O/o THE PRINCIPAL CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
DRAUPADI GHAT, PRAYAGRAJ- 211014

Circular No. 667

Dated: 28th Feb 2023

To

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt, Bank Accounts, Central Office C-7, Second Floor, Bandra – Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandra East Mumbai-400051
2. All CMDs, Public Sector Banks.
3. The Nodal Officers, ICICI/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 (OROP) revision to the Defence pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2019.

Reference:- This office Circular No. 666 dated 20.01.2023 and MoD ID No. 4(5)/2016-D(P/L) Vol-IV dated 27.02.2023.

Government of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 1(1)/2019/D(Pen/Pol) /Vol-II dated 20.01.2023 and No. 1(1)/2019/D(Pen/Pol) dated 04.01.2023 on the above subject have been issued in implementation of OROP w.e.f. 01.07.2019. This office has also issued necessary directive to all PDAs in implementation of same vide Circular No. 666 dt 20.01 2023.

2. Attention is invited to para 3 of this office Circular No. 666 dt 20.01.2023 vide which it has been directed that payment of arrears accrued on account of revision of pension, if any, shall be made in four equal half yearly installments, however. all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalised Family Pension and all Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one installment as stipulated earlier.

3. In pursuance to Hon’ble Court order dt 27.02.2023 w.r.t. MA No. 219/2023 in WP(C) No. 419/2016, MoD has issued directions vide MoD ID No. 4(5)/2016-D(P/L) Vol-IV dated 27.02.2023 to pay full arrear in one instalment on account of OROP revision w.e.f. 01.07.2019 to all eligible pensioners by 15th March 2023. In order to ensure timely payment of arrears may be authorised before 15th March 2023 (in one go).

4. A copy of this circular along with the Government of India, Ministry of Defence ID No. 4(5)/2016-D(P/L) Vol-IV dated 27.02.2023 are also available on the website of this Office (www.pcdapension.nic.in).

Hindi version will follow.

No. Gts/Tech/OROP-II/ 0183/Vol-V
Dated: 28.02.2023

(Rajendra Kumar Gupta)
Asstt. Controller of Defence Accounts (P)

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NOTIFICATION
Ministry of Defence
Govt of India

RAKSHA PENSION SAMADHAN AAYOJAN (RPSA) – RANCHI (Jharkhand)

The office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj will be conducting 176th Raksha Pension Samdhan Aayojan (RPSA) on 5th & 6th January, 2023 at Kerketta auditorium, Dipatoli cantt. Ranchi for redressal of grievances of Defence pensioners including Defence Civilians in the State of Jharkhand.

Defence pensioners including Defence civilian and their families having any specific grievances relating to sanction or disbursement of Defence pension are requested to submit their representation, in writing, in duplicate, to:

Shri P G Roy
Sr. Accounts Officer
Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, Prayagraj-211014.

Application form for representation of pension related problems is given on this website.

Kindly note:

1. Applications can be sent by post (in duplicate copies). Pensioners are required to attend the RPSA on the above dates.
2. Photocopies of Pension payment order, Corr PPO, discharge certificate and supporting documents if any must be enclosed
3. Registration number will be allotted on each application. The same should be quoted in all future correspondence.
4. Incomplete and unsigned representations will not be accepted.

TA/DA expenses will not be reimbursed to the pensioners/individuals attending the RPSA for redressal of their pension related problems.

Sr Accounts Officer

APPLICATION FORM

DEFENCE PENSION ADALAT

Shri P G Roy
Adalat Officer
O/o the PCDA (Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, Prayagraj -211014.

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Defence Pensioners can Submit Extended Life Certificate till Feb 2023

All defence pensioners who are yet to complete their annual identification are requested to complete their annual identification/ life certification by February 2023 positively to ensure smooth processing and credit of their pension entitlement.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

MoD approves extension of pension payment for three months for banks’ pensioners, migrated to SPARSH, whose identification was due in November 2022

Posted On: PIB Delhi

Ministry of Defence has approved the extension of pension payment for three months for banks’ pensioners, who migrated to SPARSH, {System for Pension Administration (Raksha)} and whose identification was due in November 2022. It is reiterated that the process of Annual Identification/ Life Certification is a statutory requirement for continued and timely credit of monthly pension. Thus, all defence pensioners who are yet to complete their annual identification are requested to complete their annual identification/ life certification by February 2023 positively to ensure smooth processing and credit of their pension entitlement.

Annual Identification/ Life Certification can be done via the following means:

1. Via the Digital Jeevan Pramaan online/ Jeevan Pramaan Face App for Android Users.

• Details of installation & usage may be found here: JeevanPramaan FaceApp
• SPARSH Pensioner: Please choose Sanctioning Authority as “Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” & Disbursing Authority as “SPARSH – PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad”.

2. Pensioners can complete Annual Identification/ Life Certification by logging in sparsh.defencepension.gov.in/ and opting for:

• Download & upload Manual Life Certificate (MLC) duly signed by authorized signatory, or
• By selecting Aadhaar based Digital Life Certificate (DLC)

3. Pensioners may also visit for completing their Annual Identification/ Life Certification at nearest Service Centre established at following agencies:

• Common Service Centres (CSCs) – To find your nearest CSC click here: https://findmycsc.nic.in/
• Nearest DPDO or Defence Accounts Department Service Centre.
• Service centres established by SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• To locate SPARSH service centres available at Defence Account Department or Banks click here – https://sparsh.defencepension.gov.in/?page=serviceCentreLocator.

4. Legacy Pensioner (pre-2016 Retiree) who has not yet migrated to SPARSH can perform their Life Certification as was being done by them in previous years. For performing life certification through Jeevan Pramaan, they have to select respective Sanctioning Authority as “Defence – Jt.CDA(AF) Subroto Park” or Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” or “Defence – PCDA (Navy) Mumbai & Disbursing Authority as your respective pension disbursing bank/ DPDO etc.

PIB

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HAND BOOK
DEFENCE PENSION
FOR
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
(ICOs)
Year – 2021

Hand Book on Defence Pension for ICOs

Preface

New Pension Code came into force w.e.f 01.06.1953 vide A.I 1/S/53. Since then tremendous changes have taken place in pensionary awards of the Armed Forces Personnel and their families due to the recommendation of the successive Central Pay Commission. These changes are scattered over a number of Govt. letters, memoranda etc. issued from time to time.

2. A need was, therefore, felt to review and update. The same with reference to latest Govt. letters, ruling and clarifications issued over a past these years and to summaries them in a precise manures.

3. Keeping the above facts in view, the efforts have been made to put the important changes made upto 2020 in fundamental principle in pension structure of various kinds of pensionary awards precisely in the form of a Hand Book.

4. I, hope, this Hand Book will be a useful guide to all the dealing staff and officers of this office who are employed on the sanction of various kinds of pensionary awards in their day to day working.

5. For facility, illustrations based on the Seventh CPC are given showing calculation of pension.  Appendices showing changes in rates of the pension etc. with relevant authority have also been given. The Govt. letters mentioned in the Hand Book have also been listed with Group Order No. for necessary check as and when required.

6. The Hand Book has been prepared separately for PBORs and Commissioned Officers.

7. Any suggestion to improve this Hand Book would be gratefully acknowledged.

Rajiv Ranjan, IDAS
Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension)
Prayagraj

HAND BOOK ON DEFENCE PENSION FOR ICOs

PENSIONARY AWARDS IN RESPECT OF COMMISSIONED OFFICER

INDEX

Sl. No. – Subject

1. Qualifying service for earning Retiring Pension
2. Periods of service qualifying for pension
3. Determination of amount of pension
4. Retirement Gratuity
5. Commutation of Pension
6. Restoration of commuted portion of pension
7. Disability pension
8. Categorisation of disability
9. Procedure for adjudication of Disability Pension claim
   1. Injury cases
   2. Disease cases
10. Disability pension on invalidment
11. Disability element on retirement
12. Rates of Disability Element
13. Constant Attendance Allowance
14. Lump sum compensation in lieu of Disability Element
15. Invalid Pension
16. War Injury Pension on invalidment
17. War injury Pension on retention in service
18. Lump sum compensation in lieu of war injury pension in service
19. War injury element on subsequent retirement
20. Liberalized disability pension
21. Ex-gratia awards to cadets (direct) in case of disablement
22. Appeal
23. Ordinary Family Pension
24. Eligible members of family for Ordinary Family Pension
25. Ordinary Family Pension in case of missing personnel/pensioners
26. Rates of Ordinary Family Pension
    1. Normal Rate
    2. Enhanced Rate
27. Special Family Pension
28. Eligible members for Special Family Pension
29. Special Family Pension on re-marriage widow
30. Dependent pension to Parents and Brothers/Sisters
31. Liberalized Family Pension
32. Dependent Pension (Liberalized)
33. Ex-gratia lump sum compensation who die in harness
34. Death Gratuity
35. Monetary allowances attached to Gallantry Awards
36. Pensionary awards in respect of Non-regulars Commissioned Officers (SSC/TC/EC/SSRC)
37. Counting of Past service
38. Condonation of break in service
39. Pro-rata pension
40. Appendices – Rates of
    1. Retiring Pension
    2. Retirement Gratuity
    3. Disability Element
    4. Ordinary family pension-prior to 01.06.53 and after 01.06.53
    5. Special Family Pension-Prior to 01.06.53 and after 01.06.53
    6. Monetary allowances attached to gallantry decorations
    7. Evaluation of Pensionary structure prior to 01.06.53 and thereafter and also important changes due to successive CPC recommendations.
    8. List of Govt. letters referred to in the Hand Book with Group Order No. under which reproduced

DOWNLOAD HAND BOOK DEFENCE PENSION FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (ICOs) YEAR 2021 PDF

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TRI SERVICES EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE ASSOCIATION
(Registration No.495/2015)

Ref No.TSEWA/SPARSH-01/2022

20th May 2022

FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION OF SPARSH FOR EFFICIENCY

Introduction

1. Tri Services Ex- Servicemen Welfare Association (TSEWA) is a Registered welfare organisation with its Headquarters at Secunderabad as per the details given above in the letterhead. The organisation is an Apex National Welfare Organisation for Ex­ Servicemen and War Widows with more than 16,000 ex-servicemen as Members from all the States in India. TSEWA believes in “True Sewa” to the Ex-Servicemen especially JCO/OR and their equivalents in the Navy and the Air Force. TSEWA is self-funded by its Members through voluntary contributions and the Executive Committee Members travel the length and breadth of the country to interact with the Ex-Servicemen, Single Ladies and Veer Naris and help them in resolving their problems and rehabilitate them. More details can be obtained from our website www.tsewa.org.

2. A large number of letters have been written by veterans and Veteran Welfare Associations to various authorities expressing their concerns and anguish on SPARSH , without analyses of the Issues that may be hindering the smooth implementation of SPARSH. Hence this letter may kindly not be treated as yet another letter of complaints. Similarly, a large number of letters were written directly and through the Service HOs by various veteran organisations expressing their reservations on SPARSH at the initial stage of development of the System which do not appear to have been given any thought by the CGDA. TSEWA has earned out in-depth analyses of possible flaws in the system and is submitting comprehensive recommendations through this letter to overcome the present impasse and resistance from Veterans on the proposed road to Digital India as per the vision of the Hon’ble PM of India. Since TSEWA is not involved in Software Development Life Cycle, certain presumptions are made in this letter based on the user interaction with the Veterans.

Background

3. The pensions of approximately 33 Lakh Defence and Civilian Pensioners of MOD are hitherto disbursed mainly through the 28 Public Sector and Four Pvt Sector Banks with their vast network of CPPCs and Branches in the remotest part of the country . The pensioners could interact with the PDA Banks and redress their grievances through the Banks. In spite of initial hiccups, the banks have understood the Rank structure of the pensioners and have been able to implement various Circulars issued by PCDA to correctly disburse the pensions on-time, every time. The Banks have spent a fortune on development of suitable software to handle various issues pertaining to interpretation and implementation of orders issued by PCDAs. It is purported that there is an annual outgo of Rs.180 crores to the Banks towards the handling charges of pension disbursement to the Defence Veterans. The Banks have also extended special services by way converting the pension accounts to DSP status with attendant benefits.

4. Min of Def (ESW) on the advise of CGDA approved central pension disbursal to all defence pensioners including defence civilians by creating Central Pension Disbursing Authority (CPDA). PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj (herein after referred to as PCDA (P)) is designated as CPDA. This new system of Central Disbursal of Pension is known as System for Administration of RAKSHAK (SPARSH). CGDA has already incurred expenditure of 160 crores out of estimated requirement of funds of 260 crores.

5. As per the Press Information Bureau release of Min of Def dated 04 May 2022. 4.47 lakh defence pensioners post 2016 retirees have been migrated to SPARSH till 31 Mar 2022 out of 33 lakhs defence pensioners including defence civilian pensioners and in due course, the balance pensioners who retired pre-2016 will also be migrated on to SPARSH.

Present Serious Flaw with SPARSH

6. Out of the 4.47 lakh Defence Pensioners migrated to SPARSH. about 58,275 defence pensioners did not receive their pension of Apr 2022 though they submitted Annual Life Certificate to their banks in Nov 2021 and received pension from Dec 2021 to Mar 2022 . The post-mortem revealed that the SPARSH System has not recognised the Life Certificate submitted to the Banks and required pensioners to re-submit the Life Certificate after Log-in formalities are completed. There was inadequate training and understanding of the process of Registration especially by many non-computer savvy pensioners and they have been put to tremendous hardships due to stoppage of Pensions which is the sole source of income for survival of many pensioners.

7. The CGDA / PCDA as is their work culture, were totally unresponsive to the serious problem and insisted on fresh submission of Life Certificate through SPARSH Medium for renewal of pensions of the affected pensioners in a typical Bureaucratic way. It is only after the media raised a stink on the issue, MOD reacted to the situation and gave a one-time waiver of the need for fresh re-submission of the Life Certificates which gave the much needed relief when the pensions were restored. The 58,275 affected personnel included Army Cdrs to Sepoys who retired post 2016 and who were migrated to SPARSH. The stoppage of pensions resulted in pensioners defaulting in repayment of term-loans, non-payment of rentals and expenses connected with day-to-day living.

Poor Methodology of Implementation

8. It is amply clear that CGDA / PCDA (P) have not given adequate thought to the plan of implementation of SPARSH. It is a saving grace that only 58,275 out of 4.47 lakh post 2016 pensioners who were migrated to SPARSH were affected. It would have been catastrophic if all the 33 lakh pensioners have been migrated to SPARSH. Some of the issues visibly not understood by CGDA/ PCDA are given below:

• (a) The premise that all pensioners especially older generation of Veteran JCO/ORs/ Veernaris will be computer savvy or have smart phones to handle SPARSH is the biggest folly
• (b) There is no Pilot study carried out with a limited number of pensioners to understand the difficulties before migration of Pensioners.
• (c) No cognizance of the present disbursement system of Pay & Allowances to the Serving Defence Personnel is taken whilst defining user requirements of the Defence Pensioners especially of older generations.
• (d) No training of pensioners is carried out to make them understand the system requirements. Presumption that issue of a simple circular explaining SPARSH System is adequate to disseminate the contents to the pensioners in the remotest places, is another big mistake.
• (e) Redressal grievance system is totally inadequate and limited telephone helplines are totally unresponsive.
• (f) The work culture of employees of PCDA (P) needs much to be desired . The measurable output of the employees is not even 4 hours in a day as established by many ESM Welfare association representatives who visit Prayagraj.
• (g) CGDA/PCDA (P) have no idea how to deal with illiterate pensioners I Family pensioners speaking only local languages who call up to redress their grievances. (Presuming that they get through the help lines which are never accessible) .
• (h) There are innumerable problems with the issue of e-PPOs. It is a nightmare for pensioners to get a Corrigendum PPO issued or get the DOB and other particulars corrected though, the entire correct data is held with the PCDA (P).
• (i) TCS has built a huge fort with no doors to let the elephant in. Obviously the SDLC steps of Planning, Defining, Designing, Building, Testing and Deployment were not followed both by CGDA and TCS before implementation of SPARSH which is supposed to be the panacea for all the present problems faced by the Veteran Community.
• (k) Defining the user requirements is left to some auditors who looked at it from the audit point of view and not user point of view.
• (l) The Geeks sitting in TCS developed the software based on such ill-defined “User Requirement Manual” who presume that all target users are IT Savvy.
• (m) Professional advice of Defence Institutions like MCTE hasn’t been taken to vet the User Requirement Manual before handing over to TCS. Hence this is a typical case of GIGO.

Recommendations for Improvement

10. With a view to ensure smooth transition from the present Legacy System to the Digital System envisaged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, TSEWA recommends the following:

• (a) A fresh de-novo look at the software developed by TCS be done strictly adhering to the principles of SDLC Method.
• (b) The user requirements may be arrived at and vetting be done by Service establishments like MCTE and not left to CGDA I TCS alone.
• (c) The Banks which are DPDAs and other DPDOs be made as the prime / ab­ initio organisations to log-in all grievances by the affected Veterans . These are the nearest entities serving the veterans and veernaris without hassles of language or long travel. They should be given a module which will interface with SPARSH. Adequate training of Banking staff in use of the module be ensured and earmark dedicated bank staff for the purpose depending upon the number of veterans being serviced by that DPDA.
• (d) Computer savvy veterans may continue to log into SPARSH and should be in a position lodge their Grievances sitting at home and using their own laptops/ Smart Phones.
• (e) Annual Life Certificates be done using facial recognition methods interfaced with Aadhar which should be made accessible at DPDAs level or by individuals sitting at home using appropriate software . The procedure to be followed by some veterans who are permanently living abroad for submission of ALC should also be considered.
• (f) All grievances lodged by the veterans/veernaris through the DPDAs be ab­ initio made accessible by the respective Record Offices with a similar module of SPARSH.
• (g) The Record Offices, Navy Pension Office and IAF Accounts Offices servicing the Veteran issues should be adequately manned to address all Grievances by direct interaction with the affected Veterans / Veernaris on telephone, Mobiles etc. till satisfactory closure of the Grievance.
• (h) The above service Organisations should have an appropriate module in SPARSH to escalate all issues to the respective PCDAs for resolution of the Grievances pertaining to their responsibility I authority. The onus for satisfactory closure of Grievances should be shifted to the Record Offices I PCDAs once a Veteran has logged-in the Grievance either through DPDAs or individually, instead of the Veterans being made to run from pillar to post for redressal of the Grievance now.
• 0) No requests for additional manpower by CGDA be entertained for implementation of SPARSH. Any sanction of additional Manpower at CGDAs/PCDAs will defeat the entire purpose of migration from the existing Legacy System to SPARSH as a cost saving measure. Adequate training of the existing Civilian Personnel in PCDAs, accountability and motivation aspects be instituted. Lateral induction of trained ESM be considered to PCDAs/ DPDAs.
• (k) Auto Generation of Reports of all pending Grievances at various levels right up to the Defence Minister be incorporated in SPARSH software for monitoring and institution of corrective measures.
• (I) ZSWOs should be removed from the loop of Pension Grievances redressal and their role be limited to State Issues.
• (m) SPARSH activities be suspended immediately pending a re-look at the software developed by TCS and necessary improvements may be done in line with the recommendations at para 1O above.
• (n) A pilot project be done for implementation of SPARSH on a target group of veterans in the remotest areas of the country and not limited to urban computer savvy veterans of the present generation.
• (p) All Log-ins/ Registration by Veterans Neernaris into SPARSH be made only through Bank DPDAs I other DPDOs using a freshly developed suitable module thus eliminating the need for pensioners to be computer savvy or possess costly smart phones for Registration into SPARSH.
• (q) Migration of the Veterans / Veernaris be done only on successful completion of pilot project and all major/minor glitches in the software are removed and the system fully stabilised.
• (r) In the worst case scenario, if SPARSH cannot meet the requirements, option be given to the individuals to continue under the Legacy System.

Conclusion

11. A lot of effort has gone in making SPARSH as on date. If the above mentioned suggestions of TSEWA to improve SPARSH are considered, there w ill be all round satisfaction and smooth transition from Legacy System to the new Digital SPARSH. After all, a pensioner needs his monthly pension on time and every time and his grievances should be resolved in a time bound manner at all levels with proper monitoring mechanism at various levels. The aptness of the quote from Chankya which says “The Day the Soldier has to demand his dues will be sad day for Magadha for then, on that day, you will have lost all moral sanction to be the King” should be borne in mind always by all the authorities at all levels. The SPARSH software should not be CGDA Centric but made inclusive of Record Offices and DPDAs who are the prime interfaces between PCDAs and the Veteran Pensioners. This alone will eliminate the harassment faced by Old/Infirm Veterans/ Veernaris especially JCO/OR ranks who are made to run from pillar to post at present to redress their Grievances.

12. We humbly request the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Raksha Mantri and the Finance Minister to immediately issue suitable orders to the all concerned. Alternatively, option may be given to the Defence Pensioners to either continue to use the legacy system of pension disbursal by banks or to migrate to SPARSH.

(Sudheer Parakala)
Commodore, IN (Retd)
President
Tri Services Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association

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Defence Pensioners Requested to Complete Annual Identification by June 25, 2022

26 MAY 2022

The Ministry of Defence has extended the timeline for completing the annual identification/ life certification by those defence pensioners who are yet to complete the same, until 25th June 2022.

Upon verification of data received as of 25th May 2022, it is noticed that 34,636 Pensioners who have been migrated to SPARSH have not completed their annual identification – neither online nor through their respective banks by November 2021. The April 2022 Monthly Pension was credited through a special one-time waiver for 58,275 Pensioners (out of 4.47 lakh Migrated Pensioners on SPARSH), as their annual identification details could not be verified by their respective banks by month-closing.

The process of Annual Identification/Life Certification is a statutory requirement for continued and timely credit of monthly pension. In the absence of Annual Identification/Life Certification, the initial waiver was given till 25 May 2022 and the same has now been extended by MoD till June 25, 2022.

Annual Identification/Life Certification can be done via the following means:

1. Via the Digital Jeevan Pramaan online/ Jeevan Pramaan Face App for Android Users
   1. Details of installation & usage may be found here: JeevanPramaan FaceApp 3.6 Installation
   2. SPARSH Pensioner: Please choose Sanctioning Authority as “ Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” & Disbursing Authority as “SPARSH – PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad
   3. Legacy Pensioner (pre-2016 Retiree): Please choose your respective Sanctioning Authority as “Defence – Jt.CDA(AF) Subroto Park” or Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” or “Defence – PCDA (Navy) Mumbai& Disbursing Authority as your respective pension disbursing bank/ DPDO etc.
2. Pensioners may also visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) for completion of Annual Identification. Find your nearest CSC here: https://findmycsc.nic.in/
   Pensioners may also visit their nearest DPDO for updation of Life Certification. Legacy Pensioners may continue to update their Life Certification with their respective banks.
   

PIB

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Ministry of Defence

Defence Pensioners Requested to Complete Annual Identification by May 25, 2022

18 MAY 2022

The ministry of defence has once again requested those defence pensioners who are yet to complete their annual identification/life certification to complete the process by May 25, 2022 positively to ensure smooth processing of monthly pension.

Upon verification of data received as of 17 May 2022, it has been noticed that 43,774 Pensioners who have been migrated to System for Pension Administration – Rakshasa (SPARSH) have not completed their annual identification, neither online nor through their respective banks by November 2021.

Further, for legacy pensioners (pre-2016 retirees) who continue to be on the old system of Pension, it is informed that nearly 1.2 lakh pensioners have not completed their annual identification through any of the means available.

The Annual Identification/Life Certification can be done via the following means:

1. Via the Digital Jeevan Pramaan online/Jeevan Pramaan Face App for Android Users

• a. Details of installation & usage may be found here: Download Jeevan Pramaan FaceApp Installation
• b. SPARSH Pensioner: Please choose Sanctioning Authority as “Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” & Disbursing Authority as “SPARSH – PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad
• c. Legacy Pensioner (pre-2016 Retiree): Please choose your respective Sanctioning Authority as “Defence – Jt. CDA (AF) Subroto Park” or Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad” or “Defence – PCDA (Navy) Mumbai& Disbursing Authority as your respective pension disbursing bank/DPDO etc.

2. Pensioners may also visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) for completion of Annual Identification. Find your nearest CSC here: https://findmycsc.nic.in/
3. Pensioners may also visit their nearest DPDO for updation of Life Certification. Legacy Pensioners may continue to update their Life Certification with their respective banks.

The process of Annual Identification/Life Certification is a statutory requirement for continued and timely credit of monthly pension. However, the Monthly Pension for April 2022 was credited through a special one-time waiver for 58,275 Pensioners (out of 4.47 lakh Migrated Pensioners on SPARSH), as their annual identification details could not be verified by their respective banks by month-closing.

PIB

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One rank One Pension latest news 2021

OROP

Contents

1. Gaps in the Earlier Pension Policy. 02
2. A long pending issue. 03
3. Steps taken by the Government 07
4. OROP benefits 08
5. Financial Benefits.. 09
6. Who benefits from the reform. 10
7. OROP Media Reports. 12

CHAPTER 1

GAPS IN THE EARLIER PENSION POLICY

Before implementation of OROP, the computation of pension was linked to the pay drawn by the personnel in a particular pay scale/ pay band at the time of his/her retirement. Pay scales are revised to the higher side generally on the recommendation of Pay Commissions. As such, the personnel retiring after the revision of the pay scales got more pension than those who had already retired. Hence, the gap remained in the pension of the past and present retirees.

Our soldiers were patient for 40 years. They have never been out of discipline. They have always respected the system. They kept asking for this scheme, and our soldiers who are ready to sacrifice their lives for our country, were lied to.

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi

CHAPTER 2

A LONG PENDING ISSUE

Ex-Servicemen had been agitating for implementation of OROP for more than 40 years, but the same was not finalized prior to 2015. The issue of ‘One Rank One Pension’ has been considered in the past by various committees and bodies and generally not found acceptable on account of the principles as well as significant financial implications not only for defence services but also for the civilian employees as a whole. The substance of recommendations of these committees and bodies is summarized as under:

3rd Central Pay Commission: It recommended weightages in qualifying service for pension from 3 to 9 years depending on the ranks.

High Level Committee on problems of Ex-Servicemen – 1984 (K.P. Singh Dev Committee): The Committee recommended that the Government should consider the issue of ‘One Rank One Pension’ particularly in the light of the principle, which has been already established with respect to the pension of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

The 4th Central Pay Commission: The Commission observed that it is difficult to accept the suggestion for equalization of pension. Moreover, this would involve a considerable administrative and accounting work without conferring any uniform benefits to various categories of pensioners.

High Level Empowered Committee –1991 (Sharad Pawar Committee): No specific recommendation on the issue of ‘One Rank One Pension’ was given by the Committee.

5th Central Pay Commission: The Commission did not recommend grant of ‘One Rank One Pension’ by stating that every Pay Commission gives certain benefits in pay which are over and above the impact of inflation, either due to up gradation of recruitment qualifications or change in job contents. The benefits accorded on this account need not necessarily be passed on to the pensioners.

RM’s Committee Report (June, 2003): The RM’s Committee left the issue to be considered by the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the Government on the issue of ‘One Rank One Pension’.

Inter-Ministerial Committee: An Inter-Ministerial Committee was set up on 27.02.2003 by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare to consider the demand of ‘One Rank One Pension’. The Committee, in its report submitted on 24.09.2004 did not favour grant of ‘One Rank One Pension’, but recommended grant of modified parity based on the maximum of the revised scale of pay introduced with effect from 01.01.1996 for PBOR.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence: The Committee in its 20th and 21st report reiterated their earlier recommendations for providing ‘One Rank One Pension’ to the Armed Forces Personnel.

Views of Ministry of Law on ‘One Rank One Pension’: “The present system has stood the test of judicial scrutiny. The same cannot be said for ‘One Rank One Pension’ and the legal feasibility of the same stands open to be adjudicated. Besides, there are financial aspects too that need to be kept in view”.

Group of Ministers: A Group of Ministers (GOM) was set up in January 2005 by the Government to look into this demand. GOM did not recommend ‘One Rank One Pension’.

6th Central Pay Commission: The 6th Pay Commission has also not recommended ‘One Rank One Pension’.

Cabinet Secretary Committee, 2009: The Committee went into this demand and other related issues, but did not recommended ‘One Rank One Pension’.However,it made seven recommendations aimed at narrowing the gap between past and current pensioners.

Standing Committee: The Standing Committee in its 7th and 9th (15th Lok Sabha) Report again reiterated their stand on ‘One Rank One Pension’.

Rajya Sabha Petition Committee: Rajya Sabha Petition Committee in its 142nd Report stated that the Government should implement ‘One Rank One Pension’ in the Defence Forces across the board.

Cabinet Secretary Committee (2012): The Committee did not recommend implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’, however, it recommended various other ways to enhance pension of past retirees.

I had made a resolution before you for One Rank One Pension. You had to struggle a lot and launch movements during the tenure of previous governments. The nation is a witness to the same. Now the nation and you all are witnesses to the fact that not only has the One Rank One Pension been implemented but so far Rs.35 thousand crore has been distributed by our government. The government’s pension budget has increased from Rs.44 thousand crores to more than Rs.1 lakh 12 thousand crores.

– Prime Minister Narendra Modi

CHAPTER 3

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT

The Government accepted the ‘One Rank One Pension’ by way of its mention in the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament on 09.06.2014 after the constitution of 16th Lok Sabha and an allocation of ₹ 1000 crore was provided in the Budget 2014-15 for implementation of OROP.

In pursuance of the Government decision to implement OROP for Defence Forces, a series of meetings were held in the Ministry of Defence for working out the details of its implementation. Keeping in view the magnitude and complexity of Defence pension, extensive consultations were held with experts and Ex- Servicemen before issue of Government order on implementation of OROP.

Demonstrating its commitment to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, Government of India took the historic decision to implement OROP by issuing order on 07.11.2015. Armed Forces Personnel retired up to 30.06.2014 were covered under this Order.

CHAPTER 4

OROP BENEFITS

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. Thus, OROP implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners at periodic intervals. Salient features of OROP order were as under:

1. Pension of past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective from 01.07.2014
2. 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 same length of service.
3. Pension for those drawing above average shall be protected.
4. 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.
5. Pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

CHAPTER 5

Financial Benefits

To quicken the process of revision of pension/family pension under OROP, Government issued detailed orders on 03.02.2016 along with 101 pension tables indicating rates for revision of pension/family pension under OROP.

The existing pension of all pre 1.7.2014 pensioners/family pensioners were enhanced with reference to applicable table for the rank (and group in case of JCOs/ORs), with reference to the actual qualifying service as shown in the tables subject to maximum term of engagement for each rank as applicable from time to time. Pension of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) absorbees who had opted for 100% commutation of pension, were also revised with reference to revised pension of the rank determined for regular category of pensioners.

Additional pension as applicable to the old age pensioners/family pensioners on attaining the relevant age (80 years and above) was also enhanced by the Pension Disbursing Authorities (PDAs) from 1.7.2014 or the date from which the pensioner attained the age of 80 years or more, whichever was later.

Years-wise details of actual expenditure made on release of arrears for implementation of OROP are as under:

Financial year – Amount disbursed on account of OROP arrears
2015-16 – Rs.2,861.55 crore
2016-17 – Rs.5,370.61 crore
2017-18 – Rs.2,563.24 crore
Total – Rs.10,795.40 crore

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

Circular No. 622

DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014
Dated: 03.04.2019

To,

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. Of Govt, Bank Accounts, Central Office, C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East Mumbai- 400051
2. CMDs, All Public Sector Banks.
3. The Nodal Officers, ICICI/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 Treasuries, 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); and Camp Bell Bay.
13. The Principal Pay and Accounts Officer, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair.

Subject:- Implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ to all Pre-01.06.1953 Defence pensioners and their families.

Reference:- Gol, MoD letter No. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part-ll dated 3rd Feb 2016 (Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016), Circular 557 dated 17.03.2016, Circular 580 dated 05.07.2017, Circular 581 dated 02.08.2017 and Circular 591 dated 13.11.2017.

Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) are aware that as per this office Circular No. 555 dated 04.02.2016, pension of Armed Forces Personnel is to be revised w.e.f. 01.07.2014 by the PDAs as per tables attached with the circular.

In continuation of the same, the rates of ordinary family pension, Special Family Pension, 2nd life award of SFP, Liberalized Family Pension, 2nd life award of LFP, Disability/ Liberalized disability element for 100% Disability, War Injury Element for 100% disability (Invalid out cases) meant for post -53 retirees JCOs/ ORs of Regular Army of Group “Y” may be allowed to the families of pre-53 retirees under OROP scheme.

Further, cases where data is not available with PDAs, the same may be referred to PCDA(P) Allahabad for issue of Corr. PPOs.

In view of the above, this office Circular No. 591 dated 13.11.2017 stands cancelled in toto.

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

No. Gts/Tech/0167/XXX
Dated: 03.04.2019

Sd/-
(Sushil Kumar Singh)
Addl. CDA (Pensions)

Source: PCDA

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Office of the Prinapar CDA(Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, fillafia6ad- 211014

Circular No. 619

Dated: 14/03/2019

Subject: Regarding deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar in compliance of Honbie High Courts and AFTs orders.

In compliance of various court orders, conditional sanctions were being issued by AG/P5-4 (Pen/Legal), IHQ (Mob), New beihi in respect of Pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar for implementing Gol, Mob letter dated 12.06,2009 in their cases. Accordingly, corrigendum PPOs were/are being issued notifying their pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006 @ Rs. 8450/- for Group “X” and ( Rs. 7750/- for Group .Y and “Z as per the provisions of ibid Mob letter by this office. These Corrigendum PPOs have a Note containing that condition as “The sanction will, however, be subject to the final outcome of appeal, if any filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In the event, the appeal is decided in favour of liaI, the petitioners shall be liable to refund the entire amount paid to him under the ibid sanction”.

1. Of late, it has been observed that large number of such cases of pre 01.01.2006 retiree Hcivildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar for grant of pension in terms of Gol, Mob letter dated 12.06.2009 were decided by the various Courts/AFTS. Now, AG/PS- 4 (Pen/Legal), IHQ of Mob, New beihi has started converting conditional sanction into absolute sanction by deleting the ibid contents as printed in Note of Corrigendum PPO of these cases. Large number of such type of sanctions for deleting conditional sanction are being received in this office from Record Offices concerned for issuing Corr. PPO for deleting that Note of conditional sanction in respect of pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar.
2. As large number of Corr. PPOs are to be issued in such cases without any financial bearing or other changes, as such, it has been decided by the competent authority that the note The sanction will, however, be subject to the final outcome of appeal, if any filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In the event, the appeal is decided in favour of UoI, the petitioners shall be liable to refund the entire amount paid to him under the ibid sanction” as printed in the respective PPO of those pre-01.01.2000 retirees Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar issued in compliance of the Court/AFT orders. may be treated as deleted.
3. It is further reiterated that deletion of ibid note will be applicable only where Service Pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006 @ Rs. 8450/- for Group X and @ Rs. 7750/- for Group and Group Z were notified in compliance of various Courts/AFTS orders in respect of Pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar and not in other cases.
4. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.n

sd/-
(Sandeep Thakur)
Addl CbA (P)

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