One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been awarded to the Armed Forces Pensioners for the first time in 2015. OROP is the most awaiting benefit for the veterans which have financial implications. Since 2019, the revision left pending for 40 lakh pensioners and family pensioners. After the verdict of the apex court in March 2022, the present Govt was directed to implemet the revision process from July 2019 and pay the dues within 3 months. You all know that the Govt has failed to workout the revision process for OROP 2nd revision.

Present Development on OROP Issue 2022

Meanwhile Indian Ex Servicemen Movement & Ors (Petitionar) Vs Union of India (Respodent) case was filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for Listing to review the orders on revision of OROP in actual form as per recommendations of the committee formed for the purpose and not in diluted form. So, the review petition has been dismissed in terms of signed order.The application for listing the review petition in open court has been rejected on 26^thJuly 2022. You may refer the Case No RP(C) No. 769/2022 in WPC 419/2016.

PIB Release Confirmed thatRevision of pension under OROP w.e.f 01.07.2019 is underprocess

The Government authority has expressed that implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been done vide MoD letter no. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)- Part-II dated 07.11.2015 and tables for fixation of pension were issued vide MoD letter no. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part-II dated 03.02.2016. This was the First time revision under OROP Scheme. The 2^ndRevision after 5 Years was due in July 2019.

The MoD has also expressed that the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 16.03.2022 directed that in terms of the communication dated 7th November 2015, a re-fixation exercise shall be carried out from 1st July 2019, upon the expiry of five years. Accordingly the Govt authority has confirmed that “Revision of pension under OROP with effect from 01.07.2019 is under process”.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Rajmohan Unnithan in Lok Sabha on 29^thJuly 2022. Recently Gen Satbir Singh has twitted that the Govt has been granted 3 months more time to implement the orders of Honble Supreme Court and the cutoff date fixed as 15 Dec 2022. We may expect the OROP arrears and revision by 15 Dec this year only.

Prsent action in hand with PCDA

After such PIB release, it may be expected that the PCDA is working hard to release the arrears and Revised Pension of veterans and family pensioners by 15 December 2022.