The Supreme Court directed the Centre to pay arrears to eligible family pensioners and gallantry winners of the armed forces as per the One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme by 30th April 2023.
The SC observed that eligible pensioners above 70 years must be paid by 30th June 2023 and the rest of the eligible pensioners in equal instalments on or before 30th Aug 2023, 30th Nov 2023 and 28th Feb 2024.
“Centre is duty-bound to comply with 2022 judgement in terms of OROP scheme,” a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud SC stated, adding that nearly six lakh family pensioners and gallantry award winners will be paid OROP dues by the end of next month.
The top court clarified that the payment of OROP dues will not affect further equalisation of the pension of ex-servicemen to be done in 2024. The bench, also comprising justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala noted that out of 25 lakh pensioners, four lakh did not qualify for the OROP scheme as they were getting enhanced pensions and the Centre proposed to pay the arrears by April 30, 2023.
How OROP Arrears Will Be Paid?
The OROP dues for 10-11 lakh remaining pensioners shall be paid in three equal instalments by February 28 next year.
- The payment of the dues “will not affect further equalisation of pension of ex-servicemen to be done in 2024”.
- The bench was hearing the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement’s (IESM) plea over payment of OROP dues. On March 13, the top court came down heavily on the government for “unilaterally” deciding to pay OROP dues in four instalments.
