Centre likely to announce decision on OROP soon

 

The stalemate between veteran army personals and the Centre over one rank-one pension (OROP) is still continuing as both sides have cling to their stand on one point. However, the Modi government is reportedly preparing to take a unilateral decision and make an official announcement in this regard anytime in this week, keeping in view of election code of conduct of Bihar Assembly elections that may comes into effect anytime in the next few days.

 

Veteran army personals are insisting for a periodic revision of their pension, to be precise, once in every three years. But, the Modi government wants to revise once in five years. Generally, the period is 10 years for all others, but the Centre has decides to revise once in every five years considering the veterans services to the nation. But, the army veterans are not agreeing for it. So, the Modi government is reportedly planning to take unilateral decision in this regard keeping in view of election code.

 

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that everyone may have their own formulas for revision of pensions, but ultimately everyone has to follow fiscal discipline.”

 

However, they both are reportedly come to an understanding over date of rollout and the base year-2011. Government of India allocates Rs. 54, 500 crores in it budget for defence pension bill for the current financial year. The liability will further raises to Rs.8, 300 crores and if arrears also added, it will further increased to another Rs. 12, 500 crores that makes the pension bill Rs. 75, 300 in total for the current year.