Relief to Center on OROP, Supreme Court allows payment of outstanding pension in installments
The Supreme Court has given permission to the Central Government to pay the arrears in installments under One Rank One Pension (OROP). The court has said that the entire outstanding pension of ex-servicemen should be paid before February 28, 2024. This outstanding amount is to be given to about 21 lakh ex-servicemen or their families.
How will the payment be done?
- 6 lakh people who got family pension and gallantry award will be given their full dues by 30 April.
- 4 lakh pensioners who are above 70 years of age will get arrears of pension till June 30.
- The remaining 11 lakh people will be paid in 3 equal installments – on 31 August, 30 November and 28 February.
Pension review will not be affected
The court has also made it clear that by making this payment the basis, the government will not be able to try to postpone the review and increase of pension every 5 years. This process fixed for July 2024 will happen on its own time.
What is the matter?
The organization of ex-servicemen had approached the Supreme Court against the government’s notification to pay the outstanding amount of Rs 28 thousand crore in instalments. He told that on January 9, the Supreme Court had ordered to pay the entire amount by March 15. In this case, by issuing a separate notification, the Ministry of Defense has defied the Supreme Court. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had asked the government to withdraw this notification.
Government’s answer
The Defense Ministry told the Supreme Court that it has allocated Rs 1.2 lakh crore for pension this year. But due to increase in pension after OROP scheme, a huge amount is still pending for payment. The outstanding amount for the period between 2019 and 2022 is 28 thousand crore rupees. It is difficult to pay it in one go. The Finance Ministry has also advised not to do so. This will be done in instalments. Full payment will be made in this financial year. The judges accepted his request.
Expressed displeasure over the sealed envelope
During the hearing on Monday, Attorney General R Venkataramani told the court that the details of the steps taken to implement the old order of the court have been submitted in a sealed cover. The judge should pass the order after seeing it. But the Chief Justice refused to accept it. He said that this system of secrecy cannot be allowed to continue. The petitioner should also know what the government has replied.
The court said that it will accept this report only when the Attorney General himself reads it. After this, Venkataramani read out the reply of the Ministry of Defense in the open court. He informed about the objection expressed by the Finance Ministry. On this, the court also agreed that by paying such a huge amount at once, there may be a problem in other expenses of the government.
