Government worried implementing OROP will open pandora's box

As the protest over the non-implementation of the 'One Rank, One Pension' (OROP) scheme continues, highly placed sources on Wednesday said while the government has been negotiating hard with the army veterans, there was concern that implementing it will open a pandora's box.

This was also conveyed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh representatives, who met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, joint general secretary Krishan Gopal and senior leader Indresh Kumar were present at the meeting. The meeting discussed a slew of issues, including OROP and national security.

According to the sources, there is a feeling in the government that implementing OROP for the armed forces would open a pandora's box as similar demands may follow from the paramilitary forces.

The ministers also told the RSS representatives that there was a feeling that pension increments should be linked to pay commission and they were hoping the ex-servicemen will scale down their demands.

However, the government maintained that it was committed to OROP, a promise the BJP made ahead of the 2014 general election. Sources added that other issues related to national security were also discussed in the meeting.

On Wednesday, negotiations between the government and army veterans continued. The ex-servicemen, in a statement, said the talks have moved "a step forward".

In the morning, the veterans warned of scaling up their protest if the issue was not resolved and OROP was not implemented.