Notification on OROP after Bihar polls: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the official notification on the implementation of one rank one pension (OROP) would be issued after Bihar Assembly elections.

Parrikar’s statement came a day after retired military personnel wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their blood, reminding him of his promise he made last Diwali on OROP while visiting Siachen.

Asked if the OROP announcement would be a Diwali gift to the veterans, Parrikar said, “I am trying to have it before Diwali (November 11). It (notification) will be issued within days after the Bihar poll process ends,” he said.

The counting of votes in Bihar will take place on November 8 but the model code of conduct will remain in place till November 12. Parrikar said the government did not come out with the notification as the model code of conduct was in place.

In their letter to Modi, the ex-servicemen accused Parrikar for changing the ‘goal post’ every now and then. “On September 5, Parrikar said the notification will be issued in one month’s time.