With concerns on the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme expressed by ex-servicemen still to be addressed, the government has given an extension to the one man judicial commission appointed on the issue.
The government, had in December last year, appointed the one man commission headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, former Chief Justice of Patna High Court with a six month mandate which ended on June 15.
The commission was part of the notification issued on November 7, 2015 implementing the long pending scheme for military personnel to bring parity in pensions based on rank and service, and irrespective of the date of retirement.
Over the last six months, Mr. Reddy had held deliberations with all stakeholders involved, and given the enormity of the task had sought extension from the government. He had met veterans recently and another meeting is expected soon.
Veterans meet Parrikar
Meanwhile representatives of ex-servicemen who have been protesting for ‘rightful’ implementation of OROP met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday.
The delegation of three, Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Chairman of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, Hon Lt K Pande Member and Wg Cdr CK Sharma, presented the four deviations in the implementation order from that of the definition of OROP as accepted by the Parliament.
“A very cordial discussion took place where Mr. Parrikar assured us that even though the Mr. Reddy Committee has been given a six-month extension, the final report may get submitted well before December,” Maj Gen Singh said.
Mr. Parrikar assured that their concerns would be addressed and also the seventh pay commission would be applicable to all ex-servicemen above and beyond the award of OROP, he added.
Veterans had been on relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital since June last year. However after a meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on March 14 they suspended the hunger strike to give the government time to address their concerns.
