UPDATE ON OROP

Indian Military Veterans

UPDATE ON OROP

Dear Members

As expected three months have gone by since the Govt announced grant of OROP on 17 Feb 14 while presenting budget but the Government letter is still not out.  The budget was passed by the Parliament thereby passing Grant of OROP to Armed Forces. OROP is now certainty and it can not be reverted.  During the budget speech Finance Minister had made very clear announcement that initially Rs 500/ crore were being allotted and more funds would be allotted in due course of time. 

The Raksha Mantri called a meeting on 26 Feb in which he gave very clear instructions to CGDA while accepting the definition of OROP and further instructed  that the details of paying OROP may be worked out and paid at the earliest to Veterans.This did not happen as CGDA, DESW and MOD did not take any action.

IESM wrote to PM and RM on 25 April 14,  3 May 14 and  8 May 14  to ensure that  the Government letter is issued at the earliest. 

IESM had many meeting with Armed Forces Pay Cell and worked out the draft Govt Letter (DGL) and tables for payment to all ranks, with a special emphasis to ORs, JCOs and widows pension.  Armed Forces Pay cells and IESM are on same frequency and a decision was taken that any dilution in the definition of OROP will not be accepted. Definition of OROP as given by Koshiari committee is sacrosanct and must be followed in letter and spirit. Raksha Mantri in a meeting on 22 Apr had asked CGDA,MOD and DESW to study the DGL and issue the Government Letter. On 24 April, as is customary of  bureaucracy, MOD constituted a committee to study the DGL and make recommendations within three weeks  along with approximate financial commitments on the Govt. The DGL along with the tables were sent to MOD. A meeting was planned on 8 May between all stake holders. As usual DESW and CGDA had objections on the draft prepared by the Armed Forces pay cells and came out with their understanding of OROP. Their plan was not as per definition of OROP hence  was completely rejected by the Armed Forces Pay cells. 

In the interim IESM had been writing letters to PM, RM, COAS and Sh Rahul Gandhi that MOD  has not moved forward an inch from their stand despite the Raksha Mantri's order for issuance of Govt Letter at the earliest. Last letter was written to Sh Rahul Gandhi on  8 May 14 by Chairman IESM with a request that Government letter for grant of OROP is still not issued.

This probably had its effect and on 9 May Raksha Mantri called for a meeting to know the progress on issuance of Govt Letter. On knowing the slow progress he then instructed the stake holders to work on 10 May Saturday and 11 May Sunday and produce the Government Letter acceptable to Armed Forces.

It is for the information of veterans that DESW and Armed Forces Pay cell have disagreement on 6 issues about calculation of the pension. These are being discussed and hopefully will be sorted out soon. Armed Forces Pay Cells have done their home work and making all out effort to convince the MOD,CGDA and DESW about their  viewpoint.  As written above any dilution of definition of OROP will not be accepted. At this moment 1600h on 12 May 14  the stake holders are having a meeting to come out with the Government Letter acceptable to all. 

Any further development will be shared with the veterans asap it is known. 

IESM advises all veterans to tighten their belts and prepare themselves for a long drawn battle in case our demand OROP is not met in full and as per the approved definition. IESM will communicate  the plan of action to environment.

IESM once again thanks UPA Government for grant of OROP and hopes that UPA Govt  issues the Govt letter for implementation of OROP as per the  definition approved by Koshiari Committee.

IESM also thanks Sh Rajeev Chandra Shekhar for his full support to the cause of ex-servicemen and fully supporting the views of IESM. IESM wishes that this support will continue in future also.

IESM specially  thanks COAS, CONS and CAS for supporting IESM in the fight of OROP and  taking personal interest in the issue. OROP would not have been possible without the support of all the three Chiefs of Armed Forces of India. 

WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT TODAY'S SOLDIER IS TOMORROW'S VETERAN.

 

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
L - 48, Sector - 25,
NOIDA. 201301
Tele no 01204313951
Mobile   09810541222

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