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In a major victory for armed forces veterans, the Cabinet has approved a 2,300-crore package to implement the one-rank-one-pension (OROP) demand that has been pending for three decades.
"The Cabinet today (Monday) approved 2,300 crore total package for defence personnel based on a report of the committee headed by the Cabinet secretary on defence pay and pensions," said a senior government official.
With this decision, the Congress-led UPA government seems to have addressed a large electorate of over 21 lakh armed forces veterans. The decision comes right ahead of assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh, a state with a large population of serving and retired armed personnel. Congress is eyeing a comeback in BJP-ruled Himachal Pradesh and would need such a populist push to make any dent in the state.
The Prime Minister had recognised this demand in his Independence Day address when he said, "Our government has set up a committee to examine issues relating to pay and pension of armed forces personnel. This committee will also look into matters concerning pension of retired men and officers and family pension being paid to their families. We will take prompt action on the recommendations of the committee, once they are received."
The panel submitted its report on August 8. Set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 13, the committee had Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pulok Chatterjee, and defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma as members, apart from secretaries of departments of expenditure, ex-servicemen's welfare, and personnel and training. The panel also looked into the armed forces veterans issues such as OROP, enhancement of family pension, dual family pension and family pension for mentally and physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage.
The move came after a strong recommendation by Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee advocating adoption of the one-rank-one-pension principle to retired defence personnel last year. The report was tabled in the House on December 19, 2011.
OROP implies that servicemen of the same rank and same period of service should get the same pension, irrespective of when they retired. It also means that when pension is enhanced, the benefit will also be passed on to those who have retired earlier. OROP has been a major irritant for ex-servicemen who have taken the government to court in many state HCs and SC.
The SC rejected the pleas refusing to step into the tussle between the government and soldiers. The demand for pension parity has been on for 30 years. The struggle intensified over the last five years as armed forces veterans organised themselves in umbrella outfits like Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement. Retired Army personnel gave several representations to the President, written in their blood, and even returned honorary medals awarded to them protesting the government's apathy towards their demand.
Cabinet clears Rs 2,300-crore package for one-rank-one-pension for armed forces - The Economic Times
"The Cabinet today (Monday) approved 2,300 crore total package for defence personnel based on a report of the committee headed by the Cabinet secretary on defence pay and pensions," said a senior government official.
With this decision, the Congress-led UPA government seems to have addressed a large electorate of over 21 lakh armed forces veterans. The decision comes right ahead of assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh, a state with a large population of serving and retired armed personnel. Congress is eyeing a comeback in BJP-ruled Himachal Pradesh and would need such a populist push to make any dent in the state.
The Prime Minister had recognised this demand in his Independence Day address when he said, "Our government has set up a committee to examine issues relating to pay and pension of armed forces personnel. This committee will also look into matters concerning pension of retired men and officers and family pension being paid to their families. We will take prompt action on the recommendations of the committee, once they are received."
The panel submitted its report on August 8. Set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 13, the committee had Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pulok Chatterjee, and defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma as members, apart from secretaries of departments of expenditure, ex-servicemen's welfare, and personnel and training. The panel also looked into the armed forces veterans issues such as OROP, enhancement of family pension, dual family pension and family pension for mentally and physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage.
The move came after a strong recommendation by Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee advocating adoption of the one-rank-one-pension principle to retired defence personnel last year. The report was tabled in the House on December 19, 2011.
OROP implies that servicemen of the same rank and same period of service should get the same pension, irrespective of when they retired. It also means that when pension is enhanced, the benefit will also be passed on to those who have retired earlier. OROP has been a major irritant for ex-servicemen who have taken the government to court in many state HCs and SC.
The SC rejected the pleas refusing to step into the tussle between the government and soldiers. The demand for pension parity has been on for 30 years. The struggle intensified over the last five years as armed forces veterans organised themselves in umbrella outfits like Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement. Retired Army personnel gave several representations to the President, written in their blood, and even returned honorary medals awarded to them protesting the government's apathy towards their demand.
Cabinet clears Rs 2,300-crore package for one-rank-one-pension for armed forces - The Economic Times
late but correct move
