OROP: One Rank One Pension to all Pre-01.06.1953 Defence pensioners, Ex. State Force Pensioners and their families

OROP: One Rank One Pension to all Pre-01.06.1953 Defence pensioners, Ex. State Force Pensioners and their families

REGISTERED

 Circular No. 591

Dated: 13.11.2017

Subject: Implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' to all Pre-01.06.1953 Defence pensioners, Ex. State Force Pensioners and their families.

Reference: GoI, MoD letter No. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen /Policy)-Part-II dated 3rd Feb, 2016 (Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016), Circular 557 dated 17.03.2016, Circular 58 0 dated 05.07.2017 & Circular 581 dated 02.08.2017

Under the extant Government Orders , revision of pension under OROP scheme shall be effective with effect from 0 1.07.2014 , and payment of arrears accrued on account of revision of pension, if any, shall be made in a time bound manner as stipulated in Para 17.1 of the Circular No. 555 dated 04. 02.2016.

2. In this regard, it is stat ed that as per Para 4 of GoI, MoD letter No.12(1)/2014/D (Pen/Policy)- Part-II dated 03.02.2016 circulated vide this office Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016, provisions of OROP are also applicable to pre-01.06.1953 retirees pensioners, Ex-State Forces pensioners and their families for revision of pension/family pension. Accordingly, the benefit of ORO P also has to be given to Ex-State Forces Pensioner s/Family Pensioner s as per applicable tables, who were in receipt of pension as on 01.07.2014.

3. Further, rates of Ordinary Family Pension, Special Family Pension, 2nd Life award of SFP, Liberalized Family Pension, 2nd Life award of LFP, Disability/ Liberalized Disability element for 100% Disability, War Injury Element (Discharged) for 100% Disability, War Injury Element for 100% Disability (Invalid out Case) are now provided in annexed tables of this Circular as Table No. 97A , Table No. 98A, Table No. 99A, Table No. 100A and Table No. 101A, as rates of these types of pension were not given in Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016 and demands for these rates were raised by various PDA and pensioners. These rat es are based on applicable percentage of rates in tables no. 97 to 101 respectively.

4. Therefore , to expedite the timely revision of pension in respect of all Pre-01.06.1953 pensioners, Ex-State Force Pensioners and their families, the Pension Disbursing Agencies are hereby authorised to revise the pension of all Pre-01.06.1953 pensioners, Ex State Forces Pensioners and their families as per the rates applicable to Regular Armed Forces Personnel without any Corr. PPOs.

5. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

6. This Circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination to all concerned.

No. Gts/Tech/0167/XXVIII
Dated: 13.11.2017

sd/-

(Nasim Ullah )

ACDA (Pensions)

Click to view the tables

Authority: http://pcdapension.nic.in/

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Air Chief asserted that One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good

Air Chief asserted that One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good

New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, on Wednesday asserted that One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good and said that one should accept it.
"The OROP by the government is reasonably good. We should accept it. The anomalies are being resolved by one-judge committee. Some of the anomalies and the discrepancies which cropped up from the transition from the sixth to seventh pay commission have been resolved… others will also be resolved," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday accused the Congress Party of betraying the jawans by not fulfilling the long-pending OROP demand in the last 40 years.

Addressing a parivartan rally in Dehradun, Prime Minister Modi said, "My Army jawans were demanding OROP for the last 40 years, the party that ruled the country then never thought of their demands."

"In reality, the budget for OROP is over Rs. 10,000 crore. Why did they (Congress) betray the Jawans by allocating 500 crore for this," he added.

He said the Centre was always clear that from day one that the Jawans must get their due and therefore, his government always stated that OROP will be a reality.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier last month said 95 percent of veterans have already got the benefits of the OROP scheme and they are happy with it.

The scheme, announced in September 2015, is meant to ensure equal pension to servicemen who retired on the same rank and after the same duration of service, regardless of the year of retirement.
However, retired soldiers have been alleging that the government has not addressed their concerns fully about disparity in pension payments.

ANI

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Differences on perfect definition of OROP : Defence ministry has remained a labyrinth - not easy to tame: Major Navdeep Singh

Differences on perfect definition of OROP :  Defence ministry has remained a labyrinth - not easy to tame: Major Navdeep Singh

With political parties trading charges on the suicide of ex-soldier Ram Kishan Grewal on OROP, emotions are running high on both sides. Major Navdeep Singh, advocate in Punjab and Haryana high court, who was a member of the defence minister’s committee of experts to review service and pension matters which submitted its report in 2015, talked to Nalin Mehta about the OROP controversy and why the ministry of defence needs urgent reforms:

What is the current problem with OROP implementation which could have led to this suicide?

There are conflicting reports about the sad demise of the veteran. Some seem to suggest that he was perturbed about non-release of the approved pension under the OROP scheme by his bank. If that is the case, then it is really unfortunate since that would mean that an amount legally approved by the government was not disbursed to him.

Overall the ministry of defence claims to have disbursed Rs 5,507 crore in two instalments for OROP. Apart from other issues, the problem also seems to be in the distribution mechanism down the chain, particularly at the level of bank branches. This needs to be fixed.

Government is implementing OROP but what about the larger veteran demand that what they have got is one rank many pensions, not one rank one pension?

Various sides have differed upon the perfect definition of OROP. Many veteran organisations have interpretational differences with OROP as notified, including the periodicity of revision. Then there were serious anomalies in OROP tables which were being looked into by a judicial committee. The committee has submitted its report. I think all sides should hold their horses till this is processed. In case, there still are problems, tackle them through remedies provided under law rather than politicise a sensitive subject. A democracy provides full opportunity to exercise legal rights in case of dissatisfaction. I personally do not agree to an approach of excessive emotional rhetoric which has the propensity of stoking discontent.

What about disability pensions and the controversy on downgrading of status? How does that square with the pedestal armed forces are being put on?

The disability pension controversy was shockingly unfortunate and its origin was the twisted data and a sadistic interpretation provided to the 7th Pay Commission on disabled soldiers. In case disabilities in the defence services are increasing due to a higher stress and strain of military life, the answer is to take steps to check the deteriorating health profile and increase the payouts to compensate loss of health, not to slash disability pensions! Ditto for status issues since such moves are unilaterally imposed and result in deleterious effect on morale.

Chest thumping and governmental downgrading can’t go hand in hand. Does government’s left hand not know what it is doing?

Irrespective of the party in power, the ministry of defence has remained a labyrinth which is not easy to tame. There are structural problems wherein the defence services or even other stakeholders are not a part of the decision-making process and a one-sided view is provided to the higher layers. There is no opportunity granted to rebut or check the veracity of what is put up to decision-making authorities. It is not that one hand does not know what the other is doing, actually one hand does not let the other know what it is doing.

What kind of reforms do we need to fix the problems in MoD?

Two very simple suggestions without tinkering with the basic structure. First, the decision-making should be collegiate: probably by a ‘Defence Board’ chaired by the defence minister with a total of three-five members, with inputs of neutral personalities and experts wherever required. When files move up, these should be referred to all stakeholders for their comments so that nobody is able to hoodwink the decision-makers by mischief. Second, there is no institutional mechanism currently for the political executive to know the pulse of the problems of serving defence personnel and veterans, like there is for civil employees and pensioners. This assumes even higher importance since defence personnel (rightly) cannot form associations. Hence, a participative system akin to the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) for civil employees should be constituted to resolve grievances.

Similarly, the government had admirably constituted a standing committee for veterans in October 2014 which was to meet after every three months, but the lower bureaucracy has ensured that not even one meeting has taken place till date. The current defence minister appears to be keen to take the bull by the horns, but all personalities should support him in a politically neutral manner rather than pinpricking him all the time.

Read at: Times of India Blog

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Rs 5,500 crore paid as first OROP installment: PM

Rs 5,500 crore paid as first OROP installment: PM

Kinnaur: The first installment of nearly Rs 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said while asserting that he has “fulfilled the promise” he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.

The Prime Minister, while celebrating Diwali with army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo here, over 270 km from state capital Shimla, also lauded the role of the security force personnel guarding and protecting the country.

“Spent time with our courageous @ITBP_official & Army Jawans at Sumdo, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Jai Jawan! Jai Hind!,” he tweeted.

Earlier in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme on All India Radio, he saluted the valour of the armed forces and lauded their sacrifice while dedicating the festival of Diwali to them.

“The OROP was not about just Rs 200 or Rs 500 crore, but Rs 10,000 crore… After I became the PM, and decided that I had to do (implement) it, the entire government lost sleep over it… It was not possible for the government to pay in one go, so I requested the ex-servicemen to accept it in four instalments.

“The money will reach them in four installments. Nearly, Rs 5,500 crore has been paid as the first installment,” Modi said.

He said the issue had been pending for “40 years” as certain people in the previous governments “did not know” about OROP (scheme), and therefore “only Rs 500 crore was allocated” for the purpose.

Modi also said that many people thought that if the scheme was not implemented, a section of “ex-servicemen would turn against the government”.

The Prime Minister, on his way to Sumdo, met civilians at Himachal’s Chango village, close to the Sino-Indian border.

“Made unscheduled stop at Chango village, close to Somdu, to wish people on Diwali. Was deeply touched by the impromptu reception & their joy,” Modi tweeted.

“The Prime Minister spent time with ITBP jawans and personnel of Dogra Scouts of army at Sumdo on border of Kinnaur and Spiti, and distributed sweets to them,” an official said.

Modi also met personnel of the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF), a branch of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), entrusted with construction and maintenance of border roads and also executing the Rohtang Tunnel project, the official said.

After coming in power in 2014, the Prime Minister had celebrated his first Diwali with soldiers posted in Siachen, and in 2015, he celebrated it at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab.

PTI

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Implementation of OROP

Implementation of OROP

Budgetary provision of Rs.12,456.66 crores is made in the Financial Year 2016-17 for implementation of OROP (Rs. 4,967.96 crores towards payment of two instalments of OROP arrears and Rs. 7,488.70 crores towards annual recurring expenditure for the revised pension at current rates). So far 18,90,635 out of 20,68,292 Ex-servicemen / family pensioners have been paid Rs.3,819.33 crores as arrears / revised pension under OROP Scheme.

A Judicial Committee on OROP headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court has been appointed vide notification dated 14.12.2015 to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Committee will submit its report within one year of its constitution.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri MP Veerendra Kumar and others in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

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Anomalies in OROP : Judicial Committee will submit its report by Dec 2016

Anomalies in OROP : Judicial Committee will submit its report by Dec 2016

Anomalies in OROP scheme

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

19-July-2016 17:05 IST

Anomalies in OROP scheme

A Judicial Committee on OROP headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court has been appointed vide Government order dated 14.12.2015 to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Committee shall make its recommendation within one year of the date of its constitution.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Mahendra Singh Mahra in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

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Latest news on One Rank One Pension : In future pension would be re-fixed every 5 year

Latest news on One Rank One Pension : In future pension would be re-fixed every 5 year

 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP). The details are as follows:


1. The benefit will be given with effect from 1st July, 2014.


2. Pension will be re-fixed for pre 1.7.2014 pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension drawn by the retirees in the year 2013. Those drawing pensions above the average will be protected.


3. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners including war widows and disabled pensioners.


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. Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.


6. In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 year.


7. Constitution of Judicial Committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Retd. Chief Justice of Patna High Court on 14.12.2015 which will give its report in six months on the references made by the Government of India.


The implementation of OROP will result in enhanced pension for the pensioners/family pensioners of Defence Forces. The setting up of the Judicial Committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy will help in the removal of anomalies that may arise in the implementation of OROP order dated 7.11.2015.


Financial implications on account of grant of OROP including Pre-Matured Retirees (PMR) cases would be Rs. 10925.11 crore for payment of arrears and annual financial implication would be Rs. 7488.7 crore. Till 31st March, 2016, 15.91 lakh pensioners have been given the first instalment of OROP, which amounts to Rs. 2,861 crore. Information is being gathered for processing on priority basis, the cases of 1.15 lakh pensioners after filling in the gaps of information such as the length of service being assessed, etc.


Source: PIB

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State Bank of India released arrears worth Rs 1,465 crore to 7.75 lakh defence pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme

State Bank of India released arrears worth Rs 1,465 crore to 7.75 lakh defence pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme

Top public sector lender State Bank of India today released arrears worth Rs 1,465 crore to 7.75 lakh defence pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, as per the government rules.

The government had in November last year formally notified the OROP scheme for the more than 24 lakh defence ex-servicemen and 6 lakh war widows in the country.

“As per government guidelines, first instalment (1/4th of the total arrear amount up to February, 2016) to service pensioners and full amount of arrears to ‘family pensioners’ and ‘gallantry award’ pensioners will be paid on 14th March, 2016,” SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said in a statement.

“All pensioners will get revised basic (pension) from March, 2016 onwards,” she said.

The bank has the largest share of defence pensioners and serves about 50 per cent of total defence pensioners across the country, he said.

“The first tranche of arrear payment by SBI will be around Rs 1,465 crore,” Bhattacharya said.
SBI noted that while the bank has taken utmost care in the computation and release of arrears to maximum number of eligible defence pensioners, there could be cases where it has not been able to release OROP arrears due to information gaps in the data available with the bank.

“All such persons may approach their pension-disbursing branch and provide the missing information for an early release of the arrears,” it added.

SBI has introduced facilities in all branches and Centralised Pension Processing Centres (CPPCs) to provide arrear details to the pensioners.

Despite a demand by protesting ex-servicemen to implement OROP with effect from April 1, 2014, the government has said that arrears would be paid with effect from July 1, 2014, and has pegged the arrears till December, 2015 at Rs 10,900 crore.

As per government directions, payment of arrears would be made by the pension-disbursing authorities in 4 installments, except for family pensioners and pensioners in receipt of gallantry awards, who will be paid arrears in one installment.

The OROP scheme is expected to cost the government Rs 7,500 crore per year.

PTI

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Ex-servicemen stage protest outside Jaitley residence for changing OROP scheme

Ex-servicemen stage protest outside Jaitley residence for changing OROP scheme

New Delhi: Ex-servicemen seeking changes in the government’s One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme today staged a protest outside the official residence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here, alleging that he failed to respond to concerns raised by them during an earlier meeting.

This is the second time in two weeks the veterans have staged demonstrations outside the minister’s official residence.

“We had staged protest outside the Minister’s residence on January 3. At that time, he had assured us he will speak to Defence Minister (Manohar Parrikar) over our demands.

“He had said he would get back to us within a week. But it’s two weeks now that he has not responded. What kind of Finance Minister he is if he can not keep his word?” said Group Captain (retd) V K Gandhi.

Gandhi, general secretary of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, said the veterans will continue with their protest until Jaitley or Parrikar holds parleys with them.

“Either of the Ministers will have to come and speak to us. We will not move an inch from here until then. If they don’t want to give us actual OROP, they should clarify so to us. Why lie?” he said, reiterating that the government notification has “flaws” and was “unacceptable”.

Around 200 ex-servicemen including Major General Satbir Singh, who has been spearheading the protest, have been demonstrating outside Jaitley’s residence, Gandhi added.

PTI

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One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme from the retired/serving personnel of CAPF

One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme from the retired/serving personnel of CAPF

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

Dated:08.12.2015

One Rank One Pension

As per report received from the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Ministry of Finance, total number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) pensioners are 3,28,010 and the pension expenditure as disbursed by Banks for the period 01/04/2014 to 31/03/2015 is Rs.4317.38 crore.
The posted strength of CAPFs and AR as on 01/11/2015 is 8,94,616 (AR-67,018, BSF-2,48,799, CRPF-2,89,182, CISF-1,29,468, ITBP-81,747 & SSB-78,402).

The Government has received representations for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme from the retired/serving personnel of CAPF and broadly seeking parity with the Defence Forces in the matter of pension. As per records available, the Supreme Court has not issued any directive in this regard.

Representations from in-service or retired personnel of CAPF & AR received from the time to time, are examined on merit and appropriate decision taken.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Chhedi Paswan, Shri Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Shri Rahul Shewale and Mohammed Faizal in the Lok Sabha today.

PIB

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In One Rank One Pension Rs.8000 Crore Diwal Gift for Veterans-NDTV

In One Rank One Pension Rs.8000 Crore Diwal Gift for Veterans-NDTV

NEW DELHI: Over 25 lakh veterans across the country will get at least Rs. 3,000 to 5,000 more in pensions – depending on their last rank and years of service. And this will cost the exchequer a minimum of Rs. 8,000 crore to start with.

The increased pension will be paid with effect from July 1, 2014.

The Government today issued the much awaited One Rank One Pension or OROP scheme. Although, a formal announcement on OROP was made on September 5, no official order was issued because of Bihar elections and the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar signed the official notification today evening making good his promise that the government will implement OROP before Diwali.

Pension arrears to widows and gallantry award winners will be paid in one go, the government said showing sensitivity. Others will get arrears in four equal instalments. But it was clear that veterans may not find all their demands met.

Pensions for all veterans will be equalized every five years although veterans want it equalized every two years at least. The government says this would be an administrative nightmare.

Reacting to the notification, Major General Satbir Singh (Retd) said that the notification “is not accepted”. “This is ‘One Rank Five Pension’ and not ‘One Rank One Pension’,” he told news agency news agency ANI.

“This is injustice to the soldiers, we’ll fight with the government in court,” he said.

Also, in future, soldiers who quit without completing their full term irrespective of whether they have made it to the next rank will not get OROP. For instance, if a Colonel who doesn’t make it to the next rank – Brigadier – retires before 54 years – when he completes his full term – will not get OROP.

This is also not acceptable to veterans. They claim that this forces soldiers to continue with the forces without any future prospects. Also they claim this is in contrary to keeping the forces young.

Further, the Government has appointed a one man judicial commission to examine issues. Force issues while veterans want the committee to comprise soldiers only.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/

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Government to issue OROP notification before Diwali says Parrikar

Government to issue OROP notification before Diwali says Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the official notification for OROP scheme will be issued before Diwali.

New Delhi: The official notification for One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme will be issued before Diwali, defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said.

The announcement comes on a day when protesting ex- servicemen decided to step up their protests and return their medals across the country starting 9 November.

“As you are aware, it will be issued before Diwali,” Parrikar told reporters in New Delhi in reply to a question when the official notification on OROP will come out.

The government had on 5 September announced the OROP scheme for the veterans but an official notification was awaited.

The government has cited the Model Code of Conduct for the Bihar polls as the reason behind the delay. Even after government had announced OROP scheme, a section of the veterans had continued their protest citing seven lacunae, including annual equalisation, 2013-14 as the base year among others.

PTI

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Paramilitary Forces awaiting government nod for One Rank One Pension OROP

Paramilitary Forces awaiting government nod for One Rank One Pension OROP



New Delhi: With the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for military veterans set to be notified soon, officials of central paramilitary forces, too, may be in for good news soon as the government is likely to take a final decision on granting of “organised services” status to them.

New Delhi: With the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for military veterans set to be notified soon, officials of central paramilitary forces, too, may be in for good news soon as the government is likely to take a final decision on granting of “organised services” status to them.

In a significant order by a division bench of Justices Kailash Gambhir and Najmi Waziri on September 3, Delhi High Court had asked the Centre to consider these forces as “organised services” and ensure non-functional financial upgradation (NFU) from 2006 in terms of the 6th Pay Commission.

“Home Ministry, the cadre-controlling authority of these officers, will soon take a final call in this regard as the court had given it eight weeks’ time to issue orders. That deadline will expire in the first week of November,” sources in the security establishment said.

They said the chiefs of these forces have also submitted their respective reports in this regard to the Home Ministry and have indicated that such upgradation should be granted to these personnel.

“Some officials of these forces, retired and serving, have also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard recently. He has assured them that the government will come out with its final decision soon,” they said.
Sources added that the government may take the final call on the issue post the declaration of Bihar poll results on November 8 as the model code of conduct is in place till then.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had yesterday said that the notification for the implementation of the OROP scheme for military veterans will be made “within days” of the Bihar poll process coming to an end.
“The government also has the option of filing a Special Leave Petition in Supreme Court for challenging the Delhi HC order. But the forces have requested the Ministry not to take this step and instead implement the HC order, as that would be a morale booster,” they said.

PTI

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OROP News: Government to issue notification on One Rank One Pension after Bihar polls – Manohar Parrikar

OROP News: Government to issue notification on One Rank One Pension after Bihar polls – Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi: The notification on One Rank One Pension scheme will be issued “within days” of the Bihar poll process coming to an end as the model code of conduct is currently in place, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

Asked if it would be a Diwali gift to the protesting veterans, he said, “I am trying to have it before Diwali (November 11).”

The counting of votes in Bihar will take place on November 8 but the model code of conduct will remain in place till November 12.

“It (notification) will be issued within days after the Bihar poll process ends,” Parrikar told reporters here.
He said the government did not come out with the notification as the model code of conduct has been in place.

The protesting ex-servicemen had yesterday in a letter signed in blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded early implementation of OROP scheme.

On the 133rd day of their relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here, the veterans said that the announcement made by Parrikar on September 5 regarding the implementation of OROP had “seven serious shortcomings”.

If implemented without the removal of the shortcomings, it will kill the definition of OROP, the letter claimed.
The letter further accused Parrikar of “changing the goalpost” every now and then.

The protesting veterans asked the Prime Minister to issue notification to implement OROP scheme at the earliest.

Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement spokesperson Col (retd) Anil Kaul said the letter was signed in blood by around 200 general officers and others.

PTI

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OROP Protest Team Splits; No Change in Agitation Plans, says UFESM

OROP Protest Team Splits; No Change in Agitation Plans, says UFESM

“The joint action organization that went on a fast unto death and relay fasts demanding the immediate implementation of OROP has split.”

The United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM), which stood united and showed the kind of determination that made even the stubborn Centre fall on its knees, has now split. It is worth mentioning here that the split in the veterans group had occurred after the success of the protest.

There are plenty of ex-servicemen’s associations in India. Around 40 such associations had united to launch the protests demanding OROP. Three months ago, these associations came together and stepped up their protests.

UFESM began its relay fast in Jantar Mantar, which soon caught the attention of the entire nation. The relay fast became fast unto death at one stage, demanding the immediate implementation of OROP. One could say that almost all the newspapers and mediahouses in the country were in support of the ex-servicemen who were demanding the OROP scheme.

The centre, which was dragging the issue for various reasons, at one point, came under attack from all quarters, and had no choice but to announce the implementation of OROP.

On September 5, the Minister of Defence announced the OROP scheme. As soon as the announcement was made, the UFESM ended its fast-unto-death protests. Yet, there were some clauses that UFESM was not happy with, and said that relay fasts against those clauses would continue.

Meanwhile, the team under the leadership of Balbir Singh announced yesterday that it was quitting the UFESM. They have accused lack of discipline and unity, and the politicizing of the issue to be the reasons for their decision to quit. The aim of the protests was to make the government announce the OROP, which has been achieved. Protests could also be held against some of the sticking anomalies in the OROP, but that will have to wait until the Government implements the order in writing, says Balbir Singh.

But, UFESM has announced that, as planned earlier, the EKTA Rally procession will be held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in Saturday.

Source: http://www.cgstaffnews.in/

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Government Announces One Rank One Pension Scheme for Ex-Servicemen

Government Announces One Rank One Pension Scheme for Ex-Servicemen 

The Government has announced the One Rank One Pension scheme for the Ex-Servicemen. This was announced by the Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar here today. The following is the statement of the Defence Minister:

“Government of India respects its Defence Forces and Ex-Servicemen for their valour, patriotism and sacrifices. The Government is proud of their devotion to duty and bravery. Our forces, besides vigilantly and gallantly defending the nation, have displayed exemplary standards of courage and bravery in natural calamities, law and order situations and other difficult circumstances.

The issue of “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) has been pending for nearly four decades. It is a matter of deep anguish that the various governments remained ambivalent on the issue of OROP. In February 2014, the then Government stated that OROP would be implemented in 2014-15, but did not specify what OROP would be, how it would be implemented or how much it would cost. An estimated Rs. 500 crore provided for OROP in the budget presented in February 2014 by the then government was not based on any thorough analysis. It is pertinent to mention that the then Minister of State for Defence in 2009 had, in reply to a question, informed Parliament that there are administrative, technical and financial difficulties in implementing OROP. It is for these reasons that the present government took some time to fulfil its promise.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has, on various occasions, reiterated the Government’s commitment to implement OROP for Ex-Servicemen under military pension. As stated above, the previous government has estimated that OROP would be implemented with a budget provision of a mere Rs. 500 crore. The reality, however, is that to implement OROP, the estimated cost to the exchequer would be Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 crore at present, and will increase further in future.

The Government held extensive consultations with experts and Ex-Servicemen. The main argument for OROP is that the Defence personnel retire early and thus are not able to get the benefits of serving till normal retirement age. Despite the huge fiscal burden, given its commitment to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, the Government has taken a decision to implement the OROP.

In simple terms, OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement. Future enhancements in the rates of pension would be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals.

Under this definition, it has been decided that the gap between rate of pension of current pensioners and past pensioners will be bridged every 5 years.

Under the OROP Scheme:

 
The benefit will be given with effect from 1st July, 2014. The present government assumed office on 26th May, 2014 and therefore, it has been decided to make the scheme effective from a date immediately after.
Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. All widows, including war widows, will be paid arrears in one instalment.

To begin with, OROP would be fixed on the basis of calendar year 2013.

Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension in 2013. Those drawing pensions above the average will be protected.

Personnel who voluntarily retire will not be covered under the OROP scheme.

In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

It is estimated that the expenditure on arrears alone would be ten to twelve thousand crores of rupees. Apart from the fact that the previous government had provided for only Rs. 500 crore in the budget, it is noteworthy that the Koshiyari Committee had accepted the estimate of Rs. 235 crore as additional financial burden to implement OROP. The present government has accepted OROP in true spirit without being constrained by these inaccurate estimates.

OROP is a complex issue. A thorough examination of interests of retirees of different periods and different ranks is needed. The inter-service issues of the three Forces also require consideration. This is not an administrative matter alone. Therefore, it has also been decided that a One Member Judicial Committee would be constituted which will give its report in six months.

Prime Minister Shri Modi has fulfilled his commitment and approved OROP for Armed Forces personnel. Ministry of Defence will soon issue detailed Government Order.”


PIB

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OROP Row: Ex-servicemen may accept government terms: Asian Age News

OROP Row: Ex-servicemen may accept government terms:  Asian Age News

 

OROP Row: Ex-servicemen may accept government terms, Final solution you will see in few days,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told a television channel.

The contentious issue of one rank, one pension controversy may soon be resolved even as the agitating ex-servicemen and the government appeared to have ironed out some major differences on the issue. The defence veterans stated on Wednesday that they may accept revision of pension once in two years instead of one year as demanded by them.

War veteran Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh (Retd) said they have got positive signals from the government for the last few days but stopped short of saying there was a breakthrough.
Maj. Gen. Singh, who has been leading the protest in Jantar Mantar for the last 80 days, said the issue was non-negotiable and both the elements of the OROP concept cannot be interfered. An agreement can be reached once we know what is on the platter (offer by the government), he said, adding effective date of revision must be from April 1, 2014. Independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has been mediating on the issue, said it was time veterans must return home with honour and grace by reaching an early settlement. He urged them to accept the revision of pension every three years.

Meanwhile, not in the best of health yet undeterred, Colonel Pushpendra Singh (Retd) on Wednesday resumed his fast-unto-death demanding prompt implementation of one rank, one pension scheme at Jantar Mantar here hours after he was discharged from the Army hospital. Colonel Singh, one of the ex-servicemen fasting in demand of the immediate implementation of the OROP scheme, was hospitalised Monday last — the ninth day of his fast after his medical report showed increased ketone levels.

Colonel Singh was admitted to the ICU of Army Hospital Research and Referral, from where he was discharged on Wednesday. Hours later, he returned to the protest site to join his fellow ex-servicemen, whose agitation entered the 80th day on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the government today refrained from setting a timeline for resolving the OROP issue but said it is committed to implementing the promise, expressing confidence that a solution “acceptable to all” will be found “very soon”.

“We will deliver OROP sooner than later to the satisfaction of all. We will do what is justifiable, what is convincing. After all, we are doing justice to society as a whole. I am not a jyotishi (astrologer) to tell you the exact date.

Final solution you will see in few days,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told a television channel.

Read at Asian Age

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One Rank One Pension (OROP) rally in Delhi: Anna Hazare

One Rank One Pension (OROP) rally in Delhi: Anna Hazare

Ahmednagar (Maharashtra): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said preparations have begun for his rally in Delhi on October 2 over the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) for defence personnel.

“The preparations for the movement that we will start in Delhi on October 2 have started. Today I am going to Delhi, the I will go to Haryana to hold a ‘sabha’. Then there will be another ‘sabha’ in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh,” said Hazare.

“Besides these, I will also go to Bihar and Chattisgarh and many other states to make people aware and ask them to arrive in Delhi on October 2,” he added.

Hazare had earlier said he would do anything to ensure that the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme is implemented and added that mere assurance on the government’s part is not enough.

ANI

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OROP protests likely to intensify

OROP protests likely to intensify

“UFESM is not ready to believe the assurances given by all the forces that constitute the power at the Centre that the scheme would be implemented.”

This is because such assurances have been given for a number of years by a number of parties and nothing had happened. Therefore, this time, the UFESM is not ready to bow down.

Either the plan has to be announced, or the Prime Minister has to announce the date on which the plan will be implemented. Else, as per the current scenario, the protests are going to intensify.

In more than 60 cities across the country, protests are being held demanding the implementation of the OROP scheme. Ex-servicemen from all over the country are arriving in New Delhi to participate in the relay fast protest that is being conducted at Jantar Mantar.

The UFESM has announced that ex-servicemen shall henceforth boycott all the government-organized functions. They have also decided to go to the court after hearing the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech to find out the Government’s stand on the issue.

Armymen are being granted pensions and retirement benefits based on the current pay commission’s recommendations at the time of their retirement. Since the pension calculations are revised once every ten years, the OROP scheme seeks to remove the resultant anomalies.

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MPs demand hike in salary but widows of defence personnel get only Rs.3,500: Anna Hazare gives 2 months deadline for OROP implementation

MPs demand hike in salary but widows of defence personnel get only Rs.3,500: Anna Hazare gives 2 months deadline for OROP implementation

Anti-corruption crusader joins ex-servicemen protest: The Hindu

The ex-servicemen protesting non-implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme got a shot in the arm as Gandhian activist Anna Hazare joined them at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

Mr. Hazare, a former soldier, came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi without naming him. He accused him of ignoring the aspirations of the people and said there was an “immediate need” for the Centre and the Delhi government to “resolve their issues”.


Speaking from the dais of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, the veteran anti-corruption crusader said “mere assurances” served little purpose and set a two-month deadline for the implementation of the scheme. “They [Mr. Modi and the BJP] told us in Rohtak that the OROP would be implemented as soon as they came to power. But nothing has happened so far. We will hold rallies in Ludhiana on August 2, in Rohtak on August 9 and in Maharashtra on August 23 to create awareness about OROP. On October 2, we will protest at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on One Rank One Pension,” Mr Hazare said.

Hits out at MPs

Criticising MPs’ demand for a hike in salary, he said they get several benefits but widows of the defence personnel get only Rs. 3,500.

“MPs want a salary hike despite the fact that they get air fare, Class AC 1 ticket in trains, a bungalow, vehicles and a salary of Rs.50,000. And we have wives and mothers of the defence personnel who get Rs.3,500-Rs.4,500. Is this justice and is this our freedom?” he wondered.

Read at: The Hindu

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