One Rank One Pension an emotive issue for Ex- Servicemen

Jun 10th, 2009
The Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Mrs. Pratibha Patil on 04 June 2009 announced that long pending demand of One Rank One Pension (OROP) of the Defence Forces will be reexamined and decision arrived at by 30 June 2009. The announcement has been widely welcomed by the Defence personnel specially the Ex-Servicemen who have been agitating for the past one year to press for their demands specially the One Rank One Pension. Deeply hurt and anguished at the apathy shown by the Govt in not accepting their main demand of OROP, they on four occasions deposited over 15000 gallantry and distinguished service medals with the President.

The Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM,) an umbrella organization for all Ex Servicemen of India appeals to the Govt that the committee headed by Mr Chandrasekhar must not dilute the Definition of OROP ie irrespective of the date of retirement, the Defence Personnel who have rendered same years of service and holding same rank must get same pension. Only the grant of Full Parity with the new pensioners will meet the ends of justice.

We appeal to the Govt to accept the concept of One Rank One Pension with full Parity and make it the policy for grant of pensions to the Defence Personnel. Any other thoughts/proposal of One Time increase/ modified parity/ near parity will not be in line with the “Just and Fair” solution to the emotive issue of OROP. We are hopeful that the Govt will give due consideration to this important aspect of Defence Forces.
One Rank One Pension: OROP

Under the one-rank one-pension scheme, a retired defence personnel of a particular rank would be entitled to same amount of pension irrespective of the year of retirement.

Comments Submitted by Dr Mahendra Azad (not verified) on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 6:20pm.
It is shameful and shows the scant disregard the politicians in this country have for the sacrifices made by the defense personal. How much the government is going to save by not giving the benefit to the officers? The officers who retired before 1996 got so meager pay during their service that most of them could not even buy an apartment from their savings and are either living in hired accommodation or living as dependent on their children. Financially they are in a miserable condition.
Sometimes, I wonder why people in this country join the defense forces. Day in and day out, young officers and men die or get disabled in insurgency operations. Defense persons remain separated for years from their loved ones and serve in most inhospitable environment. Nobody remembers and cares. The old timers were worst off, because the pays were meager, living conditions i.e., transportation, accommodation, food, and clothing were hopeless. There was nothing like entertainment and still the successive government have neglected their welfare. I hope better sense will prevail on these politicians and they will learn to take care of the serving and retired defense personal. It is high time that one rank one pension rule is implemented for all ranks with immediate effect so that the morale of the forces do not get adversely effected and citizens of this country get encouragement to serve in defense services.
Pension for defence personnel increased July 7th, 2009