OROP: Govt may announce a ‘new deal’ before Bihar poll dates' announcement

New Delhi, Sept 3: Army veterans who are protesting for the implementation of the One Rank one pension since months, may hear good news from Government side within a week.

Reportedly, Modi Government is contemplating to resolve the issue before the announcement of the Bihar Assembly election dates by the Election Commission.

The reason being once the election date will be announced, the model code of conduct will come into action. That will not allow Government to announce any major welfare scheme.

In the backdrop of above reason, Government is trying to sort out issue as soon as possible. It is being said that BJP led government may announce a new deal to pacify these ex army veterans who are adamant on their stand.

Govt looks in mood to resolve issue

Ex servicemen want that pension scheme should be revised yearly, which Government doesn't find feasible. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely recently said, "I have my own formula on what OROP means. Somebody else may have their own formula on OROP but it has to be within reasonable and rational criteria. You can't have an OROP where pensions are revised every month or every year".

Latest reports say, Army veterans are willing to travel middle ground on the issue. It is being said they may accept revision of pension once in two years instead of one year.

As Government is being criticized from every quarters for not taking substantial stand on the emotive issue, it looks in mood to give in now. Moreover, RSS also directed Government to resolve the issue.

RSS directed to take a stand

On Wednesday, contentious issue figured in the BJP-RSS meeting. Sources said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bahgwat talked to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar separately on the OROP issue on the first day of the three-day coordination meeting that began on Wednesday.

Parrikar briefed Bhagwat on the issue, whereas Jaitley spoke on its financial implications.

The sources said that the RSS chief also sought to know from Jaitley the problems the central government faced in the implementation of the OROP.

According to sources, Bhagwat asked the BJP leaders to resolve the OROP issue at the earliest and suggested setting up of a commission to deal with its financial implications, if needed. Reportedly, Government may offer new deal according to which pension will be revised after every thrice of year.

Ex-servicemen have been protesting against the non-implementation of the OROP for more than two-and-a-half months at the Jantar Mantar here. Several ex-servicemen are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike to press for the OROP.

OneIndia News