The government on Saturday announced the implementation of One Rank One Pension(OROP), for armed forces personnel, ending a long-awaited demand of the ex-servicemen.
"The Government has taken a decision to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP). In simple terms, the OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with same length of service regardless of their retirement," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here.
"Further enhancement of the rate of the pension will be automatically passed to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pensioners of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals. Under this, it has been decided that pension would be re-fixed every five years. OROP will be implemented from July 1, 2014, the base year would be 2013," Parrikar added in the press conference.
"The present Government assumed office on May 26, 2014, and therefore, it has been decided to make the date effective immediately thereafter," he added.
The defence minister also said that the armed personnel who voluntary retire will not be covered under OROP scheme.
"Arrears will be paid in four half yearly instalments. Personnel who voluntary retire will not be covered under OROP scheme. Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of maximum and minimum pension in 2013," he said.
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"All widows, including war widows, will be paid arrears in one instalment. OROP would be fixed on the basis of calendar year 2013. Pension will be fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension in 2013," Parrikar said.
"Since this is not an administrative matter alone therefore it has been decided that one member judicial committee will be constituted which will give its report in six months. PM Modi has fulfilled his commitment and approved OROP for armed forces personnel. I appeal to the veterans to continue the vital task of nation building," Parrikar added.