One Rank One Pension: Supreme Court notice to Centre in petition alleging “Non - Implementation, False Promise”

One Rank One Pension: Supreme Court notice to Centre in petition alleging “Non - Implementation, False Promise”

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Central government in a petition filed by the Indian Ex-Serviceman Movement seeking a declaration that non-implementation of the ‘One rank one pension scheme’ violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The matter was heard by a Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan. Senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani appeared for the petitioner.

The petitioner is a body of ex-servicemen’s organisations as well as individual military veterans from all three defence forces – Army, Navy and Air Force.

One rank one pension is the uniform payment of pension to ex-servicemen who retire in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement. It also involves future enhancement in the rates for recent pensioners being passed on to the past pensioners.

In the petition drawn by advocate Arunava Mukherjee and filed through advocate Balaji Srinivasan, the petitioners have given an exhaustive history of OROP. They have claimed that OROP was followed for 26 years after independence but was “unjustly changed” in 1973 on the recommendation of the Third Central Pay Commission.

The petition then goes on to criticise both the UPA government and the current NDA government for denying OROP to ex-servicemen.

According to the petitioner, the UPA government “astronomically enhanced the salary of civil servants” and introduced Non-functional Financial Upgradation scheme for civil servants but the same was not allowed for Defence services.

“… these decisions had the effect of arbitrarily and discriminatorily downgrading the pay-grades, pension, allowances and status of Defence Services”, the petition states.

The petitioner has also trained its gun on the current NDA government.

Under the head “False promises made to ex-servicemen and electoral fraud on voters”, the petition states that,

“During his election campaign, Mr. Narendra Modi promised that OROP will be implemented. Although, the Hon’ble Defence Minister had worked out a package with an expected outlay of Rs. 8296.40 crores per annum, it is yet to be implemented.”

However, the major grievance of the petitioner is that though the Central government sanctioned OROP, the true meaning of OROP was,

“Illegally twisted by the government to create a perverse definition and murder the spirit of the OROP.”

In a letter written on November 7, 2015, by the Joint Secretary of Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, to the Chiefs of Army Staff, Naval Staff and Air Staff, the settled and true definition of OROP was arbitrarily and cunningly altered.

“It described OROP as uniform payment of pension to retired servicemen retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement which implies bridging the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals. It is submitted that the new perverse definition of OROP does not include that any future enhancement in the rates for recent pensioners would be “automatically” passed on to the past pensioners.”

The petitioner has contended that this new perverse definition will lead to a situation where the pension of an ex-serviceman will be less than the pension drawn by an ex-serviceman who retires in 2014 until an annual periodic review is done to correct the anomaly.

Relying on the case of Union of India v. SPS Vains, the petitioner has submitted that this is arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14 and 21. Based on the above, the petitioner has made of slew of prayers including a prayer to quash the letter of November 7, 2015 as unconstitutional.

The Court after hearing the matter issued notice to, with the matter likely to be listed after eight weeks time.

Source : http://barandbench.com/

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OROP Arrears Calculator : Know Your Pension and Arrears through online

OROP Arrears Calculator : Know Your Pension and Arrears through online

KNOW YOUR O.R.O.P PENSION AND ARREARS ON LINE

An on line solution to find the correct pension of a Defence pensioner and Family pensioner is a long pending need. Unfortunately, the PDAs and DPDOs have not given much importance to this aspect. Also frequent changes in the pension regulations, various anomalies arising while implementing the pay commission’s recommendations, rigid attitude of MOD and the lethargic attitude of the CDA(P) and CGDA have all joined together and made the Defence pension pension payment a most complicated job to the Banks.

Now the pensions of the entire 2.5 million Defence pensions have to be revised under OROP Scheme. The Banks are struggling to find a solution to this task. None of the Banks have any comprehensive software for revising the pension of such a huge number of people. The ultimate sufferers are the poor pensioners. The refinement of Defence pension account is an urgent need.

OROP orders were released on 4.2.2016. Till today, none of the banks have bothered to pay the arrears. Nowadays, the banks spent huge amounts for automation. But somehow, they have neglected the Defence pension payment.

In fact the OROP orders have simplified the entire Defence Pension payment system for fixation of revised pension and opened the gates for developing a comprehensive software for calculation of OROP arrears and fixation of revised pension. Even then, the banks are delaying payment. The Table No.7 is the basis for creating all other types of pensions for JCOs and Ors. The various Groups have been reduced to only Two Groups now. Therefore, it is easy for the banks to develop a software only for OROP arrears and revised pension. Unfortunately the banks have not given importance to this aspect. Moreover, the most important parameters required for fixing the new pension is the Rank, Qualifying Service, Group and Date of birth. The banks can pay immediately for whom the above information is available. For others, they can get it from the PSAs on urgent basis. But, it seems that none of the above work is undertaken by any of the banks.

In view of the above, we thought of developing a simple software to calculate the arrears online and forward the working sheet directly to all the CPPCs of the respective banks by email so as to enable them to take up the payment without any further delay.

Click the following link. You will be taken to Exwel Trust website. Follow the instructions given in a posting dated 12.3.2016. http://exweltrust.in/

Defence Pension

Family Pension Arrears

OROP arrears for pensioners

OROP for family pensioners

OROP with disability.

Now click only the OROP arrears for pensioners and filled up all the details. Do not try “Defence Pension” Tab and “Family Pension Arrears Tab” for the time being. At the end you will get Print PDF button. Click and take a print out if you want, and save it in your computer.

Now come back to the original blog, click the link for getting email ids of all the banks. Search your bank’s CPPCs email address and forward the OROP arrears print out as an attachment to your bank.

click here for email ids of all Banks CPPCs

This is our humble effort to make the banks to take up the payment at an early date. All the readers of this Blog, please forward and give us feedback. We welcome your comments on our efforts. Officers OROP arrears are not covered under this system. A separate software is being developed for Officers. We will inform as soon as it is ready.

Source: http://indianexserviceman.blogspot.in/

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Implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ to Defence pensioners-PCDA Orders

OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)

DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014

Circular No. 555

Dated: 04.02.2016

To,

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. Of Govt, Bank Accounts, Central Office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kuria Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East Mumbai- 400051

2. All CMDs, Public Sector Banks.

3. The Nodal Officers, ICICl/HDFC/AXIS/IDBI Banks

4. All Managers, CPPCs

5. Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal

6. The PCDA (WC), Chandigarh

7. The CDA (PD), Meerut

8. The CDA Chennai

9. The Director of Treasury, All States

10. The Pay and Accounts Officer, Delhi Administration, R K Puram and Tis Hazari, New Delhi.

11. The Pay and Accounts Office, Govt of Maharashtra, Mumbai

12. The Post Master Kathua (J&K), Camp Bell Bay.

13. The Principal Pay and Accounts Officer Andaman and Nicobar Administration Port Blair.

Subject: Implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ to Defence pensioners.

Reference: Gol, MoD letter No12 (1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part-II dated 3rd Feb,2016.

A copy of Government of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 12(1)/2014/D (Pen/Policy)-Part-II dated 3rd Feb,2016 and Gol, MoD letter No 12 (1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part¬II dated 7th Nov,2015 on the above subject is forwarded herewith for information and necessary action which is self-explanatory.

2. The above Government letter has been issued to implement ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for Defence Forces Personnel. Salient features of the scheme have been mentioned in Para 3 and 4 of Gol, MoD letter No 12 (1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part-II dated 7th Nov, 2015

3. The revision of pension in terms of the above Government Orders shall be effective with effect from 01.07.2014,a n d 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 this circular.

4. NON-APPLICABILITY

4.1 The provisions of this circular do not apply to UK/HKSRA/KCIOs pensioners, Pakistan and Burma Army Pensioners.

4.2 These orders do not apply to Reservist Pensioners. 4.3 These orders also do not apply to Pensioners in receipt of Ex-Gratia payments.

Click to Read Continue the PCDA Order

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OROP – UFESM WRITES TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

OROP – UFESM WRITES TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Dear Veterans,

Letter to Members of Parliament regarding One Rank One Pension (OROP) dated 11 Jan 2016 is enclosed herewith for your information and widest circulation please.

With Regards

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Advisor United Front of ESM & Chairman IESM

UNITED FRONT OF EX –SERVICEMEN (UFESM)

ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

Dear Members of Parliament,

You are all aware of the issue of One Rank One Pension of Armed Forces. This issue is being debated since 1984 and finally OROP was strongly recommended by Koshyari Committee in 2011

As per Koshyari Committee Report, and the deposition by Secretary (ESW), Ministry of Defence, before the Committee One Rank One Pension is defined as.

Definition

“One Rank One Pension implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”.

The above definition of OROP has been accepted by both houses of the Parliament. Honourable Supreme Court has also ruled in favour of OROP in many judgments. The same definition was included in the Executive Order of the Govt of India for the Implementation of OROP vide its letter No- 12(01)/2014-D (Pen/Pol) dated 26 Feb 2014 (Copy enclosed).

The One Rank One Pension which has been announced on Sep 5, 2015 and notified on Nov 7, 2015 is not the real OROP. It has many anomalies illustrated below which if not corrected will completely destroy the definition of OROP approved by the Parliament.

1. Revision every 5 years instead of every year: This defeats the very concept and definition of OROP.

Illustration: 20 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING 2 SEPOYS:

Sepoy A and Sepoy B join army on 1 July 1991

Sepoy A- retires in Nov 2011- Rs.4000/- as basic wage. Pension = Rs.2000/-.

Sepoy B – retires in March 2012- Rs 4500/- as basic wage (Increment as per Jan 1st). Pension = Rs. 2250/-

A is getting Rs 250+ DA = Rs. 600/- less than B and having served for the same length of service of 20 yrs.

Loss incurred – Rs.7200/- per year or Rs 36,000/- in 5 years.

2. Govt has announced that Benefit of OROP will be effective with effect from 1.7.2014: Instead of 01 Apr 2014, thereby causing a loss to the ESM of 2100 Crores that is presuming annual expenditure of Rs 8400/ crore on OROP.

Illustration: All articles approved in any budget are applicable from 1st April each year. Hence OROP should also be effective from 1st April 2014. By making it effective from 1st July 2014 government is putting ESM at a loss of Rs.2100/-Crores for three months

3. Govt has announced that Base year for award of OROP to be the calendar year of 2013 instead of Financial Year of 31 March 2014.This defeats the definition of OROP and puts the old pensioners at loss as compared to the present pensioners. This will also mean that a pensioner holding senior rank will get pension less than his junior rank.

Illustration: if Base year for pension is likely to be 2013 as against 31 Mar 2014 when OROP is applicable from 1st April 2014. This put a soldier behind by one year / annual increment which is Rs. 500/-. However if the effective date for implementation is planned to be 1 July 2014 then the pension should be based on 30 June 2014.

4. Fixation of pension as the mean average of the pay band instead of the top level: This adds insult to injury and defeats the definition of OROP. Puts the old pensioners at loss as compared to the present pensioners.

Illustration: By making it the mean of the year 2013 the defence personnel retiring with pension above the mean will be at disadvantage. This would require application of protection clause for a large number of retirees.

Supposing A soldier retires in 1980 on completion of 20 years of service.

OROP means his pension should be brought at par with the pension of the soldier retiring on 31st March 2014 with 20 years of service. By taking mean of min and max pension of 2013, the soldier will be put to financial loss. This loss can only be calculated once pension tables are declared by CGDA.

5. One person judicial committee instead of a five person committee: This commission will not have representative from ESM but will have a member from IAS as secretary. Hence, it is expected that the recommendations of the committee will be influenced by IAS lobby (based on inputs from the IAS lobby). Recommendations of 7 CPC are indications wherein Armed Forces have not been given due justice. However announcement of judicial committee by GOI along with the notification is a clear indication that GOI is sure that this notification is faulty and will not be accepted by the Defence Fraternity.

In the age of smartphones and Social Media, no person is left unaware of the happenings in any part of the country. The serving members of the Armed forces are well aware of the acts of the government and the Protest Movement by the Ex-Servicemen at Jantar Mantar and across the country. The present Prime Minister made a promise to the Armed Forces at Rewari before the General Elections in 2014 that his Government will deliver OROP on taking oath of office if elected to form Govt. Implementation of OROP was also included in the President address to both houses of Parliament when the NDA Govt took over. That promise has not been fulfilled by this Government even after one and half year.

It is a common knowledge that more than 70% of serving soldiers are relatives of the Ex-servicemen. Ill treatments of veterans will have direct de-motivating effect on the serving soldiers.

It is also noteworthy that there is shortage of 30% in the Armed Forces. Policies adopted by the government have led to a situation where the youth of today is de-motivated to join the Armed Forces. Clearly, this shall lead to more reduced number than existing today. These deficiencies are serious nature and have direct bearing on National Security.

May we request you to ponder over the situation and think about the security of India in coming years. May we also request you to ask for serious discussion in Parliament on National Security and nail the Government so that every Indian is educated about the fraud being played on the nation by the GOI. May we also ask you to raise questions in the Parliament and ask the government to Implement One Rank One Pension (OROP) after removal of the seven shortcomings pointed out and issue fresh Notification exactly as per approved definition of OROP.

With Regards

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) 

Advisor United Front of ESM & Chairman IESM

Tele No : 0124-4110579,09312404269

Email : satbirsm@gmail.com

Source:http://indianmilitaryveterans.blogspot.in/    &     http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in/

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Notification for Implementation of OROP Issue and Salient features

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

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.

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The Ex-servicemen will receive good news about OROP by Navratri.” – Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Veterans will Receive Good News about OROP by Navratri – Attending the Ceremony, Mr.Parrikar also warned Pakistan, “whether we should withdraw troops from Siachen or keep them deployed is our decision. We do not need any lessons from Nawaz Sharif and I choose to ignore it.”

‘Veterans will Receive Good News about OROP by Navratri’, Defence Minister Mr.Parrikar said on Sunday. Parrikar was in Vadtal, Kheda district of Gujarat, to attend the closing ceremony of a Mahasammelan of retired servicemen under the ‘Akhil Bhartiya Purva Sainik Seva Parishad’ (All India Former Defence Personnels Association).

Attending the Ceremony, Mr.Parrikar also warned Pakistan, “whether we should withdraw troops from Siachen or keep them deployed is our decision. We do not need any lessons from Nawaz Sharif and I choose to ignore it.”

Parrikar replied saying so, when asked to comment about Sharif’s speech at the UN General Assembly on September 30, putting forth a four-point peace initiative with India, which included a proposal of demilitarisation of Kashmir. Parrikar also said that the situation in Kashmir was peaceful and the government was committed to ensuring peace in the valley.

Parrikar said that Make in India was a key program for the defence sector as it was seen as a generator of employment for almost 30 lakh youth, however, advised patience in the implementation of the policy.

Speaking of the overseas deployment of INS Trikand in Istanbul, Parrikar said that Turkey was “our friend” and the exercise would help strengthen friendship. “Turkey is our friend and INS Trikand has reached Istanbul as part of a joint exercise,” Parrikar said about the stealth frigate of Indian Navy that is currently on a deployment in West Asia, Africa and Europe.

Earlier, Parrikar visited the Swaminarayan temple on arriving in Vadtal, Kheda from Vadodara and proceeded to the stage where he also delivered a 30-minute speech to the gathering of over 2000 former servicemen, reminiscing his younger days in Goa. Parrikar said, as a child, he would often accompany Army men posted in the state, to show them directions in Goa.

Veterans present in the ceremony were positive and when asked, a senior veteran said that he believes in the words of Mr.Parrikar and hoped that the Defence Minister will stick to his promise.

Source: Ex-Servicemen Welfare

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Government Announces One Rank One Pension Scheme for Ex-Servicemen

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

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.” 

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One Rank One Pension, PM Announcement Likely This Week – NDTV

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is handling One Rank One Pension or OROP himself now and “positive movement” is expected on the issue this week, sources have told NDTV.

There is speculation that an OROP announcement could come as early as Friday, August 28, the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met PM Modi yesterday and sources said only final touches now remain to be given to the new pension plan that the government will announce for ex-serviceman.

OROP, a two-decade old demand for pension parity, was widely expected to be announced by PM Modi in his Independence Day speech on August 15 this year. But it had to be dropped because ex-serviceman and the government failed to agree on when the new package would be effective from.

A protest by veterans at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar escalated into a hunger strike by three Army veterans after OROP did not feature in the Prime Minister’s list of announcements on Independence Day.

Stepping in to pacify agitating ex-servicemen, the Prime Minister’s Office held talks with representatives of the protesters, asking them to give the government 10 more days to iron out differences.

One veteran on hunger strike, Col (retd) Pushpender Singh, was taken to hospital yesterday after he took ill.

Ten former service chiefs wrote to Prime Minister Modi last week expressing “dismay” at the government’s handling of OROP and urging it to “settle this issue expeditiously and in an urgent time frame.”

The veterans have repeatedly reminded PM Modi that OROP was one of his key promises in the run-up to the national election last year.

OROP is expected to benefit more than three million retired servicemen. It will give equal pension to servicemen retiring at the same rank regardless of when they retire. At present, a soldier who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him retiring now.

Source:www.ndtv.com

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Government is committed and in the final stages of implementing OROP : PM Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged today that he is yet to reach a resolution on the One Rank One Pension demand of ex-servicemen, but promised that his government had “accepted OROP in principle.”

An announcement on the implementation of One Rank One Pension or OROP was expected to be the centrepiece of the PM’s Independence Day address today. But talks between ex-servicemen and the government got stuck at the last minute on what the PM today called “nitty gritty details”.

“It has been stuck for 20 years… OROP was considered by all governments, but there is no resolution yet. Even I haven’t been able to solve it,” the PM said at the end of nearly 90-minute address to the nation from the Red Fort.

But he promised, “Let me assure all veterans… we are committed and we are in the final stages of deciding.”

Not far from the Red Fort, ex-servicemen sitting on a relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the designated site for protests in Delhi, watched the PM’s address on a large TV screen and said they were severely disappointed that he had not announced OROP.

‘PM says Team India , Team India. Are we not Team India,’ asked an angry army veteran, referring to the phrase that the Prime Minister generously used in his speech this morning.

Former Army officers and soldiers have demanded the same pension as those of the same rank who are retiring now. Right now, an officer who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him.

Talks are said to be stuck on the date of commencement. The veterans have rejected the government proposal to benchmark pensions at 2011 rates. They insist that 2014 rates must apply as that is when the Modi government promised OROP.

Government sources say to do that, it will need to provision for a massive Rs. 20,000 crore, rather than the Rs. 8,000 crore that the scheme is otherwise expected to cost.

Source: NDTV

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Implementation of One Rank One Pension : Modi may declare on 15th August 2015

More than 25 lakh veterans all over the country are expecting the announcement of OROP on 15th August 2015.

Media reports are highlighted that the PM Modi may announce implementation of long pending demand of OROP Scheme on August 15 when India celebrates its 68th Independence Day.

The relay hunger strike of Ex-Servicemen has completed the 57th day today at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Protests are also being held by ex-servicemen in many parts of the country. The series of protests is jointly organized by 30 ex-servicemen welfare organizations, under the leadership of Chairman of IESM, Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh.

More than 30 lakh veterans including war widows all over the country are hoping that their pensions will be revised based on the 6th Pay Commission, and that pensions will be issued based on their ranks and the number of years that they had served.

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One Rank One Pension Scheme - PIB News

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

One Rank One Pension Scheme 

Government is aware that Ex-Servicemen Associations have been agitating for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme from 2008 onwards. 

The policy of “One Rank One Pension” has been adopted by the Government to address the pension disparities, in the budget 2014-15. 

The modalities for implementation of OROP are under consideration of the Government. It will be implemented once the modalities are approved by the Government. 

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Shri Ninong Eringin LokSabha today. 

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Status of Implementation of OROP

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

Status of Implementation of OROP 

The principle of One Rank One Pension for the Armed Forces has been accepted by the Government. The modalities for implementation were discussed with various stakeholders and are presently under consideration of the Government. It will be implemented once the modalities are approved by the Government. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Neeraj Shekhar and others in Rajya Sabha. 

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OROP- 10 Point Guide for understanding one rank one pension

One Rank One Pension or OROP, a longstanding demand of ex-servicemen, will grant retired armed forces personnel pension parity with officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now. Gandhian activist Anna Hazare has announced an indefinite fast in support of OROP from October 2.

Here is a 10-point guide:

1.Retired services personnel also expect a year’s back pay in pensions at the new rate, which if approved will be a windfall for pensioners.

2.Unlike the civil services, where the retirement age is 60, 85 per cent soldiers are compulsorily retired between 35 and 37 years of age. Another 12-13 per cent soldiers retire between 40 and 54 years.

3.Protesters demanding OROP also point out that civil servants cannot be discharged by the government on account of disability until they reach their retirement age. But soldiers can be discharged any time on account of disability.

4.Currently, the pension for retired personnel is based on the Pay Commission recommendations at the time when they retired. So, a Major General who retired in 1996 draws less pension than a Lt. Colonel who retired after 1996.

5.Implementing OROP will cost the government at least an estimated Rs. 8,300 crore annually and the Finance Ministry has to take the final call on it now. One Rank One Pension will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen.

6.One Rank One Pension was an election promise of the BJP. Ex-servicemen are now demanding that it fulfil that promise.

7.In its last Budget in 2014, months before the national election, the Congress-led UPA government announced that OROP would be implemented, but allocated a meagre Rs. 500 crore.

8.The BJP government says that was grossly inadequate and that it has, since it came to power, been working hard to implement OROP.

9.The Supreme Court had ordered the implementation of OROP six years ago in 2009, and in February this year, reminded the government that it is yet to do so. In 1983, the Supreme Court said, “Pension is not a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer.”

10.A group of ex-servicemen leading protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi claim ex-jawans are willing to fast unto death for OROP. With Anna Hazare on board, the ex-servicemen say they will also protest in election-bound states such as Bihar.

Source:NDTV

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One Rank One Pension - MOD Order

No. 12(01)/2014-D(Pen/Pol)

Ministry of Defence

Deptt. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

(Pension/Policy)

Sena Bhawan.

New Delhi the 24 April. 2014

ORDER

As decided in the meeting on OROP chaired by Hon’ble RM on 22.04.14. 8 Working Group is constituted as follows to finalize the modalities of implementation of OROP based on the principle specified in the previous meeting on OROP held on 26.02.14. The principle of OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length oi service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

2. The composition of the Working Group would be as follows:

(i) Controller General of Defence Accounts Chairperson

(ii) Joint Secretary (SSW) Member

(ill) Joint Secretary (E). Deptt of Defence Member

(iv) Addl. FA (Defiance Finance) Member

(v) Representatives of the three Services Member

(vi) Addl CGDA Member

(vii) PCDA (P). Allahabad ‘ Member

3. The Terms of Reference of Working the Group are as follows:-

(i) To examine the proposal on implementation of OROP which was presented by the Services in the meeting on 22.04.14 to enable CGDA to prepare DGL after due deliberation on all aspects.

(ii) To work out the detailed financial implications.

4. CGDA would finalise the DGL and submit it to D/o ESW, MOD along with financial implications thereof within three weeks from the date of this order.

5. Since substantial increase is anticipated in expenditure on OROP. FA (DS) would thereafter seek additional funds as per requirement.

6. This issues with the approval or the Competent Authority.

Sd/-

(Chahan Ram)

Deputy Secretary (Pension)

Source:http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in/2015/07/hunger-strike-jawans-vs-hunger-strike.html

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One Rank One Pension – Ex-Servicemen Decide to Protest

Ever since Narendra Modi took charge as the new Prime Minister, expectations have been running high. When expectations run high, so do disappointments. Despite the fact that some time is needed for implementing the various promises that his party had made during the Parliamentary elections, questions are also being raised as to why there is such a long delay.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) has announced that it is going to launch a series of protests demanding that the One Rank One Pension scheme be implemented.

A group of Ex-Servicemen met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday, but he didn’t give any date by which the scheme will be implemented. Parrikar understood our problem and argument in the two meetings but he did not give us any date for OROP implementation. Therefore, we are going ahead with our agitation,” said Major-General (retd) Satbir Singh, chairperson of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement.

The first step is to launch a series of protests. One-Rank-One-Pension was one of the biggest and most important promises that Narendra Modi had made. According to this scheme, all the ex-servicemen of the same rank will be given the same pension irrespective of the year in which they had retired or quit the services. There shall not be any variations. Laws relating to this have to be passed by the Parliament. To probably serve as reminders to the promise made by him, large numbers of ex-servicemen used to throng all the political rallies organized by Modi.

Modi clarified that there are some legal issues that have to be sorted before the scheme is implemented, but he promised fast action. But, the ex-servicemen are going to protest from the 14th of this month to make the OROP scheme a reality. They proposed to hold a Rally at Jantar Mantar on June 14 and hunger strike from 15th onwards.

Everybody is curious to find out how Modi is going to handle this protest – probably the first large-scale show of disgruntlement against the NDA government.

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One Rank One Pension: Madras High Court Notice to Centre on Petition by Ex Serviceman

The Madras High Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre on a petition seeking a direction to issue a notification to implement the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme within a stipulated period.

Acting on the petition by ex-serviceman S Chinnadurai, Justice S Vaidyanathan ordered notice to the Cabinet, Finance and Defence secretaries and sought their reply within two weeks.

The petitioner contended that 90 per cent of the ex- servicemen are living below the poverty line.

The Indian ex-servicemen movement had also sent a memorandum and he had also submitted a representation.

Mr Chinnadurai said it was mandatory on the part of the government to implement OROP before the fiscal 2014-15 after announcing the scheme.

The delay in implementing the scheme would demoralize serving soldiers and ex-serviceman and adversely affect the integrity of the country, he said.

He said that armymen, who sacrificed the better part of their youth for the country, were not even getting proper jobs after they retired between 30 and 40 years of age.

SOURCE : NDTV

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After Prime Minister’s Assurance on One Rank One Pension, Ex-Servicemen Want Timeline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance on the issue of roll-out of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme today was met with skepticism with ex-servicemen seeking a firm timeline and the Congress saying he has further compounded the problem by saying it was a “complex issue”.

Though PM Modi vowed to address the “vexed” OROP issue in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio and said he should be given some time, the miffed ex-servicemen also appeared to be in no mood to call off their planned protest on June 14 over the delay in its implementation.

“Assurance without a firm date does not really satisfy the ex-servicemen community. What we are looking for is a date? Assurance has never been in doubt. We are wanting to know when. We are not looking for ‘Khairaat’ (doles). We are looking for sense of justice for our due demand,” Lieutenant General (retd) Raj Kadyan said.

“We don’t want to protest, it’s not good for the country but we should not be compelled to do it,” he added.

Congress leader Ajay Maken said the prime minister has chosen to further “compound” the problem, “confuse” the entire issue by creating another “flutter” by saying OROP is a “very complex issue.”

“So, isn’t it surprising Prime Minister after one year that one of your important demands OROP earlier, which was implemented by the UPA Government and Rs.500 crore set aside for Vote on Account in February 2014. Now, one year after assuming power, you tell the country that it is the complexities, of which you never knew earlier,” Mr Maken told reporters.

Lieutenant General (retd) Shankar Prasad said PM Modi’s comments were an “excellent projection” by him and this is not the first time he has done it.

“This is the third or fourth or fifth time he is doing it and it seems that people are now beginning to feel that we are just being fooled,” he added.

“How long is the Prime Minister and his party is going to fool us, we are not very sure. The fact that OROP has been reiterated by everybody in the government but nobody is willing to give a date for it,” he said.

Lieutenant General (Retd) PN Hoon said the OROP issue has been a “mess” and now that mess has to be sorted out.

Congress leader Ashwani Kumar said OROP scheme was initiated by the UPA government and even after one year there are so many delays over it.

“The PM is saying we will do it but when,” he said.

Source : NDTV

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One Rank One Pension – Disappointment for Ex-Servicemen as OROP Doesn’t Figure in PM Narendra Modi’s Speech

The veterans community of defence services has been sorely disappointed by the absence of any announcement regarding implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) by the union government after the completion of an year in office and discussions have begun on whether this is the right time to hold a nation-wide agitation to press for the same.

Throughout the day yesterday, there was a buzz of excitement on social media groups as the veterans got the impression that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would make an announcement regarding OROP at his rally in Bareilly. However, no such announcement was made causing consternation among the veterans ranks.

Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (retd), a well known strategic expert tweeted, “All Veterans and those who support them are requested to retweet please… #OROP Prime Minister we are disappointed”. Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), member of Armed Forces Tribunal tweeted, “ OROP overtakes DDLJ as the longest running reality show”.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Brig KS Kahlon (retd), President, All Indian Defence Brotherhood, said that non implementation of OROP has caused great amount of resentment among the veterans and they are gearing themselves up for a prolonged agitation to ensure that the government delivers on its promise.

Prime Minister Modi made repeated assurances at many places, and while addressing the troops at the highest battlefield of the world, Siachin, on the eve of Diwali last year, he stated that the order of implementation of OROP had been issued. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar repeatedly assured the veterans that the NDA government will implement OROP before the government completes a year in office. Unfortunately the government hasn’t lived up to its promise,” said Brig Kahlon.

The veterans had conducted a mass movement during the tenure of the UPA government wherein they had returned their medals to the President and held rallies at Jantar Mantar to force the government to accept their demand of OPRP. According to Lt Col SS Sohi (retd), President of Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, the time has come when another such mass agitation may have to be held all over the country again.

We are still willing to wait for a few days more for an announcement in this regard. If by the end of this month if they do not do anything we will go for an agitational approach. There have been several meetings with the defence minister and several promises made but each time the veterans community has been let down. We must take recourse to a more tough approach if we have to force the government to concede to our legitimate demands,” said Lt Col Sohi.

However, Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (retd), a former Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of Indian Ex-Serviceman Movement was of the view that the hype over the expected announcement by PM was largely “self created”. “We were hoping that the PM would make the announcement but I am of the view that there is no need as yet to hold an agitation. We have waited for 33 years and we should wait for some more time,” he said.

Source: indianexpress

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IMPLEMENT ONE RANK ONE PENSION SCHEME - RAHUL GANDHI

Hoping to strike a chord with around 3 million ex-servicemen, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will this   week nudge the Modi government to deliver on its election promise to implement one-rank one-pension (OROP) in the armed forces.

Gandhi will meet a group of ex-servicemen at the party headquarters on Saturday where he will try to corner the NDA government, a Congress leader said.

Over the last few weeks, the three-time Amethi MP has been unsparing in his attacks on the Narendra Modi government over issues concerning farmers, landless labourers, netizens, middle class home buyers and fishermen.

Gandhi had raised the demand with the UPA government and persuaded the finance ministry to approve OROP. This would give retired soldiers of the same rank and the same length of service the same pension, irrespective of when they retired.

“I am on your side. I understand your concerns. You give your life for the country. I will do all that I can to see that your demands are met,” Gandhi had told a group of 1,000-odd ex-servicemen from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Punjab during an interaction in February 2014.

Congress leaders pointed out that the BJP had pledged to quickly roll-out OROP but appeared to be dithering on its implementation.

However, government sources hinted that the long-pending demand could be announced anytime soon, with a corpus of about ` 8,400 crore. The push for OROP will also benefit about 6,00,000 widows and 1.5 million serving military personnel.

Source:http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in/2015/05/implement-one-rank-one-pension-rahul.html

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DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)

Dear Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar

You have been leading the fight for Defence Personnel both serving and ex-servicemen (ESM) inside and outside of Parliament and with every Government. ESM have appreciated your gesture of not accepting increased pay and perks of MP since last two years and your resolve that you will not accept the pay raise and perks till Government grants OROP for ex-servicemen.

IESM on behalf of ESM family thanks you for your unstinted support. OROP, one of the crucial demands of ESM, is close to approval. OROP has the approval of two Parliaments, all political parties and has been approved twice in the budget. Yet OROP notification has not been issued since last one year. The reason for this undue delay in issuing the notification is a common knowledge that Bureaucracy is not happy to give OROP to Armed Forces and veterans. The work on draft GL and the tables will start only after the approval of OROP by the Government. Raksha Mantri has extended full support to OROP and is personally monitoring the progress of the file.

This undue delay in issuance of notification is not good for morale of Ex-servicemen. They have started getting doubts on the Government’s resolve to give OROP. Government has missed three deadlines given to veterans for issuance of GL. Parliament session is about to start and Government will get busy in running the session and notification for OROP will get relegated to yet another date. IESM requests you and your friends to raise pertinent questions which will nail the Government to fixed dead line and Government is not permitted to give stereotype reply on OROP. Some of the questions which come to our mind are

Government has been giving stereotype reply since last three Parliament sessions that OROP is under consideration and will be given as and when it is formalized. Please give firm date for issuance of notification. Ambiguity on such an important demand of Armed Forces is having adverse impact on their morale.

As per principle of OROP a senior rank officer/JCO/OR will not be paid pension less than his junior. Will this aspect be the adhered to and OROP notification will include suitable safe guard for this?

Honorable courts have given many decisions in favor of Defence Personnel. Some of them have been complied with and only litigants have been given the benefits of court decision. Will GL include all decisions given by courts in favor of Defence Personnel whether litigants or not. This will ensure equal justice for all affected ESM and will also save Court’s time and Government’s time. It may be noted that non litigants if not included in GL will definitely move the courts and will get decision in their favor from AFT/High court /Supreme Court.

There are only very few Major rank officers who are drawing pension. Most of them are very senior and 75 and above. This group of officers needs sympathetic consideration as they had all put in service of more 20 years. This group needs to be given Lt Col basic pension with Major’s grade pay, since after 2004 officers with 13 years service one eligible for the rank of Lt Col . Most of them are pre – 96 retired. Government had denied giving them Lt Col pension. One Major Thomas pre 96 retiree has won the case and has been awarded Lt Col Pension. Lt Col pension with Major’s grade pay needs to be given to all Majors pre 96 or post 96 retiree. This will again save Government time on litigations by Majors.

Status of National War Memorial. When will the work start on it and when will nation pay homage to fallen soldier at the National Memorial?

Status of Ex-Servicemen Commission. Government to confirm that it will be headed and manned by Ex-servicemen and will have statutory powers to order Government departments for delay in actions.

Sh Rajeev ji, ESM are getting restive because of this undue delay and shifting of goal post on one pretext or other. IESM is worried that some of the local organizations may get disturbed and may deviate from the non-violent path of IESM and may resort to Rasta Roko or Rail Roko agitations. It will not be good for country and ESM. May I therefore request you to kindly meet PM/RM and confirm the latest position and issue a statement to sooth the nerves of the agitated ESM.

I am sure we will see some of the questions being raised in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the suggested lines in the coming session.

I will be grateful to get a reply giving plan of action and your advice for future course of action.

With regards,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Chairman IESM

Mob: +919312404269, 0124-4110570

Email : satbirsm@gmail.com

Source:http://ex-airman.blogspot.in/

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