New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): The government's apathy to the protests seeking the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme will affect the morale of soldiers, former army chief V.P. Malik said on Sunday.

The general, who headed the army when the Kargil conflict took place in 1999, said keeping the morale of the forces high was key to winning any war.

"Taking care of the welfare (of soldiers) and keeping the morale of the armed forces high is very important... Though OROP affects ex-servicemen, the linkages in the army are very strong," Malik told IANS.

"The government must take a decision soon... The agitation is going on in different cities. Sooner or later, it will impact serving soldiers.

"Kinship is very strong in army, I am retired but my son is in the army ... Senior officers are worried as they will retire soon... The government should take action soon," he said.

Sunday was the 42nd day of a relay hunger strike by ex-servicemen here demanding implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme.

Currently, pension paid to officers of the same rank differs, depending on when they retired.