NEW DELHI: As the Election Commission is set to announce dates for the Bihar Assembly polls, the NDA government, which seems to be making
last-ditch efforts to break the deadlock over the one rank, one pension (OROP) issue, discussed it at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
It is learnt that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained the financial implications of OROP after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar raised the issue. Sources said the government was seriously contemplating an early announcement, at least before the Bihar Assembly poll schedule is announced.
Once the Election Commission notifies the poll schedule, the model code of conduct will come into immediate effect, making it difficult for the government to talk about OROP. Though Bihar does not have a large number of ex-servicemen, the government is adopting a cautious approach and does not want to antagonise any section before the State goes to polls.
The critical issue of annual revision of pension has not been solved as the finance ministry has explained its inability to do it on a yearly basis. However, sources indicated that the government has offered to revise the pension every five years. The ex-servicemen are considering this offer.
Meanwhile, Parrikar on Wednesday met a delegation of ex-servicemen in an attempt to find a middle path.