Army veterans meet Chief Dalbir Singh, truce on OROP likely

NEW DELHI: With a 'final formula' on the One Rank One Pension (OROP) round the corner, veterans met Army Chief Dalbir Singh late on Thursday night, amidst hopes that a truce would soon be called on the issue.

While consultations and discussion continued through the day, representatives of ex servicemen organisations that are leading the Jantar Mantar protest met General Dalbir Singh and were scheduled to talk to Minister Manohar Parrikar later in South Block, with sources saying that both sides had a broad agreement in place to resolve the matter.

The final contours of the peace formula – which was sent earlier in the day for approval to the PMO after fresh calculations by the defence ministry – are yet to be disclosed but would see the government broadly agreeing to the demands of the veterans to implement OROP with effect from April 2014. Issues like arrears and an annual increment of three percent that has been asked by veterans may however be negotiated.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar continues with two more veterans joining in. The condition of one of the ex soldiers on protest deteriorated on Thursday, necessitating hospitalisation.