Judicial Committee to look into OROP ``anomalies``, says Rao Inderjit

Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit said OROP would be effective prospectively and in future, the pension would be re-fixed every five years.

New Delhi: Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Friday said the Government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP).

It would be effective prospectively and in future, the pension would be re-fixed every five years, he added.In reply to questions by Gopal Shetty and others, he said, "Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3) 1(i)(b), 13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP."

Certain ex-servicemen associations have been demanding for changes in methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases etc.

The Centre had on November 7 issued a notification regarding OROP, which entails the pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013, and the benefit will be effective from July 1, 2014.

Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service.

Pension for those drawing above the average will be protected.Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly instalments.

However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of special / liberalised family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.In future, the pension would be re-fixed every five years.