New Delhi15 hours ago
The Supreme Court has made a strong comment on the notification of the Ministry of Defense to pay the outstanding pension of 25 lakh ex-servicemen in four instalments. The Supreme Court said that the Ministry of Defense cannot take the law into its hands. Immediately withdraw the notification issued by the Defense Secretary on 20 January.
In fact, on January 9, the SC had given the Center time till March 15 to clear the total arrears of One Rank One Pension. But on January 20, the ministry issued a release that the arrears would be paid in four instalments.
After this, the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) filed a petition demanding the cancellation of the notification of the Ministry of Defense.
Why did the Ministry of Defense choose the method of payment in installments?
According to reports, the number of beneficiaries has crossed 25 lakhs including the soldiers who retired after July 1, 2014. 8,450 crore on the government due to this. There will be an additional burden of Rs. After the amendment, the arrears or arrears from July 2019 to June 2022 will also be given to the pension scheme. That is, a total of Rs 23,638.07 crore will be given.
If the government fails to make the payment by March 15, interest at the rate of 9% will be charged on the outstanding amount. That’s why the Center had applied to the court to extend this deadline.
Center said – we have released an installment
Here the Central Government told the Supreme Court that it has paid one installment of OROP dues to the ex-servicemen, but some more time is needed to clear the dues. On this the CJI again said- First withdraw your January 20 letter on payment of OROP dues, then we will consider your application for more time.
Read what was argued in the court
- CJI DY Chandrachud asked AG R Venkataramani, who was arguing on behalf of the government – when will you pay it? After all it is a pension. Ever since the case started, 4 lakh pensioners have died till now.
- CJI said- Attorney General should prepare a note by Monday and tell how much payment is left, what is its method and what will be the priority. We want it to be paid in categories, the arrears should be paid first to the elders who have crossed the age of 75 years. After this the widows.
- On this, AG R Venkataramani told the bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala that the first installment would be released before March 31.
- Senior Advocate Huzaifa Ahmadi said that even after applying for extension 4 times, he wanted more extension. This is wrong. They have enough money for other things but they don’t have money to give to pensioners.
What is One Rank One Pension
One Rank One Pension (OROP) means same rank and same pension for same period of service. The date of retirement does not matter in this. That is, if an officer served in the armed forces for 15 years from 1985 to 2000 and another officer served from 1995 to 2010, both would get the same pension. This will benefit 25 lakh ex-servicemen.