The FM in his Vote on Account speech said that: OROP accepted in principle but it had legal implications and was a sensitive issue and was to be paid prospectively from 01 Apr 2014 with earmarking of 500 crores. He further mentioned of bridging the gaps in pensions of ORs and Majors upwards.
At the face of it, OROP is only accepted in principle. This we have heard n number of times including from the ramparts of the Redfort and inclusion in political manifestoes and in Parliament too. So there is no cause to be elated.
An open house discussion was held under the ageis of the Flags of Honour with Rajya Sabha MP Mr Chandrasekhar in chair. After lot of delibrations/discussions it was unanimously agreed that a Memoranda be sent to the FM which is attached below. Bottom line is ' We have to wait for the Implementation Notification and the fine print.' It was also agreed that the stakeholders should be involved in the finalisation of the implementation instructions. RDOA will be actively involved in this.
At the face of it, OROP is only accepted in principle. This we have heard n number of times including from the ramparts of the Redfort and inclusion in political manifestoes and in Parliament too. So there is no cause to be elated.
An open house discussion was held under the ageis of the Flags of Honour with Rajya Sabha MP Mr Chandrasekhar in chair. After lot of delibrations/discussions it was unanimously agreed that a Memoranda be sent to the FM which is attached below. Bottom line is ' We have to wait for the Implementation Notification and the fine print.' It was also agreed that the stakeholders should be involved in the finalisation of the implementation instructions. RDOA will be actively involved in this.
GRANT OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP)
Introduction
1.
OROP, an entirely justified and acknowledged demand and yet denied to the
defence personnel for over four decades, has finally become a reality. Defence
fraternity is indeed grateful to the Govt for accepting the principle of OROP and
granting the same to all defence personnel during the Vote-on-Account
presentation by the Finance Minister in the Parliament on 17 Feb 2014.
2. However, lack of details and clarity in
the statements made by the Finance Minister during the Vote-on-Account
presentation on 17 Feb 2014 has led to diverse interpretation, including apprehensions,
among the defence fraternity with regards to implementation of OROP. This in
turn raises crucial and critical questions which must be addressed forthwith to
instil confidence amongst the defence fraternity that OROP will be implemented
holistically and as per accepted definition with no deviation at any stage.
3. These are listed in the succeeding Paras.
Definition of OROP
4. One
Rank One Pension (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 be automatically
passed on to the past pensioners.” This
implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners
and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to
be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.
5. It is pertinent to mention that the above
definition of OROP was duly accepted by the Rajya Sabha Petition Committee on
OROP which submitted its report to the Rajya Sabha on 19 Dec 2011. Therefore, while
being implemented; definition of OROP
must remain absolutely consistent with the above.
Status of Pension of Earlier Retirees as on 1 Apr 2014
6. OROP has been granted prospectively with
effect from 01 Apr 2014. Therefore , the above definition implies that pension
of all ranks of Army, Air Force and Navy will be brought up to 01 Apr 2014 and
all past pensioners of all ranks with same years of service will receive the
same pension as all ranks with same years of services who will retire as on 01
Apr 2014.
7 In essence the fundamental issue which
must be confirmed is that pensions of
past defence retirees will be equal to that of defence personnel with same rank
and length of service and same group retiring wef 01 Apr 2014.
Impact of Future
Enhancements in Pay and Pension
8. Based on the accepted definition , any
future enhancement in pension due to implementation of OROP post 1 Apr 2014 , must
be automatically passed on to past pensioners.
9. This aspect needs to be confirmed.
Allocation of Funds
10 Given that OROP is to be implemented as defined
above, allotment of Rs 500 crores as stated by the Finance Minister is way too
inadequate. There is a need to clarify whether this amount is only the initial
allotment and additional funds required to implement OROP for all ranks in one shot,
and not piece – meal, will be made available for implementation of OROP.
11. Also the additional Funds required to
implement OROP as defined above must be worked out by the Finance Ministry in
consultation with Ministry of Defence, Service Headquarters and all other stakeholders
including Ex Servicemen (ESM).
Family Pension
12. The Defence Family Pension for all ranks,
including all types of casualties, at every stage must be equal to the pension
drawn by the Pensioner. Ipso facto this implies that there must be no reduction
in the pension while granting family pension to Defence spouses and the Next of
Kin where entitled , including in case of all types of casualties.
Date of Implementation
13. OROP as defined above and with all confirmations
in place must get implemented on ground with effect from 1 Apr 2014.
