Notification for implementation of much awaited One Rank One Pension
OROP issued – pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the
basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will
be effective with effect from 1.7.2014.
Central Government has issued a press release on the implementation of much awaited One Rank One Pension OROP
Notification for Implementation of OROP Issued
The Government today issued the notification regarding implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ in respect of Defence Forces personnel.
Defence Forces of India have a rich history and tradition of bravery and gallantry.
Defence forces have not only defend our borders with exemplary courage
and valour but have also performed with fearless attitude and empathy in
natural calamities and other trying circumstances. Government of India recognizes and respects their contribution.
The issue of One Rank One Pension was a long standing demand.
Defence Forces had been demanding it for almost four decades but the
issue could not be resolved. However, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
had made a commitment to implement it for the welfare of the ex-servicemen. Accordingly the Government had announced modalities
for implementation of OROP on 05.09.2015. The Government Order by
Ministry of Defence, which could not be issued due to model code of
conduct, has been issued today.
Salient features of the OROP as stated in the Order are as follows:
I. To begin with, pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from 1.7.2014.
II. Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis
of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retiring in
2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service.
III. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
IV. Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly
instalments. However, all the family pensioners, including those in
receipt of Special/Liberalized family pensioners, and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
V. In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.
4. Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under
Rule 13(3)1(i)(b),13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or
equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits
of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.
5. The Govt. has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look
into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.
The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.
6. Detailed instructions along
with tables indicating revised pension for each rank and each category,
shall be issued separately for updation of pension and payment of
arrears directly by Pension Disbursing Agencies.
The previous Government had made a budget announcement to implement the OROP and made a provision of Rs 500 Crore. The present
Government undertook the task earnestly and realized that the actual
additional annual expenditure would be eight to ten thousand crore at present and will increase further in future. Notwithstanding the financial constraints, true to its commitment the present Government has issued the Government order to implement the OROP in true spirit.
Sitanshu Kar