The Chief of the Army Staff ( COAS), General VK Singh, has informed that the demand of one rank for one pension (OROP) for officers is under serious consideration. He added that the OROP for other ranks has been almost accepted. General Singh was in his hometown Bhiwani in Haryana on Saturday to attend the 'Army Mela' organized by the South-Western command. He also informed that the army authorities have chalked out a proposal for the restructuring of the force and to bring more transparency in it. On the Adarsh scam, the General assured that enough steps have been taken by the army to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future. The two-day mela was organized at Bhim Stadium, Bhiwani under the theme, "Indian Army - Nation First Always and Every Time." Speaking on the occasion, Gen Singh said that the Army has declared the year 2011 as the 'Year of the Disabled Soldier'. A large number of initiatives have been launched for the well being of those army men who have suffered disablities including allotment of Rs 1 crore for upgradation of infrastructure, rehabilitation and training of quadriplegic and paraplegic patients, financial assistance of Rs 25,000 for widows of army men for higher education, one time financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to those who have suffered amputations for modification of their bathroom, education grant of Rs 400 per month per child for a maximum of two children for those who suffered fatal injuries and demise grant for the next of kin of retired JCOs & OR has been enhanced from Rs 3,000 per individual to Rs 5,000 per individual with effect from January 15 this year. General Singh, who hails from Bhiwani informed that a large number of directions have been issued towards improvement of facilities for soldiers of Bhiwani including relocation of unit run canteen and a new building for ECHS (Ex-servicemen contributory health scheme). Bhiwani district alone has about 35,000 Gaurav Senanis, a sizeable strength of 'Veer Naries' and 25,000 serving officers, JCOs and other ranks in the Indian Army. The Rajya Sainik board and the pension liaison cell, Allahabad too had set up their awareness stalls to redress the grievances of retired soldiers. Haryana chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also present on the occasion and thanked the army for organizing such big event in the state

 Published  on 6 Feb 2011 in the The Times of India Pge-6