Chandigarh, March 14 (IANS): Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag Saturday assured retired soldiers that the benefit of arrears would be given to them after implementation of the one rank-one pension (OROP) by the central government.

Addressing retired soldiers and war widows at the "Veer Sainani Rally" held in Jhajjar in Haryana, 100 km from Delhi, the Army chief said that the OROP is likely to be approved by April end. The scheme will be implemented with effect from from April 1, 2014.

Gen Singh said that arrangements were being made to provide all-in-one biometric cards to soldiers prior to retirement which would facilitate retirement, canteen, veteran card and other services.

"With this, they would not face any difficulty in getting such facilities after retirement," he said.

He said that the number of CSD canteens is being increased in the country and the concept of Sena mobile CSD canteen is also being implemented.