3SLP IN SC DELAYS REVISION OF PRE-2006 PENSIONERS

No.38177-AJ09-P&PW(A)(Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-ll0 003
Dated the 5th March, 2015

Office Memorandum
Sub:- Revision of pension ofpre-2006 pensioners - reg.

The orders for implementation of the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of 6th CPC for revision for pension of past pensioners were issued vide Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare's OM dated 1.9.2008. The provisions of Para 4.2 of this OM were clarified vide this Department's letter dated 3.10.2008.

2. The Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in its common order dated 1.11.2011 in four petitions [OA No.655/2010, 306/2010, 50712010 and 3079/2009] directed that the past pensioners may be granted, w.e.f. 1.1.2006, a minimum pension with reference to the fitment table applicable for revision of pay of serving employees.

3. A large number of representations from pre-2006 pensioners are being received by the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare for extension of benefits similar to what had been
allowed in case ofOA NO.655/2010 by CAT, Principal Bench, New Delhi.

4. In this context, it is informed that four Writ Petitions were filed in the High Court of Delhi challenging the order dated 1.11.2011 of Hon'ble CAT in four OAs. These petitions were dismissed on 29.4.2013. Subsequently, four SLPs were filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court over a period of time against the said order of the Hon'ble High Court. Of the four SLPs, the one pertaining to Central Government SAG (S-29) Pensioners' Association which was first in the series of said SLPs, has since been dismissed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 29.7.2013. As the Reviewl Curative Petition against the said order dated 29.7.2013 also failed, the Government of India decided to comply with the order by extending the requisite benefits to the parties involved in the said SLP. As regards the other three SLPs (Nos.36148-50/2013), Hon'ble Supreme Court in its order dated 19.11.2013 issued notice and made the following observation: .
"Learned Counsel for the respondent submits that during the pendency of these petitions the respondent-writ petitioners shall not precipitate the matter by filing contempt proceedings either before the High Court or before the Tribunal. That statement is recorded. "

5. Thus the issue of revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2006 as covered under SLP Nos. 36148-50/2013 in the Apex Court which have been tagged with Civil Appeal
No.887S-76/20 11 filed by Ministry of Defence in a similar matter is subjudice.

6. This is for information.
~ ~\
(S.K. Makkar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

7. The outcome of SLPs under reference in Para (4) would be brought to the Ministries/Departments.

To
All Ministries/Departments.
v6py to NIC for uploading the above OM on the website of the Department.

MILITARY PENSION FACES AXE

By: Express News Service | Published on:March 9, 2015 12:00 am

 

There is an urgent need to debate the rising defence pension bill. In 2004, a debate over the mounting civilian pension bill led to the New Pension System for government employees, where pension contributions were defined and not benefits. But the armed forces were excluded from that system. Now, a beginning can be made by including pensions in the official defence budget.
In 1985, when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister, defence pensions were removed from India’s overall defence expenditure, presumably to assuage global concerns about India’s defence bill, which was linked to its regional ambitions. The defence expenditure was then 3.6 per cent of India’s GDP. When that ratio has now come down to 1.75 per cent, the lowest in the post-1962 era, defence pensions still continue to be excluded from the defence bill. Over the years, defence pensions have grown exponentially — from Rs 1,670 crore in 1990-91 to Rs 15,244 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 50,000 crore in the current year — at a much faster pace than the defence budget. Next year, defence pensions are budgeted at Rs 54,500 crore, placed outside the official defence budget of Rs 2,46,727 crore. The pension bill is likely to rise by another Rs 8,400 crore with the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for military veterans. Every successive Pay Commission has raised the pension burden exponentially and the Seventh Pay Commission, coupled with the effect of OROP, will hit the exchequer even harder.
Approximately 60,000 soldiers retire from the 1.3 million-strong armed forces every year but early recruitment and retirement age, coupled with increased life expectancy, means that military veterans get pensions for a longer period than their civilian counterparts. Thus India now has 1.7 defence pensioners on its rolls for every serving soldier, compared to civilian employees where the ratio is 0.56 pensioners per employee, and defence pensions will soon exceed defence salaries. Even if military veterans and soldiers can’t be moved to a New Pension System, there is a need to look at other measures, such as reducing the minimum military service period, pushing for early retirement with lateral absorption schemes and identifying a new model of defence pensions for new recruits. These are desirable not only on the grounds of fiscal prudence, but also to keep the military lean and young.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/ 

BRIEFING OF IESM MEETING WITH DM ON OROP

Dear Members

IESM delegation of five members met RM Sh Manohar Parrikar today at 1400 h. The salient points of the issues discussed in the meeting are given below and are attached. I am sure this will satisfy most of the queries of veterans arising out of budget speech given on 28 Feb 15. This is now clear that one needs to be optimistic and OROP will be out soon. However hold your celebrations till Notification of OROP is out as there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. 

Meeting of IESM Delegation with RM Sh Manohar Parrikar on 2 Mar 2015

IESM contacted Sh Manohar Parrikar Raksha Mantri at the end of the budget presented on 28 Feb 15 and communicated to him that ESM in general are disappointed because OROP has not been mentioned in the budget speech of Finance Minister and allocation of funds for OROP has not been announced. RM explained on telephone that OROP has been approved in two budgets and hence it is considered approved and therefore there was no need to mention in the budget speech. He was kind enough to invite the IESM delegation at 1400h on 2 March 15 to clear any doubts if we had any.

Following five members of IESM met Sh Manohar Parrikar RM at 1400h on Monday 2 March 2015.   

1. Maj Gen Satbir Singh SM
2. Col Kirit Joshipura
3. Col Anil kaul VrC
4. Wg Cdr CK Sharma
5. Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
6. Major DP Singh was also invited by RM for discussion on disability pension issue.

RM made everyone comfortable in the beginning itself that OROP for Armed Forces and Ex-servicemen is NDA Government’s commitment and he has worked out the expenditure for the OROP. He advised that there was no need to cover this issue in budget presented by NDA Government on 28 Feb 15  as it already stands approved by Parliament as part of budget for financial year 14-15. He confirmed that he had discussed the issue with officers of MOD and ironed out all issues of OROP. He also confirmed that OROP is genuine demand of Armed Forces and must be met in full; hence there is no difference in thinking of Armed Forces and MOD. Accordingly file has been prepared and is in process for approval from Ministry of Finance. After approval of the file from Finance Minister, it will be put up for approval of CCPA (Cabinet Committee for Political Affairs). RM has confirmed that MOD has recommended giving OROP for X group and Y group separately. He also confirmed that all ranks including widows have been included in the OROP. He further confirmed that he is attempting to meet the date line for issuance of Government letter (OROP Notification) given by him on 1 Feb 15 meeting with IESM delegation.

There was no doubt left in our minds after such a clear statement by RM and IESM delegation was convinced that OROP is now in safe hands will see the day light soon. General Satbir Singh thanked him and told him that it is first time that the demands of ESM are being given proper consideration and attention. IESM delegation then discussed following issues with RM.

1. Increase in Widow’s pension w.e.f 24 Sep 12; General Satbir Singh informed him that widow’s pension was not increased in 2012 when pension for all ranks was increased as per recommendations of 6 CPC. Widows must be given that increase in pension. RM expressed concerned on this issue and asked the delegation to give him the note for his consideration.
2. Major’s Pension Retired pre 1996; It was brought to RM’s attention that MOD is not paying Lt Col pension to Major rank officers who retired pre 1996 on completion of 21 years of service. Major Thomas of pre 1996 retirement had gone won the case in AFT and had been paid enhanced pension. It should be applicable for all Majors who had retired pre 1996 and had completed 21 years of service. RM asked for a detailed note on the issue for his consideration.
3. Major’s Pension who had retired on completion of 20 yrs but with less than 21 yrs of service; RM was informed that there will be only few hundred Majors who will fall in that category and MOD must consider giving them Lt Col Pension with Major’s grade pay as a special case. RM demanded a paper on this issue also for his consideration.

IESM will be sending the detailed paper on above issues to RM at the earliest.

IESM delegation was encouraged with the response and encouragement given by RM. One can now say that OROP is in safe hands will soon be approved.

Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Flat no 801, Tower N5

Narmada Apartments

Pocket D6 

Vasant Kunj

Nelson Mandela Marg
New Delhi. 110070
Mobile   09810541222

Defence budget hike not for OROP, veterans cry foul

CHANDIGARH: A day after Union finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the Budget in the Parliament, defence veterans' hopes for 'achhe din' turned into sheer ache. Hoping for an announcement from the FM on the one rank one pension (OROP) scheme, they were an anguished lot on Sunday as they realized that the increase in defence allocation was just good enough to take care of the inflation factor.
Those who had pinned their hopes on minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore's tweet on Saturday that Rs 8,300 crore for OROP was included in the Rs 22,000-crore increase in the defence allocation were also disappointed to know that the hike would only defuse the inflation element.
Experts in defence accounts department said the Budget announced 10.95% hike in the defence allocation as compared to the previous year, which would be spent on ration, salaries, allowances and procurement of equipments and weaponry. They claimed that the hike has nothing to do with the implementation of OROP, which requires around Rs 8,000 crore.
Also, in 2014-15 Budget, the increase in allocation was 12.75% more than 2013-14.
"It seems the politicians are doing a 'double speak' to hoodwink the gullible faujis," said defence veterans.
The statement made by the finance minister after the Budget that the issue of OROP is pending as the method of calculating pension is stuck between the armed services and the defence ministry has added to the retired personnel's woes.
Brig K S Kahlon (retd), President of All India Defence Brotherhood (Punjab), said the "entire drama" since Saturday shows that the government has not taken OROP issue seriously and it is making another attempt to delay it. "Pulse of the veterans is that they should unite together again and protest on the roads against the government till the OROP is not implemented," he said.
"I have never seen such ambiguity on an issue even the Prime Minister had promised. If they don't have any funds, they can issue bonds but maintaining silence frustrates and demoralizes the veterans," said Air Marshal Randhir Singh (retd). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ 

The great betrayal on OROP front

During his interview after the Budget speech, the Union finance minister, when asked about the fate of “one rank, one pension” (OROP) for the defence personnel, remarked that modalities were being worked out between the defence services and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). He went on to say that he had given an additional 12.5% to the defence budget, giving the impression that he had done great personnel favour to the defence services. He does not appear to know how far removed are the Indian defence forces from the state-of-the-art weapon systems and how long has it been crying for modernisation.
Surely he would know that this additional amount for the defence budget, as such, has no link with OROP, because pensions for the defence personnel do not flow out of the defence budget. This additional allocation barely covers inflation in the cost of defence equipment. In the remaining Budget, there is no allocation of funds for OROP.
Soldiers at disadvantageThe demand for OROP has been pending for well over two decades. The rationale for this demand has been articulated umpteen times. More than 80% of the soldiers retire between the age of 34 and 36, and the remaining 20% at varying ages, with only 0.2% retiring at 60, when all the central services employees retire. Early retirement and extremely limited avenues for career advancement (promotions) place the defence personnel at great disadvantage vis-à-vis their counterparts in the civil services.
This early retirement places defence personnel at great financial disadvantage and takes its toll on them in way of shortening their lives: of both officers and soldiers, notwithstanding the fact that on retirement, they are physically much fitter in every respect compared with their civilian counterparts. The average life expectancy of the officers is 72.5, of the JCOs is 67, and of the soldiers is 64. These are figures from the Institute of Applied Research and Manpower (IARM). The life expectancy figure for civil servants is 77 years. The Railways, in their study, arrived at a figure of 78.
This issue of the shortening life of soldiers was raised in Parliament and the-then defence minister (the present President and supreme commander of the Indian forces) had stated that it would be examined in detail. Those were his famous words!
Babus flummox defence ministerThe demand for OROP became all the more strident when the civilian counterparts granted to themselves what is called non-functional upgrade (NFU). Simply stated, it implies that that their pay and allowances will have no relation to their job content but only to the length of the service; and that their advancement in career will have no bearing on the availability of higher posts and performance.
Political parties have repeatedly been promising the grant of OROP. Narendra Modi, as prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), during his election rally at Rewari had promised that on coming to power, his party would announce OROP. Later, speaking to the troops in Siachen as Prime Minister, he said he had granted them this benefit.
More recently, the defence minister has been giving all manner of assurances to veterans, assurances which include specific dates when the case would be finalised and forwarded to the Finance Ministry: well before the Budget date.
Now it appears that the MoD has not been able to resolve the modalities for working out the details. Obliviously, the babus in the MoD have flummoxed the defence minister successfully and made him cut a sorry figure before the nation’s veterans.
Today’s soldiers tomorrow’s veteransNeither the PM and nor the DM appears to realise that there exists a very strong bond between the veterans and the serving troops. Today’s soldiers are tomorrow’s veterans, and this betrayal on part of the government cannot go unnoticed by them, and will impact their morale surely.
The government’s general lack of sensitivity to the disadvantages of military service and the consequent disinterest of suitable youth in joining the defence services has led to both fall in standards on one part and a huge shortage in the officer cadre. The nations that do not send the better lot to the defence services will one day suffer the consequences.
Finally, a quote from Phillip Mason, ICS, would be appropriate in the present setting. While commenting on India’s dismal war record, he notes in his book, “A Matter of Honour”, that: “Indian disadvantage lay in the nature of organisations of armies and, in the end, in politics and the kind of governments that had grown up in India.” One may venture to ask, if the state of affairs are any different today?gen_harwant@hotmail.com
(The writer is a former deputy chief of the army staff and an expert on defence matters. The views expressed are personal)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/the-great-betrayal-on-orop 

OROP DO NOT FIND PLACE IN BUDGET, ESM CRIES FOUL

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One Rank, One Pension stuck between Services and Defence Ministry

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrives in Parliament to present the annual budget 2015-16 in New Delhi on Saturday. (Source: PTI)

By: Press Trust of India | New Delhi | February 28, 2015 5:01 pm

Reinstating government’s commitment on implementing the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ policy, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the issue is pending as the method of calculating pension is stuck between the Armed Services and the Defence Ministry.

“I have already in the last Budget said that we are going to implement ‘One Rank, One Pension’. This need not be stated on every occasion. We are completely committed to it,” Jaitley told reporters here when asked about the delay in launching the scheme.
Explaining the reasons behind the delay, the Minister said: “The methodology of calculating the One Rank, One Pension is an issue pending between the Services and the Defence Ministry.” As and when that idea is formulated, not only it should be implemented, it will be implemented, he added.
“You may only notice that I have today, despite the squeeze, increased the allocation for Defence by almost Rs 25,000 crore,” Jaitley said.

Last month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said that ‘One rank, One pension’ scheme will be rolled out soon.
The scheme, which seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel who retire at the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement, has been a long-standing demand of the over two million ex-servicemen in the country.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/OROP 

PAT for Tarun Vijay MP

Tarun Vijay meets Parrikar, demands 'one rank,       one pension' for forces

Feb 26, 2015, 07.56PM IST TNN

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Tarun Vijay, who is also member, parliamentary standing committee on defence and president, Uttarakahnd's Society to Help Armed Retired Personnel met defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday and gave him a memorandum demanding that the long standing issue of 'one rank, one pension' be resolved in favour of the soldiers.
He said that if the government feels a crunch of funds, please take away the privileges given to the MPs and MLAs and give the funds to the forces so that their legitimate and logical demand to get 'one rank, one pension' is met.
He said that soldiers give their best to the nation but they are forced to die early and run from pillar to post after retirement. Tarun Vijay told the minister that soldiers were disappointed by the UPA, they have great hopes from PM Modi and him, as a minister.
Tarun Vijay told media persons that Parrikar was very sympathetic to his demands and fully agreed that the government must act sympathetically to the long standing demands of the forces. He said, "as the defence minister I stand with my soldiers". Their demands will certainly receive sympathetic consideration.
Tarun Vijay also said that there are more than 3000 cases regarding disability pension pending in courts. Soldiers' basic pension was revised in line with 6 CPC recommendation from 24 Sep 2012 (instead of 1-1-2006) but disability pension has not yet been revised notwithstanding various letters written on the subject by various associations. CAT had given clear verdict but legitimate dues are being denied. Broad banding of disability pension has been denied in spite of AFT/ SC orders.

OROP struggle looks nearing end

The Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement (IESM) spearheading the veterans’ one rank, one pension (OROP) demand has correctly applied three of the principles of war albeit in a peaceful struggle, namely maintenance of aim and momentum and concentration of force to set themselves on the road to what could be a victory. The timing of their rally in New Delhi pushed all the right buttons forcing the govt to act. It’s now up to politicians to show some decisive will.The rally itself was attended by 10,000 determined veterans and included war widows. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar invited a delegation of the IESM for discussions even as the rally was underway. 

He assured them that the proposal to implement OROP would be despatched to the finance ministry by February 17 (it has been delayed till the 23rd). In the proposal, there would be no dilution of the OROP, which would be as per the definition approved by Parliament. This is welcome news considering all the confusion created by ministers’ ill-considered statements. General Satbir Singh, chairman and members of the IESM, can rightly claim this as a victory.
In addition, the military pension would be treated as a special pension, different from others, because of the hardships innate in a career in the defence services. Another decision communicated to the veterans was that in cases of personnel of the same seniority being promoted at different times, the highest pension of that year of that rank would be granted. Also, OROP equalization will be done annually. Lastly, the OROP would be applicable with effect from April 1, 2014, irrespective of the date the government letter is issued. Now, we await budgetary provisions. This is not the end, however, and veterans need to keep their powder dry. 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/orop 

OROP OUTLINE BY GEN KADYAN

Dear Colleagues,

           Of late there has been a flurry of emails on OROP. Seeing that it affects all of us, the interest OROP has generated is fully understandable.

          OROP started its journey in the early Nineteen-Eighties. Since then many had been pursuing it. Notable among them is  senior Veteran Col Inderjit Singh, who has been   doggedly chipping away at the government resistance and pushing for OROP in his quiet dignified way. He would be remembered with great admiration by the future generations.

          From 2008 onwards, the IESM put fresh fuel in the fight for OROP. Ours was a mix of presentations and protests, of meetings, memoranda and medal deposits running simultaneously; pressure and persuasion.  Meetings also took place with various political leaders. This included Mr LK Advani, Mr Rajnath Singh when he was BJP President, Mr Nitin Gadkari, Ms Sushman Swaraj, Ms Supriya Sule and many others.

          The Rajya Sabha  Petitions Committee, which itself was the result of efforts by the MP, Mr Chandrashekhar,  came as a shot in the arm. Among others the IESM delegation too made a presentation to the Committee. Some of us also worked behind the scenes. A couple of meetings at the residence of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who was heading the Committee, helped in inserting the crucial clause that future pension enhancements should be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. As would be seen, with this provision instead of being a one-time benefit, OROP becomes a permanent feature for pension equation. It is  a boon for future pensioners. We also had a few meetings with an influential Committee member Mr Ram Vila Paswan and succeeded in soliciting his support.

           

          The cumulative effect of all these efforts resulted in OROP being announced in the Parliament on 17 Feb 2014. Interaction with Mr AK Antony further ensured that this clause - of future enhancements being given automatically to past pensioners - was inserted in the Note he issued in the fourth week of February 2014. This definition was also later reiterated by the RRM in the Parliament in November 2014. Ever since February 2014, OROP has been only a question of 'when' and not of 'whether' it would come through.

          The bureaucratic hurdles were indeed there. First they wanted 'service in the rank' and not 'total service' as the criterion. This was adequately explained to the RRM and he confirmed that he would overrule the bureaucrats; he did. The second resistance was in the form of a perceived administrative difficulty in implementing the frequent enhancement in pensions. This was again explained to the RRM that pensions could be enhanced once a year and that since the Dearness Allowance was already being enhanced twice a year in the case of all pensioners without any difficulty any apprehension in case of pension is unfounded.  

          The proposal is being sent to the Finance Ministry. With the PM himself having committed grant of OROP repeatedly, it is unlikely that the Finance would even do any pruning of the proposal. After receipt back from the Finance Ministry, tables would be prepared jointly by the MoD and Service HQ. Some of the broad parameters of OROP are  as under:

1.    The definition, as given by the Koshyari Committee stays unchanged.

2.    The existing 'X' and 'Y' Groups would continue. The Service Headquarters had wanted merging of the Groups to 'X' level but   the recommendation was not accepted.

3.    The equation will be with the maximum pensions of past pensioners as explained in my article attached with the Sitrep dated 20 Jan 2015. Extract is given below:

"Keeping the above parameters in mind, a model is suggested here. Let us take the rank of Havildar. The base date of implementing OROP being 1 April 2014, take a sample of the total number of Havildars that retired in the preceding few months or an year. Take the highest pension earned by any Havildar during this period and use that as a benchmark for fixing pension of all Havildars. Since they all retire after a total service of 24 years, the application is simple. In the case of officers, since they retire by age, and the total service varies, take the maximum earned in the chosen sample for different lengths of total service and use these as benchmarks in a similar manner."

4.    At the time of preparing tables, Majors' pension is proposed to be upgraded to Lt Col less the Grade Pay equivalent.

5.    The total estimated annual cost of OROP is Rs 8,200 Crore.

          There are several anxious and even impatient calls being received  daily where ESM keep asking for the progress on OROP.  The Defence Minister in his TV interview had stated that OROP would be implemented by 31 March 2015. There is no change to that timeline. Some queries even pertain to the budget allocation, which should not be our worry/concern at all. A patient wait is required.

    

Best regards,

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Chairman IESM

262, Sector - 17A

Gurgaon - 122 001

Will 'One Rank, One Pension' Take A Physical Form In Budget

BENGALURU: The government is likely to fulfill a long standing demand of adopting ‘One Rank One Pension’ norms made by ex-personnel in particular. It may categorize military pension as a different pension category.
One rank one pension (OROP) is a demand by armed forces in order to ensure that the military pension cannot be equated with other pensions. This move is to bring a motivational and inspirational value to the armed forces.
The information collected from The Times of India reveals that an estimation of 8,000 crore seems to be allocated by the government to accomplish its commitment made to the ex- servicemen, who have been stridently demanding one rank one pension for many years.
Predominantly, if an officer is retired in 1990 then he is not entitled to get this enhanced pension if the same is implemented during the later years.
The basic idea of OROP demand is that, the pension for the officers with the same rank must remain same all the time since the cost of living is reaching to the sky. OROP basically implies payment of pension uniformly among the retiring army personnel with the same rank and length of service.
The soldiers, airmen and the sailors retire much earlier than their other civilian counterparts like BSF or CRPF receive aborted pension. The government has taken it into account along with considering other hardship factors like risky and life threatening duties and long hours of efforts.
Being a long standing demand by 2 million ex- servicemen in the country for OROP, the Modi’s budget seems to ensure to bring goods future for army men in the long run.
SOURCE- http://www.siliconindia.com/finance/news/

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SC asks Centre to fulfil one rank, one pension promise in 3 months

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to implement its six-year-old verdict to follow the one rank, one pension (OROP) principle for retired armed forces personnel, reminding the BJP government that it had promised to do so in the run-up to last year’s Lok Sabha elections.
A bench of justices TS Thakur and AK Goel warned the government of contempt if it failed to abide by its order within three months.
“We make it clear that no further time will be granted for the purpose of implementation of the judgment,” the bench told additional solicitor general Pinky Anand who assured the bench that modalities would be worked out till then.
“This was part of your manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. You must keep your word,” justice Thakur reminded Anand while hearing a contempt petition filed by retired Major General SPS Vains who dragged the defence ministry to court demanding the OROP scheme.
Armed forces personnel holding the same rank will get the same pension, regardless of the last drawn pay, years of service and the years served in a particular rank, under the OROP scheme.
Vains’s counsel, senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta, said the government wasn’t doing charity since there was a court order in his clients’ favour. “We have a judgment. It has been six years and we are still waiting,” Gupta told the court.
He later told HT, “Before this judgment came, there was disparity among retired armed forces personnel receiving pensionary benefits that were calculated as per their pay-scale. So a major general, who retired before 1996 when the fifth pay commission was introduced, drew pension lower than not just a similarly ranked officer who retired post-1996 but also a brigadier, colonel and a lieutenant colonel. The 2008 judgment brought everyone at par as the verdict said there should be no classification due to the date of retirement.”
Successive governments in the past have opposed OROP on the grounds that it would not be financially feasible.
However, the Modi government has promised to implement the policy that will benefit around 25 lakh ex-servicemen. OROP for the armed forces is likely to be part of the Union budget and could be implemented soon. 
http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 

OROP LATEST NEWS BY IESM

Dear Members

Further to the information given in the report of rally held on 1 Feb 15. On 1 Feb 15 a delegation of 30 ESM including four veernaris met RM at Kotah house. RM had promised to take action on OROP latest by 17 Feb 15. 

IESM has a good news for you. Your dream of OROP has moved a step closer to its approval. 

As promised by RM to IESM delegation that he will personally monitor the progress on OROP.  True to his promise he has chaired a meeting today of OROP action committee. The meeting was attended by CGDA,DESW, MOD and Army pay cell Maj Gen Aggarwal and Col Pruthi. Col Rathore also attended the meeting. It is confirmed that OROP file has finally reached MOD.

Following decisions have been taken in the meeting today 17 Feb 15.  

1. OROP will be as per approved definition.
2. In most of cases ESM will get fixed at highest of their rank pay band. 
3. OROP equalization will be done annually. 
4. Some issues of Major's pension are under discussion and will be sorted out soon.  

 RM gave special instructions to Gen Aggarwal to inform Gen Satbir singh about this development. Gen Aggarwal informed IESM asap he came out of the meeting. File is under final scrutiny and preparation and file will be dispatched to MOF on 23 Feb as RM is going to attend Annual Aero Show at Bangaluru from 17 to 22 Feb.

CGDA has already issued circular no 536 giving increase in pension of widows w.e.f. 24 Sep 12. This circular fixes the pension of widow at 60% of the pension of the ESM as given in circular 500. Widows will get this enhanced pension from 24 Sep 2012. They will further get arrears from 1 Jan 2006 as and when the MOD issues such instructions. 

Dear Members hold your celebration till budget. We will finally come to know how much funds get allotted for OROP in this years budget and will raise a toast for OROP on that day.

IESM salutes sincerity of RM Sh Manohar Parrikar. He is a man of his words. He had promised action on OROP by 17 Feb and he has executed it. 

Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM
Block N5, Flat no 801

Narmada Block

Pocket D6, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi. 110070
Mobile   09810541222

ACHEY DIN FOR ESM AYEGA?

Achchey Din seems likely to dawn on the armed forces, or ex-personnel in particular. The government is giving final shape to their long standing demand of adopting One-Rank One-Pension (OROP).
Bureaucrats are currently burning midnight oil to pore over the fine print of at least four options to implement the OROP scheme. A source in government, aware of the developments, says a decision is expected soon and a large provision in the Budget, or soon after.
"We are very hopeful that the long overdue injustice to the armed forces will be reversed in this budget," says Maj Gen Satbir Singh (Retd) who leads the IESM or Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, which lobbied intensely for OROP since 2008. "Both UPA and NDA have agreed to our OROP so we see no reason that it will be held back now," he says.
For 40 years the retirees, now numbering three million, have been bristling under what they perceive as "neglect and humiliation" by political parties and successive governments. Its extreme manifestation, from their perspective, was the denial of OROP. Lack of empirical data on the cost of this pension, plus political reluctance of the parties fuelled much of the denial and delay. The former military staff launched public agitations to make their case, often embarrassing the government.
Regardless of which of the four options the government decides upon ultimately, the roughly Rs 8,000 crore likely to be set aside for OROP should go a long way to calm the angry (wo)men in uniform, besides providing them a lifestyle befitting the status, say, one that a retired colonel or brigadier enjoys.
One choice before the government, says the same government source, is to do exactly as the ex-servicemen want: Give future and past retirees of the same rank from the Army, Navy and Air Force exactly the same pension. Essentially, this means that all Brigadiers or, say, Air Vice Marshals, would get the same pension regardless of when they retired, taking into account only their years in service and the number of years they held the rank. This formula, a literal interpretation of the phrase One-Rank One-Pension, has been accepted by government committees, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence.
For instance, a colonel with 30-32 years of service, whose basic pay was around Rs. 26,000 before 2004 would have earned around Rs. 37,000 in 2014. OROP is expected to bridge the pension gap that arises due to this pay discrepancy. "Our demand is very simple: Today's pension for all previous retirees," says Singh.
But the government's estimates of cost of this pension have it pedalling back a little. Taking 2012 as the cut-off date, giving past retirees hikes that bring them on par with the highest pension paid to that rank in 2012, would cost a whopping Rs 16,000 crore, they argue. This has prompted a hunt for other options, meant to "balance" the exchequer with meeting armed force expectations.
A second option involves fixing the pension for pre-2006 retirees according to the 6th Pay Commission. Then, the government may pull a trick out of its hat and select the lowest pension paid since 2006 as the norm for older retirees. A version of this formula is already under implementation for Junior Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and other ranks. It's possible this formula, with some tweaks, will be accepted, and result in the roughly Rs 8,000 crore allocation.
"It's obvious OROP is going to happen," says this government official. The discussions, this person says, is now in its final stage. There was a third choice, which involved bringing all ex-servicemen on par with the basic pay of the 6th Pay Commission, then calculate each retiree's pension individually, taking into account each one's years in service and length of time spent in the rank. This option is an "administrative nightmare" dogged, reportedly, by unavailable past data with the Controller of Defence Accounts, a wing of the ministry of defence. The lack of data is also a clear sign that the OROP debate has been based on weak databases and much groping in the dark.
A fourth and final option is where pension is to be fixed on the basis of an average or median. Separate groups of retirees who superannuated in bands of years, say, between 1990 and 2000, would be made. Those earning a pension below the average would get an enhanced pension, while the rest would be protected. This option, apparently easy to implement, is technically not OROP at all as it implies a different pension for retirees in the same rank, if they retired at different points of time.
The defence forces are mounting tremendous pressure on the government to ensure OROP isn't watered down. Earlier this month, they questioned defence minister Manohar Parrikar for saying that OROP would satisfy them "80 per cent." Their vociferous protest had the government assure full satisfaction. In 2009, angry retired armed personnel signed a petition in their own blood for then President Pratibha Patil. Reeling under such tough tactics, the UPA finally accepted OROP in 2012. But the Rs. 500 crore for it in last year's interim budget presented by finance minister P Chidambaram was seen as woefully inadequate. The veterans switched sides, now pinning their hopes on to the BJP's then prime minister-aspirant, Narendra Modi.
Five lakh ex-servicemen had assembled last spring at Rewari, on the outskirts of Delhi, to hear Modi promise OROP, should his party form the government. Behind the scenes, the ex-servicemen had already got an assurance from the party to consider their demand and publicly announce it, as a precondition for pulling in the spectacular crowd in Rewari. "For years we had requested, protested and demanded OROP. In 2014 we realised what would make a difference to politicians—votes. With our strength and influence over the village population, we could swing elections in many places," Gen (retd) Singh says.
OROP is an issue which could trip the BJP. It considers and projects itself as a fiercely nationalist party, a narrative meaningless without a robust national defence policy. It can scarcely afford to disappoint the defence forces. Nevertheless, the different versions of OROP indicate just how conflicted the issue is. The ex-servicemen never agreed that OROP will cost the Rs. 16000 predicted by the bureaucracy. They still hope for a Rs. 9000-12000 crore allocation for full OROP. The usually docile military retirees started getting heated up only after 2006. That year, the Sixth Pay Commission hiked central government pay significantly, to counter the private sector's fantastic offers to the similarly educated. As pension is always a proportion of salary, after this hike, the gap between pensions of ex-servicemen who retired before and after 2006 grew wider. Most jawans retire in their mid-thirties, and only an eighth of officers rise beyond the rank of colonel. The belief that the army would never catch up with the civil services' benefits also grew.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Achchey-Din 

AAP Manifesto includes One Rank One Pension issue

Just a day after defeating the might of Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Delhi Assembly elections, Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today asked Delhi Chief Secretary D M Spolia to prepare a road map for implementation of Aam Aadmi Party‘s (AAP) 70-point manifesto which includes Ex-serviceman's issues at Sl. 64.  

64. Respecting Our Ex-Servicemen: Delhi is home to a large number of ex-servicemen and women from the Armed Forces. AAP will stand by the nation’s ex-servicemen in their fight for “One Rank, One Pension”. We will ensure the existing quota in government jobs for ex-servicemen is filled up.