OROP scheme: Khurshid questions delay on Govt.'s part

Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday questioned the delay on the part of the BJP-led NDA Government in passing the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme.

"Our Finance Minister had sent it to the Finance Ministry. The fund required for it was also very specifically mentioned in the budget at that time. I just fail to understand as to why it is yet again being sent to the (Finance) Ministry," Khurshid told ANI here.

"We had taken the decision on 'One Rank, One Pension' in the Cabinet. Some members had objected to it because they were of the view that this would involve extensive cost. Some people were of the view that this is a grave issue and related to those who have laid down their lives for the nation. They were of the view that it would not be in the country's interest if money becomes an obstructing with regard to implementing this scheme. After a number of rounds, we decided to move ahead with the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme and the first part of it was included in the budget as well," he added.

Khurshid alleged that the present regime is making excuses over the implementation of this scheme.

"I think that these are all excuses. If this scheme is to be passed, the decision for which we had taken then it should be passed. This decision had been taken by us. If they don't want to pass this, they better say that straight," he said.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime had in its Budget last year, months before the Lok Sabha polls, announced that 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme would be implemented.

As per reports, the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme is currently shuttling between the Finance and Defence Ministries after several queries were raised.

'One Rank, One Pension' implies payment of a uniform pension to personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.