An understanding between the government and ex-servicemen on the modalities of the one rank one pension (OROP) scheme seems to be in sight with the protesting veterans relenting on their demand for annual revision and saying they are ready to accept a revision every two years.
“The government says they are ready to give one rank, five pensions,” noted Wing Commander (retd) Vinod Nebb of the United Ex-Servicemen Movement (UESM) referring to the government offer for revision every five years. “We are ready to accept two years. Keeping in mind the larger issue of the country, this is what we can tolerate”.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the demand for an annual review was “not feasible” and would set a “wrong precedent.” As per definition, OROP seeks uniform pension based on rank and length of service irrespective of when they retire.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, who has been talking to both sides appealed to the veterans that the annual normalisation process is “neither feasible nor practical”. “Normalisation is a core part of the OROP definition without any doubt, but I would urge the veterans to accept a normalisation process once every three years.”
Within the community there seems to be difference of opinion on the issue. While several veterans agreed that some give and take was necessary to reach an agreement, there were some who opposed any dilution.
