OROP notification draws mixed reactions

With the government issuing a notification for the One Rank One Pension (OROP) implementation, ex-servicemen gave mixed reactions on Saturday.

Major General (retd) P.K.Sehgal expressed disappointment over the notification and hinted that the agitation over the issue might continue.

"The desire to return medals will continue because this is more or less unacceptable," he told ANI.

Meanwhile, Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, who is also the chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), said that they would take their fight to the court.

"This notification is not accepted. This is "One Rank Five Pension" and not "One Rank One Pension". This is injustice to the soldiers, we will fight with the Government in Court," he said.

"We are happy but till we receive entire details, we can't say anything," said Colonel Kapoor.

Earlier, Ministry of Defence (MoD) Principal Spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had confirmed that OROP notification was issued.

"The wait is over. #OROP notification issued," he tweeted.

The ex-servicemen on Friday had announced that they would intensify their demand for early implementation of the OROP scheme as per the "approved and accepted" definition. They had also threatened to return their medals, and would observe a "black Diwali" on November 11.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, however, had assured that the OROP scheme would be implemented before Diwali.

"As you know it will happen before Diwali," Parrikar told reporters on Friday.