Centre's role towards betterment of the army, stating that it was their government which fulfilled the demand of One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme, which had been otherwise been stuck for the last 40 years.

"The demand of OROP, which went unheard since last 40 years, was fulfilled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government," Parrikar said while addressing BJP's 'Parivartan rally' here.

Highlighting the amount of money to be given to the army veterans, Parrikar said, "Rs 7,500 crore every year and Rs. 11,000 crores worth arrears in form of compensation will be given."

Parrikar appreciated the government's efforts to get such a scheme passed with so many retired armed forced personnel's pension being stuck.

"It's not an easy task to manage a scheme involving 25 lakhs retired ex-servicemen. The list also includes those who fought during the second world war, and in 1947-48 war," he said.

The army veterans had demanded the implementation of the OROP scheme, meaning the same pension for same rank and length of service, which saw a number of protests staged by the ex-servicemen last year.

Following this, the government announced the implementation of the scheme last September.