Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said that he didn't believe One Rank One Pension to have a huge cost burden.
Pointing that the scheme was merely 2.29% of the total defence outlay, the Defence Minister said, "Some people say OROP has a huge cost burden, but I would say OROP is merely 2.29% of the total defence outlay."
Parrikar further said that there are other means to compensate the cost of One Rank One Pension.
"It can be compensated by saving wastage or lowering cost expenditure or eliminating middleman from defence procurement," he said.
The statement by the Defence Minister comes as the defence veterans have refused to end the protest even after the announcement of OROP by the Narendra Modi government.
The veterans are slated to hold a massive rally, dubbed the 'Sainik Satyagraha', on Saturday. Around 10,000 veterans from across 14 states are expected to take part in the rally.
This comes as the protesting ex-servicemen have rejected the One Rank One Pension Scheme announced by the government.
They have opposed the once in 5 year increment policy demanding an annual increment. They have also demanded the inclusion of those who opt for premature retirement.
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