Minister of State for Defence Dr Bhamre updates Lok Sabha about OROP

He was replying to a query by Mullappally Ramachandran and others.

He said the Committee has submitted its report on October 26, 2016.

The minister said that the Pension Grievances Cell in the Department is receiving grievances of the pensioners / family pensioners regarding non-payment of OROP benefits and taking up the matter with the concerned offices e.g. Controller General of defence Accounts (CGDA), Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) and Pension Disbursing Agencies (Banks) for redressal of their grievances in a time-bound manner.

Service Headquarters and CGDA also have dedicated grievances Directorates / Cells for redressal of the grievances of Ex-Servicemen.  Disposal of the grievance is monitored at the highest level in the central government, the minister said.

Annual financial implication on account of grant of OROP is estimated at Rs. 7,488.70 crore and Rs. 10,925.11 crore towards arrears for the period  of July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015.

In his reply, the minister also provided details regarding the status of payment to the Defence Forces Pensioners / Family Pensioners on account of implementation of OROP order, as on February 27, 2017.

As per central government order dated November 7, 2015, on OROP, the pension would be re-fixed every five years.

Personnel who opt to get discharged after November 7, 2015, on their own request under Rule 13(3)1(i)(b), 13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP, the minister said in his reply.

Image: Shubhash Bhamre Twitter