Government has announced One Rank One Pension scheme, OROP, for ex servicemen. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi yesterday, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar said the benefit will be given with effect from 1st of July 2014. The Minister said, ex servicemen of same rank and same length of service will get uniform pension regardless of date of retirement. He said, under this scheme, pension will be re-fixed every five years. <br/><br/>Mr Parrikar clarified that personnel who retire voluntarily will not be covered under OROP scheme. He said, future enhancements in rates of pension are to be automatically passed on to past pensioners. He informed, the estimated cost to implement OROP will be 8000 crore rupees to 10,000 crore rupees at present and it will increase further in future. <br/><br/>Mr Parrikar said it has been decided that a one member Judicial Committee will be constituted for a thorough examination of interests of retirees of different periods and different ranks. The Committee will submit its report in six months.<br/><br/>The agitating ex-servicemen have expressed satisfaction over the provisions of One Rank One Pension announced by the government. The leader of agitating ex-servicemen Major General(retd) Satbir Singh met Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar in New Delhi yesterday. Talking to reporters after the meeting, he said that the Minister has clarified on voluntary retirement issue saying that Army does not have VRS. He said that after this clarification he is satisfied and will take a decision on agitation today after holding talks with the core group. Earlier, after the announcement of OROP, the agitating ex-servicemen had rejected the key provisions of One Rank One Pension saying their strike will continue.<br/><br/>Political reaction on the One Rank One Pension is on expected lines. While the BJP has lauded the government's decision and termed it as historic, the Congress said it is disappointing.<br/><br/>Congress termed the decision on OROP as disappointing. Party leader and former Defence Minister A K Antony said, the Government has substantially diluted the provisions of the scheme announced by the UPA.<br/><br/>Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today urged ex-servicemen to stop agitation as their basic demand of One Rank One Rank One Pension has been met and said ancillary issues can also be discussed. Talking to media in New Delhi, Mr. Naidu attacked Congress for questioning OROP. He said the opposition party has no moral right to question the NDA government on OROP as it did not approve it even partially during its regime.<br/><br/>Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the government has fulfilled its promise of One Rank One Pension for ex-servicemen which was not done by Congress in the last 42 years. Col. Rathore told media that the decision shows NDA government's emotional commitment towards the servicemen. He said that the centre will ensure that the OROP is delivered in full spirit. <br/><br/>