OROP: Parrikar promises to resolve technical issues soon

New Delhi: Even as high political drama is still continuing over the issue of One Rank, One Pension in the wake of an incident of suicide by an ex-serviceman, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said paperwork to resolve the remaining technical issues in the implementation of the scheme for the armed forces will be completed soon. Paying homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary at Budgam in Kashmir, Mr Parrikar said around one lakh ex-servicemen are yet to get the full benefit of the OROP. "There is some technical issue in it, paperwork will be sorted out in a couple of months," the Minister said.

The assurance comes on a day when political scene has shifted to Bhiwani in Haryana, where last rites of the deceased soldier Subedar Ramkishan Grewal, who died after consuming poison, will be performed. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejrival have reached to attend the cremation of the ex-serviceman, whose death has brought the issue of OROP to the centre-stage of the politics. Mr Parrikar, on his part, has clarified yesterday that over 19 lakh ex-servicemen have been benefited by the scheme as on September 15.

Talking about the situation in the Valley, he appealed to the "peace loving people of the state to contribute the nation's development." The Defence Minister was joined by top Army officers in paying tribute to Maj Somnath, who was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Maj Somnath was awarded the medal posthumously for his exceptional courage in the Kashmir operations in November 1947. A soldier from Kumaon Regiment, Maj Somnath laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. (UNI)