SC Upholds Govt’s Decision 'On One Rank One Pension', Here's Everything You Need To Know

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday upheld the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme introduced by the Central Government for ex-servicemen.

However the Supreme Court said that the pending rescheduling process of OROP should be started from July 1, 2019 and the dues should be paid in three months.

Notably, an organization of ex-servicemen had said in the Supreme Court that the basic purpose of One Rank One Pension is not being fulfilled by this policy.

The ‘One Rank One Pension’ rule means that a retired soldier of the same rank and length of service will receive the same pension, regardless of their date of retirement.

The demand of the soldiers was that the officer, who has been in the rank of colonel for at least 7 years, should get pension equally.

As soon BJP came to power in 2014, it announced the implementation of OROP for retired soldiers. However, the scheme was implemented three years ago.

Notably, earlier the situation was that the soldiers who retired before 2006 used to get less pension, even less pension than their younger officer used to come in their account. There was a lot of resentment among the retired soldiers about this arrangement and they were also demanding a uniform pension for a long time.

In 2008, the ex-servicemen also fought for a long time by forming an organization named Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (ISM). Continuous sit-in demonstrations were held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

There has been a demand for equal pension among retired soldiers for a long time. In 2008, the ex-servicemen formed an organization named Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (ISM) and organized a major movement demanding 'One Rank, One Pension'.

In September 2009, the Supreme Court ordered to proceed with OROP. In 2010, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense had recommended the implementation of the OROP.