“Tribute to the courage, sacrifices of our veterans” PM Modi on implementation of OROP scheme

Remembering the veterans of armed forces of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recounted on Thursday the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.

The OROP scheme entails the payment of the same amount of pension to Armed Forces personnel for the same rank and length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the veterans and said that OROP is a way to tribute their sacrifice and courage.

“On this day, #OneRankOnePension (OROP) was implemented. This was a tribute to the courage and sacrifices of our veterans and ex-service personnel who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation,” read the post.

The post further added, “The decision to implement OROP was a significant step towards addressing this long-standing demand and reaffirming our nation’s gratitude to our heroes.”

The decision to implement OROP was taken by the Narendra Modi government on November 7, 2015, with benefits effective from July 1, 2014. OROP was a long-standing demand of the armed forces and implies that retired soldiers of the same rank, who have retired after serving for the same length of service, will receive the same pension, irrespective of the date and year of their retirement.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that lakhs of families and pensioners have benefitted from the scheme.

“It would make you all happy that over the decade, lakhs of pensioners and pensioner families have benefitted from this landmark initiative. Beyond the numbers, OROP represents the government’s commitment to the well-being of our armed forces. We will always do everything possible to strengthen our armed forces and further the welfare of those who serve us,” the PM said.

Moreover, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also called OROP an “important pillar of PM’s policy towards the Armed Forces.”

In a post on X, the Defence Minister said, “The #OneRankOnePension (OROP) has been an important pillar of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi’s policy towards the Armed Forces. The Government under his leadership is committed to take care of the soldiers and their families.”

The Defence Minister said that more than 25 lakh veterans have benefitted from the implementation of the policy.