<p>Talks between government and military veterans over the One Rank One Pension scheme have made significant progress, sources said, adding that the latter are ready to compromise on a two-year revision of pensions.<br /><br /></p>.<p>This is one of the major bones of contention still unresolved. <br />The government initially offered a 10-year time frame, bringing it down to five, and then to three years, as the present offer stands.<br /><br />A source said an agreement on the issue appears likely soon.<br />Sources said both sides appeared to be softening their stands, and the progress in discussions was "highly positive".<br /><br />However, the veterans are not ready to call it a breakthrough yet, as they say they have not got any formal offer from the government,<br /><br />"The government has not given anything concrete in writing or even orally. How can we call it a breakthrough," a representative of the veterans asked.<br /><br />Another issue on which the talks were stuck was the date of the scheme's implementation. <br /><br />While the veterans wanted it to be implemented from April 2014, the government stood adamant on implementing it from April 2015.<br /><br />"We can give up few a months, that is not an issue," said the veteran.<br />There are indications that the government may agree for an implementation date of May or June 2014.<br /><br />Sources said the issues over base year for implementation, which veterans want to be 2011, was also almost resolved.<br /><br />The government may announce the scheme before the Election Commission announces the dates for Bihar elections, which will kick-in the Model Code of Conduct, after which new schemes cannot be announced.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Talks between government and military veterans over the One Rank One Pension scheme have made significant progress, sources said, adding that the latter are ready to compromise on a two-year revision of pensions.<br /><br /></p>.<p>This is one of the major bones of contention still unresolved. <br />The government initially offered a 10-year time frame, bringing it down to five, and then to three years, as the present offer stands.<br /><br />A source said an agreement on the issue appears likely soon.<br />Sources said both sides appeared to be softening their stands, and the progress in discussions was "highly positive".<br /><br />However, the veterans are not ready to call it a breakthrough yet, as they say they have not got any formal offer from the government,<br /><br />"The government has not given anything concrete in writing or even orally. How can we call it a breakthrough," a representative of the veterans asked.<br /><br />Another issue on which the talks were stuck was the date of the scheme's implementation. <br /><br />While the veterans wanted it to be implemented from April 2014, the government stood adamant on implementing it from April 2015.<br /><br />"We can give up few a months, that is not an issue," said the veteran.<br />There are indications that the government may agree for an implementation date of May or June 2014.<br /><br />Sources said the issues over base year for implementation, which veterans want to be 2011, was also almost resolved.<br /><br />The government may announce the scheme before the Election Commission announces the dates for Bihar elections, which will kick-in the Model Code of Conduct, after which new schemes cannot be announced.<br /><br /></p>