Prime Minister reiterates commitment to ‘One Rank, One Pension’ during ‘Mann ki Baat’
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his government’s commitment to implement the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen, but sought time to resolve its complexities.
Attacking the previous governments for “playing politics” over the issue for the past 40 years, he said OROP was “a complex issue, a vexed issue. You have been patient for 40 years. Give me some time to address it.”
In his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address, Modi said various departments were working to resolve the complexities as “it is not a simple matter” and added that “running commentary” through the media on the details of the progress will not help.
Lauding the services of the defence personnel, he said he could understand their problems as he was talking to them “as an individual rather than as a Prime Minister”.
“We are committed to OROP. …. Is it not a fact that for 40 years, this matter has been pending? … No government in the past has implemented it. Political elements have played games with you on the issue. You have faith in us,” Modi said in a 25-minute speech.
OROP has been a long-standing demand of over two million ex-servicemen of India. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension for the defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com