OROP accepted in principle: Narendra Modi; ex-servicemen protest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today did not commit a specific timeline for implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' but stressed that talks were in the final stages, drawing sharp reactions from ex-servicemen who vowed to step up their protest.

Addressing the nation on the 69 Independence Day, Modi limited himself to giving assurance that the government has "in-principle" accepted the demand for OROP and it is working out the modalities.

Not far from Red Fort, where he addressed the nation, ex-servicemen sitting on 62nd day of relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, watched Modi's speech keenly on a large LCD screen but switched it off the moment his brief OROP mention ended.

Terming the soldiers as a strength, treasure and energy of the country, Modi accepted that despite his coming to power, the solution for the long-delayed OROP issue has not been found yet.

Pointing out that many governments have come and gone for years and the OROP issue came before each one of them, Modi said the OROP has been in-principle accepted by his government but talk are still on with various stakeholders.

"Every government has given small promises but the issue has not been resolved. Even after I came, I have not been able to do it till now. Today, I am assuring my soldiers once again... In-principle OROP has been accepted by us but talks with stakeholders are on," he said in his Independence Day address.

Modi said that the issue has reached the last stages and the aim is complete development of country and justice to all.

"A solution has to be found for an issue which has been lingering for 20-25 years. I expect good news seeing the way the talks are going on. And that is why I again promise that in-principle, this government has accepted OROP," he said.

The Prime Minister said that talks are being held with the stakeholders to work out the nitty-gritty and modalities.

"We have to move forward by talking," he said.

However, the protesting ex-servicemen reacted sharply and "rejected" Modi's Independence Day speech.

"We are totally disappointed. We expected the Prime Minister to at least announce a time-frame or a date. But all we got was reiteration of in-principle approval of OROP which was done by the government when it came to power," Maj Gen Satbir Singh (Retd), Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen movement said.

He said that the ex-servicemen have decided to intensify their stir from tomorrow in a peaceful manner.