'Glaring anomalies' in pension for Service personnel: Antony

Replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on functioning of the Defence Ministry, he shared the sentiments expressed by members of the House and said armed forces cannot be equated with civil servants or para military forces as most defence personnel retire between the age of 35 and 40.

"There are glaring anomalies," he said, talking about the pension scheme, adding the government would address "most glaring issues immediately".

When asked if he had gone through the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence report which has suggested one-rank, one-pension, Antony answered in the affirmative and added that he shares the concerns of the ex-defence personnel.

Antony said he had a meeting with three Service Chiefs recently in connection with the issue and it was pointed out that it was not possible to implement the scheme in one go.

A Parliamentary Committee in its report last year had asked the government to implement the long-pending demand of OROP by the retired armed forces personnel.

Under the OROP, retired defence personnel are demanding that all ex-servicemen should get similar pension for putting in equal years of service and retiring at the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement.

At present, the pension depends on the pay commission under which they have retired.