Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said he could not fix a date for the implementation of the One-Rank One-Pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen.
“OROP was not fully understood by the earlier government. We too didn’t understand the full implications of it. But I must tell you that all formalities with this regard are over and it is now with the Finance Ministry,” said Mr. Parrikar, while interacting with a gathering at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) here.
The Defence Minister said the possible allocation estimates for this scheme ranged from Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 20,000 crore. “I have crystallised the format of it. The Finance Ministry will do the detailing and it is on the way to getting approved,” he said.
Mr. Parrikar said “the sacrifice of our servicemen cannot be measured in money, but I am very well aware of the reasons why OROP should be implemented and it will be done soon. We promised that we will give it and we will fulfil it,” he added.
Border firing
Accepting that the incidents of firings on the international border between India and Pakistan had increased from October to January, Mr. Parrikar said the government was better prepared to deal with it.
“It is either to facilitate safe passage for terrorists or to disturb the repairing of bunkers and other defence mechanisms,” he said, adding that instances of firing on the Line of Control (LoC) had actually dropped considerably.
Bofors issue
On the controversial issue of Bofors guns, Mr. Parrikar said he still maintained the stand that those guns were of good quality.
“But quality of guns and scams are two different things. Unfortunately due to the corruption cases in its deals, it meant 30 years of no new guns for us,” he said, adding that trying Ottavio Quattrocchi (Italian businessman) “would have saved us all those years.”
