Sanjha Morcha

Notification for implementation of OROP issued

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 7
2015_11$largeimg07_Saturday_2015_221615770

The Central Government tonight notified the much-awaited One Rank One Pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen, a move that comes less than 12 hours before counting of votes for the Bihar assembly elections.
Giving out details of the OROP, Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said: “The government today issued the notification regarding implementation of One Rank One Pension.”
Salient features of the OROP include revision of pension every five years. The protesting ex-servicemen had demanded that revision be done every two years.
Notably, the issue of giving pension to those opting for premature retirement (PMR) has been settled but could have long term repercussions.
Deciding on the issue of PMRs, the MoD has said those 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. This shall be effective prospectively, meaning officers and jawans who took PMR in the past shall be benefitted but those opting for PMR now onwards will not get the benefit. It also means there will be fewer PMR applications, straining existing housing and infrastructure as officers will stay on. An officer is allowed to opt for PMR after 20 years of service or by the time he is 43 years of age. Some opt out when superceded.
On pensions to the entire lot of retirees, the notification says, “Pension of (all) 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 July, 1, 2014.”
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. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
Arrears will be paid in four equal half-yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners, including those in receipt of Special/Liberalised family pensioners, and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
The government has also 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.
“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,” Sitanshu Kar said.
The issue of OROP 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 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 September 5. The Government Order by Ministry of Defence, which could not be issued due to model code of conduct, has been issued today, a statement of the MoD said.