One Rank One Pension – Decision Expected in 1-2 Months
Much to the relief of nearly 25 lakh ex-servicemen, including 12 lakh soldiers who are protecting this sovereign nation, the final decision on the One Rank One Pension demand will be announced in a month or two.
According to reliable sources of information, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar has given the assurance and that steps in this regard have already been taken.
The fact that the Ministry is working overtime to enforce this scheme has brought cheers to serving armymen all over the country. They can rest assured that the scheme, which was being talked about for a number of years, will finally be implemented this time.
The Sixth Pay Commission had recommended fitment formula and modified parity for past pensioners, in order to reduce the gaps, which were accepted by the Government.
For example, a Sepoy, who retired prior to 1996, gets 82% lower pension than a Sepoy who retires after 2006. Similarly, among officers, a pre-1996 Major gets 53% lower pension than his post 2006 counterpart”.
OROP means that every pension-eligible soldier who retires in a particular rank deserves the same pension, irrespective of date of retirement. Currently, soldiers who left the armed forces more recently receive more than those who did earlier, because successive pay commissions hiked salaries.
During his Parliamentary speech, the then Finance Minister Pranabh Mukherjee announced that the scheme would be implemented in July 2009. It was announced that the Government was going to implement the recommendations made by the high level committee led by KM Chandraskehar. The scheme was discussed a number of times, but was never implemented.
With an allocation of Rs. 1000 Crores, while there is pressure to implement the scheme, the government also has to keep in mind the lakhs of former servicemen.
The new Government’s stand in this issue will become clear in another few months.
On scrutiny of various table of pensions of OROP, a subedar increasing pension from Rs 11970/- to Rs 15000/- and above. It means there is a hike of Rs 3000/- and above per month, whereas a Hony rank of Lt is increaing pension from Rs 15465/- to Rs 16160/- ie only hike of Rs Rs 695/-.This is quite injustice with Hony rank of Lt. The difference of hike of Hony Ly should be more than the hike of a Sub/Sub Maj
It is a well known and universally applicable fact that “where there is will, there is a way”. This is all the more relevant in the case of implementation of OROP.
It is really a matter of great surprise and concern that with a person like Mr. Narendra Modi being at the helm, this issue is not being addressed with due diligence and priority that it deserves.
It is really painful, but I find no plausible explanation for such apathy.and I sincerely wish and hope that the better sense does prevail and the warriors of the past are not treated like this any longer.
With best wishes to all fellow retired service personnel.
Wg Cdr PK Sanyal (Retd)
I request Hon pm and FM pl issue the order for prop during winter session of lok saba