NEW DELHI: As the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is set to announce the much awaited One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme on Friday, key officials at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are busy convincing the agitating ex-servicemen.
According to sources, till late Thursday evening, the ex-servicemen were discussing the issue with key officials of the finance wing of the MoD and Army Headquarters.
“We are making all efforts to get everyone on board before making any announcement,” said an officer at the South Block, which houses the MoD. Sources also indicated that the last-minute efforts were aimed not only to convince the agitators, but also to get non-agitators on board.
Sources said non-agitators are also stake holders in the OROP, therefore it is high time that the government establish contact with such group through former Army chiefs.
A senior official, involved in the negotiations, said efforts are on to find a middle path agreement which should satisfy all stakeholders, but the government has conveyed the agitators to withdraw their stir at the earliest and come to the discussion table. Sources said the Centre wants 2011 to be the base year, while the veterans say it should be at the 2014 level.