Former Army Chief and Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh's daughter Mrinalini Singh on Sunday joined the ongoing protest by ex-servicemen who are demanding a fixed date for the implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme.

Mrinalini said that she joined the protest as the daughter of an ex-armyman and added the scheme should be implemented as soon as possible.

"Even my grandfather was a soldier, and may be my son would also become one. I hope the government will soon heed to this demand. It's long overdue. I did take up the issue with my father. He has written a letter to the prime minister," IANS quoted her as saying at Jantar Mantar, where ex-servicemen have been protesting for over a month now.

The ex-servicemen started their protest demanding that there should be no change in the definition of OROP, the date of implementation should remain April 1, 2014 and the base year must be 2013-14. However, the Modi government has not made an unequivocal announcement about implementation of the scheme.

The retired military personnel expected that Modi will make a definitive announcement during his second Independence Day speech on 15 August, 2015. However, he dampened their spirits by just giving a vague assurance. He said talks on the implementation of OROP scheme have reached the final leg and he hoped for positive result.

"Many govts have come & gone. OROP has come before all govts. They all made small promises. I also couldn't do it. I promise again...discussions have come to final leg, we are finding a solution, I hope for a positive result. In principle we have accepted OROP," he had said on 15 August.

Intensify their protests against the Modi government's failure to implement the OROP scheme, three army veterans have gone on indefinite hunger strike. Retired Havildar Ashok Kumar Chouhan, Colonel Pushpendra Singh (retired) and Havaldar Major Singh are on "fast unto death".

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