Date: 02.08.2016
New Delhi

Government of India in Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen, constituted through is order dated 14.12.2015, a Committee to examine and make recommendations on references pertaining to the implementation of OROP scheme, framed by them. A public notice was issued on 13.04.2016, inviting representations from Defence forces, Pensioners/Family Pensioners, Defence Pensioners Associations by 29.04.2016 regarding anomalies, if any, in implementation of the scheme. The date of receiving representations was extended upto 15.05.2016.

2. Taking into account, the various representations that were received in response to the public notice, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence referred the following questions to the Commission, through their letter dated 20th July, 2016.

(i) Whether the benefit of OROP is to be extended to Reservists.

(ii) Whether the decision to grant benefit of MACP under OROP only to Pensioners who have actually earned requires any modification.

(iii) Whether pension tables for more than 33 years of qualifying service are to be prepared.

(iv) Whether the methodology followed for fixation of pension under ORRP in the absence of actual retirees in the same rank and same qualifying service for the below mentioned categories requires any modification:

(a) Regular Lt. & Capt. Getting same pension as Honorary Lieutenant & Captain.

(b)Doctors of AMC/ADC/RVC for the rank of Lieutenant, Captain & Major under OROP getting same as Hony Lt & Hony Capt.

(c) Doctors of AMC/ADC/RVC for the rank getting lower than the regular commissioned officers of the rank of Major.

(d) TA personnel for the rank of Captain/Major and Lt Col getting the same pension.

(e) Lieutenant/Captain and Major in MNS category where data is blank.

(f) Rank of Major in Regular Commissioned Officers getting less than Major in EC and SSC category.

(V) Whether the methodology followed for fixation of pension under OROP for invalidated out war injury pensioners and liberalized family pensioners requires any modification in pension fixation formula.

(VI ) Whether in the case of JCO/ORS, the pension is to be paid on the basis of the last rank held instead of last rank pensioned under OROP.

3.  The Commission proposes to have the benefit of the views of Defence Forces pensioners, Family Pensioners, as well as the three service Headquarters of Army, Navy and Air Force, to enable it to submit a report on the questions referred to it.

4. With a view to facilitate and enable the Ex-servicemen to make the representations at places easily accessible to them, it is proposed; to hold the hearings at the following places where the density of ex­servicemen /pensioners is high; and on the dates indicated below:

Such of the Ex-Servicemen/Associations who intend to appear before the commissions to make representations, may avail the facility at the stations mentioned above nearest to their places of their residence. The timings of the sittings at each place and the venue will be informed shortly before the sittings at the concerned place.

sd/
(Justice L. Narasimha Reddy)

Source : desw.gov.in

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Central Government today issued the notification regarding implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ in respect of Defence Forces personnel.

Highlights of the OROP as stated in the Order are as follows:

Benefit over 25 lakh veterans and war widows

Pension of past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of 2013 & the benefit will be from 1 July 2014.

Who opt to get discharged on their request would henceforth not get OROP benefits

Pension will be re-fixed as per average of min & max pension of personnel retired in 2013 in same rank & same length of service.

Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.

Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly installments.

All family pensioners including those getting Spl/Liberalized family pension & Gallantry award winners to get arrears in 1 installment.

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

Personnel who opt to get discharged, now on, on their request will not get benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.

Judicial Commission will be constituted to iron out the anomalies which shall submit its report in 6 months

OROP tables based on 2013 will be made available very soon.

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The Government today issued the notification regarding implementation of ‘One Rank One Pension’ in respect of Defence Forces personnel.

Defence Forces of India have a rich history and tradition of bravery and gallantry. Defence forces have not only defend our borders with exemplary courage and valour but have also performed with fearless attitude and empathy in natural calamities and other trying circumstances. Government of India recognizes and respects their contribution.

The issue of One Rank One Pension was a long standing demand. Defence Forces had been demanding it for almost four decades but the issue could not be resolved. However, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had made a commitment to implement it for the welfare of the ex-servicemen. Accordingly the Government had announced modalities for implementation of OROP on 05.09.2015. The Government Order by Ministry of Defence, which could not be issued due to model code of conduct, has been issued today.

Salient features of the OROP as stated in the Order are as follows:

I. To begin with, pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from 1.7.2014.

II. Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retiring in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service.

III. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.

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

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

4. Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)1(i)(b),13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.

5. The Govt. has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.

6. Detailed instructions along with tables indicating revised pension for each rank and each category, shall be issued separately for updation of pension and payment of arrears directly by Pension Disbursing Agencies.

The previous Government had made a budget announcement to implement the OROP and made a provision of Rs 500 Crore. The present Government undertook the task earnestly and realized that the actual additional annual expenditure would be eight to ten thousand crore at present and will increase further in future. Notwithstanding the financial constraints, true to its commitment the present Government has issued the Government order to implement the OROP in true spirit.

Source: PIB News

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Govt to come up with clarification on OROP: Ex-servicemen

Leaders of agitating ex-servicemen over OROP met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar tonight after which they said the government was likely to come out with a “clarification” on its applicability to those who have opted for premature retirement. Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, who met the Minister along with few others, for the second time today, said the veterans would take a call on continuance of the agitation, that entered its 84th day, after a core committee meeting of the veterans.

“Defence Minister has confirmed that there is no VRS in defence services and so OROP will be applicable in PMR (Pre-mature Retirement). An official note would be given in a day or two after having a word with the Prime Minister. Parrikar has confirmed that he would give a clarification tomorrow evening or day after tomorrow. As far as Defence Minister and we are concerned that clause goes,” Singh told reporters.

Click to continue reading ; http://indianexpress.com

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“Ever since news has surfaced that official announcement on the One Rank One Pension scheme will be made on August 15, expectations have started to soar again.”

There is a general feeling that time has come for the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme, which has been a long-time dream for more than 30 lakh ex-servicemen all over the country. But the readers might remember that expectations ran high once before too – on May 25, 2015. Everybody thought that Modi would make the announcement on the occasion of the first year celebrations of his coming to power at the centre. After attending the huge rally at Mathura, Modi uttered not even a word about OROP.

But, according to various sources, it looks as if the Government is giving serious thoughts about implementing the policy this time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may announce implementation of very long delayed One Rank One Pension scheme on August 15 when India celebrates its 69th Independence Day.

It is worth noting that for more than 50 Days, the UFESM has been spiritedly conducting a relay fast protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The retired armed forces personnel are preparing to take their agitations to the next level. They are planning to campaign against the BJP in the Bihar poll. If Modi fails to make any announcement on Independence Day, their protest is sure to take a new turn. But, media reports claim that it wouldn’t come to that.

After meeting the Minister of Finance yesterday, Lt General (retd) Raj Kadyan, who heads the Indian Ex-servicemen Movement, said that he has faith in the serious attempts being made by the current government. “After patiently hearing our demands, the Finance Minister said that we wouldn’t have to wait for months, but only for a few more days,” he said. There is a general belief that the minister had hinted at August 15.

Yesterday, a discussion was held with the ex-servicemen association at the Prime Minister’s Office. No landmark decisions were made, but the members had reportedly said that the Prime Minister will announce a positive decision on August 15.

In other words, nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country are hopeful that the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Independence Day will have some definite answers on the question of OROP.

Source: www.cgstaffnews.in

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Definition of One Rank One Pension as per Government order issued by MoD (DoESW) : The principle of OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length oi service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.

No.12(01)/2014-D(Pen/Pol)
Ministry of Defence
Deptt. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
D (Pension/Policy)

Sena Bhawan.
New Delhi the 24th April. 2014

ORDER

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

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

(i) Controller General of Defence Accounts Chairperson
(ii) Jotnt Secretary (SSW) Member
(ill) Joint Secretary (E). Deptt of Defence Member
(iv) Addl. FA (Defiance Finance) Member
(v) Representatives of the three Services Member
(vi) Addl CGDA Member
(vii) PCDA (P). Allahabad Member

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

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

(ii) To work out the detailed financial implications.

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

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

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

sd/-
(Chahan Ram)
Deputy Secretary (Pension)

Source: Aerial View

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WHOM TO BELIEVE, OROP SLIPS DAY BY DAY, ESM TO TAKE IT TO STREETS

Dear Colleagues,
Accompanied by IESM Governing Body members Hony Captains Nagendar Singh and Balwan Singh as well as Risaldar Om Parkash I met the Raksha Mantri today. While I did highlight some other points, OROP inevitably topped the agenda. The RM has all the details worked out, including the expenditure involved in implementing OROP separately for officers, JCOs/OR, families, disabled etc. He did mention the latest spanner thrown in by a related Supreme Court decision (in the case of Maj Gen SPS Vains) where the OROP has been mentioned. However, he appeared confident of resolving the issue without much problem.

The RM is in full grip of the situation. He exudes and inspires confidence. In a relatively short time he has acquired good understanding of the complex manpower structure of the defence forces. He is also fully supportive of the uniformed personnel.

Timeline for OROP? All clearances seems to be in place. Work is progressing apace. My own estimate is OROP will come latest by 26 May 2015, when the NDA completes one year in office.

I have given the farthest limit so that we do not again fall prey to disappointment. Having said that I am hopeful it will come much sooner than 26 May. Till then let us be patient.

Other Points

Some other points that were mentioned and handed over to the RM are:
1. Reservists’ Pension. They are entitled to 2/3 of the minimum pension of a Sepoy with 15 years’ service, but not less than Rs 3,500/- per month. As of now they are getting their entitlement. With OROP the minimum pension of a Sepoy will rise, necessitating up-scaling of the Reservists’ pension.Their number is very small.

2. Pension of pre-2006 Hony Naib Subedars. As of today, Hony Naib Subedars of post 1.1.2006 era are getting the pension of a regular Naib Subedar but the pre- 2006 retirees are getting a Havildar’s pension. Number of the affected persons being small and finite, this anomaly needs to be removed.

3. Pension of Majors. It was highlighted that concept of OROP as well as Supreme Court ruling speak against creating a dividing line for grant of pension. Therefore, while considering grant of a Lt Colonel’s pension to a pre 16.12.2004 Major, there should be no further dividing line based on 1.1.1996. Officers that retired prior to 1.1.1996 in the rank of Major are only about 700 in number and should not be subjected to any discrimination. The point was registered.

4. Minimising Court Cases. It was highlighted that till the Third Pay Commission, there were practically no court cases. Any pay commission anomaly that was perceived was discussed and resolved between the Army Chief, Defence Secretary and their assisting staff. That system needs to be revived.

In this connection I also highlighted that when a military person seeks legal intervention, he is actually a representative of a larger group. There should be a provision where the relief provided to an individual should automatically extend to others similarly affected. The RM clarified that legally, since it is not a PIL, the individual fights for himself and the courts cannot give that benefit to others. However, an administrative mechanism can be put in place for extending such benefit to others. He further added that he is already having it examined for implementation. This showed how positively he is disposed toward resolving the soldiers’ problems.

Best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
Chairman IESM
262, Sector – 17A
Gurgaon – 122 001

Source: www.ex-airman.blogspot.in

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