OROP: Veterans sign petition to PM Modi in blood; demand implementation of scheme

The protesting ex-servicemen on Sunday in a letter signed in blood demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for early implementation of the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme.

On the 133rd day of their relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the veterans said that the announcement made by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on September 5 regarding the implementation of OROP had "seven serious shortcomings".

If implemented without the removal of the shortcomings, it will kill the definition of OROP, the letter claimed. The letter further accused Parrikar of "changing the goalpost" every now and then.

The protesting veterans asked the Prime Minister to issue notification to implement OROP scheme at the earliest. Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement spokesperson Col (retd) Anil Kaul said the letter was signed in blood by around 200 general officers and others.