The displeasure among ex-Servicemen over the delay in the final announcement of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme is steadily growing with two war veterans boycotting a felicitation ceremony by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Pune on Thursday.
Navy Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan said OROP scheme has been a “priority area” for the government and called for patience.
“The Ministry of Defence is very much seized of the problem. To the best of my knowledge, a lot of progress has been made on the OROP. It is up to the government to take a final decision on it… I can only say we need to be patient,” Admiral Dhowan said speaking to the media after the conclusion of the Naval Commanders' Conference.
Earlier in the day, Wing Commander S.D. Karnik and Wing Commander Bhopadekar boycotted a function in Pune where they were to be felicitated by Mr. Parrikar.
“They [government] have made a good intention but they need to be clear on how they are doing it… We cannot be kept waiting,” said Wing Commander Vinod Nebb, decorated war hero of 1971. The OROP scheme was an election promise of the BJP, but the final announcement has been delayed despite several assurances from the government. The scheme estimated to cost Rs. 8,300 crore will benefit over two million ex-Servicemen.
The Navy has launched a new infrastructure development plan which Admiral Dhowan said “dovetails” into the Navy’s capability perspective plan till 2027 so that the infrastructure, which is required in Naval commands, whether for maintenance, operation and training, is in sync with the planned inductions of assets. The Navy currently has 48 ships and submarines under construction in various shipyards across India. To a question, the Navy chief acknowledged that the Chinese Navy has been invited for the International Fleet Review due next year.
