OROP Arrears is expected to be released by March end to family pensioners

Revised Pensionary benefits under OROP released to over Two Lakh Defence Pensioners

The Defence Pension Disbursing Offices (DPDOs) functioning under Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in the Ministry of Defence have released revised pensionary benefits to 2,21,224 Defence pensioners drawing service/disability pension. The amount along with first instalment of arrears had been released and credited by the Defence Ministry to the accounts of these pensioners on 01.03.2016.

In the case of remaining 1,46,335 family pensioners drawing pension from Departmental Pension Drawing Officers (DPDOs), payment along with arrears is expected to be released by March end. Banks are under process of revision work.

These steps are a follow-up to Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) of the Ministry of Defence’s notification on 07.11.2015 ordering implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for Defence pensioners.

The total additional annual financial increase for grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) is Rs. 7488.70 crores. The total amount on account of arrears to be paid for the period 1.7.2014 to 31.12.2015 is Rs. 10925.11 crores.

Out of total annual liability of Rs. 7488.70 crores, PBOR family pensioners shall get Rs. 6,405.59 crores, which works out to 85.5% of total expenditure of OROP.

Due to increase in defence pension budget, the additional liability for current financial year 2015-16 shall be Rs. 4,721.34 crores which will increase the current defence pension liability of Rs. 60,238 crores to Rs. 64,959.34 crores for the year 2015-16.

Detailed implementation orders of OROP with 101 tables containing revised pensions of different ranks and categories were issued by the Department of ESW on 03.02.2016 through their website www.desw.gov.in. According to the orders, the Pension Disbursing Agencies have been authorized to make payments with arrears as scheduled.

To facilitate the pension disbursing agencies, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (P) have also issued implementation instructions through a circular on 04.02.2016. The implementation instructions along with Government orders are available on the website www.pcdapension.nic.in.

Source: PIB News

OROP Anomalies – One member Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months

OROP Anomalies – One member Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months

One member Judicial Committee has been appointed on 14.12.2015 to look into the anomalies arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months – Defence Minister

Detailed instructions along with OROP tables on implementation of OROP have been issued on 3.2.2016. Considering the requirement for implementation of “One Rank One Pension”, the expenditure ceiling for Defence Pensions in BE 2016-2017 has been increased from Rs.69,876 crores to Rs.82,332.66 crores. Government has received representations from various Ex-Servicemen Associations and beneficiaries regarding anomalies and their dissatisfaction with the order of OROP scheme.

One member Judicial Committee has been appointed on 14.12.2015 to look into the anomalies arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.

The following instructions have been issued to Pension Disbursing Agencies(PDAs) for effective implementation of OROP:

• The arrears on account of revision of pension from 01.07.2014 be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and all Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.

• Any required information, if not available in record may be referred to Pension Sanctioning Authority(PSA) concerned who will provide the requisite information from the available records within 15 days to the PDAs.

• In case of any doubt, PDA may immediately take up the matter with nodal officers of respective PSAs, the details of which shall be notified by Pr. CDA(P) Allahabad in their implementation instructions.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Devajibhai G Fatepara and others in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

Brief note on OROP for EDP – CGDA

Brief note on OROP for EDP – CGDA

IMPLEMENTATION OF OROP SCHEME FOR DEFENCE PENSIONERS

The Ministry of Defence, Government of India vide press release dated 05.09.2015 announced decision of the Government to implement OROP to Defence Forces pensioners.

The Ministry of Defence, Government of India vide notification dated 07.11.2015 issued formal orders on implementation of the OROP scheme bringing out the broad guidelines on the benefits and also the procedure for working out the benefits under OROP.

CGDA in close association with the PCDA (P) Allahabad, PCDA (Navy) Mumbai and CDA/JCDA (AF) prepared 101 tables indicating Rank, Group, Qualifying Service of PBOR and Commission Officers of the Defence Forces based on working principles within the ambit of the MOD notification. The tables along with draft Government letter on the subject matter were forwarded to the MoD in record time after the working principles for implementation of the scheme were approved by the MoD/GOI.

The Department of EWS, MoD, GOI has now issued detail Government Order implementing the OROP scheme vide letter dated 03.02.2016 uploading the 101 tables of various ranks and categories of Defence pensioners along with it through the website www.desw.gov.in.

The Government letter on OROP scheme along with 101 tables have been circulated to all PDAs by PCDA (P) Allahabad vide their Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016 with detailed implementation instructions for working out the schedule for release of OROP benefits to around 18.61 lakh pensioners settle across the length and breadth of the country. Copy of PCDA (P) Allahabad circular No. 555 is available on their website www.pcdapension.nic.in.

The financial benefit under new orders is to be paid from 01.07.2014 onwards. The provisions of Government Order provides for release of arrears in 4 equal half yearly installments—first installment in the current financial year and the remaining three installments in the subsequent years. However, arrears for family pensioners and pensioners in receipt of gallantry award are to be paid in one installment.

Click to view the note

Authority: www.cgda.nic.in

PCDA orders on implementation of OROP to Defence Pensioners

PCDA orders on implementation of OROP to Defence Pensioners

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

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.

Click to read continue the PCDA Order

IESM LETTER TO RM ON ONE RANK ONE PENSION ANOMALIES

IESM LETTER TO RM ON OROP ANOMALIES

21st January 2016

The Raksha Mantri

South Block, Ministry of Defence

New Delhi

Urgent Need to Rectify Anomalies in OROP

in Govt notification dated 7 Nov 15

Dear Shri Manohar Parrikar ji

Please refer to Govt executive letter dated 26 Feb 14, press release dated 5 Sep 15, Govt notification dated 7 Nov 15 and 14 Dec 15. Please also refer to the statement made by MOS Defense Sh Rao Inderjit Singh in Parliament on 2 Dec in reply to question asked by Sh Rajeev Chandrashekhar regarding implementation of OROP. (All attached)

One Rank One Pension was approved by UPA Govt in budget dated 17 Feb 14 and then by NDA Govt in their budget dated 10 Jun 14. UPA Government issued an executive order dated 26 Feb 14 for the implementation of OROP dues to veterans at the earliest. This was never implemented by the MOD nor a demand note was ever raised. The approved definition of OROP by two Governments is given below.

One Rank One Pension (OROP) implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rankwith the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to beautomatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

OROP implies that a senior rank soldier should never draw pension less than his junior rank soldier. This cardinal principle is the soul of OROP and must never be violated.

Government issued a notification on 7 Nov 15 for implementing OROP. Government reiterated above-mentioned definition of OROP in the letter but introduced some conditions in the notification that completely destroy the definition approved by two parliaments. These conditions have created four anomalies which completely violates the definition and thereby, the soul of OROP. These anomalies are discussed in detail in succeeding paragraphs.

1) Fixation of Pension on calendar year of 2013 instead of FY of 2014: Fixation of pension as per calendar year 2013 would result in past retirees getting less pension of one increment than the soldier retiring today. This will result in past retirees drawing lesser pensions than present retirees. This will completely destroy definition of OROP approved by two Parliaments and will also result in loss of one increment across the board for past pensioners in perpetuity.

2) Fixation of pension as mean of Min and Max pension: Fixing pension as mean of Min and Max pension of 2013 would result in more anomalies wherein same ranks with same length of service will draw two or more different pensions thus violating the very principle of OROP. This issue was discussed with RM in various meetings and after due deliberations it was decided that accepting highest pension of each rank in the year would meet the requirement as base of pension.

3) Payment wef 1st Jul 14 instead of 1st Apr 14: OROP has been approved in budget of 2014-15 by two parliaments. As per norms of Government, all proposals approved in budget are applicable from 1st April of that FY. In the case of OROP, the Govt had issued specific orders to its applicability wef 1st April 14. Hence implementation date for OROP from 1st July will be against the Parliament approval. Changing the date would result in loss of 3 months emoluments for OROP across the board. However, if OROP implementation date is to be kept as 1st July, then the base pension should also be accepted as per the PPOs of July 2014.

4) Pension Equalisation every five year: Pension equalisation every five year will result in a senior rank soldier drawing lesser pension than a junior rank soldier for five years thus OROP definition will be violated for five years. This will also result in permanent violation of definition as fresh cases will come up every year.

These anomalies will result in lesser pensions to widows, soldiers, NCOs and JCOs than what will be due to them on approval of OROP. This will result in veterans not getting OROP as per approved definition and will create large discontentment across all ranks.

There is a need to have a relook at the pensions of Hon Nb Subedars, Majors and Lt Cols.

a) Some Havildars are granted rank of Hon Naib Subedar in view of their exemplary service. These soldiers are not granted pension of Naib Subedar thus making the Hon rank just ceremonial. It is requested that Hon Naib Subedars should get pension of a Naib Subedar rather than that of a Havildar. Similarly, this must be accepted as a principle and it should be applicable to all Hon ranks in case of NCOs and JCOs.

b) There are only a few Majors as veterans. Moreover no officer is retiring in Major rank now. In the past, officers were promoted to Major rank after completing 13 yrs of service whereas present officers are getting promotion of Lt Col in 13 yrs. It will be justified to grant all pensioners of the rank of Major, minimum pension of Lt Col as they cannot be compared to present retirees as officers are not retiring as Majors any more. Number of such affected officers is not more than 800 and will not cause heavy burden to Govt.

c) Similarly, all pre-2004 retiree Lt Cols should get the minimum pension of full Col. Presently all officers retire in the rank of Colonel hence all Lt Col equivalents should be granted min pension of Colonels.

In view of above you are requested to rectify these anomalies and issue addendum to notification issued on 7 Nov 15 for implementation of OROP. We strongly believe that there will be no requirement of judicial committee for attending to anomalies creeping up in implementation of OROP. Grant of increase in pension in case of honorary ranks and Majors and Lt Col must also be approved as a good will gesture.

This letter is being signed by three major organizations with the approval of more than 200 organizations. List of such organizations is attached.

sd/- Lt Gen Balbir Singh Chairman IESL Advisor UFESM

sd/- Col Inderjit Singh Chairman AIEWA Chairman IESM

sd/- Maj Gen Satbir Singh Chairman UFESM Advisor UFESM

Copy to:

Mr Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, North Block, Finance Ministry, Government of India

Mr Jayant Sinha, MoS, Finance, North Block, Finance Ministry, Government of India

General Dalbir Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff & Chairman Chiefs of Staffs Committee (CoSC)

Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of Naval Staff

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

One Rank One Pension to retired/serving personnel of CAPF

One Rank One Pension to retired/serving personnel of CAPF

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.

Source: PIB News

Opposition to notification of One Rank One Pension – Rajya Sabha Q&A on 1.12.2015

Opposition to notification of OROP – Rajya Sabha Q&A on 1.12.2015

Opposition to notification of OROP

(a) Government vide Ministry of Defence letter No. 12(01)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)-Part-II, dated 7.11.2015 has issued orders for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) for the Defence Forces Personnel. Salient features of the OROP are as under:-

(i) 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 01.07.2014.

(ii) Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired 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 pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.

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

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.

The Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

Government has accepted the demand of ex-servicemen associations to implement OROP, payment of arrears w.e.f. 1.7.2014 and coverage of PMR cases under the scheme upto 7.11.2015. However, Certain ex-servicemen associations have been demanding for changes in methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases, etc.

The Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 1st December 2015.

Authority: Rajya Sabha Official Website

Provision of PMR in One Rank One Pension: Minister Replied in Parliament on 1 Dec 2015

Provision of PMR in One Rank One Pension: Minister Replied in Parliament on 1.12.2015

Minister of State for Defence Shri.Rao Inderjit Singh replied in written form in Rajya Sabha on 1st December 2015 regarding the provision of PMR in One Rank One Pension.

He said that the “certain ex-servicemen associations have been demanding for changes in methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases etc.

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.

The Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.”

Authority: Rajya Sabha Official Website

Kejriwal demands OROP to be implemented in its true essence

Kejriwal demands OROP to be implemented in its true essence

“Despite the fact that OROP has crossed two stages, protests by army veterans continue in New Delhi. The centre has made official announcements regarding OROP, but protests are continuing demanding the annual revision of pension.”

Equal pension for all ex-servicemen is the most important goal of the OROP scheme. This can be achieved only if pension is revised based solely on the rank and years of service, once every year. Pension revision once every five years is unacceptable. This is the bone of contention for the continuing protests.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met the protesters and expressed his support. He also harshly criticized the centre. “OROP must be implemented in its true essence. The centre’s announcements are not complete because they do not reflect the essence of OROP. The centre should refrain from fooling the army veterans. They are not begging for alms. They are only fighting for what rightfully belongs to them. It is unfortunate that these veterans who fought for the country are now being forced to protest on the streets for their rights. The centre should immediately accept and implement their demands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the army veterans had threatened to return their gallantry service medals if the government did not accept their demands. Some of the frustrated veterans tried to burn down their medals. But others restrained them.

Manohar Parrikar, the Minister of Defence, while addressing a gathering in Madurai, said that returning the medals was akin to insulting the country and the armed forces. He had also clarified that OROP was the promise of a political party, not of the central government. He added that protesting was their right and that they should approach the judicial panel committee. He made it very clear that not all the demands will be fulfilled.

Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement general secretary Group Capt V.K. Gandhi (retd) also said that until the judicial committee submits it report, the veterans could not go to court. This, he said, was a “delaying tactic”.

In an article published by the Indian Express yesterday, it was said that the veterans risk losing public support due to their immoderate position and political leadership also needs to reachout to the veterans.

The army veterans are hoping for an amicable resolution of the protests through fair negotiations with the government.

Source: http://www.cgstaffportal.in/

Long-pending issue of ‘OROP’ has been resolved, and it has been granted – Prime Minister

Long-pending issue of ‘One Rank One Pension’ has been resolved, and it has been granted – Prime Minister

The Prime Minister said that the long-pending issue of One-Rank, One Pension has been resolved, and it has been granted.

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Prime Minister’s Office

11-November-2015 18:11 IST

PM visits 1965 war memorials in Punjab; spends Diwali with officers and jawans of the Indian Armed Forces

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today visited three memorials in Punjab which commemorate some of the spectacular successes of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1965 war.

The Prime Minister visited the Dograi War Memorial, and the Barki War Memorial. The battles of Dograi and Barki were decisive successes achieved by the Indian Army during the 1965 war.

The Prime Minister visited Asal Uttar, the site of one of the biggest ever tank battles, where the Indian Armed Forces achieved a major victory. The battle of Asal Uttar is remembered for the heroics of Veer Abdul Hamid, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The Prime Minister paid homage by laying a wreath on the memorial of Abdul Hamid.

The Prime Minister greeted and interacted with officers and jawans of the Indian Army and Air Force, at Dograi War Memorial, Barki War Memorial, and Air Force Station – Halwara.

The Prime Minister said that everyone wishes to spend Diwali with his or her family, and therefore, just as he had visited Siachen last year, he has chosen to spend Diwali with the officers and jawans of the Armed Forces this year as well. He said that as this year marked the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war, he has chosen to visit locations where the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces had shed blood and made the supreme sacrifice during that war.

The Prime Minister said that the long-pending issue of One-Rank, One Pension has been resolved, and it has been granted.

Source: PIB News

Don’t return your medals : Appeal to the Veterans by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament

Don’t return your medals : Appeal to the Veterans by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament

PRESS STATEMENT

“Don’t return your medals; Engage withOne Man Judicial Committee and Government to sort out contentious issues”

November 10, 2015

Appeal to the Veterans by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament

The notification by Government of One Rank, One Pension (OROP) on November 07, 2015 is a culmination of 40 years of wait by the Veterans and Widows. The decision marked OROP the biggest and most significant welfare measure for veterans in Post-Independent India by any Government.

Some veterans and veteran organizations have expressed their dissatisfaction about this notification and I learn with apprehension of their decision to surrender their medals to express their protest. I request them not to do so.

I do accept and agree that there are certain issues in OROP that remain contentious. But I urge veterans to understand how far we have come and instead of agitating continue to engage with government including with One-man judicial committee on the issue going forward.

The political leadership of PM Modi is without doubt one of the most pro-forces and pro-veteran governments in history of India and this is something that needs to be built on as further ways to improve the cause of our Armed forces, Veterans and families.

As someone who led this issue with the Government and Parliament since 2006 and fighting for the welfare of veterans, I appeal to veterans to not to agitate but engage with government. I continue to stand by my commitment to the OROP cause and to addressing all issues affecting the veterans, our armed forces personnel and their families.

Source: http://rajeev.in/News/One_Rank_One_Pension/Nov_092015.html

Latest MoD orders on OROP published on 7th Nov 2015

Latest MoD orders on One Rank One Pension published on 7.11.2015

12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)-Part-II

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

New Delhi Dated 7th Nov 2015

To

The Chief of the Army Staff

The Chief of the Naval Staff

The Chief of Air Staff

Subject: One Rank One Pension (OROP) to the Defence Forces Personnel

In view of the need of the Defence Forces to maintain physical fitness, efficiency and effectiveness, as per the extant Rules, Defence Service personnel retire at an early age compared to other wings in the Government. Sepoy in Army and equivalent rank in Navy & Air Force retire after 17/19 years of engagement/service and officers retire before attaining the age of 60 years i.e. the normal age of retirement in the Government. Considering these exceptional service conditions and in the interest of ever vigilant Defence Forces, the pensionary benefits of Ex-Servicemen have accordingly, over time, been fixed.

2. It has now been decided to implement “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) for the Ex-Servicemen with effect from 1.07.2014. OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Defence Forces Personnel 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.

3. Salient features of the OROP 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 retired 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 pension 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 168 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 relating to implementation of OROP 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.

7. This issues with concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their ID No. MoD (Fin/Pension) lD No.PC to10(11)/2012/Fin/Pen dated 07 November 2015.

8. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(K. Damayanthi)

Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India

Click to view the order – MoD orders for One Rank One Pension on 7.11.2015

Authority : http://www.desw.gov.in/

No problem with OROP to paramilitary, raise retirement age to 60

No problem with OROP to paramilitary, raise retirement age to 60

Ex-servicemen demanding the for One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme here on Monday said they have no problem with the paramilitary forces also asking for it, but then they would also demand that the retirement age of soldiers be raised to 60.

“As far as we are concerned, all have the right and will be rather happy. But we would then demand government to permit us to serve till 60 years of age,” Group Captain (retd.) VK Gandhi, general secretary of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement told IANS at Jantar Mantar here.

“Soldiers are forced to retire at 40 (years)… A person who retires at 40 years, gets Rs 8 crore less than one who retires at 60 years,” he said.

While the retirement age for civil servants is 60 years, 85 percent of the soldiers are compulsorily retired aged between 35 to 37. Another 12 percent to 13 percent soldiers aged between 40 to 54, as per estimates.

Read more at : http://www.business-standard.com/

One Rank One Pension : Why not immediately notify the OROP for family pensioners and POTSs?

One Rank One Pension : Why not immediately notify the OROP for family pensioners and POTSs?

WHY NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE OROP FOR FAMILY PENSIONERS & POTOs?

We might have all read an article couple of days ago appeared in Business Standard newspaper indicating that the due to weak financial position, the union government is mulling with the idea of pushing the implementation of OROP to next fiscal year, which means the implementation might be delayed at least by 5-6 months.

In my personal opinion both the previous and present governments have mishandled the OROP issue and they have perhaps failed to understand the real issues involved in their proper perspective. As suggested in my previous write up if the government would have chosen to introduce an element of age on retirement, in OROP, the expenditure on account of OROP would be less than half the currently estimated expenditure of 8300 crores per annum.

Going by the charts put out by various ESM blogs it appears that if OROP is implemented, every officer will be benefitted ten times more than the POTOs. Considering that there are ten times more POTO veterans than the veteran officers, the total expenditure on account of OROP will be divided equally between the officers and POTOs. So, if the age limit is introduced in OROP, then the GOI can save approximately 4000 crores every year. Anyway it would be difficult to do now and in any case, it can’t be done over night! This needs tremendous political will and high calibre administrative skill.

Therefore, in the present situation, the least that the government can do is to notify the implementation of OROP for Widows and POTOs immediately and pay the first instalment of arrears without much delay.

Needless to emphasise that the POTOs are those who retire at an young age of 33-37 years in public interest and therefore they are the one who deserve OROP the most. It was their pension which was drastically reduced from 75% to 50% in 1973 and it is for this very reason alone, they are eligible for OROP.

How can those who have served to the maximum permissible age or service, resulting in their pension increase by an additional 30%, agitate to claim OROP? Under what rules and on what logic??

Interestingly, the minimum amount of pension plus DR that an officer at the lowest rank is expected to receive under OROP is more than two months salary of a sepoy. What an irony! How much more Pension do they need to lead a decent life in their 60s, 70s & 80s?

In response to my last article published in this blog, one of the senior veterans mailed to me stating that the OROP is not meant to rectify the anomaly but meant to bridge the gap between the past and present pensioners. I have no reason to differ with him, rather I am in full agreement with him.

No doubt that the concept of OROP is exactly the same. But the concept is completely different from the reasons. The concept of OROP is applicable to all pensioners including para military personnel and civil pensioners. But the reasons are unique to each group. What did we do while demanding OROP? We have built up a strong justification for extending this benefit exclusively to military veterans by citing the three cardinal reasons, which I have elaborated in my last article.

In the absence of these strong and genuine reasons no government would have agreed to grant OROP only to military personnel. The agitating veteran leaders knew it more than anybody else. They also knew very well that unless they piggy back on these reasons which are applicable only to NCOs & JCOs, they have no chance of getting OROP at all. After all they have had no valid reasons of their own for such a demand. Therefore these reasons were articulated effectively and continuously in public platforms. The leaders have so cleverly and forcefully articulated these reasons in every available platform that public at large started believing that these reasons are true to all military veterans including the officers. I salute our leaders for this dubious achievement!

They did not stop at it. They were worried that their bluff will one day be called off. So they took full control of the agitation into their own hands and started dictating it. Simultaneously, they established back-channel contacts with the political leaders and bureaucrats to negotiate a deal favourable to them before it is too late. They have succeeded to some extent in this endeavour as well.

But, we now know of all these manipulations and we are not going to take them silently anymore. We will defend our justify and demand what is due to us with all our might and strength.

It would therefore be desirable if the officers who are not eligible for OROP on the basis the three reasons articulated by themselves, encourage the GOI to notify the OROP immediately at least for POTOs & Widows and refrain gracefully from further agitation so that the already existing gap between the officers and ORs in the perception of OROP does not widen any further.

The veteran community of NCOs and JCOs on their part should mobilise members for AFVAI and strengthen it so that we are never ignored or marginalised from now on.

Sgt MPKaran

President

Karnataka Chapter, AFVAI

Source: http://afvaindia.blogspot.in

OROP : Notification is likely to be issued before Diwali

One Rank One Pension : Notification is likely to be issued before Diwali

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the government will issue a long-awaited notification that will clarify the specifications of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme after the Bihar assembly elections.

The notification is likely to be issued before Diwali.

Click to continue reading : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Implementing One Rank One Pension, Seventh Pay Commission recommendations will not lead to cash crunch: Jayant Sinha

Implementing OROP, 7th Pay Commission recommendations will not lead to cash crunch: Jayant Sinha

The Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Sinha, has said that implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for military pensioners and the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will not bankrupt the nation.

The Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley had a meeting with the financial experts in New Delhi yesterday. Following the meeting, Mr. Jayant Sinha spoke to the mediapersons. He said –

“We are managing the country’s finances very well. Experts have appreciated our efforts. The government’s financial condition is very stable. Therefore, there wouldn’t be a cash deficit even if the government implements the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. Similarly, the government can very well manage the additional cash burden incurred by implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for the military.

Implementing the OROP will result in additional expenses of Rs.8000-10,000 crores this year. The 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations will be submitted to the government in December this year. Giving increments to the Central Government employees will result in additional expenses to the Government. He confirmed that the government can comfortably manage these expenses.

A lot of important issues, including financial burdens, increasing employment opportunities and agricultural outputs, were discussed at the pre-Budget consultation. Some of the leading names in financial management in India had participated in the meeting. It is normal for governments to hold such meetings prior to the annual budget, but it is unusual that such a meeting was held with six months to go before the next Budget is due. Sinha said that the valuable suggestions that were given by the experts have made the meeting worthwhile, and have convinced them that holding such meetings in advance was a good move.

A number of useful suggestions were given on the schemes that have to be implemented in the current and the next Financial Years. The meeting also paved way for the joint implementation of many a schemes, he said.

Discussions on agriculture and the issues related to it took up most of the time at the meeting. “We discussed a number of suggestions on how to improve our agricultural production. We talked about financial deficits and ways to reduce expenses and austerity measures. We had also discussed public investment options and the importance of making them profitable.

“The other most important topic that we had talked about was the Ministry of Finance. We had discussed the need for increasing the loans offered to farmers, and to the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the necessity for increasing job opportunity for youngsters. We had also discussed the steps that need to be taken to boost the large-scale and production-based industries, which are among the biggest sectors that offer employment.”

OROP : A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran writes to Prime Minister Modi

One Rank One Pension : A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran writes to Modi

A letter to the PM – One Rank One Pension – By Shalini.

Dear Mr.Prime Minister,

For Your Information Sir.

A war widow at the age of 78 has to walk 18 km every month to collect her martyr husband’s pension of Rs .13/- (Rupees Thirteen only). The Freedom Fighters of Colonial India and their widows get a better pension than what is given to the Retired Military population. Even the laborers could get their daily wages hiked with time but the war widow stands where her husband left her. Have we lost all dignity, sense of respect and basic common sense for humanity? Where are we? Rs 13/- as monthly pension and a Kg of onion, Rs 50/-. For God’s sake……. Do we still need to talk ?

Our Flag does not hover because the wind moves it, it flutters with the last breath of each soldier who died and with each breath of the soldier who lives protecting it. You don’t get to deliver a speech on the Independence Day just because you are the PM, it is because of the human shield that sweats and freezes throughout the prime of their lives.

One speech you made to the tens of thousands Ex-Servicemen at Hissar, where you committed to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP), if elected, allowing you to tap into the vote bank of the services – retired, in-service, war widows and of course their families. You should dedicate your present electoral victory to the Services. Was it just voting bank politics, Sir? Gen VK Singh (Retd) stood testimony to your promise and more than you the personnel’s believed their Gen who is now a part of your Govt. Let the men not lose faith on their roaring Gen and let your politics not make him a scapegoat please.

Mr. Pradhan Sevak of the country. as you proclaim yourself to be, kindly refrain from politicizing the Services, the only Deptt committed to the country and its people. High time you and your team including your squad of so called highly efficient bureaucrats save yourself from the mockery you have brought on your kindselves.

Let’s try solving the issues.

If budget is an issue, reduce some of the frills that the politicians and the bureaucrats enjoy sitting in air conditioned offices with all the luxury possibly available.

If you are afraid that other retired from Govt services will claim for the same then let them commit one child per family to the Indian Military. A great way to make up for the shortage of Defense personnel. Let us make national service a must in the country. A stronger Military with more head counts is never bad.

If that is still difficult, please esteemed politicians and bureaucrats get yourself back packed and perched in Kargil, Jaisalmer, Cherrapunji, Tawang, Siachin or in the Arabian Sea for a month each with the men, like the men and then let’s do some talking.

Let there be some humility and respect by the Govt and the Police force while managing our Military veterans at peaceful protest with utmost dignity. When you fail to discharge your duties efficiently, that has often happened, be it a natural disaster or an internal security issue; the only alternate available is the forces for help. They did and have come to your rescue without fail. Our neighbours have a very drastic history of Military Coups since 1958 & have been successful thrice in doing so. Let’s not forget we have an active force of 1325000 personnel, with approximately 60K retiring each year. Let’s us not create conducive environment for more trouble within the country.

The Military of the country cannot be taken on a ride for votes and then just left. High time seriousness be taken on the mature and highly sensitive protest that is going on at the Jantar Mantar and India Gate for two months now. The men there have served selflessly be it insurgency, internal security issues, disaster mitigation without any reservations. They have been decorated for their gallant and then just forgotten …not acceptable.

Mr. PM, please shun talks – time to act and show and prove that what the Congress failed and kept washing their hands off has finally been given life by you.

Let the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ echo till eternity and your name be added to it. Let the soldiers remain to be our pride.

Jai Hind. Jai Jawan.

Regards.

Shalini. A citizen of the country.

A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran

The concept – One Rank One Pension (OROP)

“bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. In armed forces, equality in service has two components, namely, rank and length of service. The importance of rank is inherent in armed forces as it has been granted by the President of India and signifies command, control and responsibility in consonance with ethos of service. These ranks are even allowed to be retained by the individual concerned after his/her retirement. Hence, two armed personnel in the same rank and equal length of service should get same pension irrespective of date of retirement and any future enhancement in rates of pension be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.”

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

One Rank One Pension : UFESM plans to return 10000 gallantry medals to Prime Minister

One Rank One Pension : UFESM plans to return 10000 gallantry medals to PM

Major General Satbir Singh(Retd.), leader and adviser of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen, says that the action will bring to the people’s notice that the Centre has not fulfilled our demands on One Rank One Pension.

We have planned to return our gallantry medals to the government if it intentionally continues to delay implementing the OROP scheme without making the modifications that we have sought for. This time, we won’t be returning them to the President. We will hand them over to the Prime Minister himself!

Ex-servicemen who have been conducting relay hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar for the past 115 days demanding the implementation of OROP have decided to hand over 10,000 gallantry medals to the Prime Minister as a sign of their protest. They have written a letter to Narendra Modi in this regard. This was informed by Retired Major General Satbir Singh, who also is a prominent member of the protest committee.

Although the Centre had, on September 5, agreed in principle, to implement OROP, ex-servicemen are continuing to protest because they are frustrated that seven very important clauses have not been added to the scheme. “We are planning to return the medals to him because PM Modi had promised during the elections, that he will implement OROP. Also, we want the people to know that though OROP was announced, our demands have not been accepted,” he said.

At the time of accepting the demand, on September 5, the Government had said that it will issue proper orders within a month. More than a month has passed, but there are no signs of the orders.

Meanwhile, the United Front of Ex-Servicemen has announced that it will hold a massive rally in Jalandhar on October 18 to protest against the Government’s reluctance and delay in implementing the OROP. While replying to a question, Brigadier Amarjit Singh Minhas said that only 2 percent of the ex-servicemen are happy with the OROP announcement. Seven important demands, including annual revision of pension, year of implementation, one-man commission, and inclusion of soldiers who have taken premature retirement, have not been accepted by the Government.

NC JCM Staff Side demands OROP from 7th Pay Commission

NC JCM Staff Side demands One Rank One Pension from 7th Pay Commission

Parity between Past and Future Pensioners : Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra secy. staff side/NCJCM has written a DO letter to chairman 7th Pay commission for pension Parity between past and future pensioners.

Shiva Gopal Mishra

Secretary

Ph: 23382286

National Council (Staff Side)

Joint Consultative Machinery

13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001

E-Mail: nc.jcm.ni@gmail.com

No.

Dated 11.09.2015

Justice Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur,

Chairman,

Seventh Central Pay Commission,

New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Parity between Past and Future Pensioners

While urging for parity in Pension; for past and future pensioners before the Seventh Central Pay Commission, Staff Side, National Council/JCM vide Chapter-IV, Para 4.1 submitted as follow:-

“The Government have recently announced that “One Pension’ shall be implemented in respect of Armed Forces so that the glaring disparity between the persons of equivalent rank and status do not draw vastly unequal pensions if they retire at different point of time is undone. Already there is a complete parity in pension among the Judges of Supreme Court, High Court and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, irrespective of the date of their retirement”. Now the Government of India has accepted the demand for ‘One Rank One Pension’ in respect of Armed forces.

The detailed justification for the same has already been submitted in our aforesaid Memorandum, as well as during our Oral Evidence before the Central Pay Commission.

The Civilian employees of Central Government have been waiting anxiously for implementation of the same equally for them and hope that the Seventh Central Pay Commission would administer Justice by recommending “One Rank One Pension’ to all other past and future pensioners irrespective of their date of retirement and remove the injustice done to them so long.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Source: NCJCM Staff Side

Click to view the letter

One Rank One Pension – Army’s 40 Year Dream Comes True; to be Implemented from July 1, 2014

One Rank One Pension – Army’s 40 Year Dream Comes True; to be Implemented from July 1, 2014

OROP Scheme : The long-pending demand of the ex-servicemen, for which they have been fighting for decades, has finally been granted.

The Centre has finally decided to implement the OROP. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has made the announcement in this regard.

Although it is being generally said that the demand was being made for 40 years, the movement picked up momentum only about 10 years ago. All their protests, to attract the Centre’s attention, have finally succeeded, one must say.

Some even accuse that the centre had granted the OROP after buckling under pressure due to the protests from the ex-servicemen.

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