The govt had taken steps to reform the Army in a planned manner: Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, the Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the NDA government had initiated steps to reform the Army in a planned manner and also took measures to improve the working conditions, salaries and pensions of all armed forces personnel.

“Many reforms include optimisation of the Signals establishments, restructuring of repair echelons, redeployment of ordinance echelons, better utilisation of supply and transport echelons, besides closure of military farms and Army postal establishments in peace locations,” she said in the customary address to soldiers on the eve of Independence Day.

She added saying that, “The government took a decision to implement ‘One Rank, One Pension’ for defence personnel in 2015 and promised to pay arrears in four instalments. I can say that all OROP arrears have been cleared with over Rs 10,788 crore being spent. Over 65.81 lakh defence pensioners have benefited from this.”

She said that steps are being taken to enhance standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.