Implementation of One Rank One Pension

Improvement in pension is an ongoing process. Though the demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been considered by various Committees in the past but it has not been found feasible to accept it. However, keeping in mind the spirit of the demand a Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look into the issue of OROP and other related matters, which submitted its report on 30.6.2009. The Committee made seven recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the Government. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence has accordingly issued orders in implementation of the same vide Government letters dated 30.10.2009, 19.1.2010, 20.1.2010 & 8.3.2010 which are also available on www.pcdapension.nic.in. These orders have substantially increased the pension of pre 2006 retirees.

The yearly statement of booking of Defence Pension Expenditure during and up to the month of March ending (2009-2010 & 2010-2011) shows that the total amount allotted for Defence Pension Expenditure has been booked in full and no amount is lying unspent. Further as per the reports received from various pension disbursing authorities including Public Sector Banks/Private Sector Banks almost 98.5% cases requiring revision have been cleared. Only few cases are pending for revision, which are also being pursued for early settlement.

The process of revision of pension is being monitored regularly by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and the Department of Financial Services.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PAllam Raju in written reply to Shri K.E. Ismail in Rajya Sabha today.