Over 13 lakh veterans received OROP benefits: Manohar Parrikar

More than two-thirds of the Ex-Servicemen have been paid the One Rank One Pension, OROP arrears so far. Defence Ministry has said, nearly 2,300 crore rupees have already reached the accounts of more than 13 lakh pensioners. The Ministry said yesterday, banks have been asked to complete the process of payment latest by March end. 

The Ministry said, it has kept its promise with regard to the historic decision taken on 5th September last year to implement the more than four decades



old demand of Ex-Servicemen for OROP by ensuring that payments have begun to the concerned in record time.

Speaking to media in New Delhi yesterday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, he is grateful to Defence Ministry staff and banks like State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, which worked overnight to disburse the amount. Mr Parrikar said, his Ministry tried that all the ex-servicemen gets their pensions before Holi so that their Holi can be more colourful.